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.