55-Year-Old Café Sparks New Talent with Open Mic in Downers Grove

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — A 55-year-old café located in Downers Grove is introducing an open mic night designed to provide young acoustic artists and poets from local high schools and colleges with a stage to showcase their talent. Two Way Street Coffee, known for its atmosphere reminiscent of "classic coffee shops from the 1960s and 1970s," will include this new event alongside its current schedule of regular performances, according to volunteer director Joel Simpson.

Simpson, an artist and business owner who possesses Randomosity Records , stated Two Way Street Coffee originated as a meeting place for teenage community members in 1970. Soon afterward, musicians started holding performances weekly, attracting additional artists to the café.

Two Way Street Coffee Simpson mentioned hosting an analogous open mic event for teenagers and university students prior to the pandemic, which led them to "reduce their programs," noting, "it has taken us this amount of time to develop enough volunteers to restart this series."

The Youth Open Mic Series aims to provide an "inclusive, friendly, and stress-free" platform where "musicians, poets, and performing artists can step up, express themselves, and interact with others in the group," according to a press statement.

The open microphone session takes place on the final Thursday of every month, starting with the entrance opening at 6:30 PM. Artists will get between three and twelve minutes on stage, and each gathering will feature a real-time broadcast.

The Youth Open Mic has been scheduled for July 24, August 28, September 25, and October 23.

Admission is complimentary, with snacks such as coffee being offered for sale. Those interested in performing may contact 630-969-9720 or send an email to info@twowaystreet.org.

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