Venue Information

Located in the Center City area along the banks of Elgin’s award-winning Riverwalk, The Hemmens Cultural Center is the cornerstone of Elgin’s growing arts community. Since its opening in 1969 with a concert by renowned pianists Ferrante & Teischer, The Hemmens has continued to provide the community with a stellar line-up of performers each season.

This intimate 1,200 seat theatre is a favorite venue for seeing stars up close. In the past few years, audiences have been treated to such names as B. B. King, Bob Newhart, Phil Vassar, Garrison Keillor, The Ides of March, Blue Oyster Cult and many more. Attending a performance at The Hemmens is an experience not to be missed; clear sightlines and wide aisles provide an unparalleled concert and theatre-going experience where patrons get the sense of sitting in a luxury suite. Even the balcony’s level of comfort and proximity to the stage rivals that of many other venues’ ‘club level seating’. ...