Iron Heart Chicago

“...We shall leave, for remembrance, one rusty iron heart.”
– Nelson Algren, Chicago: City on the Make

Children, parents, and adults watch Liz Carroll play Irish fiddle at the Western Brown line stop, just blocks away from the Old Town School location at 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Photo by Dan Kasberger.

This year, the Old Town School was very proud to produce Iron Heart Chicago, a new concert series that brought 40 free performances by 6 Chicago musicians to over 30 CTA train stations and other public spaces all across the city!

Jimmy Burns and his band play the blues at the North and Clybourn Red Line CTA stop. Photo by Dan Kasberger.

Borrowing its name, and some of its spirit, from Nelson Algren’s famous prose-poem, the series showcased a sampling of the incredible and diverse musical styles practiced by home-grown artists in communities throughout Chicago. The musicians included Irish fiddler Liz Carroll (see top photo), blues guitarist Jimmy Burns (photo above), Balkan folk clarinetist Jim Stoynoff, erhu virtuoso Betty Xiang, Grammy-nominated violinist Juan Rivera, and Gypsy cimbalom master Nicolae Feraru.

If you missed these performances or would like to learn more about these performers, visit the Iron Heart Chicago website.

Square Roots Festival

The 2015 Square Roots Festival - held July 10 through July 12 at Lincoln Ave between Montrose and Wilson – welcomed 28,000 people all drawn to our vast selection of music, local food, and craft-beer. Yes, this year’s Square Roots Festival was folk-ier, tastier, and beerier than ever!

Kermit Ruffins wowed the crowd at the Square Roots Fest North Stage on Saturday, July 11. Photo by Dan Kasberger.

Square Roots was presented in partnership with the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce. Music acts ranged from British punk group The Mekons, Afro-Caribbean group Tiempo Libre, New Orleans jazz trumpeter, singer, and composer Kermit Ruffins, as well as ex-Old Town School teacher Robbie Fulks, whose Bluegrass Explosion group closed the festival on Sunday night. Scores of local musicians as well as Old Town teachers and students also participated!

Blue Jean Gala

On Thursday, July 23 the Old Town School of Folk Music once again hosted one of the most unique fundraising events in the city - Blue Jean Gala 2015. The evening began with a roaming feast through five, top-rated Lincoln Square restaurants: Bistro Campagne, DueLire Vino & Cucina, Fork, Gather, and Miku. Guests and passerby alike were serenaded with music all along the sidewalks of Lincoln Avenue by our very own Old Town School musicians.

Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires kicked off Blue Jean Gala with a groove. Photo by Robert Carl.

After dinner, soul-singer Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires opened the show with a mix of vocal chops, theatrics, and a chill-inducing, foot-stomping set list.

Old Town Director Bau Graves with Maria McCullough and Bailey Dee lead a call and response during intermission at the Blue Jean Gala. Photo Photo by Robert Carl.

The renowned Randy Newman then graced the Maurer Hall stage for a fantastic performance featuring his moving, idiosyncratic, and often funny hits like "Short People" and "You Can Leave Your Hat On” as well as songs such as "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Disney-Pixar's Toy Story. His wit, well-crafted songs, piano and unique voice brought the evening to an intimate and heart-warming close.

Randy Newman serenades crowds in the Gary & Laura Maurer Concert Hall during this year’s Blue Jean Gala. Photo by Robert Carl.

As the School's largest fundraising event of the year, Blue Jean Gala 2015 raised nearly $400,000 to support the one-of-a-kind outreach programs and financial aid opportunities that make Old Town School accessible to all comers, regardless of economic means.