Entries tagged with “chicago blues”.


Independence Tap
3932 W Irving Park Rd
Friday, October 8
7:30 PM

We are slowly getting the Henge ready for Halloween, but first we must have an early October Hootenanny to get us in the proper frame of mind.

The usual array of fine musicians, comics, poets, storytellers, and whatever else comes through the door will be on hand, plus the fine folks who come to witness the spectacle. And don’t forget Independence Tap’s excellent array of reasonably priced ales and spirits.

Please come and join us for a Mystically good time!!!

And the rest is history…

Independence Tap is a great space and this night is perfect for working out new material and expanding horizons as an Artist/Performer.

When we host Open Stages we create an atmosphere of respect for all genres of performance where Artists can feel safe and secure. [No stylistic cliquishness OR DISRESPECT allowed!]

Our greatest joy comes from seeing someone perform for the first time or watching an Artist try out a new genre: a Musician doing Storytelling, a Storyteller doing Stand-Up, a Poet playing Music, a Stand-Up reading a poem…

The Place Where The Boundaries Meet & Overlap Is Where True Magic Happens.

And there is nothing like the feeling of opening a door into a new room in the mansion of your soul— SO COME ON DOWN & GO ON UP!!!

Stann and I will Rock Out. Please join us!!!

Independence Tap
3932 W Irving Park Rd
Friday, August 13
7:30 PM

Sometimes you just need someone to lift you up and give support, and nobody knows that more than those who attend FretKnot Fridays.

And in that spirit of friendship and creative collaboration we convene again for the August Hootenanny. The usual array of fine musicians, comics, poets, storytellers, and whatever else comes through the door will be on hand, plus the fine folks who come to witness the spectacle.

And don’t forget Independence Tap’s excellent array of reasonably priced ales and spirits.

Come and watch the fun, or better yet— go on up and do your thang!!!

Never be afraid to try something new!

Independence Tap is a great space and this night is perfect for working out new material and expanding horizons as an Artist/Performer.

When we host Open Stages we create an atmosphere of respect for all genres of performance where Artists can feel safe and secure. [No stylistic cliquishness OR DISRESPECT allowed!]

Our greatest joy comes from seeing someone perform for the first time or watching an Artist try out a new genre: a Musician doing Storytelling, a Storyteller doing Stand-Up, a Poet playing Music, a Stand-Up reading a poem…

The Place Where The Boundaries Meet & Overlap Is Where True Magic Happens.

And there is nothing like the feeling of opening a door into a new room in the mansion of your soul— SO COME ON DOWN & GO ON UP!!!

And the rest is history…

Hot Fun In The Summertime!

Independence Tap

3932 W Irving Park Rd

Friday, July 9

7:30 PM

As this shot of an alley in 1930 shows, we Chicagoans are used to getting together with friends and making our own fun with whatever is handy.

So in that spirit we convene again for our 2nd live Hootenanny. The usual array of fine musicians, comics, poets, storytellers, and whatever else comes through the door will be on hand, plus the fine folks who come to witness the spectacle.

And don’t forget Independence Tap’s excellent array of reasonably priced ales and spirits. Add it all up and it is one smoldering good time!!!

Slide into Summer Fun!!!

Independence Tap is a great space and this night is perfect for working out new material and expanding horizons as an Artist/Performer.


When we host Open Stages we create an atmosphere of respect for all genres of performance where Artists can feel safe and secure. [No stylistic cliquishness OR DISRESPECT allowed!]


Our greatest joy comes from seeing someone perform for the first time or watching an Artist try out a new genre: a Musician doing Storytelling, a Storyteller doing Stand-Up, a Poet playing Music, a Stand-Up reading a poem…


The Place Where The Boundaries Meet & Overlap Is Where True Magic Happens.


And there is nothing like the feeling of opening a door into a new room in the mansion of your soul— SO COME ON DOWN & GO ON UP!!!

And the rest is history…

UPDATED UPDATE:

CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE CHANGED SUCH THAT CANCELLATION IS UNAVOIDABLE.

STAY HEALTHY, MY SWEET PEEPS!!!

Winter’s Icy Grip Has Broken And The Sap Is Beginning To Rise In All Our Metaphorical Maples— So Time For A Sweet Hootenanny To Celebrate The Coming Spring And Banish The Last Vestiges Of Winter Gloom.

You Know The Story:

Stann Champion’s Musical Mightiness
Michael Hollywood/LaGrange’s Multifaceted Oddness

AND YOU, Sweet Human.

Either Showing Us What You Got Or Just Drinking It All In.

Poetry Standup Storytelling Music Juggling Magic Dance

It’s All Good To Us!!!

And Speaking Of Drinking It In, The Independence Tap Has A Fine Array Of Inexpensive Libations If You Wanna Get Your Drink On (Especially Since It’s REAL Close To A Certain Verdant Holiday).

