Venue List

This is a list of names and addresses of venues that feature folk and accoustic music. It is not complete, it's subject to change without notice, and generally it's not meant to be read the way a Fundamentalist reads the Bible (no disrespect intended, this was just a good analogy).

A Note to fellow performers: Feel free to link to this list in your own on-line date book if you want to reference a name and address here. If you do, though, please drop me a note and let me know which venue and how long you will be pointing to it so I know to be extra careful about making changes. Okay?

Chicagoland

Barnes & Noble

1 South 550, Illinois Route 83
Oakbrook Terrance, Illinois 60181
708-571-0999

Open mike with Dave Martin on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 8 PM, with featured performer at 9 PM.

Read "Barnes & Noble Bookstore", where you can buy a book, order a Starbuck's coffee, and sit down with a friend at a small table to listen to the music. It's a good size store, but the performing area is intimate. Dave Martin is one of our favorite people and, knowing him and many of the featured performers, you're sure to have a nice evening.
Burning Question Coffeehouse

U. U. Church
39W830 West Highland
Elgin, Illinois

847-888-0668

6 PM, $3 cover

Suprisingly intimate setting considering it's in an old, converted barn. Just started in 1996, and staffed by people who have many years of experience in the Chicago music scene, this is a nice, out-of-the-way way to end your weekend or start your week. Why not use this as an excuse to take a Sunday Ride to explore Elgin or some of the other small towns near by?

To get there, coming from Chicago, take I90 to Randal Road, the first exit after the Elgin toll booths. Go south about a mile and a half to Highland, then west exactly three miles. The barn is on the north side of the road, just west of the church's sign.

Edgar's Place

U. U. Church
70 Sycamore
Park Forest, Illinois

708-481-5359

8 PM, $4 cover

Pretty typical, "I know. Let's put on a show!", setting. Nothing fancy, just a big room where they put up tables and chairs. But the friendly people who operate "the Place" are committed to making your evening an enjoyable one. And, yes, "Edgar" is a real person - he's the minister.
Friday At The Ford

Thomas Ford Memorial Library
800 Chestnut Street
Western Springs, Illinois

708-246-0520 for reservations

8 PM, no cover

Intimate setting in a carpeted room in the basement. Nothing fancy, and it's small enough not to need a sound system. But they only offer one, short set, so get there early.
Grantstreet Coffee

1 West Harris
LaGrange, Illinois

708-352-5905

Smoke-free. No cover, donations encouraged.

This is a tiny space, so the audience is very close to the performer. A nice way to end a day of shopping in downtown LaGrange.
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

9800 S. 104th Ave
Willow Springs, Illinois

708-839-6897

Environmental Awareness Exposition
Noon to 4pm

If you grew up in one of Chicago's western suburbs, you've probably been here for school field trips. This is a beautiful setting, and a great place to listen to music outdoors. Bring the kids along.
Maple Street Chapel

Corner of Maple & Main
Lombard, Illinois

708-629-2630

7:30 PM, $4 per person, $12 per family, unless otherwise indicated.

This is a landmark building in downtown Lombard. You can't miss the tall, pointed steeple. And the beautiful wood interior is an added bonus to whoever is featured, making this a unique setting where the performers are carefully chosen. A pleasant evening is practically guarenteed. Visit their home page! Maple Street Chapel Home Page
Roaster's Coffee Company

In the Metra Train Station
90 Church Street
Woodstock, Illinois

815-337-1944

8:00 PM

A very pleasant venue, and so convenient to get to by train! In addition to the coffee drinks, they've got some tastey food items. Good drink, good food, and good music.
Two Way Street Coffee House

1047 Curtiss
Downers Grove, Illinois

630-969-9720

8:45 PM, $3 cover (best "bang for the buck" in the Chicagoland area)

This is one of the oldest, and most respected, coffeehouses in the country. The featured performer is always good, and why not? Anybody who knows about the "Two Way" wants to be able to say they played there. The organizers can pick and choose among the best!
Woodstock Folk Festival

On the Square
Woodstock, Illinois

815-338-4245

All day

Always the third Sunday in July. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic and spend the day in Woodstock's lovely town square listening to lots of great performers.