The Mighty Lonesome Trio featuring Don Stiernberg, Chris Walz, and Marc Edelstein

Chris Walz (guitar), Don Stiernberg (mandolin), and Marc Edelstein (string bass) are the Midwest’s finest bluegrass pickers and singers. Veterans of premier bands Special Consensus Bluegrass Band, Third Coast Bluegrass, and many others, they carry the torch for the golden era of traditional Bluegrass but play the music in their own modern style.

Patchouli Tribute Concert Celebrating a life in Music & Arts Tickets $20 at the door(cash or check only) or via PayPal $21.25

Julie Patchouli has been a professional touring singer-songwriter multi-instrumentalist since age 18. She has, with her husband and master guitarist Bruce Hecksel, performed over 5,000 concerts around the world in a 30 year career as the #1 Charting International Guitar folk duo Patchouli & Terra Guitarra. They met thru music in Illinois in early ‘90s, joined a band (Aunt Betsy) in Olympia, WA, returned to Chicago in 1996, married, started playing as the duo Bruce & Julie, renamed Patchouli in 1999. Their first shows were in Illinois folk clubs, and college campuses and quickly expanded to venues around the U. S. In 2007 they created a second musical project, Terra Guitarra that took off on the international scene. Four of Terra Guitarra albums were nominated for ZMR "Best Instrumental Album of the Year." Their album Of Sea & Stars won that award. The folk power couple joyfully crafted their sound of folk meets Flamenco that City Pages described like “taking a yoga class in a field of running mustangs” with poetic lyrics, sparkling vocals, rhythmic steel strings and soulful Spanish guitar creating songs that "inspire the human spirit" -Chicago Tribune. Through the years, in the background of their thriving musical lives, Bruce was also painting and many of his pieces became album artwork. In 2015 they created a multi-media production, The Landscape of Guitar, The Animated Painting Concert Experience, a live music performance with projected animation of Bruce’s original acrylic paintings of guitar shaped scenes. In April 2025.They opened the Terra Guitarra Fine Art Gallery & Studio near their home in Wisconsin. Sadly, in July 2025 after a three year battle with stage IV cancer, Bruce suffered a stroke and passed away. Patchouli was working on their 23rd recording together when Bruce died. Julie went back into the studio this winter to finish the album and it releases this Spring.

This concert was scheduled a year ago and cancelled when Bruce died. Julie reached out recently, wanting to perform a memorial concert honoring Bruce in Illinois, where they first met, began their long beautiful musical journey, and where they garnered a supportive fanbase from the very start. She returns to the Maple Street Chapel stage for a special concert celebrating Bruce’s life in the Arts, performing fan favorite songs and sharing the new album release "Everything it Takes".

Patchouli www.patchouli.net

Sat., Jan. 24, 2026; 7pm, $20
DESPITE THE COLD WE WILL BE HAVING A PERFORMANCE ON SAT. As of noon on 1/22 we have 30 tickets left. Cash or check only at the door.

Dynamic Duos of the 60s with Zachary Stevenson & Kieran McCabe

Chicago Theatre favorites, Zachary Stevenson (The Buddy Holly Story, Million Dollar Quartet) and Kieran McCabe (The Buddy Holly Story, Rock of Ages, Verboten) team up for an unforgettable evening of harmony, history and humor.

The dynamic duo will take you on a rock & roll retrospective highlighting the harmonies of the Everly Brothers, the songwriting of Simon & Garfunkel, the soul of Sam & Dave and the music of Lennon & McCartney. Award-winning actor-musicians, the duo charms audiences with stories and spontaneity, effortlessly playing off one another while bouncing from one instrument to the next — be it guitar, piano, drums, and quite possibly your heartstrings.

Sun., Jan. 4, 2026; 3pm; $25

Ring in the NEW YEAR with The Special Consensus

The Special Consensus, celebrating its 51st anniversary in 2026, is a bluegrass band that has achieved a contemporary sound with traditional roots in five decades of performing. Band leader and founder Greg Cahill is a recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and was inducted into the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) Hall of Greats. Special Consensus has released 21 band recordings and received seven awards from the IBMA and two Grammy nominations.

