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!!!
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!!!
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!!!
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.
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).
In 2013, I was hosting an Open Stage on Monday nights at the short-lived Frankenstone Art Center on Foster in North Park.
Dedicated to the motto “Universal Liberation Through Creative Self-Actualization” it was an open stage that welcomed all types of performer (particularly first time performers) and encouraged everyone to expand their boundaries and horizons as an Artist.
That very first show someone who had just come to spectate felt comfortable enough to read their own words in public for the first time ever- and I knew I was on to something.
A couple shows later, one of the poets told me about a space right around the corner on Kimball. It was called the Roots Room and was run by a veteran Chicago musician and artist who was dedicated to the same principles of fostering creative development in all people.
I finally got up the gumption to head over there a few months later and go inside. That was the night I first met Stann Champion.
It was Variety Open Mic night, so I did some stand-up, poetry, and storytelling in a Combo Platter set; then Stann and I did a few tunes with me accompanying him on harmonica.
We hit it off immediately, and I began co-hosting Variety Night every 2nd Friday of the month for the next several years. Stann and I also got together with the amazing rhythm section of his Reggae/Calypso band (Roots Rock Society) and formed a new Blues/Rock/Roots band called the Propaganda Machine.
After the demise of the Roots Room in 2018, we both took a break from open mic hosting for a while.
In February of 2019 we were offered the opportunity to take over FretKnot Fridays at the Independence Tap. We started slow but soon built things up to where our old Roots Room crowd had reconstituted.
Then the magic kicked into high gear and we kept adding regulars to the mix who were just as committed to the principles of Creativity and Community as we were.
One year later we have a beautiful thing going on!!!
Stann and I still love to rock the duo thing! (photo by Greg Morelli)
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!
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!!!
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—
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!!!
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!!!
