Ashley & Simpson at Two Way Street Coffee House
2025-10-05 15:00 - 17:00 UTC | Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove, IL, 60515

Ashley & Simpson at FARM 10/23-26/25
2025-10-23 08:00 - 2025-10-26 17:00 UTC | DoubleTree, 3003 Corporate W Dr, Lisle, IL, 60532, United States
We are excited to attend this year’s FARM conference in Lisle!

Ashley & Simpson at Two Way Street Coffeehouse 01/02/26
2026-01-02 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove, IL, 60515
We are always closing out the Open Mic night at Two Way Street Coffeehouse! Come on out!

Ashley & Simpson at Fitzgerald's Side Bar 01/20/26
2026-01-20 19:00 (America/Chicago) | FitzGerald’s SideBar, 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn, IL, 60521
FITZGERALDS SONGWRITER CIRCLE:w/ Host Jenny Bienemann and guests Ashley & Simpson and Paige HargroveFREE SHOW! Click “Book Now” to make a reservationGrab dinner before the show at BABYGOLD BARBECUE***PARKING***There is rather limited street parking in the area, we recommend arriving by rideshare, bicycle, or rickshaw.

Ashley & Simpson at Friendly's 01/25/26
2026-01-25 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Ashley and Simpson at Friendly’s 01/25/26, 6731 ROOSEVELT RD, BERWYN, IL, 60402, United States
The Church of the Singer Songwriters is going to start at 10am. Come for the community and stay for performances by Joel Simpson and Jennifer Ashley, of Ashely & Simpson and Adela Skowronski .

Ashley & Simpson at Tunes & Tales 02/08/26
2026-02-08 15:00 - 17:00 UTC | Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove, IL, 60515
Tunes & Tales is a new songwriter-in-the-round series at the Two Way Street Coffee House, hosted by Ashley & Simpson—directors of the venue and a songwriting folk duo. Each session brings Ashley & Simpson together with two guest songwriters for an intimate afternoon of tunes and tales. In this cozy setting, artists take turns sharing their songs and the stories behind them, offering a deeper look into their creative process. Join us for a warm, conversational atmosphere where melodies meet meaning and every song comes with a tale.
Our first Tunes & Tales will be February 8, 2026 at 3pm (CT), where Ashley & Simpson will host Chris Walz and James H Jewell.
CHRIS WALZ
Nationally acclaimed bluegrass multi-instrumentalist Chris Walz combines a joy of performing with a reverence for America’s musical story. Chris perfected his Scruggs-style banjo playing and guitar flatpicking at a young age as he diligently studied all his musical heroes from Pete Seeger to Mississippi John Hurt to Woody Guthrie to Dave Van Ronk. Whether it is his lightning speed on the banjo’s fretboard, his hard-hitting grooves on the guitar or his tender melodic touch on the mandolin, Chris delivers a fulfilling performance. To top it off, Chris is an extraordinary singer, using his rich voice to buoy up a traditional ballad, a unique original composition, or a rousing ‘tear down the house’ bluegrass medley. His many years touring with bluegrass, Grammy nominated Special Consensus, honed his group and solo prowess. A natural born storyteller, Chris has a masterful presence as he weaves his songs and remembrances, one to the next, into a night of music that is not easily forgotten. Chris is a gifted and much sought-after teacher at the historic Old Town School of Folk Music and spreads his knowledge and love of music in each community he plays in with well-polished workshops. A rare combination of past and present, Chris is playing music for the future.
JAMES H JEWELL
James H Jewell is a Singer-songwriter, furniture maker, and poet. Pennsylvania born he now is living in Chicago. In between he and his wife have lived in Nashville, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Paris. His songs reflect a very homegrown Pennsylvania feeling while telling stories of travel, adventures, struggles, and trials of a vagabond lifestyle. He’s recorded and played with musicians everywhere he’s gone and has a beautiful collection of songs and recordings to show for it. His third record is “Songs From the Fridge” which was recorded in Paris France with one of Ray Charles’s engineers Steven Forward. It features musicians from Pennsylvania, Seattle, Paris, and Nashville.
ASHLEY & SIMPSON
Comprised of Jennifer Ashley and Joel Simpson, Ashley & Simpson are quickly becoming folk scene favorites. This folk duo blends traditional songs and instrumentation along with beautiful vocal harmonies reminiscent of famous duos such as Ian & Silvia and The Everly Brothers. With their sophomore release “Off To Here Land,” they have pushed the art of folk to a new sound with an all traditional track list that will delight fans new and old. Both bringing a classical perspective to their duo, Jennifer Ashley & Joel Simpson have reached a new level with incorporating elements of jazz, popular music and other modern styles in their arrangements.
Two Way Street Coffee House is Chicagoland’s most beloved folk and acoustic music venue, presenting weekly concerts and community events for over 55 years! The show starts at 3pm (CT) and the doors open at 2:30pm. Donations are accepted and encouraged. We will also host this concert virtually. You may access the livestream on www.twowaystreet.org, on our Facebook page, or on our YouTube channel. You can donate to these artists HERE.

Ashley & Simpson on Lilli Kuzma's Folk Festival WDCB 90.9 03/24/26
2026-03-24 20:00 - 23:00 (America/Chicago) | WDCB Studios, 425 Fawell, Glen Ellyn, IL, 60137, United States
We’re making a live appearance on Lilli Kuzma’s Folk Festival on 90.9 WDCB in support of their pledge drive! Be sure to tune in!

