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Harris Theater for Music and Dance

The spectacular Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance, created to provide an affordable downtown performance space for mid-sized arts organizations (for companies like the Chicago Opera Theater, Apollo Chorus, Chicago Chamber Musicians, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Joffrey Ballet, and the Old Town School of Folk Music), opened in November 2003. Originally planned for another site, the theater (winner of a 2002 American Architecture Award) eventually became part of the city's Millenium Park plans. Music and Dance Theater Chicago is completely underground with the exception of a concrete and glass entry on Upper Randolph Drive; the Orchestra level is accessible from the Millenium Park garage. The modern lobby area spans several metallic and neon floors. The 1500-seat theater itself is far more subdued, with glorious sightlines and acoustics, providing an unusually modern and stainless-steel bolstered environment for catching an opera or two. You'll want to check in on the schedule every now and then, so as not to miss highlights like "This American Life" host Ira Glass, the Vermeer Quartet and "Midsummer Night's Dream."

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