Tunes & Tales: Sue Fink, Dana Maragos & Ashley & Simpson

Tunes & Tales is a songwriter-in-the-round series at Two Way Street Coffee House, hosted by Ashley & Simpson—Jennifer Ashley and Joel Simpson, directors of the venue and songwriters who perform together as a folk duo.

Each session brings Ashley & Simpson together with two guest songwriters for an intimate afternoon of music and storytelling. The artists take turns sharing original songs, talking about the experiences and ideas that inspired them, and exploring the creative paths that led to the finished music.

For our November edition, Ashley & Simpson welcome two Chicago songwriters whose love of words and keen observations of everyday life have led them down wonderfully different musical paths: Sue Fink and Dana Maragos.

Sue Fink describes her distinctive blend of folk, jazz, humor, and poignant storytelling as “urban campfire cabaret.” A writer of poetry, stories, and commentary long before she began performing, Sue discovered the possibility of songwriting after hearing a Christine Lavin song on the radio. Her songs bring wit, compassion, and an unexpected emotional turn to the familiar quirks of being human.

Dana Maragos began writing poems as a child and wrote her first song at fourteen. Her musical journey began with a $25 guitar from her grandmother and chords learned from a teenage neighbor playing Bob Dylan and Eric Andersen songs. Years spent living in different parts of the country eventually brought her back to Chicago, and her thoughtful folk and Americana songwriting draws on a lifetime of places, people, and experiences.

Hosts Ashley & Simpson bring their own blend of original songwriting, traditional folk influences, and close vocal harmonies to the circle.

Tunes & Tales isn’t simply about hearing the songs. It’s about discovering the stories behind them—and seeing what happens when songwriters share their work, their influences, and a little of themselves in a room built for listening.

Sunday, November 15, 2026 • 3:00–5:00 PM
Two Way Street Coffee House

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.