Plank Road's Regular Events
Sing-Around
1st & 3rd Sat. | 2-4 pm
Vocal instrumental jam and sing-along with songbooks and leader
Bluegrass Jam
Like a sing-around but it's bluegrass, "mostly!" 2nd Tuesday Song Circle -- BYOS!
Two Way Street Coffee House2nd Tues. | 7-9 pm
A monthly opportunity for musicians to perform songs for each other, within a song circle. Bring Your Own Song! Plank Road String Band Practice 630-620-06882nd Sat. | 2:00-4:00 pm An old-time string band practice for intermediate/advanced players.
Last Thursday Open Mike Last Thurs. of every month | 7-9:30 pm A monthly unplugged open mike for high school and college age students only. 5th Saturday Country/Western Sing-Around 5th Sat. | 2-4 pm
Sing along with your favorite C&W songs.
- October 31 and then January 30, 2016 -
|
Autumn Old-Time Barn Dance Saturday, November 21 - 8:00 pm More information below
Christmas Caroling and Sing Around! Saturday, December 19 - 12:30 pm
More information below |
Come
and join us for an afternoon and evening extravaganza celebrating 45
years of continuous folk entertainment from the Two Way Street Coffee
House!
It all begins Saturday, November 7 at 2 PM at Two Way Street and the First Congregational Church in Downers Grove.
There's something for everyone with activities galore in 10 rooms, including: - Lots of jam sessions and singarounds (folk, old-time, bluegrass, Irish and more)
- A singer/songwriter circle
- Dances (old-time, world, line and Irish)
- An open mic and much more!
Plus, there'll be food, exhibits and a boutique offering apparel and CDs.
See the bottom of the newsletter for the afternoon activity listing But wait, there's even more!
At 7:30 PM the celebration kicks into high gear with an incredible concert featuring popular artists: - Eric Lambert and Chris Walz
- Red Tail Ring
- Sons of the Never Wrong
- Mark Dvorak with special guests Don Stiernberg and John Abbey.
Tickets are available online at the Two Way Street Coffee House website. Get your tick ets now, because this event WILL sell out. The afternoon activities are
$5; the evening concert is $20; but your best bet is an all-day pass
(including the concert) for $22. Advance tickets are available at
TwoWayStreet.org, or at the Two Way Street Coffee House.
Autumn Old-Time Barn Dance! Come and enjoy a fun-filled evening of music and dancing for the entire family! Our dances are informal, with no costumes needed -- in fact, you don't even have to bring a partner! The Plank Road String Band will provide lively music, and a caller will walk you through all the dances at our Old-Time Barn Dance -- No Experience Necessary!
Tables will be set up around the edge of the room for visiting with friends and enjoying music between dances.
November 21 8:00 PM - doors open at 7:30 PM 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove (Across from the Public Library) $5.00 admission for everyone 5 years of age and older.
Come all ye faithful fiddlers, flautists, guitar players and singers!
Saturday, December 19, 12:30 pm - 6 pm
 Join
us for the Plank Road Folk Music Society Holiday Party Songfest on
Saturday, December 19. Come at 12:30 p.m. and stroll through the streets
of downtown Downers Grove, caroling and serenading shoppers and
passersby. Songbooks will be provided.
Then
return to the Two-way Street Coffeehouse for the holiday sing-around
with all the instruments. Stick around for hot chocolate, apple cider
and holiday treats afterwards. It will be a It will be a fa-la-lot of
fun!
Courtesy: Pam Schumacher
|
Lombard Civil War Reenactment
|
The
sounds of fiddles, guitars, mandolins and banjos mingled with scores of
authentically-outfitted Civil War reenactors and several thousand
spectators at the Lombard Historical Society's annual Civil War
Reenactment on July 25-26 in Four Seasons Park. |
Every
year just like clockwork, the Civil War comes to Lombard. And
every year you'll be sure to find the Plank Road String Band sitting
under a tree playing some songs that were hits back in the day.  While
string bands were not the typical sort of band that accompanied the
soldiers into battle, they were exactly the sort of bands that made the
soldiers long to go home. Today we experience much the same feeling,
for many people, hearing an old time string band makes them wish they
were home.<grin> Seriously, we are proud to
continue our work with the Lombard Historical Society to provide old
time music for a number of their activities. 
