Chicago After Dark - Chicago - page 162

Store (sans service charges), or by phone through Ticketmaster. 3730
N. Clark St. (at Racine Ave.). & 773/549 - 0203, or 312/559 - 1212 for Ticketmaster
orders. www.metrochicago.com. Tickets $8-$25. Subway/El: Red Line to Sheridan.
COUNTRY, FOLK & ETHNIC MUSIC
HotHouse This “Center for International Performance and
Exhibition” schedules some of the most eclectic programming in the
city, attracting well-known jazz and avant-garde musicians from
around the world. When the heavy hitters aren't booked, you'll see
anything from local musicians improvising on “invented instru-
ments” to Japanese blues singers. 31 E. Balbo Dr. (at S. Wabash Ave.). & 312/
362 - 9707. www.hothouse.net. Cover $10-$25. Subway/El: Red Line to Harrison.
Old Town School of Folk Music Country, folk, blue-
grass, Latin, Celtic—the Old Town School of Folk Music covers a
spectrum of indigenous musical forms. Best known as a training cen-
ter offering a slate of music classes, the school also plays host to
everyone from the legendary Pete Seeger to bluegrass phenom Alison
Krauss. The school's home, in a former 1930s library, is the world's
largest facility dedicated to the preservation and presentation of tra-
ditional and contemporary folk music. In midsummer it sponsors
the popular Folk and Roots outdoor music festival. The school
maintains another retail store and offers children's classes at its first
location, 909 W. Armitage Ave. 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. (between Wilson and
Montrose aves.). & 773/728 - 6000. www.oldtownschool.org. Tickets $10-$25.
Subway/El: Brown Line to Western.
Wild Hare Number one on Chicago's reggae charts is the Wild
Hare, in the shadow of Wrigley Field. After 20 years in business (an
eternity in the nightclub world), this spot has kept up with the times
by adding a state-of-the-art sound and video systems. Owner Zeleke
Gessesse, who has toured with Ziggy Marley and the Melody Mak-
ers, books top acts such as Burning Spear and Yellow Man; he also
nurtures local talent. With a Red Stripe in hand, you might even for-
get that it's 20 degrees outside. 3530 N. Clark St. (between Addison and
Roscoe sts.). & 773/327 - 4273. www.wildharereggae.com. Cover $7-$15. Subway/
El: Red Line to Addison.
CABARETS & PIANO BARS
Coq d'Or Whether you're huddled close around the piano or
hanging back on the red Naugahyde banquettes, this old-time,
clubby haunt in the historic Drake hotel offers an intimate evening
of song stylings (it's one of the only downtown hotel lounges that
still offers live music). The Coq d'Or claims to be the second bar in

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