Laura Cai is a recording artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based out of Chicago.

As a singer, keyboardist, cellist, guitarist, and bassist, Laura has lent her range of talents to a variety of live and studio projects across diverse genres for more than a decade. She has worked as a studio musician, recording and arranging songs that have together amassed millions of streams. As a live musician, Laura has toured both domestically and internationally, playing in venues spanning from intimate coffee shops to sold-out theaters to arenas of thousands.

Laura has had songs placed with CBS and Walmart alongside Grammy-nominated producer Oh, Hush! and created viral videos with recording artist Alex Blue. She currently plays weekly at piano bars around the city as she continues to hone her skills as an up-and-coming producer, mixer, and masterer.

The stage has always been home for Liam Taylor. At the young age of 5, he spent most of his time acting in plays and musicals. After years of performing other people’s work, Taylor decided, as a queer man growing up in the South, it was time to tell his own stories. In his short career, he has worked with many artists including Johnathon McReynolds, Erykah Badu, Woody Goss of Vulfpeck, and many more. Since releasing music in 2022, he has performed at many of the city's acclaimed festivals, including Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago, and Market Days, and has headlined shows in New York, Dallas, and in different parts of Europe. After a string of viral videos in 2023, he received a shoutout from Ariana Grande, recognizing his powerhouse vocal ability. 

In 2024, he began releasing a string of singles from his first album, 26 missed calls, getting 300K+ streams across all platforms. He intends to create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals across the globe through his unique, energetic and eclectic pop music. This is merely the beginning for Taylor, so don't miss out on an opportunity to see him in Chicago!

Heels is an indie postpunk/dreampop trio based in Chicago. Sounds ranging from dark and melancholic to light and dreamy, they bring their own unique style to the Chicago scene.

Nothing But Silence(NBS)  Is a Post-punk/ darkwave pop trio band based in pilsen, Chicago. Vibes & Stuff.

Trumpeter Tony Romero and The Spiders Featuring Ken Thompson Guitar, Devin Foster upright bass and Phil Fornett drums join for the final installment in Romero’s imagined series  and delusions. 

2 sets of musical expression swinging sounds of nostalgia for any level jazz listener. Down beat 9pm 

Megan Hozick is an indie rock singer-songwriter specializing in high-energy tunes with creative, humorous, and compelling lyrics. Catchy melodies, powerhouse vocals, and clever words come together to create her unique style that's a little bit folk, a little bit punk rock, and a whole lotta heart!!

Get ready for a night that feels like velvet. Mayelli, the UK’s Princess of Soul, brings her signature blend of jazzy grooves, R&B warmth, and pop-soul storytelling to the heart of Chicago.

This isn’t just a show — it’s an experience. Intimate. Soulful. Live. Backed by some live music and wrapped in a vibe that’s both timeless and now. With her new single “Too Late” as the heartbeat of the night, Mayelli invites you into her world of rhythm, reflection, and raw emotion.

Let the music move you.
Let the night hold you.
Let the soul speak.

Limited seating. Big energy. Don't be too late.

Purchase tickets here: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/mayelli-tack-room-tickets/13810674?pl=thalia3

Sophia Cruz is a Funk and Neo-Soul singer and musician from Chicago, influenced by artists like Stevie Wonder, Sade, Hiatus Kaiyote, and Amy Winehouse. She grew up in a musical household, which inspired her to become a multi-instrumentalist. Sophia holds a degree in vocal performance and a minor in music business from Columbia College Chicago. As the lead singer of a Funk and Neo-Soul band, she writes, records, and performs original music with soulful vocals and funky grooves. She has performed at various Chicago venues, including Subterranean, Sleeping Village, and Navy Pier.

Sarah Coco is a guitar player and singer from Chicago, Illinois. She performs originals as well as covers spanning genres and decades. Her music is described as beach folk meets midwest country. She gathers inspiration from the likes of Emmylou Harris, Brandi Carlile, Dolly Parton, and John Prine. Along with writing, her other passion is to help promote and empower women in the music industry. Sarah strives to connect with all people through meaningful lyrics about love and life.

