Kyle Downs is a Texas-born, Chicago-based guitarist that explores the intersection of jazz, indie rock, and soul through his carefully crafted selection of covers and original material

Join us for another evening of cozy crafting at Tack Room on 9/11 with Lovergirl Creates. As the sun starts to set earlier, stay warm and bright with a handmade candle holder, decorated with preserved fall leaves and additional collage materials. All materials and instruction included in the ticket price. Now introducing Early Bird Tickets - get your ticket by 8/27 for only $10!

Buy Tickets here: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/fall-candleholders-with-lovergirl-creates-tack-room-tickets/14512113?pl=thalia3

Matt Coakley is a composer, multi-instrumentalist and singer based in Chicago. Matt made his solo debut in 2023 with the single "Wicker Woman", which he followed up in 2024 with two 8-EPs: "Splish Splash" and "All Hallows". In early 2025, he released two new songs: "Hey Lover" and "I Hope We Work Out".

Matt Coakley was born and raised in Philadelphia, graduated from Drexel University with a degree in recording arts, and then moved to Chicago where he has worked as a studio engineer, songwriter and music teacher for the past 7 years. He has recorded and performed with several acts in Chicago, New York, and Philly, such as The Laughing Hearts, Bonnie Watts, Drift, MJ Upstairs, Man After Man, Avenue Eight, and The Philadelphia Spice. 

Matt also co-wrote the musical "Planet W" with New York-based Franco Giacomarra. A concert showcase of the musical was staged in New York in 2023. "Planet W" debuted at ARS Nova's ANT FEST in June of 2024, produced by The Village Collective. In September 2024, a cast album recording of the musical was released. In 2025, "Planet W" was chosen as a finalist for the O'Neill Musical Theatre Conference.

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.

What if the greatest gift we could give is right here, right now?

For Chicago’s Blue Rose, this isn’t just an idea; it’s a way of life. Rooted in authenticity, their music celebrates the here and now, highlighting the beauty and power of living with intentionality and presence. Describing themselves as “new country with an old soul,” the Midwestern band led by Jori Griffith and Marcus Gebauer invites listeners to embrace life as it unfolds – a theme that resonates throughout their debut album, Blue Moon.

Produced by Noam Wallenberg at Rax Trax Recording, Blue Moon is as much a record about seeing our own ‘bigger picture’ as it is a reflection of Blue Rose’s story. Drawing inspiration from ‘60s and ‘70s rock icons as well as contemporary artists like Phish, Kacey Musgraves, Mt. Joy, and Lainey Wilson, Blue Rose masterfully blend influences into something uniquely their own: A little bit country and a little bit rock n’ roll, the band are as engaging on record as they are on stage, their live shows boasting an unpredictable edge.

“I want people to feel like they're home when they hear us,” Jori Griffith says. “I want them to feel connected through our songs.”

Blue Rose’s music radiates joy, celebrating our shared humanity while capturing real emotions and lived experiences. It’s the result of passions realized and dreams come true, and it’s an invitation for all those listening to live freely in the moment.

Purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/show-tell-for-grown-ups-tack-roomthalia-hall-tickets-1520578955589?aff=oddtdtcreator

Looking to meet real people IRL? Welcome to the first step.

The Tell Me Why It’s Cool Show produces live events designed to showcase humans and the topics that get them excited.

We can’t wait to meet you and learn what you’re passionate about.

Show & Tell for Grown-Ups is a night of learning cool stuff & meeting cool people.

The show started here in Chicago April 2024 and has been bringing together a wide variety of knowledge junkies ever since. Check out our instagram to get a vibe for what the show is @tellmewhyitscool_show We can't wait to have fun & learn something with you.

How does it work?

Presenters sign up online for their 5-minute slots to tell us why something is cool. Then we open it up for Q&A with the audience for 3-4 minutes.

Chicago is full of interesting people who love to chat so the show is different every time.

What kinds of things do people bring to Show & Tell for Grown-Ups?

