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.