“With his Midwest-inspired music and cowboy charm, Tommy Goodroad possesses damn near all the qualities one could want from a modern country singer,” says Corrine Robinson of Music Mecca. Blending the folksy charm of Midwestern roots music with the rollicking sensibilities of classic honky tonk, Tommy Goodroad’s unique brand of country rock & roll shines in his studio recordings and live shows alike. Based in Chicago, you may also find him in his home state of Minnesota or on the road in a town near you.

René Avila band leader for a traditional Cuban Charanga band.  He has two ensembles, from a trio to a 9 piece band.  We have played for Chicago's Summerdance, Navy Pier's Beer Garden, Old Town School of Folk Music and various festivals throughout the city. Our ensembles play traditional Cuban from the golden ages of the 40's 50's and 60's still keeping the "Charanga" format.Charanga is a classical chamber ensemble that came out of Haiti, featuring the unique sound of the french flute and violins.  During the Haitian revolution of 1804, this sound migrated to eastern Cuba where it reached Santiago.  In the space of 120 years, the modern Charanga was born by adding elements of Africa, Spain, Haiti and Cuba transforming it into an electric mix of cultures and one of the worlds most exciting dance genres. 

Laura Cai is a recording artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based out of Chicago.

As a singer, keyboardist, cellist, guitarist, and bassist, Laura has lent her range of talents to a variety of live and studio projects across diverse genres for more than a decade. She has worked as a studio musician, recording and arranging songs that have together amassed millions of streams. As a live musician, Laura has toured both domestically and internationally, playing in venues spanning from intimate coffee shops to sold-out theaters to arenas of thousands.

Laura has had songs placed with CBS and Walmart alongside Grammy-nominated producer Oh, Hush! and created viral videos with recording artist Alex Blue. She currently plays weekly at piano bars around the city as she continues to hone her skills as an up-and-coming producer, mixer, and masterer.

Zach, a rising star in the world of jazz trumpet, calls Chicago, IL home. His musical journey skyrocketed when he finished his first global tour alongside five-time Grammy Award winner Michael Bublé in 2023, entertaining audiences in arenas and stadiums worldwide. With an impressive discography of 13 albums with a debut album released in June of 2024, Zach's trumpet has lent its brilliance to esteemed ensembles such as Knower (Louis Cole and Genevieve Artadi), the Buddy Rich Big Band, Alan Gresik Swing Orchestra, and the Blueshift Big Band.

From the iconic Madison Square Garden to the vibrant streets of São Paulo's Allianz Parque, Zach's trumpet has echoed across diverse landscapes, captivating audiences with soulful melodies. Closer to home, he's a fixture at established jazz venues throughout the Midwest, including The Green Mill, Café Coda, The Chatterbox and Andy's Jazz Club playing alongside esteemed musicians such as Matt Ulery, Thaddeus Tukes, Meghan Stagl, Marlene Rosenberg, Camila Mennitte and many more.​

Zach's musical prowess extends beyond solo performances; his ensembles have graced stages at renowned festivals such as the Riverfront Jazz Festival, where they opened for jazz legend Dave Liebman in 2017. Headlining events like the Bull Falls Jazz Festival and the Taste of Bloomington Festival further solidify his place in the jazz scene.

In addition to previously leading his own bands, including the "Crossroads Quintet" and "Omnos Quartet," Zach collaborates as a sideman with the popular hip-hop/jazz-fusion outfit "Clint Breeze and the Groove." A graduate of UW-Stevens Point and Indiana University, Zach's musical journey continues to evolve, resonating with audiences worldwide.

The Silver Palms is an indie rock band based in Chicago. Though all four members hail from the landlocked Midwest, their sound channels the spirit of the coast—blending surf-rock influences with catchy pop melodies and immersive, introspective lyrics.

