Written by  Sandra Delgado

​Step back to the 1960s as the Jay Pritzker Pavilion is transformed to honor La Havana Madrid, a real nightclub at the corner of Belmont and Sheffield where newly arrived Latino immigrants gathered to dine, dance and find community. As the glorious rhythms of mambo and salsa form the heartbeat of an ever-changing city, audiences learn the stories of Latine newcomers seeking a home in Chicago, discovering their destinies and falling madly in love.  La Havana Madrid is inspired by real stories of Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Colombian immigrants who found refuge in that vibrant second-floor supper club at Belmont and Sheffield in the Lakeview neighborhood.

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By the end of the night, audiences need little encouragement to get on their feet and dance along. This staged concert version of the smash hit play will take full advantage of the Pritzker Pavilion’s oversized canvas to recall an actual time and place in Chicago history, scored by a soul-stirring Latine beat. Bring your dancing shoes.

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Starting at 5:30 p.m., DJ Julio Bishop will spin classic salsa music to get the party started. The performance begins at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion is located at 201 E. Randolph in downtown Chicago.

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La Havana Madrid is one of five local productions to be presented this summer by Chicago-based cultural producers as part of the Millenium Park Residency program for Millennium Park’s 20th Anniversary Season in 2024, produced in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). For more, visit MillenniumPark.org