Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Summer officially started now that Ravinia Festival in Highland Park unlocked its gates, and for the next three months, will be populated with artists of all ages representing truly every style imaginable, giving subscribers, donors and single concertgoers alike a chance to choose their own adventure in the intimate pavilion or the spacious lawn.

Opening weekend certainly struck a sunny chord, especially when came to the colossal combination of revolutionary singer, songwriter, model and actress Grace Jones, alongside fellow visionary, artist and actress Janelle Monáe, both of whom are queer icons and were perfect matches for a Pride Month crowd decked out in drag, club apparel or otherwise.

As the legendary trailblazer who hasn’t been to the Chicago area since the 1990s, Jamaica’s Jones naturally took the closing slot, tapping into her reggae roots and incorporating elements of art pop, R&B, funk, dance, disco and new wave across a series of personalized covers or originals.

They included Iggy Pop’s “Nightclubbing,” The Pretenders’ “Private Life,” the Sting-penned “Demolition Man,” the hymn “Amazing Grace” and Roxy Music’s “Love Is The Drug,” each interpreted in the inimitable style of the always vocally and visually stunning 77-year-old.

Jones’ own “My Jamaican Guy,” “I’ve Seen That Face Before (Libertango),” the brand new “The Key” and “Slave To The Rhythm” were just as compelling, plus Monáe even joined the festivities for a flavorful, flirtatious duet of “Pull Up To The Bumper.”

Fresh off “The Age Of Pleasure,” the latter co-headliner also turned in her own amalgamation of R&B, funk, psychedelic soul, pop, rap and hip-hop, on top of sure-to-be trendsetting fashions.

Monáe cemented her superstar-status as an envelope-pushing entertainer from the start of “Float,” “Champagne S***” and “Black Sugar Beach,” which further unfolded during “Q.U.E.E.N.,” “Electric Lady,” “Lipstick Lover” and “Paid In Pleasure.”

“I Like That” in particular popped the cork off the champagne, while the affirming party only progressed throughout the “Tightrope” of an encore, regularly riveting Ravinia and setting the bar sky high for what’s already shaping up to be a spectacular season.

For additional information on Grace Jones and Janelle Monáe, visit GraceJones.com and JMonae.com.

Upcoming shows at Ravinia include The Allman Betts Band and The Record Company (Jun. 12); Counting Crows (Jun. 13); Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ (Jun. 14); The Black Crowes (Jun. 18); James Taylor And His All-Star Band (Jun. 19); David Foster and Chris Botti (Jun. 20); Dispatch and John Butler (Jun. 21); Diana Krall (Jun. 22); Lindsey Stirling (Jun. 26); The Roots (Jun. 27); Al Green (Jun. 28); “Weird Al” Yankovic (Jun. 29); Nas (Jul. 2); Chicago (Jul. 5); Kygo (Jul. 6); Chucho Valdés, Paquito D’Rivera and Arturo Sandoval (Jul. 9); Sutton Foster & Kelli O’Hara (Jul. 13); Juanes (Jul. 15); Classic Albums Live: Eagles’ “Hotel California” (Jul. 19); Beck (Jul. 23); Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms (Jul. 26); Lang Lang (Jul. 31); Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience (Aug. 1); Train (Aug. 2); King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard (Aug. 6); Earth, Wind & Fire (Aug. 7); Laurie Berkner (Aug. 9); Cynthia Erivo (Aug. 15); Lenny Kravitz (Aug. 21); Maren Morris (Aug. 22); John Legend (Aug. 23-24); UB40 (Aug. 27); “The Sound Of Music” Sing-Along (Aug. 28); “Infinity Saga” Concert Experience (Aug. 29); Ray LaMontagne (Aug. 30) and Fiesta Ravinia (Aug. 31). For additional details, visit Ravinia.org.

Related Articles

Diana Ross delivers diva-style, plus Ravinia reveals dining pavilion during opening weekend “Ain’t Nobody” better than Chaka Khan, plus Gryffin, drag galore for Pride In The Park closer Pride In The Park made it through the rain for Tiesto’s pulsating beats, Betty Who’s bounce Willie Nelson, Train, Gladys Knight and the real-life return of Ravinia A “Footloose” Kenny Loggins takes capacity Ravinia to the “Danger Zone,” even if “This Is It!” “The Empress Of Soul” Gladys Knight bestows Ravinia with an immaculate overview “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” for Diana Ross throughout Supreme Hard Rock Live lovefest Shalamar’s Howard Hewett makes it “A Night To Remember” for a full capacity City Winery