September 2010 In This Issue Highlights from Rush Hour's 11th Season: The Best Yet! Recommendations from the Artistic Director Community Partner Spotlight: St. James Cathedral Volunteers: You Make it Happen! New This Fall: Rush Hour Encores Support Us Please help us keep Rush Hour free and accessible to all by making a tax-deductible contribution today. Thank you! Quick Links About Us Blog Rush Hour Conversations Connect with Rush Hour Access Rush Hour Highlights from Rush Hour's 11th Season: The Best Yet! This season, a roster of over 60 world-class artists performed 14 programs of great live music, broadcast live via radio and online by 98.7 WFMT... ...over 5,800 people attended the season's concert events, 25% of whom were under the age of 40... ...over 400 pounds of fruit and cheese, 5,600 cookies, brownies, and pastries, and over 1,500 glasses of wine were served by more than 30 volunteers of all ages at the summer's pre-concert receptions. ...20 consulates, cultural offices, and local businesses joined Rush Hour's roster of community partners, expanding the Rush Hour experience with exclusive discounts, giveaways, and access to special events... ...and over 20,000 people have visited the Rush Hour website this year, which includes the podcast series Rush Hour Conversations, a Flickr photo album with hundreds of photos of the season's concerts, and videos of Rush Hour activities. Thank you again to all who have contributed financially at all levels to help us ensure that Rush Hour enters next season without a deficit and can remain free and available to all. - Julie Hutchison Managing Director Recommendations from the Artistic Director Though Rush Hour's summer season has ended, there is a wealth of great music to experience live in Chicago. Three ensembles whose members appear regularly at Rush Hour are beginning their fall seasons in the coming weeks - I hope to see you at these concerts! - Deborah Sobol Artistic Director Third Coast Percussion Saturday, September 18 7:30 p.m. Merit School of Music Catch Third Coast Percussion's first performance of the fall season as they showcase John Cage's "Constructions" this Saturday at the Merit School of Music. Click here to see footage of Rush Hour in the studio with Third Coast Percussion as they prepare for their upcoming performance this Saturday. Chicago Chamber Musicians Sunday, September 19 7:30 p.m. Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Evanston and Monday, September 20 7:30 p.m. Merit School of Music, Chicago The Chicago Chamber Musicians kick off their 24th subscription concert series with music from Dohnányi, Bartók, and Schumann.  Click here to see their full list of concerts this fall season. Fifth House Ensemble Sunday, October 3 2:00 p.m. The Green Mill, Chicago Don't miss an encore performance of Kevin Puts' "Red Snapper Quintet," featured this summer at Rush Hour, as members of Fifth House Ensemble perform at the Rapido Midwestern Semi-Finals.  Click here for additional performance information. Community Partner Spotlight: St. James Cathedral Known to many Rush Hour fans as simply the magnificent venue for each summer Tuesday's concerts, St. James Cathedral is much more - a true partner in every sense of the word. St. James is known throughout Chicago as a "beacon of hospitality" and has provided space and staff assistance to Rush Hour for each of its concert events for the last eleven years. There are a multitude of public events that take place at the Cathedral year-round, from Thursday neighborhood nights in the Cafe and the annual pet blessing in October to the Let's Talk About It forums and the Cathedral Music series. St. James welcomes you to two major events of note in the coming weeks: St. James Cathedral "Be Opened Night" Tuesday, October 19 6:00-9:00 p.m. $75/person The Allerton Hotel St. James Cathedral's inaugural "Be Opened Night" features all you can eat and drink at the Allerton Hotel's historic Tip Top Tap ballroom, accompanied by the musical strains of St. James Cafe favorites Leandro Varady and Marguerite Mariama. Tickets are available at 65 E. Huron and online. For more information, call Ann Ryba at 312.787.7360. St. James Cathedral Music Series Continue to enjoy great music this fall and winter at the Cathedral. Bruce J. Barber II, St. James' Director of Cathedral Music, has created a superb series of concerts starting in October. Stay tuned to the St. James website or call Bruce Barber at 312.751.6724 for more details on the opening concert. Rush Hour's 11th season was rich in community partners!  Click here to see a full list of Rush Hour's creative collaborators. Volunteers: You Make it Happen! Rush Hour extends a special thank you to its extraordinary summer volunteer team!  This summer Rush Hour had over 30 volunteers sharing their time and talent weekly serving refreshments at pre-concert receptions, ushering, and helping behind the scenes of each concert event.  Their dedication helped ensure that Rush Hour remained free and accessible to all. What is it like to be a Rush Hour volunteer? Click here to watch our video on "The Volunteer Experience." You can make a difference now: Rush Hour needs volunteer support year-round!  If you have even one hour per month, we can use your help with mailings and special events in the off-season. For more information, contact me at 773.338.9480 or eliza@rushhour.org. - Eliza Warren Marketing & Development Associate New This Fall: Rush Hour Encores Rush Hour is pleased to announce the launch of "Rush Hour Encores" on Sundays at the Mayne Stage in Rogers Park, in partnership with WFMT. Beginning in October, your favorite artists will be performing encores of their 2010 Rush Hour programs monthly at 11 a.m. at the Mayne Stage. Experience the concerts again, or listen in as the concerts are broadcast live on WFMT 98.7 FM and streaming online.  Visit rushhour.org or maynestage.com for more information.