Old Town School of Folk Music Since the unfortunate demise of Hothouse a few years ago, Chicago has been without a venue that programs world music at its core. And that’s a cultural shame as well as a market void if the massive crowds at the city’s World Music Festival this past September were any indication. Fortunately, a number of venues are producing world music shows on a consistent basis, from stalwarts like Martyrs’, Evanston Space and Jazz Showcase to relative newcomers like Mayne Stage, City Winery and The Shrine, to name a few. Arguably that diffusion of venues is a good thing, representing a maturity of the marketplace for world music here. In any case, Old Town School, with its comfortable auditorium, good acoustics and most consistent flow of world-music acts stands out from the pack. Especially noteworthy is the regular nature of its commitment, as Old Town School offers three regular showcases: World Music Wednesday, Global Dance Party Friday nights and the pan-Latino Pueblo Latino Chicago.
Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544-45 North Lincoln, (773)728-6000, oldtownschool.org
Audience choice: Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 North Lincoln, (773728-6000, oldtownschool.org
Paper Chase: The Fabulous World of Tom Greensfelder's Model Life The Greensfelder Design Studio is a childlike page in the story of our city. His studio is filled with 175 vintage and replica paper models of fairgrounds, gas stations, boats, trucks, castles, a chicken in a coop, and more. They are carefully constructed with eyes cast on history and fantasy.
