The Prine Family & The Hello In There Foundation Announce Five Days of Chicago Events Celebrating John Prine's 80th Birthday, October 7-11
Tributes, Conversations, Film Screenings & Community Collaborations Span Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago History Museum, Old Town School of Folk Music & Village of Maywood
Nathaniel Rateliff, Valerie June, Alejandro Escovedo, Hayes Carll, Jordan Davis, Jonas Friddle, Billy Prine Added To Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine Tribute Concert at The Chicago Theatre, October 8
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October 10th, 2026 marks the 80th birthday of John Prine, one of America’s most beloved songwriters and a model advocate for thoughtfulness, generosity, loyalty and community. In honor of Prine's enduring legacy, The Prine Family and The Hello In There Foundation have announced a new slate of events, collaborations and tributes across Prine's beloved hometown of Chicago, where he began his journey to becoming "America's Poet Laureate" (Variety).
The celebrations include multiple screenings of the concert documentary How Lucky Can One Man Get (filmed in 2010 at Prine's hometown high school gym), a panel discussion of Prine's contribution to the Chicago folk scene at the Chicago History Museum, the unveiling of a mural of Prine by the artist Jon Langford followed by an all-day celebration at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and a celebration of Prine's life in the village of Maywood, Illinois, where he grew up and attended high school. A full schedule of newly announced events and celebrations can be found below, with additional events to be announced.
The Prine Family and The Hello In There Foundation have also revealed seven new additions to the lineup for the recently announced Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine, a concert celebration of Prine's life and legacy taking place on October 8 at The Chicago Theatre. The sold-out show will feature a community of artists performing their favorite Prine songs, paying tribute to an immortal body of work that has inspired, comforted and connected generations.
Newly announced performers Nathaniel Rateliff, Valerie June, Alejandro Escovedo, Hayes Carll, Jordan Davis, Jonas Friddle and John's brother Billy Prine join host and performer John C. Reilly, Alynda Segarra of Hurray for the Riff Raff, Amos Lee, Andrew Sa, Briscoe, Jon Langford, Josh Ritter, Joy Oladokun, Kathleen Edwards, Margo Price, Noeline Hofmann, Ratboys, Shemekia Copeland, Steve Earle, Sullivan Sisters, and The Cactus Blossoms for an evening of song and celebration. All proceeds to the event will benefit The Hello In There Foundation, which has provided $1.4 million in community grants to more than 100 charitable organizations since its establishment in 2021.
Wednesday, October 7 - Celebratory Kick Off Event
Venue and timing to be announced in August.
Wednesday, October 7 - How Lucky Can One Man Get Film Screening
Venue: Gene Siskel Film Center
Time: 8:15PM
Description: The Prine Family will present a special screening of How Lucky Can One Man Get, a concert documentary directed by Jim Shea that features previously unreleased footage from John Prine's May 2010 benefit concert at his hometown high school, along with reminiscences and storytelling about his time growing up in Maywood, Illinois. Tickets will be on-sale on September 7, 2026.
Thursday, October 8 - Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine Tribute Concert
Venue: Chicago Theatre
Time: 7:30PM
Description: Commemorating John Prine's life and legacy, this concert will pay tribute to an immortal body of work that has inspired, comforted and connected generations. Hosted by John C. Reilly, with proceeds benefiting The Hello in There Foundation's ongoing grantmaking in John Prine's memory, the night will feature performances from a community of artists playing their favorite Prine songs, all backed by John's longtime band.
Friday, October 9 - "John Prine's Chicago" Panel Discussion
Venue: Chicago History Museum
Time: 1PM
Description: John Prine was born in 1946 in Maywood, a blue collar suburb of Chicago. Twenty-four years later he was writing songs and performing. Where did those songs come from? How did Chicago during that time period impact the character of his music? A conversation will look at the social upheaval in Chicago at the time and, more specifically, the streets, schools, teachers, events, and community of songwriters he knew so intimately and that would both shape his perspective and nurture his songwriting throughout his life.
Ticket Link: HERE
Friday, October 9 - How Lucky Can One Man Get Film Screening
Venue: Gene Siskel Film Center
Time: 6PM and 8:30PM
Description: The Prine Family will present a special screening of How Lucky Can One Man Get, a concert documentary directed by Jim Shea that features previously unreleased footage from John Prine's May 2010 benefit concert at his hometown high school, along with reminiscences and storytelling about his time growing up in Maywood, Illinois. Tickets will be on-sale on September 7, 2026. Producers Fiona Whelan Prine and John Anderson will appear for an in-person Q&A following the 6 PM screening.
Saturday, October 10 - John Prine Mural Dedication & Local Music Revue
Venue: Old Town School of Folk Music
Time: All Day
Description: Artist Jon Langford will unveil a mural honoring John Prine at the Old Town School, the institution central to John's early development and Chicago's folk music community. The dedication will be followed by a day of celebrations for John, featuring Chicago artists and songwriters, grounding the celebration in the scene that shaped John's voice. A full schedule of events can be found below.
10:30 am - The Magic of the Sublime: John Prine's Songwriting - Maurer Hall
Join Old Town School of Folk Music songwriting faculty to peek under the hood of John Prine's songwriting. Teachers will break down some of John's songs to explore insights into John's lyrical style, talk about what makes his songs work so well, and even provide burgeoning songwriters with some take-aways to apply to their own craft. While John's songs seem so natural and have an effortless quality, their timeless appeal comes from the elegance of the craftsmanship and artistry behind the songwriting.
12:00 pm - John Prine Mural Dedication - Daily Bar and Grill Patio
Through support from The Hello in There Foundation and the Illinois Art Council, the Old Town School commissioned artist and musician, Jon Langford to create a work of John Prine, sitting with his guitar, that was recently installed in mural form on the north side of the Old Town School's West building.
1:00 pm - Enjoy John's favorite Chicago cuisine - Daily Bar and Grill Patio
Enjoy some of John's Chicago favorites including Italian Beef and Hot Dogs provided by Nicky V's. Stop by the Old Town School cafe and purchase a special brew crafted by Hop Butcher for the World in honor of John's 80th birthday.
2:30 pm - Pretty Good, Not Bad John Prine Sing-a-long - Maurer Hall
Fans are invited to gather in Maurer Hall for an afternoon of sharing John's music together led by Old Town School teachers and Chicago musicians.
6:00 pm - Yes I Guess They Oughta Name a Drink After You: The Old Town School and Chicago's Musical Tribute to John Prine
Fans can continue to soak in the joy and genius of John's music just a 4-minute walk from the Old Town School at the American Legion, Tattler Post 973, located at the corner of Montrose and Western Ave. The day will end with a musical tribute to John where Old Town School and Chicago musicians are invited to celebrate through song, backed by the Hoyle Brothers.
Ticket Links: HERE
Sunday, October 11 - Maywood, IL Town-Wide John Prine Celebration
Venue: Village of Maywood
Time 10 AM
Description: Maywood, Illinois will host a morning of celebration honoring John Prine in the village where he grew up, to share the streets and neighborhood that shaped his earliest songs. The day will include trolley tours through Maywood's Prine landmarks, paired with self-guided walking tours for those who want to wander at their own pace. A community volunteer event will follow, offering visitors a chance to give back to the village that raised him.
Ticket Link: HERE
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John Prine by Rett Rogers |
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