The band has released two singles so far this year, continuing their tradition of self-produced work. Their upcoming EP—set to release in July—marks a new chapter, featuring four tracks recorded at Soul Honey Studios in Logan Square.

Known for their energetic and engaging live shows, The Silver Palms have played across the city at venues including Gman Tavern, Beat Kitchen, Reggie's, Subterranean, & many more.

BUY TICKETS: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/show-tell-for-grown-tack-room-tickets/14450483?pl=thalia3

Show & Tell for Grown-Ups was created to bring nerds together, in-person, to get excited and learn about each other’s interests. It's like a tiktok rabbit hole, but live and in-person!

Join Show & Tell for Grown-Ups at the first floor cocktail bar in Thalia Hall, Tack Room! Grab something at the bar, and then get ready to have fun & learn something.

Show & Tell for Grown-Ups is a platform to showcase niche interests and knowledge. Join us to have fun, learn something, & make friends!

Presenters sign up online to share 5-minutes on something they think is cool. We’ve had presentations on everything from Examining the Fluid Dynamics of Dogs Shaking Dry or The Evolution of the Romantic Languages to The Anatomy of a Hoagie. We’ve heard about people’s hobbies like dice games, playing the harmonica, and ghost hunting.

If it’s a subject you know a lot about & you’re excited to share, we’re here to listen and learn.

The flow of the show:

• Presenters get 5-minutes to tell us why something is cool.

• We open up for 3-4 minutes of Q&A with the audience.

• Other audience participation parts sprinkled in: Animal Fact, This Week in History, & Where Did That Phrase Come From?

We are an introvert friendly show. Forced participation is not our jam. If you want to contribute, please know that we very much want to hear from you. If you’d rather blend & just enjoy, we’re stoked you are spending the night with us.

You wanna bring something to Show & Tell?

Signup for your 5-minute slot to show & tell: https://forms.office.com/r/gfMRYyRR7p

For $5 off your ticket, RSVP with Pie: https://getpie.at/bv7HQUl1

Pie is a local Chicago meetup app that is focused on reducing social isolation by showing what plans your friends are going to and supporting event creators building cool stuff.

To learn more about the show, follow us on Instagram @tellmewhyitscool_show or check our website www.tellmewhyshow.com.

The duo of Paige Kizer and Tiago Ribeiro is an acoustic set of a vast variety of adult contemporary music. The two have been working in Paige's original project: Paige and the Kizers, and have crafted a duo that is sure to make any event a little brighter. In addition to covers, they play many originals by both Paige and by Tiago.

Aaron Brenton is a Chicago bassist, educator, and composer hailing from Madison, WI. With a degree in Double Bass Performance from the Lawrence University Conservatory, Aaron takes pages from the books of Eddie Gomez, Scott LaFaro, Rufus Reid, and Christian McBride to craft saxophone-like improvisations and contrapuntal bass lines. A new figure in the Chicago music scene, Aaron embraces bass in all mediums, having played with Jonathan Blake, Ike Sturm, The Harmon Brothers, Taiwanese jazz pianist Sopon Suwannakit, Grateful dead-esque jam band The Jeremiah Jams Band, reggae funk group Luma Knotty. When not performing,\ Aaron composes for his quartet and for Solar Sails, a collective jazz fusion trio with fellow Lawrence grads. Excited to play at the Tack Room!

Chicago-based guitarist and composer Jack Macklin is a rising star in the modern jazz music scene. Macklin's love for the guitar began at an early age starting with the first song he learned how to play; "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osborne. This sparked a life-long pursuit for Macklin to explore and discover the impact of music on humanity.

Macklin's music is deeply inspired by improvisation and the lineage of master musicians who came before while exploring the boundaries of modern music. Macklin blurs the lines of what a genre can be.  Macklin now resides in Chicago, Illinois where he continually interacts with Chicago's best musicians and is invested in the community. Macklin is continuing to compose and perform regularly in Chicago and beyond.

