Two Way Street Coffee House celebrates 45 years

Since its beginning in 1970, Two Way Street Coffee House is proud to announce its successful run of 45 years in Downers Grove with a progressive future stil to come.

Coffee houses began as early as the 50s’ and 60’s so that churches across the country could make contact with the community especially for teens and young adults who were not ,otherwise, available. At First Congregational United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, funds were raised to open the Two Way Street Coffee House as a neutral ground of communication for individuals to voice new ideas with music becoming a committed part of the program. And since, Two Way Street has become an astounding example of creating an honest ground for generations of performers and customers.

In 1984, the Village of Downers Grove asked the Two Way Street to create a Folk Music Festival for the Downers Grove Heritage Festival. It grew from the original three hours on Saturday to include a concert on Friday night followed by several hours of folk music on Saturday, and ran for 26 years. Currently, the coffee house presents a day of music in Fishel Park as part of the Downer Grove Rotary Grove Fest.

In 2000, the Two Way Street became hosting monthly open mikes for college and high school students because there were not many venues were youth could perform. Many noted folk musicians such as Muriel Anderson and Lee Murdock began their seasoned career at the coffee house. Today, high-school and college age performers appreciate the chance to display their talents during their own open mike on the last Thursday of every month. Other musicians enjoy the Saturday afternoon sing-arounds and bluegrass jams, Tuesday evening song circles, and old-time barn dances with live bands.

Performers and audiences of the Two Way Street recognize the high-quality professional artists presented in inexpensive concerts every Friday, plus its many other contributions to the wider community.

Sixty percent of the performers are chosen from the local area to support those who face a shortage of good listening rooms. The coffee house also books national touring performers to create a reciprocal arrangement so local performers can find open venues when they tour the country.

All of these and more will come together at the 45th Anniversary celebration on Saturday afternoon, November 7, beginning at 2:00 p.m., just across the street from the Downers Grove Public Library. Rooms throughout the First Congregational Church will feature concerts, jam sessions, an Irish session, song circles, dances (world, line, Irish and old-time), open mike, exhibits, and more events, plus food served by Downers Grove’s own Lemon Tree Grocer’s Zest Café, all open to the public.

More than 20 other Chicago area music organizations and venues will join the Two Way Street in leading many of the events in the celebration.

At 7:30 p.m., an all-star concert in the church auditorium will present artists Red Tail Ring, Lambert &Walz, Sons of the Never Wrong, and Mark Dvorak, with special guests Don Stiernberg& John Abbey.

Rich Warren from WFMT 98.7 FM will be on site broadcasting live segments from 7:00 p.m. to midnight

For more information, please contact:

Two Way Street Coffee House

1047 Curtiss Street

Downers Grove

630-969-9720, 630-968-5526, info@twowaystreet.org, www.twowaystreet.org

Event Date: Saturday November 7, 2015.

Event Time: Afternoon Events 2:00pm, Evening Concert 7:30pm.

Tickets: All Day Pass: $22, Afternoon Only: $5, Evening Concert Only: $20, available at www.twowaystreet.org

Press Contact: Dave Humphreys 630-968-5526, dave@twowaystreet.org