What can performances from homegrown musicians tell us about the soul of a city? This fall, the Strictly Chicago concert series at Athenaeum Center invites audiences to find out.
From jazz to folk to indie rock to holiday swing, Strictly Chicago brings together four unique performances that honor the city’s cultural roots while reimagining its sounds for today. These concerts are more than evenings of music. They are celebrations of legacy, community, and the artists who continue to shape Chicago’s rich musical identity.
Season Subscription: All Four Shows for $50
For the ultimate Chicago music experience, audiences can purchase a Strictly Chicago Season Subscription. This package includes tickets to all four concerts in the series for just $50 plus fees, offering nearly $20 discount overall compared to individual ticket prices.
Subscribers secure their seat for every performance, from September through December, and ensure they do not miss a moment of this city-spanning musical journey.
With a subscription, you are covered for the whole season. If you prefer to attend select concerts, here is the full lineup of performances included in the series.
Petra van Nuis & Andy Brown Quartet
September 19, 2025 · 8:00 PM
Advance: $21 · Day of: $26
The series opens with beloved Chicago jazz vocalist Petra van Nuis and guitarist Andy Brown, who pay tribute to four legendary mentors who shaped Petra’s artistry: Jeannie Lambert, Marc Pompe, Judy Roberts, and Audrey Morris. With stories, swing, and a special guest appearance by Jeannie Lambert herself, this evening honors Chicago’s jazz lineage while showcasing Petra and Andy’s signature “magical musical dialogue.” Read about the show and secure your seats today.
Estate Sale
October 11, 2025 · 7:30 PM
Advance: $13 · Day of: $16
Known for their lush arrangements, swirling organs, and adventurous songwriting, Estate Sale brings their genre-spanning sound to the historic Athenaeum Center. Blending Americana, psych-folk, and atmospheric indie rock, the band will perform songs from their debut and most recent albums, alongside reimagined covers of the artists who inspired them. Expect an immersive evening that is equal parts tender, experimental, and unforgettable. Read about the show and secure your seats today.
Jonas Friddle Trio
November 20, 2025 · 8:00 PM
Advance: $21 · Day of: $26
Award-winning songwriter and old-time banjo player Jonas Friddle takes the stage with his trio for an evening of folk music that brims with honesty, humor, and heart. A fixture of Chicago’s folk community since 2007, Jonas’s songs carry the echoes of Appalachian roots and global travels alike. With storytelling that moves from protest songs to modern love ballads, the Jonas Friddle Trio offers a night that is both reflective and joyful. Read about the show and secure your seats today.
Sarah Marie Young: Christmas Music & Cocktails
December 16, 2025 · 7:00 PM
Advance: $13 · Day of: $16
The series concludes with a festive holiday evening featuring Sarah Marie Young, one of Chicago’s most celebrated vocalists. Joined by Kent Wehman on piano and Josh Ramos on bass, Sarah performs selections from her holiday album The Most Wonderful Time alongside seasonal favorites and heartfelt originals. Cozy, soulful, and filled with swing, this concert is the perfect way to ring in the season with music and cheer. This show coincides with our 2025 production of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. Read about the show and secure your seats today.
Why Strictly Chicago?
Chicago is a city built on music. From jazz clubs that keep the swing alive to folk stages that nurture songwriters to neighborhoods that echo with creativity, music is in its bones. The Strictly Chicago concert series at Athenaeum Center is a way of celebrating that living legacy.
Each performance is rooted in this city yet speaks to audiences everywhere. It honors the past, embraces the present, and carries the music forward. Whether you are a jazz aficionado, a folk fan, or simply searching for unforgettable Athenaeum Center concerts, Strictly Chicago offers a season of music that reflects the very best of Chicago live music.
Subscribe to the series and experience the city’s sound like never before.
Stay tuned. We will be announcing the Winter-Spring 2026 lineup soon.