Come On Down And Join The Fun!!!

ATTENTION PERFORMERS OF ALL GENRES/TYPES:

TRY SOMETHING NEW!!!

The Independence Tap is a great space and this night is perfect for working out new material and expanding horizons as an Artist/Performer.

When we host Open Stages we create an atmosphere of respect for all genres of performance where Artists can feel safe and secure. [No stylistic cliquishness OR DISRESPECT allowed!]

Our greatest joy comes from seeing someone perform for the first time or watching an Artist try out a new genre: a Musician doing Storytelling, a Storyteller doing Stand-Up, a Poet playing Music, a Stand-Up reading a poem…

The Place Where The Boundaries Meet & Overlap Is Where True Magic Happens.

And there is nothing like the feeling of opening a door into a new room in the mansion of your soul— SO COME ON DOWN & GO ON UP!!!

A promo shot of me in early 1985, when I was just starting to do standup comedy. So early in my career that I was still juggling in my act.
Anarchy Is For Lovers!

Independence Tap

3932 W Irving Park Rd

Friday, February 14

7:30 PM

The Second Friday Comes Late This Month And Coincides With A Certain Consumer Capitalist Hetero-Normative Celebration.

This Is Only Fitting, As This Show Also Marks The 1 Year Anniversary Of Stann Champion & Michael Hollywood Bringing Their Special Brand Of Love Fest Hootenanny To The Independence Tap!!!

As Always, There Shall Be A Fine Array Of Talented Comics, Musicians, Poets, Storytellers, And Whatever Other Type Of Performer Who May Walk In The Door And Sign Up.

And Of Course, YOU! Either Strutting Your Stuff Upon The Stage Or Just Drinking It All In. Either Way, It’s All Good!

We’ve Created A Wonderful Vibe Here Over The Last Year, Come And Share It With Us.

Arrive Early And Stay All Night, Or Roll In A Little Later (After You’ve Had That Nasty Argument In The Crowded Overpriced Restaurant).

We’ll Be Doing What We Do And Having A Ball!!!

Feel The Love…
Shine On, You Crazy Diamonds!

Friday, January 10 7:30PM
Independence Tap
3932 W Irving Park Rd

As We Enter The Post-Holiday Trough And Prepare To Face The Full Brunt Of Winter, It’s Time To Gather Like-Minded Individuals Together For An Incandescently Uproarious Hootenanny To Drive Away All Demons. [Literal, Figurative, Emotional, Psychological, Public, Private, Foreign & Domestic]

All The Elements Are In Place:

Stann Champion’s Musical Brilliance
Michael Hollywood/LaGrange/Corcoran’s Eclectic Insanity
A Committed Cadre Of Talented Regular Performers
A Slew Of Sexy Spectators
An Adorable Venue With Inexpensive Libations

All That Is Missing Is YOU!!!

Either Just Drinking It All In OR Showing Us What You Got!

Musicians, Poets, Standup Comics, Storytellers, Magicians, Jugglers, Mimes, Dancers, Yodelers, Contortionists, Alchemists…

IT’S ALL GOOD TO US!!!

We’ve Got A Beautiful Thang Goin’ On!

Come Be A Part Of It.

ALWAYS Room For One More!

ATTENTION PERFORMERS OF ALL GENRES/TYPES:

The Independence Tap is a great space and this night is perfect for working out new material and expanding horizons as an Artist/Performer.

When we host Open Stages we create an atmosphere of respect for all genres of performance where Artists can feel safe and secure. [No stylistic cliquishness OR DISRESPECT allowed!]

Our greatest joy comes from seeing someone perform for the first time or watching an Artist try out a new genre: a Musician doing Storytelling, a Storyteller doing Stand-Up, a Poet playing Music, a Stand-Up reading a poem…

The Place Where The Boundaries Meet & Overlap Is Where True Magic Happens.

And there is nothing like the feeling of opening a door into a new room in the mansion of your soul— SO COME ON DOWN & GO ON UP!!!

Express Yourself PROUDLY!!!
Festive Love Is In The Air!

Friday, December 13 7:30PM
Independence Tap
3932 W Irving Park Rd

The Holidays Are Upon Us, And The Only Proper Response Is To Have A Rollicking Hootenanny Filled With Love And Joy To All!!!

No Matter Your Race, Religion (Or Lack Thereof), Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Preference— And Most Importantly, Your Genre Of Performance— We Will Welcome You Into Our Hearts And On To Our Stage.

Stann Champion Will Bring His Musical Genius, Michael Hollywood Will Bring His Special Blend Of Insanity, And You Will Bring Whatever It Is You Have To Give.

We’re Gonna Rock The Halls!!!

This Is How We Roll!!!

The Independence Tap is a great space and this night is perfect for working out new material and expanding horizons as an Artist/Performer.

