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Deadline Comes Monday For Reserved Seats At Taste Of Chicago Concerts

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The deadline is fast approaching for people who want a reserved seat for concerts at the Taste of Chicago, less than a week away.

As WBBM Newsradio's Brandis Friedman reports, as crews work to install tents in Grant Park for the Taste, the city Department of Cultural Affairs is working to remind patrons to buy tickets now if they want to reserve a concert seat.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Brandis Friedman reports

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"We've often been asked, 'How can I make sure I get a seat, so now you can sort of guarantee your seat is waiting for you when you arrive," said Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events spokeswoman Cindy Gatziolis.

The concerts feature musical acts such as Jennifer Hudson, Dierks Bentley, Chaka Khan and Death Cab for Cutie.

Lawn seating for about 30,000 people will be free, but for the first time, the city is charging $25 per person for seats at the 3,000-seat Petrillo Music Shell.

Gatziolis says the city has sold some tickets, but quite a few remain available.

"It's closing in at about 6,000 for all five nights. A couple of our shows are real close to 2,000 tickets sold," she said.

But Gatziolis is not discouraged by the modest sales. Her research shows most people wait until a week away before committing to the Taste, so she is expecting more sales between now and Monday night – when online sales for reserved seat tickets end.

The Taste is set for July 11-15, and it has been cut back dramatically this year.

The festival will be reduced from 10 days to five, and has been moved to its new mid-July dates after generations of being held around the July 4 holiday.

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