The Show
Beginnings: A Celebration of the Music of Chicago is coming to the Strand Center for the Arts in Plattsburgh in 2026, and if you’ve ever wanted to hear “25 or 6 to 4” performed with a full horn section in a beautiful old theater, your night has arrived. Chicago’s catalog is one of the most unique in rock history — a band that fused jazz-rock instrumentation with pop songwriting and somehow sold over 100 million records doing it. Beginnings takes that catalog seriously, delivering the full horn-driven experience with the kind of musicianship these songs demand.
This isn’t simple music to play. Chicago’s arrangements require real musicians — trumpet, trombone, saxophone, plus a rock band that can handle everything from the progressive jazz-rock of the early albums to the polished pop of the ’80s hits. Beginnings covers all of it, and in a theater setting, the horns fill the room the way they were always meant to.
About the Show
Beginnings focuses on recreating the Chicago concert experience across all eras of the band’s career. That means deep cuts from Chicago Transit Authority and Chicago II alongside the radio staples — “Saturday in the Park,” “If You Leave Me Now,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” “You’re the Inspiration.” The breadth of material is staggering when you think about it, and a good tribute band can remind you just how many hits this group actually had. Chicago is one of the best-selling American bands of all time, and the songs hold up remarkably well.
Dust off the classics before the show — find Chicago’s greatest hits on Amazon.
Venue Info
The Strand Center for the Arts in Plattsburgh is a restored historic theater in the North Country that brings touring acts to a region that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. The intimate room and solid acoustics make it a natural fit for a horn-heavy act like Beginnings — you’ll hear every instrument clearly, and the brass will fill the space beautifully. Plattsburgh’s downtown has solid dining options for a pre-show meal, and Lake Champlain is right there if you want to make a day of it.
Tickets
Check the Strand Center website for tickets and show dates — Chicago’s music was built for live performance, and this is your chance to experience it in a room that does it justice.