When asking yourself about something to do near me in Chicago with a group of friends or family, consider
Holtschneider Performance Center
Why Holtschneider Performance Center is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
The Holtschneider Performance Center, located at 2330 N. Halsted St., Chicago, is an exceptional venue that serves as a vibrant hub for music lovers and performers alike. As part of DePaul University’s School of Music, this center features state-of-the-art facilities designed to foster artistic expression and community engagement. The Performance Center houses several performance spaces, including the Gannon Concert Hall with 505 seats, the 140-seat Allen Recital Hall, the Brennan Family Recital Hall, and the intimate Corboy Jazz Hall. These varied venues offer excellent acoustics and modern amenities, making it a perfect place to enjoy live concerts, recitals, and jazz performances. Beyond its performance spaces, the center includes rehearsal rooms, sound recording technology suites, and flexible classrooms, supporting both education and professional development in music. Conveniently located near well-known Chicago neighborhoods, the center is easily accessible via public transportation and has multiple nearby parking options with discounted rates. It also prioritizes accessibility, featuring ADA compliance and wheelchair seating to ensure all guests can enjoy the arts comfortably. The Holtschneider Performance Center’s elegant architecture and welcoming atmosphere make it a fantastic place to meet with friends, experience world-class music, and immerse oneself in Chicago’s thriving cultural scene.
Here's what people think of Holtschneider Performance Center
As of recent, Holtschneider Performance Center holds a 4.9-star rating based on 109 reviews.
Reviewers consistently praise the Holtschneider Performance Center for its outstanding acoustics, beautiful concert halls, and well-maintained facilities. Many note the professionalism and friendliness of the staff, particularly at the box office and during events, which creates a welcoming and enjoyable experience for visitors. Positive feedback also highlights the venue’s accessibility features and convenient location, making attending performances hassle-free. Several reviews commend the diversity of events hosted, from classical concerts to jazz performances, reflecting the center’s commitment to a wide range of musical genres. On the other hand, some negative reviews mention occasional parking challenges during large events, despite the availability of nearby garages and discounted parking options. A few visitors would like to see an expanded food and beverage service beyond the atrium café to enhance the concert-going experience. Overall, the reviews portray the Holtschneider Performance Center as a top-tier venue in Chicago’s music scene, earning an excellent 4.9-star rating from over a hundred reviews. The consistent praise for its facilities, location, and staff professionalism clearly outweighs minor criticisms, concluding that it is a superb destination for meeting friends and enjoying live music performances.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Gene Nemirovsky
Acoustic instruments sounded fabulous. The space is beautiful and very comfortable.
Nino Arobelidze
DePaul Music School is looking absolutely fabulous with all the restructuring and building that the school has gone through in the past 5+ years! Looking forward to attending more events and hearing music in these new facilities.
Vijayalakshmi Char
Great auditorium! Spot hero is your best bet to find parking or go with validating as per the Holtschneider website. If you are lucky, you could find some free parking by DePaul on Sheffield after hours and walk about 5-10 minutes.
Gary Elfring
Large concert hall, good seating, overall very good
Ashley
Really beautiful performance hall! There's not a bad seat in the house. I went to see the DePaul Symphony Orchestra and it was just incredible. Its easy to access this building and very handicap accessible as well. Also easy to navigate overall awesome space.
How to reach Holtschneider Performance Center
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Why Holtschneider Performance Center may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at Holtschneider Performance Center with your friends?
Choosing a spot for a meetup that combines culture, entertainment, and a welcoming atmosphere is essential for an unforgettable experience with friends or family. The Holtschneider Performance Center, located in Chicago and affiliated with DePaul University, is an exceptional venue to gather with your group. With a stellar 4.9-star rating based on over 100 reviews, this center offers a unique blend of world-class music performances and state-of-the-art facilities. Whether you are jazz enthusiasts, classical music lovers, or simply looking to enjoy an artistic escape, this center is the perfect gathering place. Its intimate yet modern spaces provide excellent acoustics, making every performance immersive and engaging, so you and your friends can share the joy of live music together. Furthermore, the venue offers reasonable ticket prices and occasional free concerts, making it accessible for groups on different budgets. Its convenient location in Chicago, with several nearby parking options, adds to the ease of organizing a group outing without hassles. The welcoming, vibrant ambiance makes it easy to socialize before and after shows, truly enriching your time spent with friends amid inspiring performances.
What types of activities and performances are available at Holtschneider Performance Center?
The activities at Holtschneider Performance Center revolve primarily around outstanding music and performing arts programs designed to delight diverse tastes. The center houses several special performance halls, including Corboy Hall, Gannon Concert Hall, Allen Recital Hall, and Jarvis Opera Hall, each providing a unique atmosphere for specific types of acts and concerts. Jazz lovers will appreciate Corboy Hall’s exclusive dedication to jazz, hailed as one of the best jazz spaces in Chicago with impeccable acoustics and sightlines. The DePaul Jazz Orchestra often performs here, providing accessible concerts with outstanding student and professional musicianship. Classically inclined visitors can enjoy performances in the Gannon Concert Hall, where ensembles like Third Coast Percussion premiere innovative pieces, including world premieres of new compositions. The Jarvis Opera Hall hosts grand opera productions such as “Artaserse,” offering an elegant setting for lovers of dramatic vocal artistry.