Special Consensus’ sound is grounded in a deep appreciation and understanding of bluegrass music, incorporating both the drive and harmonies of the traditional sound with the more contemporary sounds and repertoire of today. With the foundation of Greg’s unique banjo playing style and the vocal prowess of the 2023 AND 2025 IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year Greg Blake (guitar), newest member Nico Humby (bass) and Brian McCarty (mandolin), these musicians effortlessly support each other and consistently maintain their bluegrass center whether they’re playing a jazz-tinged instrumental or a song from any of their award-winning recordings. These four talented vocalists and instrumentalists follow their creative desires without straying too far from their roots.

Rivers and Roads, the band’s 19th recording, was nominated for a 2018 Grammy and was awarded 2018 IBMA Album of the Year. The tune “Squirrel Hunters” from that recording received the Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year award.

International tours have brought the band to Australia, Canada, Europe, South America, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The band has also appeared on National Public Radio, The Nashville Network, the Grand Ole Opry at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, and in concert with symphony orchestras nationwide.

Dedicated to preserving their craft as well as keeping it fresh, in 1984 Special Consensus initiated the Traditional American Music (TAM) Program to introduce bluegrass music to students in schools across the country and in several foreign lands.

The band records for Compass Records and proudly celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2020 with the release of Chicago Barn Dance. This recording also celebrates the long-standing connection of country and bluegrass music with Chicago from the time of the WLS “National Barn Dance” that was a precursor to the Grand Ole Opry. The songs on this recording either relate to Chicago and/or are written by artists who once lived in Chicago. The title song “Chicago Barn Dance” received the 2020 IBMA Song of the Year Award.

Compass Records released Great Blue North, the 21st Special C recording, in May of 2023. The band has been touring in Canada for nearly four decades and this recording was made as a tip of the hat to all the friends and fans made throughout the country over so many years. All songs featured on the recording were written by Canadian writers and numerous Canadian musician friends of the band made guest appearances. The Gordon Lightfoot song “Alberta Bound” received the 2023 IBMA Collaborative Recording of the Year award and the video received the first-ever 2024 IBMA Video of the Year award (tied with Authentic Unlimited).

NEW 4:30-5pm; First Church of Lombard Handbell choir

5:30-7pm; our Annual Holiday Sing-Along with Kilty Pleasure. Free will offering

Kilty Pleasure, Denise Davis and Ron Leaneagh, met while participating in local song circles. Denise and Ron teamed up 12 years ago – and Kilty Pleasure made its debut with a Christmas show. They have enjoyed playing holiday shows every year since!

While Celtic music is Denise and Ron's specialty, they also enjoy playing music from other genres including folk, show tunes, and old jazz standards. Kilty Pleasure has played festivals, coffee houses, retirement homes, and weddings in the area.

Denise and Ron are both regular volunteers for the Maple Street Concert series, and are pleased to be leading this year's JingleBell Jubilee Sing Along at the start of the 2025 Holiday Season!

Sat., Nov. 15, 2025; 7pm, $20

Lee Murdock has uncovered a boundless body of music and stories in the Great Lakes. Taking snapshots from history, his songs summon the listener to take a front-row seat, to look through the eyes and into the hearts of individuals who have shaped our heritage on and around the Great Lakes. His concerts invoke a sense of place, but it is a universal place, and a timeless repertoire that celebrates the North American people, their triumphs and tragedies, work songs and pastimes.

Noted as a fluent instrumentalist on six and twelve string guitars, Murdock combines ragtime, Irish, blues and folk styles with this flair for storytelling in songs. His musical influences span fifteen generations, and combine original compositions with traditional music.

There is an amazing timelessness in this music. Great Lakes songs are made of hard word, hard living, ships that go down and ships that come in.

The music is grounded in the work song tradition, from the rugged days of lumberjacks and wooden sailing schooners. Murdock comes alongside with ballads of contemporary commerce and revelry in the grand folk style. Lee’s fans have discovered a sweetwater treasure in his songs about the Great Lakes, finding drama and inspiration in the lives of sailors and fishermen, lighthouse keepers, ghosts, shipwrecks, outlaws and everyday heroes.