He may be sporting a Plank Road t-shirt, but Chuck Maltese looks "regulation" at Lombard's Civil War Reenactment! 
For two days, Plank Road's String Band provided a program of music that
was evocative of the Civil War era. Many visitors paused to listen --
and were soon tapping their toes to the ringing sounds of old-time
music. Jen Shilt provided Plank Road brochures for interested
spectators. If you haven't had a chance to come out to a battle, I am sure there will be one again next July! Here is a link to the 2015 event.
Blackberry Farm Civil War Days Two
weeks later, the string band traveled to Aurora upon being invited to
entertain the re-enactors of the Aurora Civil War at the end of the
day. Unfortunately, the battle was fierce and the weather was a
typical August day in Illinois -- sweltering and humid.
October Old-Time Barn Dance!
Following a wonderful string band workshop with Laurel and Matt from Red Tail Ring,  a
Barn Dance happened! Not a record- breaking event like last time,
but the dancers did outnumber the band, which is always a positive
sign! Red Tail Ring not only joined the string band, but played
several dances themselves. This provided our string band members the
opportunity to do some steppin' themselves.
Cheryl
Joyal was our caller, ably assisted by her expert assistant,
Gary! We tried to get a photo but Cheryl wouldn't stay still.
Everyone has enjoyed sharing these Saturday evenings together. - November 21, 2015
- February 13, 2016
- April 9, 2016
Come out and join the fun!
|
Get Out of Your House -- Go Hear Some Music! |
PRFMS Member Gigs
The first Sunday of every month will find Comfort Food, Rich and Vickie Ingle, at the Great American Bagel - Westmont at 10 am
353 W. Ogden Avenue - Western Springs at 11:30 am
47th Willow Springs Road
Joe Schumacher's band, Sons of the New Amish will be appearing at Reggie's, 2105 S State St, Chicago, on December 4
Susan Urban and Phil Cooper will be in the area:
Thursday, Oct 29 - February Sky
LISLE
PUBLIC LIBRARY, Halloween/Celtic New Year Concert (Costumes encouraged
but not required), 777 Front Street, Lisle, IL, 6:30 PM, 630-971-1675
Saturday, Nov. 21 - February Sky
BENEFIT
CONCERT for Universalist Unitarian Church of Joliet, double bill with
the trio Briar Road (Dan Zahn & Kate Moretti, with Rusty Winchel on
bass & vocals), 7:00 PM, 3401 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL,
815-744-9020
Saturday, Dec. 12 - Bittersweet Christmas Band
ACORN COFFEEHOUSE, Wheaton, IL 8PM, Burning Bush Art Gallery, 216 N Main Street, 630-393-1247 or 708-705-8669,
PRFMS members, drop us a line if you will be appearing locally. |
 Two Way Street Coffee House |
 Maple Street Chapel Folk ConcertsIf you are near Lombard, please visit the Maple Street Chapel Folk Concerts website to see a current listing of upcoming performers.
|
If you are near Hinsdale, please visit the Acoustic Renaissance website for a list of upcoming performers. |
Did you know
that many of our local libraries also host occasional music events
throughout the year? Harpeth Rising, Mark Dvorak, Chris Vallilo, and
Lonesome Eagle all have been featured at several of our libraries in the
past years.
Lisle Library's Friends of Lisle Library Concerts are offered on a regular basis. You can check their calendar at:
|
A Special Thanks to our Membership Contributors!! |
Sustaining Artists ($200 - $399)
- Mark Dvorak
Supporting Artists ($50 - $199)
- Comfort Food - Vicki and Rich Ingle - Heather Styka - George Mattson
Supporting Members ($50 and higher) - John J. Allan
- Dan Anderson
- Bill and Mary Boylan
- Vicki Ingle
- Joe Jablonski
- Paul and Molly Klonowski
- Lilli Kuzma
- Dorothy Lee
- Gregg and Elizabeth Morton
- Pete Prybl
- Jen Shilt
- Carol and Fred Spanuello
- John Spokas
- Gary and Kathy Steffenson
- John Spokas
- Ric Travis
If you would like to become a member or just need to renew, here is a link to the renewal form that you can print and mail. |
 | | | You've been to the Two Way Street Coffee House.
