Musical chairs

The International Contemporary Ensemble is a classical music group, but members will play in places way off the genre’s beaten path when its ICE Fest 2007 starts Saturday 22. The group, founded in Chicago in 2001 by flutist Claire Chase, focuses on music by living composers (the “contemporary” in its name), and does its damnedest to bring the music outside concert halls. This year’s fest includes shows in the South Loop jazz club the Velvet Lounge, Lakeview’s jazz and rock venue Katerina’s and Hyde Park’s avant-garde art gallery the Renaissance Society. The festival packs 11 concerts into 11 venues—all in seven days—with each performance featuring different members of the group. The show on Tuesday 25 at St. Pauls Church in Lincoln Park showcases ICE harpist Bridget Kibbey. For a complete list of concerts and venues, see Classical & opera, or go to iceorg.org.