Topics can range from the intricacies of woodworking joinery to the chemical structure of the 90s sensational nail polish, Unicorn Pee. Sometimes people bring their cool collections or teach us about a Pop Culture phenominon that they think the world needs to hear about.

This show is PG-13. We're here to ignite interest in cool stuff, not fuel fires on heated issues. Presenters promise to keep this show free of adult content, excessive swearing, and anything that challenges anyone's religious, political, racial, or sexual identity.

Do YOU want to bring something to Show & Tell for Grown-Ups?!

Sign up online for a chance to get a slot: https://forms.office.com/r/gfMRYyRR7p

If you want to present, here are some prompts for what to bring:

• Have you made something that you’re really proud of, but haven’t had a chance to properly show it off to people? (AMAZING spreadsheets and life hacks encouraged!)

• Is there a subject that you have tons of seemingly pointless knowledge on? We love deep dives into the history or technical aspects of subjects.

• What was the last thing you did dopamine fueled rabbit hole research into (not necessarily work related)? Tell us why it's cool.

THE THALIA HALL FREE FOR ALL PRESENTED BY THALIA HALL AND WBEZ

Thalia Hall is once again opening all of its doors for a fully loaded summer edition of the Thalia Hall Free For All, a free-admission building crawl featuring programming across Thalia Hall's main stage and Punch House with an expanded outdoor footprint on Allport Street featuring the Tack Room patio stage.

Wander the building inside and out and experience live music in one of our spaces at any given point, peruse a curated vendor market, indulge in the culinary offerings of Mariscos San Pedro, and participate in a number of games and other activities including a pop-up box office along the way. 

Vendor and musical lineups coming soon. Stay tuned by signing up for our newsletter and following us on social media. 

This event is entirely free, but on-site donations benefiting the Pilsen Food Pantry are greatly encouraged. 

RSVP does not guarantee entry and is subject to capacity.

RSVP HERE: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/thalia-hall-free-for-all-thalia-hall-tickets/13818834?pl=thalia3

ANDIE (she/her) is a Retro Soul, R&B, Blues, and Jazz inspired songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, & bandleader of ANDIE & The Bandits. ANDIE’s 2022 NPR Tiny Desk Submission for her song “He’s Not What You Need Blues” was described as “a skillful exploration of the hurt that comes with being betrayed” by NPR. ANDIE’s uniquely queer and polyromantic lens of storytelling draws out a fresh perspective on the topics of love and heartbreak.

Tyler Stock is a singer-songwriter known throughout the Midwest for his high-energy live shows and sincere, emotionally rich lyricism. He began his musical journey as the frontman of Chicago-based indie rock band The Laughing Hearts, carving out a sound that spans from driving rock ’n’ roll to introspective, poetic folk. Drawing inspiration from John Prine, Tom Petty, Jason Isbell, and The Clash, Tyler blends classic influences with a fiercely independent voice. At their core, every song is a love song—and Tyler Stock is unapologetically in love with the world.

Over the past decade, Tyler has performed nearly 50 shows a year, both solo and with his band. He has released three EPs, a full-length LP, and a number of singles, gaining local recognition with the breakout track “Wabash” (2018). The Laughing Hearts are set to release a new eight-song live album, Live at Palisade, in August 2025.

In October 2025, Tyler will debut his first solo EP, ...To Be Lost & To Know It—a collection of upbeat, folk-driven tracks featuring a roster of standout Chicago musicians: Faz Chaudry (upright bass), Kyle McComb (drums), Danny Severance (violin), Matt Coakley (keys), and Jacolyn Parker (backing vocals). The EP was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Tyler Klivikis at Chapel Records.

Join us on 8/21 for another craft workshop with Lovergirl Creates! Create a mixed media collage using magazines, pressed botanicals, textile materials, and more. Follow along with guided, step-by-step instruction or make your own unique masterpiece.