Macklin is known throughout the community as a young lion and has already performed with many notable musicians at the age of 25 including; Matt Ulery, Greg Ward, Joel Frahm, Donny McCaslin, Marcus Finnie, Dave Douglas, Don Aliquo, Bruce Foreman, and many others. Macklin has been a part of many successful projects including the notable "Red Door Band" which was featured in news articles by Chicago Read and WGN. The band also released an EP in the summer of 2020, which features Macklin as a co-leader in the group.

Macklin is invested in his trio which released its debut EP entitled One that's on all streaming services and for sale on his website. His experience working with admired musicians from many different traditions has made him an interactive, and versatile musician who is finding his distinct musical voice.

Macklin returned to Chicago after two years of performing full-time in Nashville, TN. Macklin declared that spending his time on creative and improvised music is what he wants to accomplish. Macklin's goal is to create a band that goes above and beyond genres to connect with the audience personally and to have a compelling experience that leaves the listener wanting more. 

Childhood best friends turned bandmates, Porch Music is a Chicago-based revolving cast of musicians with the core tenet of making music for music’s sake, and enjoying the hell out of it. Entwined with the traditions of folk, rock, and world music, Porch Music is equal parts earnestness and mischief.

Chicago based Gayun Cannon is a self-produced, multi-instrumentalist singer who turns every song into a raw, emotional journey. Whether she’s diving into love or unpacking her own life experiences, her music is designed to make listeners feel. Fusing hypnotic melodies with the rich cultural influence of her Chinese and Black heritage—plus inspiration pulled from sounds around the globe—Gayun refuses to be boxed into any one genre.

Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Soraya and Luciya Sullivan developed their love for bluegrass music at a young age, when they began guitar and banjo lessons at ages eight and six. Now teens living in the Chicago area, The Sullivan Sisters have performed at national venues such as MerleFest, FallGrass by Planet Bluegrass, and The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum ROMPtober festival. They have performed at numerous Chicago area venues, including a sold-out show headlining at Evanston SPACE, Park West, and kicking off the inaugural Evanston Folk Fest in 2024. Luciya is the 2023 Rockygrass Banjo Competition winner, second place winner in the 2024 Galax Fiddlers Convention Banjo Contest, and is a Deering sponsored artist. Soraya won third place in the Flatpicking Guitar Contest at Rockygrass 2023, and is currently studying American Roots Music at Berklee College of Music.

Brandon Good is a Chicago artist with a penchant for Country music. Nodding to a wide range of notable genre influences, he brings in rock n’ roll, soul, singer-songwriter, and blues into his songwriting, all while remaining true to the dance hall and honky-tonk heritage he loves. 

Brandon is no stranger to life on the road, having spent a decade playing with celebrated Chicago Celtic Punk outfit Flatfoot 56. During his time with the band they toured internationally and even charted on Billboard’s Heat Seekers chart. 

After moving to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Brandon wrote and recorded his first solo EP, breaking into the Country scene with the release of “The Anvil” and the subsequent, stripped down, two-track EP titled “The Spitzer Sessions”. 

With fervor and fire licks, Brandon then returned to the studio to begin recording his first full length record, “Restless”, which is set to release spring of 25’. 

After hosting several highly respected residencies and Booking himself and other touring bands countless shows in his home base of Chicago he’s revving up to start touring nationally and bring his songs and style to a town near you.

Hannah Frey plays folk rock for lovers and sweeties. She feels like the luckiest girl in Chicago and hopes it rubs off on you with each listen. You can stream her new album, Lucky Girl, everywhere, but especially in the car with the windows down for maximum Chicago summer enjoyment.

SAVE THE DATE! Our resident drag queen is returning to Tack Room for The Wanda Ball. Come celebrate pride 🌈 with us on Friday, June 6! Wanda will be on the keys singing tunes from Lady Gaga and other queens 👑from 8pm-10pm.

No cover, just walk on in and get ready for a good time!