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, February 27, 2026 Two Way Street Coffee House Friday Night Concert Series presents February Sky.
February Sky is traditional singer and Celtic guitarist Phil Cooper with songwriter and singer Susan Urban. Phil sings and plays his own arrangements of traditional songs and tunes on six string guitar and cittern, and he also interprets a number of carefully chosen songs from the best of modern Folk song writers, as well as backing Susan up on her songs. Susan Urban is a writer of story songs and humorous “slice of life” songs. She accompanies her songs, plus Phil’s songs and tunes, on six and 12-string guitar, six string banjo, mountain dulcimer, hand percussion instruments and Native American Style flute.
More information HERE.
Upcoming Folk and Acoustic Music Concerts and Community Events
April 12, 2026 - Heritage Matinee Series
Welcome to the second season of the Heritage Matinee Series at the Two Way Street Coffee House! We are thrilled to announce the continuation of this successful concert series at the Two Way Street Coffee House, taking place on select Sunday afternoons in 2026. 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 April 12, 2026 the Two Way Street Coffee House is pleased to present Mark Dvorak, Ashley & Simpson, Ren Herr, and Joseph Kostal 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.
Ren Herr
Ren Herr is a local musician who lives in Brookfield, IL. He grew up singing in choirs in church, high school and college. When Ren was 18, he heard some acoustic blues guitar on TV, and instantly knew he had to make “that sound”. He bought a guitar that week and has been playing ever since. His particular musical influences are Mississippi John Hurt, Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Blake, Dave Van Ronk and Joseph Spence. Ren has sought out expert instruction and has participated in group lessons from guitar greats including Mark Dvorak, Stefan Grossman, Woody Mann, Rory Block, Bob Brozman, Eric Lugosch, and Catfish Keith.
Ren and his wife, Kathy are proud to be affiliated with Music and Potlucks, and are members of the Bound for Glory Singers. While Ren started out playing the blues, his playing has expanded to include ragtime, folk, Irish music and hymns. In the past year he has picked up a special and frankly unexplainable passion for waltzes, and has arranged some of Jay Unger’s numbers for solo fingerstyle guitar.
Ren appreciates a wide variety of musical styles. He loves to travel and collected field recordings while in Tibet.
Joseph Kostal
Joseph Kostal is a folk musician based in Cicero, Illinois, whose music draws deeply from the American folk revival tradition of the 1940s through the 1960s. A guitarist and emerging banjo player, Kostal performs traditional folk songs alongside singer-songwriter material, bringing renewed life to obscure and historically rooted music.
Inspired by artists such as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, The Carter Family, Jackson C. Frank, and Gordon Bok, Kostal’s journey began after discovering folk music through WFMT’s Midnight Special and studying at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. His performances reflect a dedication to authenticity, shaped by ongoing research into the origins and stories behind the songs he sings.
Kostal’s repertoire explores the shared human experience—loneliness, love, loss, and resilience—presented with warmth and sincerity. Though his songs often touch on life’s hardships, his goal is connection: leaving listeners with the feeling that they are not alone in their experiences.
He began performing at Chicago-area open mics in the early 1990s, including No Exit Café and Fitzgerald’s, and continues to perform regularly at folk jams and open mic nights with the Friendly Music Community. Outside of music, Kostal pursues drawing and enjoys working on mathematical problems.
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.
Monthly Nordic Jam - March 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 March 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.
NEW!!! Tango Night at Two Way Street
You are invited to Tango Night at the Two Way Street Coffee House!
Join us April 19, 2026 as we welcome Three to Tango as part of our Cultural Connections Series.
Three to Tango is a Chicago-area trio that plays Argentine style Tango. The group features guitarist and arranger Jarvis Raymond, cellist and vocalist Heather Dunn, and accordionist Miriam Attia. Their unique sound weaves passionate rhythms, intricate melodies and lush harmonies, creating an inviting atmosphere perfect for both dancing and listening. With a commitment to authenticity, Three to Tango captures the essence of tango while infusing it with their own artistic flair.
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 7pm (CT) and the doors open at 6:30pm. (Suggested donation $10, cash or Paypal). This event will be held in the big room down the hall from the venue to facilitate both listening and dancing! See you there!
Last Thursday Open Mic - February 26, 2026
Attention High School & College-Age Musicians, Poets, and Performance Artists! 
It’s Your Turn to Shine—Every Last Thursday of the Month!
On February 26, 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!
March 21 , 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 March 21, 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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