Tickets: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/mixed-media-collage-with-lovergirl-tack-room-tickets/13837424?pl=thalia3

Spencer Schillerstrom is a Chicago-based saxophonist, educator, and composer. Attempting to bend definitions established by genre, Spencer has taken his unique sound to venues all over the midwest as a bandleader and sideman at venues such as Andy’s Jazz Club, The Chicago Jazz Showcase, The Promontory, and currently holds a residency at The Waterfront Cafe. Spencer holds an MFA from DePaul University in Jazz Saxophone, is a Tenor Madness Saxophones Artist, and is a former student of world renowned musicians Dana Hall, Scott Burns, Patrick Bartley, and Steven Snyder. As an educator, Spencer currently leads the Jazz Ensemble at Lewis University, conducts private lessons at Downers Grove South High School, and teaches at Hinsdale South High School as the saxophone studio paraprofessional and jazz program co-director. “Introducing Spencer Schillerstrom” is now available on all streaming platforms.

Matthew Coglianese is an upright and electric bassist in Chicago who has been performing professionally for the past 10 years. An integral part of his musical identity is his love for a wide variety of genres from swing to classical, hip hop to Latin jazz, funk to bluegrass, and everything in between. 

Since he is proficient on both the electric and upright bass, Matthew finds himself spread throughout many of the rich musical cultures that are embedded in the Chicago music scene. His most prominent project is the blues-soaked soul-funk powerhouse known as Zoofunkyou, which has been an integral part of the city’s music scene for the past 10 years.

In his group known as the Cogs Trio, the ensemble explores creative and improvisatory soundscapes built around standard tunes with a rotating lineup of some of the city's finest musicians. While this context honors the lineage of improvisatory music, it also pushes the envelope and sonic boundaries by allowing each player to fully express their own voice in each composition while allowing the group to go wherever the moment takes them. This iteration of the group features Nathan Reider on saxophone and Grayson Nye on Piano.

Chicago based Gayun Cannon is a self-produced, multi-instrumentalist singer who turns every song into a raw, emotional journey for listeners. Whether she’s diving into love or unpacking her own life experiences, her music is designed to make listeners embrace their feelings. Fusing hypnotic melodies with the rich cultural sounds from around the globe, Gayun refuses to be boxed into any one genre.

Megan Esther is a Chicago born and based, Texas raised songwriter and vocalist. Known for their political perspective, vocal prowess and blues rock americana sound.  They can be found leading The Megan Esther Band and performing frequently in the Chicago local music scene. You can catch The Megan Esther Band at Lemon Chicago on August 15th, and stream Megan Esther’s debut single “How Its Gotta Be” on all platforms. Follow them on instagram for more updates at @meganesthermusic

Jennifer Femme is telling stories. Stories about love. Stories about her dramatic internal world. Stories about rain, the sun, and a man named Big Willy. With her unique background in classical violin and jazz guitar, she tells these stories with a voice both earthy and soaring, heart-wrenching and tongue-in-cheek. She has made a name for herself in Chicago playing countless shows around the city (both solo and with her band), hosting open mics, and founding The Purple Teapot: a DIY performance space which offers queer artists of many disciplines a place to hone their craft and make connections. She has released an E.P., a live album, and is currently hard at work on her debut studio album. Visit jenniferfemme.com and follow her on Instagram @jennifer_femme for updates.

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.

The Devil Said Jump is a queer folk band from Chicago. With influences like the Indigo Girls, The Chicks, Shania Twain, and the Avett Brothers, their sound combines the honesty of classic cowboy country with gut-wrenching harmonies and theatrical storytelling. Through their music, the band hopes to cultivate a community of silly revolutionists who believe in the power of queer joy, but also in commiseration. Their protest song "Make Me Buy A Gun" is out everywhere this Fourth of July.

Sublime beauty…
(Chicago Reader, US)
 
..beyond contemporary jazz..
(RadioFrance, France)
 
..Bursting with emotion and original ideas..
(Radiohoerer, Germany)
NPR Jazz Critics Best Of 2019 Debut Album selection


This trio combines Javier's original compositions and music from great jazz composers such as Monk, Henderson, Coltrane, and Shorter that have a special connection with Javier's rhythmic explorations.

Javier Red: Piano
Dakarai Barclay: Trumpet
Jeff Wheaton: Bass

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.