Have you ever looked at the folks behind the counter and said, "I know
how to make coffee! I'll betcha I could do that!"
All you have to do is contact Denise Davis or Tim Kendal.
Timothy Kendall
Assistant Director and Acting Volunteer Coordinator ;-)
Two Way Street Coffee House
cell 630-699-2974
Denise Davis Volunteer Coordinator Two Way Street Coffee House 630-969 4602 630-605-6357 |
Here
are some more Folk albums released this year. There are links to
YouTube and other places so that you can sample the artists' work. But
don't forget to support these artists. Buy their CDs. Go to see them
perform. If you have come across some new or little known artists that you think others might enjoy, please drop us a line. |
What's on your mind? Do
you have ideas for future articles? Things you'd like to see in the
newsletter? Ways we can make it more enjoyable and relevant to Plank
Road members? Here's your chance to be "note-worthy" . . . just send us an email with your comments about QuarterNotes. We welcome your input! We may publish some of your comments and always appreciate ideas. (Think of it as sort of a "letters to the editor.") Please send all correspondence to: PlankRoadFolk@Hotmail.com |
Bob O'Hanlon - President (630) 325-7764
Carol Spanuello - Vice President, Webmaster
Gary Steffenson - Treasurer
Bill Lemos - Secretary
2015 Board Members - Dave Humphreys
- Kristen Fuller
- Jennifer Shilt
- Stephen Davis
|
QuarterNotes Contributors |
Stephen Davis Jen Shilt Bob O'Hanlon Bill Lemos |
| | |  President's Message October, 2015
As
we near the end of the year, it occurs to me that we haven't
really celebrated Plank Road's 30 year anniversary like we
thought we would. I mentioned it in our January
QuarterNotes and we produced a nice sign and 30th
year stickers, but no special party. I just want to
bring it up again, as it really is remarkable that we
have been around that long, and are still strong and
active. We have our original activities and events and have
added others. Our
barn dances are more popular than ever, so we have added
a fourth one to our agenda. Our bluegrass jams are also more
popular than ever. George's twice a month folk sing  arounds continue to draw large groups and new people regularly. Our Second Tuesday,
Bring Your Own Song sessions are becoming a well established
monthly event. And we have recently started a country/western
jam on the fifth Saturday of any month which has
one. Our Plank Road string band continues to get better and
better, and are greatly sought after to play at many
local festivals in the area. So Plank Road is not
just surviving, we are thriving.
In addition to our regular
weekly and monthly activities in the fourth quarter,
we coordinate the music stage at the Danada Fall
Festival, we will hold two barn dances, and host a Christmas
party. We are also proud to participate in the Two Way Street
45th anniversary celebration, as they continue to be
our closest partner in our activities and our
success. Congratulations to Dave Humphreys and all
the Two Way Street staff on this landmark
anniversary.
Please come out and join us in our enjoyable music activities. |
SPOTLIGHT: Two Way Street Coffee House |  What a long, strange (and wonderful) trip it's been . . .
45 years of folk music at the Two Way Street Coffee House
On
weekdays it's a basement room at the First Congregational Church in
Downers Grove. But on Friday nights, there's a magical transformation . .
.
The
coffee is brewing, the room lights dim, the spotlights and sound system
are turned up -- and the basement room becomes the Two Way Street
Coffee House.
The
Two Way Street is one of the Chicago area's oldest acoustic concert
venues -- in fact, on November 7 it's celebrating 45 years of live music
in the western suburbs. There'll be a star-studded concert and
participatory events drawing hundreds of people in numerous rooms
throughout the church -- jamming, singing, dancing and song swapping.
How it all began . . .
During
the '50s and '60s, a number of churches across the country started
coffee houses in an attempt to broaden their contact, especially with
teens and young adults in their communities. Coffee houses took many
forms. Some were political, some artistic, some activistic, some
musical, some even religious. A youth group from the First
Congregational Church of Downers Grove, together with other community
groups, raised funds -- and on November 10, 1970 the Two Way Street
Coffee House opened for business. Dave Humphreys, a Two Way Street founder and the organization's longtime volunteer director, remembers the early days . . .