When we host Open Stages we create an atmosphere of respect for all genres of performance where Artists can feel safe and secure. [No stylistic cliquishness OR DISRESPECT allowed!]

Our greatest joy comes from seeing someone perform for the first time or watching an Artist try out a new genre: a Musician doing Storytelling, a Storyteller doing Stand-Up, a Poet playing Music, a Stand-Up reading a poem…

The Place Where The Boundaries Meet & Overlap Is Where True Magic Happens.

And there is nothing like the feeling of opening a door into a new room in the mansion of your soul—

SO COME ON DOWN & GO ON UP!!!

Be Your Best Self!

Friday, November 8 at 7:30PM
Independence Tap
3932 W Irving Park Rd

November Is Rolling In With Its Cloudy Chilly Ways— But We Shall Fight Back With A Stormy Hootenanny That Shall Warm All Our Hearts!!!

You Know How The Story Goes; Michael Hollywood Brings The Blather & Bluster, Stann Champion Brings The Guitar Genius, And YOU Bring Whatever Ya Got!

Music, Poetry, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, Magic, Juggling, Dancing, Fire Eating— Whatever Your Little Heart Desires— It’s ALL GOOD To Us.

Fine Entertainment And Fine Inexpensive Drinks— What’s Not To Love?!?

Last Month Was Epic Fun, Come See How We Get It Done!!!

Let It Out!!!

The Independence Tap is a great space and this night is perfect for working out new material and expanding horizons as an Artist/Performer.

When we host Open Stages we create an atmosphere of respect for all genres of performance where Artists can feel safe and secure. [No stylistic cliquishness OR DISRESPECT allowed!]

Our greatest joy comes from seeing someone perform for the first time or watching an Artist try out a new genre: a Musician doing Storytelling, a Storyteller doing Stand-Up, a Poet playing Music, a Stand-Up reading a poem…

The Place Where The Boundaries Meet & Overlap Is Where True Magic Happens.

And there is nothing like the feeling of opening a door into a new room in the mansion of your soul— SO COME ON DOWN & GO ON UP!!!

Put Your Back Into It!!!

It’s Autumn, Baby!!!


Friday, October 11 at 7:30PM
Independence Tap
3932 W Irving Park Rd

There’s A Chill In The Air And Soon The Leaves Will Be Turning To Autumnal Colors.

An Excellent Time For An Epic Hootenanny!!!

You Know How The Story Goes; Michael Hollywood Brings The Blather & Bluster, Stann Champion Brings The Guitar Genius, And YOU Bring Whatever Ya Got!

Music, Poetry, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, Magic, Juggling, Dancing, Fire Eating— Whatever Your Little Heart Desires— It’s ALL GOOD To Us.

Fine Entertainment And Fine Inexpensive Drinks— What’s Not To Love?!?

Put Your Back Into It!

The Independence Tap is a great space and this night is perfect for working out new material and expanding horizons as an Artist/Performer.

When we host Open Stages we create an atmosphere of respect for all genres of performance where Artists can feel safe and secure. [No stylistic cliquishness OR DISRESPECT allowed!]

Our greatest joy comes from seeing someone perform for the first time or watching an Artist try out a new genre: a Musician doing Storytelling, a Storyteller doing Stand-Up, a Poet playing Music, a Stand-Up reading a poem…

The Place Where The Boundaries Meet & Overlap Is Where True Magic Happens.

And there is nothing like the feeling of opening a door into a new room in the mansion of your soul— SO COME ON DOWN & GO ON UP!!!

Let It Out!!!

Friday, September 13 at 7:30PM

Independence Tap

3932 W Irving Park Rd

Autumn Is In The Air And The Equinox Approaches. Time For A Rollicking Hootenanny In The Giant Henge That Is Chicago.

All Hands Will Be On Deck; Michael Hollywood And Stann Champion Will Both Be Rocking The Indy!

As Will Several Of Chicago’s Most Talented Storytellers, Comics, Poets, Musicians— AND YOU— Either Showing What You Got Or Just Enjoying The Spectacle That Is FretKnot Friday.

Come Help Us Blow The Roof Off the Joint!!!

The Independence Tap is a great space and this night is perfect for working out new material and expanding horizons as an Artist/Performer.

When we host Open Stages we create an atmosphere of respect for all genres of performance where Artists can feel safe and secure. [No stylistic cliquishness OR DISRESPECT allowed!]

Our greatest joy comes from seeing someone perform for the first time or watching an Artist try out a new genre: a Musician doing Storytelling, a Storyteller doing Stand-Up, a Poet playing Music, a Stand-Up reading a poem…

The Place Where The Boundaries Meet & Overlap Is Where True Magic Happens.

And there is nothing like the feeling of opening a door into a new room in the mansion of your soul— SO COME ON DOWN & GO ON UP!!!