Cicadas causing outdoor concert to go indoors this year. Can't compete with the buggers [View All]

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070313cicadas,0,3503228.story

Ravinia surrenders to cicadas

The Associated Press
Published March 13, 2007, 8:36 AM CDT
The Ravinia Festival in north suburban suburban Highland Park has reworked its summer concert schedule because of the buzz created by a certain red-eyed bug.

Cicadas, known for their loud hum and unique 17-year life cycle, are expected to be out in droves this June.

So officials from the almost 103-year-old music festival moved several outdoor concerts indoors. They have also pushed the date of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's annual summer concert to July 6, which is later than usual when the chirping critters are expected to calm down.

Ravinia Festival chief executive Welz Kauffman said the subtleties of the orchestra's performance would be lost if it had to compete with the bugs.

The 11/2-inch-long black bugs, which can number several hundred thousand per acre, don't sting or bite.