"The
late 1960s and early 1970s were periods of some turmoil and a lot of
mistrust between kids and adults, and church members felt that there was
a need for a place that would promote intergenerational dialogue," Dave
explains. "It was also a time when kids hanging out on a street corner
made people nervous, and the coffee house gave teens and young adults
some place to go."
"Professionals from the community
volunteered to provide needed assistance," Dave recalls. "Including
medical, housing, legal and counseling services. But mostly it was just a
place to hang out, be accepted, and relax." In a 1995 interview
by Lynn Van Matre of the Chicago Tribune, Bob Warhus, a longtime
coffeehouse volunteer, recalled how Two Way Street helped troubled kids
in the 1970s. "There were kids who came to the Two Way Street and got
off drugs," he said. "They're married now, living good lives, and the
coffee house definitely played a part in that." As suburban
social agencies began providing more youth and social service programs,
the venue gradually evolved from a teen hangout with entertainment into a
club for people who wanted to listen to music in a quiet concert
setting. "However," says Dave, "We continue to host six 12-step alcohol and substance abuse recovery sessions each week." "Our
age range has spread a lot over the years," according to Dave. "We
still get a few teenagers, but our clientele now generally ranges from
people in their 20s to senior citizens and even a few families." Why the name?
Communication
was the main purpose of Two Way Street. The name was chosen to imply
communications among people -- generations, performers, customers and
staff. The goal was to offer a "neutral ground" where an honest exchange
of ideas and emotions could take place. "We strive to be
welcoming, accepting, affirming, stimulating, affordable and fun," adds
Dave. "We're here for couples, singles, seniors, youth, families,
listeners and artists -- both professional and amateur."  It's all about the music.
Music
was the key ingredient from the start. Most early performers were
students, but soon there were performers from the Chicago area and
beyond. Many noted folk musicians such as Muriel Anderson, Lee Murdock,
Andrew Calhoun, and Mark Dvorak got a helping hand from Two Way Street
in the early years and still love to return today. The coffee house also
books national touring artists, creating a reciprocal arrangement so
local performers can find open venues when they tour the country. In
fact, Two Way Street has achieved an international reputation and is in
great demand by performers from across North America and beyond.
Two Way Street and Plank Road
-- partners in promoting the enjoyment of music.
The
Two Way Street Coffee House has always been involved in the community,
hosting various events over the years. In 2000, they began hosting
monthly open mics for college and high school students. They also
present a day of music in Fishel Park as part of Downers Grove's Rotary
GroveFest.
"We're well known for our concert series," says Dave.
"But we spend many more hours each week holding, facilitating and
celebrating participatory music for all folks, beginners to
professionals."
For example, the coffee house serves as the
meeting place for a number of Plank Road activities, including our
Saturday singarounds, bluegrass jams, barn dances, Bring-Your-Own-Song
nights and even Plank Road board meetings. It's a wonderful partnership
that's lasted for years.
Serving up coffee and music every Friday night.
Today,
the Two Way Street continues as a popular venue for making new friends,
enjoying old friends . . . and especially for enjoying live acoustic
music.
- Bill Lemos
|
Country/Western Sing-Around |
"5th Saturday" has a country twang...
On
the fifth Saturday of August, the sounds of classic country music
filled the Two Way Street Coffee House. It was Plank Road's first "5th Saturday Country & Western Singaround" -- and it was a rousing success, with 27 enthusiastic folks in attendance. The
event was organized by Plank Road president Bob O'Hanlon, who also
served as song leader. "This is something I've wanted to do for quite
some time," says Bob. "This first singaround was a test, to see if there
was any interest in doing country music. Judging by the turnout,
there's definitely interest."
"5th Saturday" was organized by Bob O'Hanlon with help from Andy Malkewicz and Bill Lemos.
Songs
included the country hits of artists like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams,
Don Gibson, Waylon Jennings, Buck Owens, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline,
Marty Robbins, George Jones and many more!
For
a month before the event, Bob, Andy and Bill compiled a list of
possible songs, edited them down to about 60 selections, then reviewed
them all to make sure lyrics, keys and chords were as accurate as
possible. Andy compiled all the files, then printed and collated them
into a song book. George Mattson also contributed some song sheets. If
the sessions continue to be popular, more songs will be added. Fifth Saturdays are rare -- only 4 or 5 a year -- but there's another one coming up at the end of this month, on October 31. Check it out!
