SOUTH LOOP — For the 10th year, the PianoForte Foundation will celebrate the music of Franz Schubert near what would have been his 217th birthday with a full-day classical music festival.
Schubertiade 2014 will bring more than 60 musicians "who are extremely passionate about Schubert and his music" to 1335 S. Michigan Ave. on Saturday for seven hours of Schubert in PianoForte's three studios, according to Cheryle Dobnikar, the PianoForte Foundation's new managing director.
The annual festival showcases Schubert's compositions with performances by professional and student musicians, as well as artists whose mediums range from piano to voice to mime.
Dobnikar says she's especially excited about the mimes: T. Daniel and Laurie Willets will express classical music through movement accompanied by recitalist and chamber pianist Svetlana Belsky.
Tickets to the annual festival, which runs overlapping performances from 2-9 p.m., are free, but donations are encouraged. Attendees who donate $10 at the door will be entered in a raffle for free tickets to upcoming shows, and a $20 donation offers the same prize, plus a PianoForte Foundation tote bag and water bottle or mug.
The event is seeking volunteer assistance from South Loop residents and other music fans to help promote and cover the event via social media, Dobnikar said. Interested volunteers are encouraged to reach out to marilyn@pianofortefoundation.org.
