Each year performers from Plank Road provide an afternoon of folk music and old-time tunes on stage at the Danada Fall Festival. Visitors can sit down and relax while enjoying the music. This event takes place in October at DuPage County’s Equestrian Center in Wheaton.

Each year the annual Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival takes place over Labor Day weekend at Island Park in Geneva. The venue hosts one of the largest folk festivals in Illinois with 8 stages and dozens of top artists performing over two days. Many Plank Road folks participate, both as volunteers and performers. Be sure to visit the Plank Road tent and join in some spontaneous jam sessions!

Five Saturdays in one month occur just a few times a year. And what better way to enjoy a 5th Saturday than with a rousing bluegrass sing-around at the Two Way Coffee House! Folk and bluegrass artist Eric Lambert hosts the event, encouraging everyone to lead a song, or play an instrumental lead. Whether you play guitar, mandolin, banjo or fiddle – or just prefer to listen – everyone is welcome. Song books provided. Co-sponsored by Plank Road. Be sure to check online to confirm dates!

Starting at noon, a group of Plank Road carolers serenade shoppers on the streets of downtown Downers Grove. At 2 PM, back at the Two Way Street Coffee House, song books are passed out and a packed house of strummers, pickers and singers enjoy two hours of holiday tunes — followed by festive treats! Check our website Calendar in December.

Our Annual Meeting is a time for Plank Road members and guests — and anyone who is interested in joining our organization — to socialize, enjoy tasty refreshments, and of course, lots of music! We meet at Lombard’s cozy Log Cabin on a Sunday afternoon in late January or early February. Be sure to check our website Calendar for details.

Our autumn Log Cabin event is held on a Sunday afternoon in October at the Log Cabin in Four Seasons Park in Lombard. There’s music, food and fun for everyone! Plank Road provides pizza, beverages and song books. Check our website Calendar in October for details.

Mark’s most recent workshops were “Articulation” in May, 2019, and “The Art of Jamming” in July, 2016. Topics ranged from techniques for enhancing jam sessions, to sharing his expertise in fingerpicking, harmony techniques, chord structure, guitar riffs and runs, and his unique perspective on the art of songwriting. Mark’s workshops include lots of give-and-take – along with his dry sense of humor. Plank Road workshops welcome players of every level of expertise and are open to the public.

There’s something about traditional old-time music that gets your foot tapping. Paul Tyler and Steve Rosen, two veteran musicians and multi-instrumentalists, presented a workshop in April, 2018, bringing interesting techniques and several new fiddle tunes to a large group of workshop attendees. The event was open to the public, and was another example of Plank Road’s “extra-value” benefits.

Ah, the sweet sounds of string instruments and the high-lonesome harmonies of bluegrass! In May, 2017 multi-instrumentalist Chris Walz presented a unique workshop for guitar, banjo and mandolin players, including a discussion and brief history of bluegrass music. It was an exciting afternoon of helpful tips, techniques – and great music. Workshops are open to the public and are another “value-added” benefit offered by Plank Road.

Matt is well-known for his “Community Sing” events, bringing people together through music. In August, 2016 he shared his passion for community music at a Plank Road workshop, leading the group in songs both old and new. His music -- and his own special brand of humor -- made for an entertaining and enlightening experience.

Laurel Premo and Michael Beauchamp are an Americana roots duo who infuse each song with musical imagination, haunting harmonies and instrumental artistry. In October, 2015 they led a Plank Road workshop where attendees worked in separate groups to learn melody and rhythm techniques, as well as some new fiddle tunes. Afterwards, they came together as an old-time music ensemble.