ABOVE: A few of the folks who enjoyed the August 29th "5th Saturday" Country/Western singaround.
|
2015 Fox Valley Folk Festival | 
Plank Road is well-represented at Fox Valley Folk Fest -- with 40 volunteers!
LABOR
DAY FORECAST: Hot and humid, mixed with periods of exciting
performances and sudden bursts of bluegrass, folk and blues jams! That
was the scene for this year's 39th annual Fox Valley Folk Music
Festival over Labor Day weekend in Geneva. And in spite of the "dog
days" weather, a good time was had by all!
As
in previous years, Plank Road sponsored a tent (providing welcome
shade!) with a table of brochures and flyers about Plank Road as well as
t-shirts, sport bottles and other merchandise. We were well-represented
with many members working as volunteers, participating in impromptu
jams and enjoying the many exciting performances by more than 40 folk
musicians and storytellers performing on six stages.
To
kick off events on both Sunday and Monday morning, a group of Plank
Road musicians provided an hour of lively music on stage at the north
entrance to the festival. (click on the photo to see the YouTube videos)
Plank Road volunteers helped make it all happen.
The festival wouldn't be possible without the tireless efforts of an army of volunteers, including 40 Plank Road members. Kristen Fuller worked for many weeks before the event as Hospitality & Logistics Coordinator, along with Cheryl Joyal who served as Hospitality Coordinator. Denise Davis coordinated the festival raffle, and Dave Humphreys was the Stage Emcee and all-around volunteer.
Many others gave generously of their time as either volunteers or performers (or both!), including:
- John Allan
- Gary Blankenship
- Bill Boylan
- Frank & Helene Clark
- Phil Cooper
- Bob Cordova
- Stephen Davis
- Meg Dedolph
- Amy Dixon-Kolar
- Barb Ellingsen
- Penel Eynde Legrand
- Linda Gorham
- Cathy Jones
- Sue Kessel
- Ron Leaneagh
- Bill Lemos
- George Mattson
- Gregg Morton
- Ralph Murray
- Bob & Mimi O'Hanlon
- Bill & Bonnie Paulson
- Neil Potter
- Angela Salva
- John & Jan Sargent
- Jen Shilt
- Carol Sommer
- Gary Steffenson
- Ann Strang
- Heather Styka
- Pat Upton
- Susan Urban
- Jim Zethmayr
For Kristen Fuller, it's all about logistics . . .
Kristen Fuller's role with the Fox Valley Folk Festival can be summarized in one sentence: Making sure that the island runs smoothly throughout the festival.
But
what that really means is weeks of preparation prior to the festival.
One of the more "unceremonious" tasks was coordinating with the Geneva
Park District and volunteers to sterilize -- with bleach -- the
hospitality food room and take inventory of what was left over from the
previous year.
The
volunteers do their jobs so Juel Ulven can run the main stage.
Kristen's responsibilities include making sure that all performer and
volunteer name tags are ready. "In
addition," says Kristen, "I work with Juel and Cheryl to make sure
there's enough sound equipment for all the stages, and assist Cheryl
with the volunteer schedule."
Another key role is making sure that the island is set up correctly on the Saturday before the festival.
"In
addition to the professional tents and main stage, the Fox Valley
volunteers assemble additional tents, canopies and all the workshop
stages," says Kristen. "We move many picnic tables and assemble the
canopy over the main stage, along with running power to both the main
stage and to the extreme North end of the island."
But
all good things come to and end . . . and everything that was put up on
Saturday, is taken down on Monday, starting at 6 pm when the festival
ends. "Depending on how many hands we have at the end of the festival,
we're off the island by 9 pm."
Kristen
says that although she oversees a lot of the logistics, "Cheryl Joyal
really handles much of the load, creating the master volunteer schedule
-- which is ever-changing throughout the course of the festival!"
Cheryl
also handles many of the on-site issues that come up with either
volunteers or the public. "We make a great team," says Kristen, "And
I've learned a lot from Cheryl over the past 7 years."
|
| | | With a Little Help From our Friends! |
| |