Sat., Oct. 18, 2025; 7pm, $20

James Gordon has been there. He’s done that. He’s had a remarkably diverse and resilient career in the Canadian entertainment business. As a solo singer-songwriter and with the ground-breaking trio Tamarack, he’s recorded at least 40 albums, and toured relentlessly around the world. For more than ten years he was heard on CBC radio as songwriter-in-residence for the ’Basic Black’ and ‘Ontario Morning’ programs. Between tours, James is a record producer, playwright, author, community activist, theatre director, festival director, and a retired City Councillor in his hometown of Guelph Ontario. His new ‘musical’ novel “The Ark Of The Oven Mitt” was a finalist for the Stephen Leacock Humour Award. His classic song “Frobisher Bay” has been covered by over 100 artists. His new album is “Wrinkles and Scars”. These days he’s appearing solo, with his “exceptional ensemble”, a six-piece outfit that debuted his new album at Hugh’s Room in Toronto, and as a duo with Guelph singer Connie Murch. Jamesgordon.ca

Sat., Sept. 27, 2025; 7pm, $20

Join us for a great evening of music from Annalee Koehn and Chuck Cox, with special guest Jess Baldissero. This dynamic group plays moving original songs featuring soulful vocals, close harmonies, with fine instrumentals on guitar and fiddle. Their repertoire is based in Country Music, with elements from other American Roots Music styles such as Folk, Blues, and early R&B. Annalee and Chuck crossed musical paths in 2018 and began working together a year or so later. In 2024, Annalee recently released her long-awaited album Tools of an Unseen Hand, with Chuck producing and playing, and featuring Jess Baldissero on fiddle.

Annalee Koehn is a singer, guitar-player and songwriter, and founding member of fiddle-driven bands Blackest Crow and Ship of Fools, vocal group Sweeter Gift, and has also worked and recorded with artists such as Blue State Cowboys, Mark Dvorak, and Urban Djin. She started out playing old-time music and followed that path to singing with others. She has been on teaching staff at The Augusta Heritage Center Summer Music Program in Elkins, WV since 2019, and has also taught numerous vocal workshops with legendary harmony-singing teacher Valerie Mindel. In addition, Annalee is a visual artist and concurrently teaches at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and maintains a freelance Design business. She designed the artwork for her album covers, also creating the objects in the photographs.

Chuck Cox is a singer-songwriter who performs as a solo artist, is the leader of the bluegrass band Cox’s Army, and has production or instrumental credits on fourteen albums. Chuck’s early guitar playing was Blues and R&B, but he quickly branched out into songwriting, singing and producing his own albums. He has played on and produced a wide range of styles including blues, rock, R&B, funk, folk, country, bluegrass and old-time. Chuck has been a lead singer for many years, however working with Annalee has brought him into the world of harmony singing. He currently has three recording projects in progress, one by Anthony Miller, a guitar instrumental project of his own, and another featuring his vocal songwritingIn addition to her work with Annalee and Chuck, Jess Baldissero writes and performs original music with her own group Joybird, Old-Time music in a duo with Aaron Smith, Bluegrass with Big Sadie and has recently been touring with Buffalo Nichols.

Annalee’s website: https://www.annaleekoehn.com/

Annalee’s album Tools of an Unseen Hand:

https://annaleekoehn.bandcamp.com/album/tools-of-an-unseen-hand

— THE HIGH 48s — • Saturday, April 26, 2025 • 7:00PM • $20 • Doors open at 6:30PM

Classic Bluegrass quintet with a modern attitude and fantastic showmanship

Note: Online ticket sales close at NOON on concert day. Advance tickets are $21.25 online (with processing fee) and pre-sales end at noon on the day of show. Door sales are cash or check only, pending availability. ALL SALES ARE FINAL—NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES.