Beyond scheduled concerts, the venue is used for other types of performances, including vocal recitals in the Allen Recital Hall, ensemble concerts, and special events tied to academic programs, creating a dynamic calendar appealing to varied audiences. The center also accommodates festivals and community events, inviting groups to immerse themselves not only in traditional performances but also in avant-garde and experimental music programs. These varied offerings make the Holtschneider Performance Center an excellent destination for groups with diverse interests, ensuring something for everyone.
Why is Holtschneider Performance Center the ideal place for group meetups?
Hosting a group meetup at the Holtschneider Performance Center combines cultural enrichment with social connection in an unparalleled way. The venue’s size and layout create an intimate environment — you never feel lost in a large crowd, which facilitates conversation and shared experiences. With no “bad seats” throughout the performance spaces, every attendee has a clear view and stunning sound, making the group outing inclusive and enjoyable for all members regardless of seating preference. The center’s focus on accessibility also ensures that visitors with mobility needs can be comfortably accommodated, so it is welcoming for groups that may include people requiring special seating or easier access.
Ticket pricing is often budget-friendly, supporting affordability for groups without compromising on quality. Being part of DePaul University’s School of Music means there is an exceptional level of professionalism and energy, with some performances featuring emerging talent alongside established musicians. The venue's central Chicago location and nearby parking facilities — including discounted garages and easy public transit options — also make it convenient to gather and disperse efficiently, which is often a key factor for groups coordinating logistics.
Additionally, after the performances, the surrounding neighborhood offers an array of dining and social opportunities, so your meetup doesn't just end with the last note. You can easily extend your time together into dinner or drinks nearby, enhancing the overall experience. The center’s modern amenities, passionate staff, and vibrant programming truly make it a standout destination for friends and families wanting a memorable, culturally rich group event.
What makes the performance halls and spaces special at Holtschneider Performance Center?
Holtschneider Performance Center features four main performance spaces, each meticulously designed with audience experience as a priority. Corboy Hall, located on the second floor, is celebrated as one of the best jazz venues. This space boasts fine acoustics, a cozy ambiance, and thoughtful design, ensuring that every note and nuance of jazz music is captured beautifully. Audiences have praised it as one of the most impressive environments for live jazz performances within any university setting.
Gannon Concert Hall is well-suited for larger ensembles and contemporary classical music. It’s a modern hall with excellent sound control, allowing audiences to engage fully with intricate musical compositions and premiere pieces from innovative musicians and composers. It is often the site for concerts like those presented by Third Coast Percussion, showcasing vibrant percussion ensembles and unique works.
Allen Recital Hall offers a more intimate setting ideal for soloists, small ensembles, and recital performances. Its design encourages close engagement between performers and the audience, making it perfect for friends and families looking for a personal, up-close cultural experience.
Lastly, Jarvis Opera Hall hosts larger-scale opera productions and dramatic performances, providing a rich, theatrical atmosphere. Its elegant design enhances the grandeur and emotion of opera, making it a perfect pick for groups that appreciate traditional and sophisticated performing arts.
Each hall’s design focuses on comfort, sightlines, and acoustics, ensuring a premium experience. This allows a group to choose a venue space that best fits their interests and the size of their party, further enhancing the customizability of your meetup experience.
How accessible and convenient is Holtschneider Performance Center for groups?
One of the strongest aspects of the Holtschneider Performance Center is its accessibility and thoughtful guest services designed to ease group visits. The center is fully ADA compliant, offering wheelchair-accessible seating and facilities, making it inclusive for all guests. Their box office provides personalized assistance via phone and email, simplifying ticket purchase and seating arrangements, which is especially useful when coordinating a group outing to ensure everyone is together.
Parking options near the center include discounted garages such as Lincoln Common Garage, Sheffield Parking Facility, and Clifton Parking Deck, all conveniently located within walking distance. This is a major advantage for groups driving in from different parts of the city or suburbs, easing the stress of finding secure, affordable parking. Additionally, the venue is easily accessible via major expressways and public transportation routes through Chicago.
The center’s customer service and logistical support make it easy to plan group visits, with staff open to help with questions about accessibility, seating plans, or ticketing. Its urban location in a lively neighborhood also means your meetup can extend beyond the performances, incorporating dining, bars, and local attractions, creating a full social day or evening out.
What should you expect during a visit to Holtschneider Performance Center?
Visitors can expect an inviting atmosphere steeped in artistic energy and sophistication when attending the Holtschneider Performance Center. From the moment you enter, you’ll notice the center’s modern architectural design balancing functionality with style. The lobby and common areas provide inviting spaces for friends to gather before performances start or during intermissions, facilitating socializing in a relaxed yet cultured setting.
During the performances, you can expect professional-level sound quality and sightlines, enabling you to fully appreciate the nuances of each musical piece or theatrical presentation. The size of the venue ensures intimacy without crowding, so you and your group can stay connected and engaged throughout the event.
Beyond the shows, the center hosts a wide variety of events including jazz nights, classical premieres, opera, and innovative contemporary music programs, ensuring visitors are exposed to a rich cultural tapestry. Ticket prices vary but remain reasonable, with many concerts even free or discounted for students—making it an economical yet enriching experience.
The nearby neighborhood’s plentiful food and beverage options, from casual eateries to upscale restaurants, also make it easy to plan a complete outing around your visit to the center. Overall, Holtschneider Performance Center promises a seamless, memorable experience perfect for groups who value culture, music, and quality time together.