On a country road just east of Monticello, through a stretch bordered by forty foot firs, you'll find one of the grande dames of the prairie: a big red gambrel barn. Via a joint venture between the University of Illinois School of Music and Allerton Park, this barn has been restored to her yesteryear glory and repurposed for something her former owners probably never envisioned. She's become the Allerton Music Barn.
Getting There
For a year now, concerts have been held in the Music Barn. Classically trained musicians, jazz ensembles, zydeco and blues artists have been creating acoustically perfect rafter music in one of the most beautiful places in the midwest -- Allerton Park, recently named one of the seven wonders of Illinois.
Directions
From Chicago/North of Monticello:
- Take I-57 south to Champaign
- Take Exit 235, I-72 West to Decatur
- Continue approximately 20 miles on I-72 West
- From I-72, take Bridge Street into Monticello
- Turn right at the first light at Market Street
- Turn right at the four-way stop at Marion Street
- Turn left at the T on Allerton Road
- Continue 3.5 miles to the Park's south entrance
- The Allerton Music Barn is just past the south entrance, on the south side of Allerton Park.
From Springfield/South of Monticello:
- Take I-72 north to Champaign
- From I-72, take the Bridge Street into Monticello
- Turn right at the first light on Market Street
- Turn right at the four-way stop on Marion Street
- Turn left at the T at Allerton Road
- Continue 3.5 miles to the Park's south entrance
- The Allerton Music Barn is just past the south entrance, on the south side of Allerton Park.
See Google Maps for additional instructions.
Map Stops
For a map to both Allerton Park and the Allerton Music Barn, head for Monticello's beautiful main street square and look for businesses displaying this sign in their front window.
Restaurants/Bakeries/Coffee Shops
- Montgomery's on the Square 108 S. Charter
- Steeple Gallery 102 Lafayette
- Baking Fools 112 S. Charter
Art Studios & Specialty Shopping
- Celebrations 206A Market St.
- Boka Shoppe 100 S. Charter
- Out of the Blue 116 E. Main
- Prairie Fire Glass 217 W. Washington
- WackyNackies Gifts and Cafe 206 W. Washington
Other
- County Market 422 Market St.
2007 Schedule
-
Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble
August 31
-
Allerton Festival Chamber Orchestra
September 1
-
J. S. Bach Cantata #147 "Herz und Mund"
Allerton Festival Chamber Orchestra and Choir
September 2
-
Balinese Gamelan Musicians & Puppetry
September 2
-
Big Grove Zydeco
September 3
