City of Chicago :: City of Chicago Announces Full Food and Taste Main Stage Music Lineup for 2023 Taste of Chicago, Taking Place September 8

Matthew Bryant, Carol Fox & Associates [email protected]

DCASE Communications [email protected]

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CHICAGO—Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) today announced the food vendor and main stage entertainment lineup for the 2023 edition of Taste of Chicago. Established in 1980, this annual Chicago tradition will once again showcase the incredible diversity and world-class talent of Chicago’s culinary offerings in iconic Grant Park. Along with a selection of delicious food and beverage offerings, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy free admission to top-tier performances by a slate of world-class musical talent. Headline performances include Masters of the Mic: Hip Hop 50 celebrating 50 years of the iconic genre with its pioneering artists including EPMD and KRS-One; celebrated singer-songwriter Lupita Infante supported by the all-female, Chicago-based Mariachi group Mariachi Sirenas; trailblazing Dominican-American hip-hop group Proyecto Uno; and Chicago-based band Whitney. Guests can also take advantage of a wide variety of family activities, programming, free dance lessons and much more.

“Since 1980, Taste of Chicago has been a beloved tradition showcasing our city’s incredible culinary and cultural offerings,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “I’m thrilled to invite Chicagoans and visitors alike to Grant Park once again to enjoy familiar Taste of Chicago favorites, new vendor additions and exciting entertainment for everyone to enjoy."

Taking place in its iconic, longtime home near Grant Park’s Buckingham Fountain, Taste of Chicago will return Friday – Sunday, September 8 – 10 with more than 35 vendors and 15 food trucks, plus three stages presenting free performances, dance classes, family activities and more. Full Taste Main Stage and SummerDance Stage lineups enclosed. Goose Island Stage lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.

“From our neighborhood events in Humboldt Park, Pullman Park and Marquette Park throughout the summer to September’s festival in Grant Park, we’re excited to showcase all that the Chicago culinary and cultural scene has to offer,” said DCASE Commissioner Erin Harkey. “In addition to these offerings, guests will have the opportunity to participate in a multitude of other DCASE mainstays and new additions including Chicago SummerDance, Chicago Sings Karaoke and much more.”

New this year, Taste of Chicago Grant Park has expanded the number of festival entrances and streamlined the guest entrance process, making it easier than ever to make the most of Taste. Taste of Chicago Grant Park and all performances are free admission. Once again, there will be no Taste tickets; all vendors accept cash and/or credit.

Friday, September 8 – Sunday, September 10

12-8pm

Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain (Jackson & Columbus)

Free Admission

Returning to its Grant Park home near Buckingham Fountain for 2023, Taste of Chicago will once again showcase the vibrant diversity of the City of Chicago’s culinary offerings alongside world-class musical performances, drawing visitors from across the country and around the globe.

In addition to the more than 35 vendors and 15 food trucks, guests can enjoy a designated beer hall, wine garden and cocktail lounge, featuring enhanced offerings alongside the new frozen adult beverage station. Beer aficionados can also take advantage of Friday Night Flights, a celebration of Chicago’s award-winning craft beer scene in partnership with Choose Chicago on Friday, September 8.

Also enhanced this year, Lifeway Family Village will give everyone the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of games, bounce houses and activities for everyone.

Each evening presents a diverse mix of chart-topping, showstopping nightly concerts on the Taste Main Stage and the Goose Island Stage. Chicago Made, a DCASE initiative that supports Chicago’s makers and dreamers, presents top emerging talent as openers for the Taste Main Stage. Music lineups below; free admission to all concerts. Note: Once again, there will not be Taste tickets this year; cash or credit card are accepted by all food vendors. Details at TasteofChicago.us.

Food vendors include Cumin Club Indian Kitchen, Sapori Trattoria, Arun’s Thai Restaurant, The Original Rainbow Cone, Healthy Substance Kitchen, LC Pho Restaurant, Yum Dum, Churro Factory (Xurro), African Food Palace, Porkchop, The Eli’s Cheesecake Company, Esperanza, Robinson No. 1 Ribs, Classic Cobbler Baked Goods Company, Tacotlan, JJ Thai Street Food, Doom Street Eats, Badou Senegalese Cuisine, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, Billy Goat Tavern, Chicago Eats, Gaby’s Funnel Cakes, Frannie’s Café, Prime Tacos, The Sole Ingredient Catering, BJ’s Market & Bakery, Connie’s Pizza, Seoul Taco Chicago, Chicago’s Doghouse, Tandoor Char House, Pies of London, Banato, Mr. E Chef Catering, Josephine’s Cooking, Yvolina’s Tamales and a wide variety of food trucks.

“Taste of Chicago is a can’t-miss Chicago summer staple that continues to put the diversity of our dynamic restaurant community on full display. It's one of my favorite summertime traditions,” said Sam Toia, President and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association. “Chicago is truly the greatest culinary city in the world, and we are excited and honored to help bring it to Grant Park.”

Throughout each day, Chicago SummerDance, the largest annual outdoor live music and dancing series, turns Buckingham Fountain Plaza into a dance party with free dance lessons and live music. A celebration of dance in all its forms, SummerDance at Taste of Chicago will give guests the opportunity to learn and dance along to dance styles including Reggaeton, Country Two-Step, Bollywood, Salsa, Footwork and much more.

Also on the SummerDance Stage, Eli’s Cheesecake will host their annual Eli’s Cheesecake Birthday Celebration on Saturday, September 9 at 12:30 p.m., continuing a longstanding tradition. Attendees will receive a free piece of cake following the ceremony, while supplies last.

Taste of Chicago guests will also have the opportunity to take part in the second annual edition of Chicago Sings Karaoke, a competition to showcase and celebrate talented vocalists throughout the city.

The Goose Island Stage at this year's Taste of Chicago will feature Chicago's rising stars who have captivated audiences with their epic stage presence, diverse musical genres and a love for getting their audiences involved in the party. The Chicago Independent Venue League (CIVL) is proud to collaborate with DCASE on the Goose Island Stage lineup, which will have families and people of all ages moving and grooving with tacos, sandwiches or ice cream in hand. CIVL advocates on behalf of Chicago’s independent performing arts venues and the people who make them great. The local shows, concerts and events at its independent venues throughout Chicago are recognized as some of the greatest in the world and the organization aims to bring the same experience to the Goose Island Stage at Taste of Chicago 2023.

The full Goose Island stage lineup will be announced in the coming weeks. Full lineups for the Taste Main Stage and SummerDance stage are below.

Friday, September 8 DJ for the evening: Selah Say

Saturday, September 9 DJ for the evening: DJ Janesita

Sunday, September 10

DJ for the evening: DJ Mike P

Friday, September 8, 11am–4:45pm

Saturday, September 9, 1-4:45pm

Sunday, September 10, 11am–4:45pm

Taste of Chicago 2023 is produced by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in coordination with the Illinois Restaurant Association, which manages food operations. The festival is sponsored in part by Lifeway Foods, Pepsi, Eli’s Cheesecake, Chicago Transit Authority, Illinois Lottery, WGN-TV, Millennium Garages, NBC 5, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism.

For more information on the FREE-admission festival, visit TasteofChicago.us. and follow on Facebook at Taste of Chicago, on Twitter @TasteofChi and Instagram @ChicagoDCASE (#TasteofChicago).

Illinois Restaurant Association Founded in 1914, the Illinois Restaurant Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, educating and improving the restaurant industry in Illinois. The Association manages the food and beverage portion of Taste of Chicago for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. For more information, visit www.illinoisrestaurants.org and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city—to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city—serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.

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