10/28/23 – Acoustic Renaissance Concerts
Please join us on October 28, 2023 at 7pm as we open for Vance Gilbert for Acoustic Renaissance Concerts. Tickets are $20, doors open 45 minutes before showtime. For more information visit acousticren.com.
About Vance Gilbert:
– “If Joni Mitchell and Richie Havens had a love child, with Rodney Dangerfield as the midwife, the results might have been something close to the great Vance Gilbert.” As the above quote from Richmond magazine suggests, Vance Gilbert defies stereotypes. It’s little wonder then that he also exceeds expectations. In this case, those two qualities go hand in hand. “I’m black, I sing, I play an acoustic guitar, and I don’t play the blues,” Gilbert insists. That may be a broad statement, but it rings with truth.
– “If Joni Mitchell and Richie Havens had a love child, with Rodney Dangerfield as the midwife, the results might have been something close to the great Vance Gilbert.” As the above quote from Richmond magazine suggests, Vance Gilbert defies stereotypes. It’s little wonder then that he also exceeds expectations. In this case, those two qualities go hand in hand. “I’m black, I sing, I play an acoustic guitar, and I don’t play the blues,” Gilbert insists. That may be a broad statement, but it rings with truth.
What he does do is make memorable music, as evidenced by the 14 albums he’s released so far, as well as the mark he’s made on the folk and acoustic music scenes in general. Over the course of a prolific career that extends back to the early ’90s, he’s recorded with his good friend Ellis Paul and shared stages worldwide with Aretha Franklin, Shawn Colvin, Arlo Guthrie, the Milk Carton Kids, George Carlin (150+ shows), Anita Baker, the Subdudes, Paul Reiser and any number of others.
He’s also made a prominent presence at some of the world’s most prestigious gatherings, among them the Newport, Winnipeg, Rocky Mountain, Calgary, Ottawa, and Falcon Ridge folk festivals, the Kate Wolf Music Festival, and Australia’s Woodford Folk Festival and Mullum Music Festival. “There was also that one nude festival in Maryland,” Gilbert recalls. “I don’t recall the name of that one, but I have to admit that the name wasn’t the first thing I would remember.”
His superb new album, “The Mother of Trouble”, was just released this summer!
08/11-13/23 – Sugar Island Music Fest
Join Ashley & Simpson Saturday and Sunday afternoon as part of the Sugar Island Music Fest in Sault Ste. Marie, MI! We will be playing and trading songs with our friends February Sky. Visit sugarislandfest.org for more info.
08/19/23 – Ravinia on Raymond
Music & Potlucks, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization will present ‘Ravinia on Raymond’ a community concert and block party to support BEDs Plus, La Grange, on Saturday, August 19.The event takes place 3517-3529 Raymond Avenue from 4:00 pm-9:00 pm.
Music & Potlucks was established in 2017 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting area agencies who support those in need. Some of their benefactors have been Housing Forward, Oak Park, Beyond Hunger, Oak Park, Helping Hand, Countryside, Share Food, Share Love, Brookfield and BEDs Plus, La Grange.
“There is an ongoing need to serve our neighbors who are facing food challenges and housing challenges,” said Stephanie Schrodt, of River Forest who is also a board member at Beyond Hunger. “The Music & Potlucks team came together to try to meet a need. We’re in our combining community arts events with fundraising and collection food items and toiletries.”
The organization is now in its seventh year of producing potlucks, house concerts, book readings, formal concert presentations and online events such as “Yoga, Wine & Song,” and “Acoustic Neighbors,” a live stream music and spoken-word showcase.
“Ravina on Raymond” will feature music by Mark Dvorak, who is the resident artist at Music & Potlucks, local folk song singer and presenter Ed Ellis of La Grange, singer songwriter Karen Wegman Barr of Berwyn, 5-string banjo player and environmental activist Paul Klonowski of Mundelein and Ashley & Simpson who co-direct the legendary Two Way Street Coffee House in Downers Grove and operate Randomosity Records, a media center and teaching studio also in Downers Grove.
An open stage and campfire jam will complete the musical portion of the program.
“This is the sort of community event where folk songs really come to life and express a common message,” said Dvorak, who is producing the event. “We’ve gathered a great cast of area singers and songwriters who are invested in the folk community and committed to pitching in to help our neighbors in need. We’re very excited.”
There is no cover charge for the event but donations will be accepted. All proceeds will go to support BEDs Plus, La Grange IL.
Those attending should bring a chair, a snack and refreshments.
Learn more about Music & Potlucks at www.musicandpotlucks.org.
Find out more about BEDs Plus at www.beds-plus.org.
09/23/23 – Concerts on the Creek
Join Ashley & Simpson at Concerts on the Creek!
Doors open at 6pm and the concert runs from 7pm to about 9pm. Pizza by the slice, bottled soft beverages, and prepackaged snacks will be available at 6:15pm and, if inventory remains, during intermission. There is no admission charge, but goodwill donations from the audience pay the musicians and help to defray the church’s event hosting costs. Attendance is limited to 150. Those who wish guaranteed seating regardless of what time they arrive may make an early donation in the form of a $5 ticket at
Those who are unable to buy online may email [email protected] or phone 815.979.1949 for special arrangements. The recommended donation for non-reserved walk-in guests is $10, but any amount is appreciated. Light refreshments will be available. We offer free off-street parking for 95 vehicles and our all-on-one-floor listening area is easily accessible; acoustics are excellent. Deepest thanks to our sponsors Downtown Discount Pharmacy and Obrien & Dobbins Pharmacy for their generous support of great live music in our community. Learn more at downtowndiscountdrug.com and obrienspharmacy.net
05/06/23 – MayFest
05/06/23 – MayFest
Join us May 6, 2023 at 12pm as part of a great lineup for MayFest in Grayslake!
05/06/23 – Beltane/Spring Festival with February Sky
03/21/23 – Beltane/Spring Festival With February Sky
Join us May 6, 2023 at 2pm up in Milwaukee at the Belatane/Spring Festival. We will be joining our friends Febrary Sky and trading sets until 5pm!