Ashley & Simpson at Two Way Street Coffeehouse 04/03/26
2026-04-03 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove, IL, 60515
We are always closing out the night at the Two Way Street Open Mic! Come join in the fun! More info at www.twowaystreet.org

Ashley & Simpson with February Sky 04/26/26
2026-04-26 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | IL

Ashley & Simpson at Tunes & Tales 05/17/26
2026-05-17 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove, IL, 60515
Tunes & Tales is a new songwriter-in-the-round series at the Two Way Street Coffee House, hosted by Ashley & Simpson—directors of the venue and a songwriting folk duo. Each session brings Ashley & Simpson together with two guest songwriters for an intimate afternoon of tunes and tales. In this cozy setting, artists take turns sharing their songs and the stories behind them, offering a deeper look into their creative process. Join us for a warm, conversational atmosphere where melodies meet meaning and every song comes with a tale.
Our nextTunes & Tales will be May 17, 2026 at 3pm (CT), where Ashley & Simpson will host Robin Bienemann and Jenny Bienemann.
ROBIN BIENEMANN
Robin Bienemann is a singer & songwriter from Chicago. His wickedly funny and poignant original songs mix contemporary themes with old musical styles. He combines dry humor and sophisticated songwriting with a deep sense of history. At his musical core is a reverence for the guitar as an instrument to accompany songs and as a vessel to express the American psyche in all its strange beauty and complexity.
Robin revels in the delicious history of Chicago music. He combines Blues, Jazz, Country and Latin music with fingerstyle guitar to create a playground for his lyrical musings on science, animals and the whole scope of human experience. His songs are poetic, comical and educational. A flow of images ranging from vampires, insects, dinosaurs, dodo birds, work and romance.
Robin has shared the stage with Dan Hicks, Christine Lavin, Junior Brown & Southern Culture on the Skids. He performs regularly solo, with his trio, and as a duo with his wife Jenny Bienemann. With his duo Twang Bang he toured the U.S. and Japan.
JENNY BIENEMANN
Jenny Bienemann is an award-winning poet, singer, songwriter, and visual artist with a mission to find the extraordinary in the everyday. With three critically acclaimed studio albums and two live albums, her music has underscored TV, film and theatre projects. She’s offered classes at The Old Town School of Folk Music, Lamb’s Retreat for Songwriters, and The Acorn Theatre.
She began a daily practice of taking photos and writing haiku. What started as a lark quickly evolved into Haiku Milieu, a movement of creativity and community. Today, there are four Haiku Milieu books, and more than 450 new songs inspired by Haiku Milieu, written by artists from across the United States and a Sunday Morning Haiku Milieu email that reaches a global audience. She has been featured in the Chicago Tribune Arts Section, WGN Radio 720 in Chicago, Chicago Public Radio, Northern Illinois Public Radio, Naperville Magazine, and more.
ASHLEY & SIMPSON
Comprised of Jennifer Ashley and Joel Simpson, Ashley & Simpson are quickly becoming folk scene favorites. This folk duo blends traditional songs and instrumentation along with beautiful vocal harmonies reminiscent of famous duos such as Ian & Silvia and The Everly Brothers. With their sophomore release “Off To Here Land,” they have pushed the art of folk to a new sound with an all traditional track list that will delight fans new and old. Both bringing a classical perspective to their duo, Jennifer Ashley & Joel Simpson have reached a new level with incorporating elements of jazz, popular music and other modern styles in their arrangements.
Two Way Street Coffee House is Chicagoland’s most beloved folk and acoustic music venue, presenting weekly concerts and community events for over 55 years! The show starts at 3pm (CT) and the doors open at 2:30pm. Donations are accepted and encouraged. We will also host this concert virtually. You may access the livestream on www.twowaystreet.org, on our Facebook page, or on our YouTube channel.

Ashley & Simpson - Private Event 5/20/26
2026-05-20 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | IL
Want Ashley & Simpson for your private event? Email us at ashleyandsimpson@gmail.com!

Ashley & Simpson at Two Way Street Coffee House 06/28/26
2026-06-28 15:00 - 17:00 UTC | Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove, IL, 60515

Ashley & Simpson at Woodstock Folk Festival 07/19/26
2026-07-19 12:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Woodstock Square, 121 W Van Buren St, Woodstock, IL, 60098, United States
The 41st Annual Woodstock Folk Festival will be held on Sunday, July 19 from Noon to 6 pm on the historic Square in Woodstock, Illinois. It will include local and national performers including Lifetime Achievement Award recipients Magpie (Terry Leonino and Greg Artzner), Ashley & Simpson, Friction Farm, Tish Hinojosa with Special Guest Anny Celsi, Nathans & Ronstadt, Patty & Craig accompanied by Marc Edelstein, and Zachary Stevenson. It will feature a variety of music styles including traditional and contemporary folk music, Americana, singer-songwriter, country, blues, and Latin music. Norm Siegel will receive this year’s “Woody” Award. Ellen Shepard and Mitzi Lebensorger will present a Harmony Workshop.

Ashley & Simpson at MAMA's Coffeehouse 09/19/26
2026-09-19 19:30 - 21:30 UTC | Mama’s Coffeehouse, 38651 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, MI, 48034, United States