Since forming in northeast Minneapolis in 2006, THE HIGH 48s have been making music that combines the soulful sound of classic bluegrass with a modern attitude. With one foot in tradition and the other in the world of today’s music, they are one of the few very few bands who can find overlooked bluegrass gems in songs by artists like M. Ward or the Clash, then throw down hard on a standard by Bill Monroe. The High 48s are also a band of songwriters. Here, too, they take a modern approach, heeding the well-worn advice to writers: write what you know. Their songs ring true to their lives as northern city folk rather than an imagined “sweet, sunny south” of coal mines and dark hollers.

The band takes its name from railroad slang for the boxcars originally used in WWI to transport troops, which could carry 40 soldiers or 8 horses. These boxcars were later repurposed in the US on fast-moving “hot shot” freight trains by train hoppers looking for work during the Great Depression. >https://thehigh48s.com/

“Y'all have truly made an imprint in the world of bluegrass music so please keep on keepin' on.” —Greg Cahill, Special Consensus

For more information, see "ABOUT/FAQS" or use our "CONTACT US" form on our website. We are ADA-friendly with a lighted, stairless ramp but limited ADA seating. Please let us know in advance if you need ADA entry and/or seating so we can best accommodate you.

Advance tickets are $21.25 online (with processing fee) and pre-sales end at noon on the day of show. Door sales are cash or check only, pending availability. ALL SALES ARE FINAL—NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES.

— TWANGTOWN PARAMOURS with special guest NAOMI ASHLEY — • Saturday, March 22, 2025 • 7:00PM • $20 • Doors open at 6:30PM

Bluesy, soulful Americana, Classic Country, Folk, and Rock

Note: Online ticket sales close at NOON on concert day. Advance tickets are $21.25 online (with processing fee) and pre-sales end at noon on the day of show. Door sales are cash or check only, pending availability. ALL SALES ARE FINAL—NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES.

THE TWANGTOWN PARAMOURS—HEADLINERS— Debuting on our stage, THE TWANGTOWN PARAMOURS are an award-winning Soulful Folk/Americana duo from Nashville, comprised of husband-and-wife MaryBeth Zamer and Mike T. Lewis. They have garnered wide acclaim as three-time Kerrville New Folk Finalists, and winners of Texas’s Wildflower Contest. Lead singer, MaryBeth Zamer used to sing background vocals for Eva Cassidy. Writer, producer, and guitar player, Mike Lewis is the author of a #1 platinum-selling hit in Korea and sometimes plays upright bass for Jimmie Dale Gilmore.

The newest Twangtown Paramours album, “Double Down on a Bad Thing,” which was released in January 2025, came in at #1 on the Folk Alliance International Chart for that month, got more spins than any #1 monthly artist in over two years, and had six of the top ten songs. The last Twangtown Paramours album was #11 on the UK blues charts, and the last Folk album was #2 on the FAI Chart. Here is what some music critics say about the duo and their new album: “Lead singer Marybeth Zamer is a vocal force of nature - one of the most expressive vocalists I have heard in some time.”- Music News Nashville

https://www.thetwangtownparamours.com/

NAOMI ASHLEY—OPENER— With her cream and Kahlua voice, Chicago singer-songwriter NAOMI ASHLEY captivates audiences, breathing vibrant life into her diverse range of songs. Seamlessly navigating Americana, classic country, folk, blues, and rock, Ashley's lyrically layered compositions charm with humor and a poignant understanding of the human experience. Her latest album, “Love Bug,” was released in February of 2024. >https://www.naomiashley.com/

Lilli Kuzma, radio host of WDCB's Folk Festival Radio Show will be our guest emcee to introduce these fantastic acts. >WDCB.org

For more information, see "ABOUT/FAQS" or use our "CONTACT US" form on our website. We are ADA-friendly with a lighted, stairless ramp but limited ADA seating. Please let us know in advance if you need ADA entry and/or seating so we can best accommodate you.

Advance tickets are $21.25 online (with processing fee) and pre-sales end at noon on the day of show. Door sales are cash or check only, pending availability. ALL SALES ARE FINAL—NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES.