10/5/25 – Two Way Street Coffee House
Welcome to the Heritage Matinee Series at the Two Way Street Coffee House! We are thrilled to announce a new concert series at the Two Way Street Coffee House, taking place on select Sunday afternoons in 2025. In each concert, Mark Dvorak and Ashley & Simpson will be joined by two local artists for a matinee concert, all benefitting the Two Way Street Coffee House! 100% of free-will donations collected at each concert will support the Two Way Street Coffee House’s operation and programming. It’s a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and it’s a great way to support Two Way Street! All shows will begin at 3pm (CT) and the doors will open at 2:30pm.
On October 5, 2025 the Two Way Street Coffee House is pleased to present Mark Dvorak, Ashley & Simpson, the George Mattson Trio, and Lisa P. Medina as part of our Heritage Matinee Series.
Mark Dvorak
Mark Dvorak is a modern-day troubadour who has never stopped performing, writing and recording. He has been called “a folk singer’s folk singer” with “an encyclopedic knowledge of traditional songs.” His original songs “wondrous” and “profound.”
Though Mark often appears in theaters and on festival stages, he is also at home in a more intimate setting. His concerts are a mix of the familiar and the new, traditional folk and standards from the Great American Songbook. He plays authentic country blues guitar and picks great old-time banjo. Mark enjoys involving his audiences in sing-along songs, just like The Weavers used to do, and mixes in his own infectious and well-crafted originals.
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.
George Mattson Trio
George Mattson has been a performer at Two Way Street Coffee House and a fixture in the local folk community for many years. A member of Plank Road Folk Music Society and the Plank Road String Band, George is our long time leader of the Plank Road and Two Way Street co-sponsored Saturday Sing Arounds and Song Circles. We are thrilled to have the George Mattson Trio once again on the Two Way Street Stage! Performing old time and classic country, swing, jazz, blues, honkytonk, George Mattson accompanies his big, rich voice on guitar and banjo. Featuring Tommy Re on fiddle, and Mike Hazdra on vocals and bass.
Lisa P. Medina
Lisa is a contemporary folk singer-songwriter with a flavorful hint of Latin rhythm and spice. Lisa’s performance history includes: church choir, theater kid, solo singer-songwriter, vocals and guitar in various duos and bands, and as a vocalist with a Grammy-nominated Latin jazz big band. Over the years Lisa sang on renowned stages, most notably at the Petrillo Bandshell for the Chicago Jazz Festival, Park West, the Old Town School Folk & Roots Festival, the Adler Planetarium, and at Wrigley Field singing the National Anthem for Cubs games.
Upon having children, Lisa’s paid gigs transformed into exclusive cribside lullabies and toddler storytimes. This season as a new mom – full of wonder and sometimes chaos – left her without the time or energy for writing songs. After a decade flew by, Lisa thought perhaps she had forgotten how. Finally, when the pandemic hit in 2020, isolation at home with her family, a new puppy, and an old piano stirred her creative spirit. Lisa and her little ones filled their time playing music together. Amid the devastating events in her community and the world, her children’s innocent laughter and musical curiosity became her muse. Lisa started crafting stories and dreams into powerful songs that resonate with listeners of all ages. These songs, written at a time of creative reawakening, form the heart and the backbone of Lisa’s latest project: her first studio album, which was released in May 2024.
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. All donations will support the Two Way Street Coffee House.
08/16/25 – Hickory Ridge Concerts
We are thrilled to be performing as part of the Hickory Ridge Concert series at the historic Ellisville Opera House. Visit Hickory Ridge Concerts for more information.
6/29/25 – Two Way Street Coffee House
Our second Heritage Matinee Series concert at the Two Way Street Coffee House on June 29th. More info at www.twowaystreet.org
04/13/25 – Lake County Folk Club
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. Singer/Songwriter Joel Simpson plays guitar, mandolin, dobro, banjo, and bass. As a member of Lee Murdock’s Blue Horizon band, he performed on Rich Warren’s Folkstage, was a 2016 Folk Alliance Official Showcase artist, and appeared on Mr. Murdock’s last two albums. He is currently a member of The Chancey Brothers, Chicago’s favorite Irish band, and released his first solo album “Irish Boy’s Dream” in February 2018. Singer/Songwriter Jennifer Ashley’s first instrument is piano, but also plays guitar and dabbles in tenor banjo. Although a lifelong musician, Jennifer is newer to the folk scene. They announced their arrival to the folk scene in October 2017 with the release of their debut album, “Winnie,” an epic love story unfolding song by song, chronicling the journey of two kids in love from Smalltown, USA. Since forming in 2016, Ashley & Simpson have opened for 5 time Grammy nominated blue-grass artists “Dailey & Vincent,” Grammy nominated artist Dave Rudolf, and for gold-record artist Michael Gurley (dada, Butterfly Jones, and Kiefer Sutherland Band). They have appeared on Lilli Kuzma’s Folk Festival on Chicago’s WDCB, as well as Chicago’s Windy City Irish Radio WCIR. The duo appeared at the Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival in September 2018 as part of the Two Way Street Coffee House stage . In October 2018, Ashley & Simpson were selected to perform in the DJ Showcase at Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM). They attended North East Region Folk Alliance (NERFA) In 2018 and 2019, as well as Folk Alliance International 2019 in Montreal. Ashley & Simpson’s third album, “Hello, Mrs. Sun,” will feature all original songs and is in the final stages of production and is slated for an early 2023 release. In addition to Ashley & Simpson, the partners operate an independent record label called Randomosity Records located in Downers Grove, IL where they record, produce and teach. Joel and Jennifer were named Directors of the Two Way Street Coffee House in September 2020. The pair also enjoy volunteering at local folk festivals. More info and tickets HERE. |
04/06/25 – Two Way Street Coffee House
Welcome to the Heritage Matinee Series at the Two Way Street Coffee House! We are thrilled to announce a new concert series at the Two Way Street Coffee House, taking place on select Sunday afternoons in 2025. In each concert, Mark Dvorak and Ashley & Simpson will be joined by two local artists for a matinee concert, all benefitting the Two Way Street Coffee House! 100% of free-will donations collected at each concert will support the Two Way Street Coffee House’s operation and programming. It’s a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and it’s a great way to support Two Way Street! All shows will begin at 3pm (CT) and the doors will open at 2:30pm.
On April 6, 2025 the Two Way Street Coffee House is pleased to present Mark Dvorak, Ashley & Simpson, Wattle & Daub, and Sons of the Prairie as part of our Heritage Matinee Series.
Mark Dvorak
Mark Dvorak is a modern-day troubadour who has never stopped performing, writing and recording. He has been called “a folk singer’s folk singer” with “an encyclopedic knowledge of traditional songs.” His original songs “wondrous” and “profound.”
Though Mark often appears in theaters and on festival stages, he is also at home in a more intimate setting. His concerts are a mix of the familiar and the new, traditional folk and standards from the Great American Songbook. He plays authentic country blues guitar and picks great old-time banjo. Mark enjoys involving his audiences in sing-along songs, just like The Weavers used to do, and mixes in his own infectious and well-crafted originals.
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.
Wattle & Daub
Wattle & Daub’s authentic acoustic voice is rooted in their passion for the power of the folk music tradition. From the heart of the midwest, in northern Illinois, husband and wife singer-songwriters, Tim and Susan Mocarski are dedicated to keeping folk culture alive and kicking through participation, social commentary, and entertainment. Their debut album, “Struggles and Love,” was released in 2017, garnering immediate praise from folk radio hosts such as Nick Noble of the Folk Revival on WICN, FM who proclaimed it one of his “picks for top albums of 2017.” Released in April of 2020, “Middle of the Road” is Wattle & Daub’s second album, full of newly written songs that range from just plain fun to those focused on what it means to be human in these times, our loves and our experiences.
Sons of the Prairie
Sons of the Prairie is a trio featuring Bob O’Hanlon, Bill Lemos, and Jim Gilroy—three musicians with roots in the Midwest and Ireland. With years of experience performing together, they bring a rich blend of folk, country, and soft rock to audiences who appreciate heartfelt music and tight harmonies. Their passion for performing shines through every set, making them a favorite at live events. Sons of the Prairie is honored to kick off this special event and share their music with you.
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. All donations will support the Two Way Street Coffee House.