The Old Town School of Folk Music offers a number of free events. If you play an instrument and are looking for somewhere to jam or you want to sing along, or you just want to watch some musicians perform the following events are free (or a requested $5 donation):
4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago IL 60625 • 773.728.6000
Always call ahead. Schedule subject to change or cancellation.
Jams
Join the circle where making music is all about community. Find a genre you want to explore and bring your voice or your instrument. You don’t need to be a student, so feel free to bring friends and family even if they’re not in classes at Old Town School.
The Gather-All
When: Monthly, Fridays, 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Where: 4544 North Lincoln Avenue, room 102
The Gather-All is a family jam for musicians of all ages and abilities. Practice songs you know and learn to play some new ones in a welcoming and fun environment. You don’t have to be in a class to join this music-making experience!
All ages, instruments, and abilities are invited and encouraged to come! $10 per family or $5 per person. Come early to tune up or for a drink or snack at our café!
Register for the Gather-All here.
Great American Songbook Jam – All ages. Come sing and play. You can bring your lunch or grab a bite at the café.
When: Wednesdays, 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Where: 4545 North Lincoln Avenue, Lobby
Folk, Rock, and Roots Jam -Come before class, after class, or even if you don’t have class. It’s rockin’!
When: Thursdays, 7:00 – 10:00 PM
Where: 4545 North Lincoln Avenue, Lobby
The Saturday Jam (for All Ages) – Jam with students and teachers from the Kids’ Music Program
When: Saturdays, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Where: 909 West Armitage Avenue, Concert Hall
All instruments, voices, and levels of players are welcome and encouraged. This jam is great for teaching and learning with folks of all ages. The Saturday Jam is a comfortable space for young folks discovering new instruments, songs, and styles. Come share your tunes, sing, and dance with us. Super fun! Even if you’re not enrolled in class, come join us for music making.
Bluegrass Jam – Come to pick and sing!
When: Last Sunday of Each 8-Week Session, 1:00 – 2:50 PM
Where: 4544 North Lincoln Avenue, Jim & Kay Mabie Gallery
All bluegrass instrumentalists and singers are invited to join an informal bluegrass jam with our faculty. It’s free and open to prospective students, current students, former students, and anybody else who just wants to pick. All levels open. Find dates here.
The Second Half
All are welcome to join the core guitar classes each day of the week for a FREE, time-honored Old Town School tradition called the Second Half. Bring an instrument to play or your voices.
For half an hour, teachers and students play and sing songs from our Old Town School Songbook. Each week, a different teacher brings in two additional songs that we call the Twin Spin. The Twin Spin can include any music genre from pop or classic hits from the last 100 years.
When: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 11:30 AM
Where: 4545 N. Lincoln
When: Monday and Tuesday, 9:30 PM
Where: 4544 N. Lincoln and 909 W. Armitage
When: Wednesday, 7:30PM and 9:30 PM
Where: 4544 N. Lincoln and 909 W. Armitage
When: Thursday, 8:30 PM
Where: 909 W. Armitage.
When: Thursday, 7:00 – 10:00 PM. No Second Half at Lincoln Avenue. Classes are invited to an open jam
Where: 4545 N. Lincoln from
When: Saturday Afternoon, 12:30 PM
Where: 4544 N. Lincoln
When: Sunday Afternoon, 1:30 PM
Where: 4544 N. Lincoln and 909 W. Armitage
