Two Way Street Coffee House is Chicagoland’s most beloved folk and acoustic music venue, presenting weekly concerts and community events for over 50 years!
On Friday, January 23, 2026 Two Way Street Coffee House Friday Night Concert Series presents Dana Maragos.
“A superb songwriter. Pure Americana.” Americana UK, Alan Fitter.
Unimaginable Things, is the 4th studio release dedicated to her brother, Danny. (1960-2023). The songs have acoustic guitar-base with an old/new folk feel and textures of pedal steel guitar, traces of rock with electric guitar, and spare Hammond B3. Sharp lyrics draw you into conversations and stories.
Her recordings have been featured on folk and roots radio programs: “The Midnight Special”on WFMT-98.7FM hosted by Marilyn Rea Beyer; on Lilli Kuczma’s “Folk Festival” program with live, in-studio performance and on “American Backroads”, hosted by Greg Easterling on WDCB-90.9FM; conversations and live performances on Tom Jackson’s “Somebody Else’s Troubles”on WLUW 88.7 FM; on Ron Lewis'”Folk Show” on WNUR 89.3 FM
Upcoming Folk and Acoustic Music Concerts and Community Events
January 31, 2026 - Fifth Saturdays with Jim Bizer
Welcome to 5th Saturdays at the Two Way Street Coffee House!
Saturdays are special! An extra Saturday in a month comes around only a few times a year, so we decided to commemorate each one with a special event. 5th Saturdays in 2026 occur in January, May, August and October.
For our January event, Two Way Street Coffee House, in partnership with the Plank Road Folk Music Society, is pleased to present a guitar workshop with Jim Bizer on January 31, 2026 from 11am-1pm.
This event will be in-person only. The admission price for each workshop is $25 per participant and will be limited to 25 in-person attendees.
Jim Bizer’s Guitar Quirkshop
January 31, 2026 – 11am to 1pm
Join Jim as he shares some simple techniques and ideas to spice up your playing. The guitar is an amazing instrument, capable of so many things – melody, harmony, chords, counterpoint, percussion – just to name a few. We’ll explore bits of these things and how to use them to add a little “quirk” to your guitaring.
Jim Bizer is a lifelong musician, working professionally since age 14. He’s an award-winning songwriter, but he’s also spent years as a cover musician performing almost every style imaginable (which has been quite an education). He’s an in-demand session musician, producer and arranger, he’s composed music for TV and radio. He LOVES to play the guitar.
The registration deadline is January 26, 2026.
NEW SERIES! February 8, 2026 - Tunes & Tales
NEW Songwriters in the Round at Two Way Street Coffee House!
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.
Monthly Nordic Jam - February 5, 2026
JOIN OUR NORDIC MUSIC JAM!
Learn and share tunes from the Nordic countries in a warm, welcoming setting at our monthly jam! This is a teaching jam where we’ll teach, review, and play tunes in the aural tradition—by ear. All instruments, ages, and experience levels are welcome, and recording is encouraged.
The jam is facilitated by Mary Allsopp of Chicago Spelmanslag. Many of the tunes will be featured at our Nordic Dance nights, and musicians are invited to join in for an extra review and to learn about playing for dance.
Monthly Nordic Dance February 8, 2026
NORDIC DANCE
Join Us for Nordic Dance and Music on February 8th!
Come experience the joy of Scandinavian dance and live music on the second Sunday of each month at the Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515.
Last Thursday Open Mic Resumes January 29, 2026
Attention High School & College-Age Musicians, Poets, and Performance Artists! 
It’s Your Turn to Shine—Every Last Thursday of the Month!
On January 29, 2026 at 7pm, step into the spotlight at Two Way Street Coffee House, one of the best-loved acoustic venues in the Chicago area. Whether you’re a singer-songwriter, poet, guitarist, or spoken word performer, this is your space to be heard.
What You’ll Get:
- A welcoming stage in a legendary listening room
- Full audio/visual setup and helpful volunteers
- A live audience—and a livestream too!
- Soda, snacks, coffee, and cookies for just $1
When: Last Thursday of each month – Doors open and sign up begins at 6:30 PM
Where: Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, IL Who: Exclusively for high school and college-aged performers
We provide: Sound, livestream, piano, and a warm crowd
You bring: Your voice, your words, your acoustic instrument
Performer Details:
- Acoustic instruments only (no drum sets or amps—light percussion is fine!)
- Originals or covers welcome
- Each performer gets up to 3 songs or 12 minutes
- Sign-up in person starting at 6:30 PM – first come, first perform!
Younger-than-high-school performers? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you!
Questions?
Call: 630-969-9720
Email: info@twowaystreet.org
It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s your time to shine!
PLEASE NOTE: Last Thursdays will resume on January 29, 2026. There will be no open mic in Nov and Dec 2025 due to the holidays.
February 7 , 2026 - Old Time Barn Dance
The Plank Road Folk Music Society and the Two Way Street Coffee House invite you to join us for an old time barn dance on February 7 2026 at 7pm CT.
The Plank Road String Band celebrates a form of music and dance that has endured for centuries. These dances, and the music that accompanies them, bring people together in a family-friendly environment. The simple joy of joining together and sharing this old-time tradition will bring a smile to your face — while providing a welcome break from the routines of our busy lives.
ENJOY a fun-filled evening of music and dancing for the entire family! The Plank Road String Band will provide lively music, and a caller will walk you through all the dances at our No Experience Necessary Old Time Barn Dance–squares, lines, reels, waltzes, and more! Tables will be set up around the edge of the room for visiting with friends and enjoying music between dances. Our dances are informal, with no costumes needed—in fact, you don’t even have to bring a partner!
Come watch. Come listen. Come dance!
Conveniently located in Downers Grove, Two Way Street Coffee House is Chicagoland’s most beloved folk and acoustic music venue, presenting weekly concerts and community events since 1970!
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