Monday Nights: New "In the Round" Songwriter Series at Uncommon Ground (Devon)

CHICAGO - April 16, 2014 - PRLog -- "In the Round" singer/songwriter nights: the famous Bluebird Café (Nashville) has them regularly. Typically these circles include three to four songwriters, seated onstage together, who share not only their songs but something intriguing about them, or their writing process. Often the next songwriter is inspired by the previous person’s song, and mini-themes occur throughout the night.

In March, Uncommon Ground began hosting its own "In the Round" songwriter series, 7pm to 9pm every Monday, at its 1401 W. Devon Ave. location. "Chicago is certainly rich in songwriters," commented Ryan Sweeney, Uncommon Ground’s Music Program Director. "We’ve selected a different host for each month, songwriters we’ve worked with over the years. We’re intrigued to see what transpires. Each month will have its own flavor, based on the host, who will perform in their rounds as well."

The host for March’s series was Jacob Mau; April’s host is Aryk Crowder; and May’s host will be Sue Fink, who celebrated her 10-year anniversary performing at Uncommon Ground in 2011.

"I was thrilled to be asked," said Fink. "You just never know what magic might happen in the circles!  I decided to ask the songwriters I truly admire, right here in Chicago… and amazingly, pretty much everyone said yes!  I only wish there were more Mondays in May."

Included in May’s lineup are Steve Dawson (Dolly Varden), Sue Demel (Sons of the Never Wrong), Mark Dvorak, and Michael Smith. Smith is especially well known for his song "The Dutchman," recorded by Steve Goodman and many others. "I opened for Michael a few years ago, and as I’ve been a fan for so many years, I’m beyond thrilled that he’s agreed to be part of this series," Fink said. "He’s a very generous performer, and gives his own songwriting workshops throughout the country. Anyone interested in hearing stellar songwriting won’t want to miss him."

Many from Fink’s lineup share their songwriting and musical expertise as instructors at the Old Town School of Folk Music, including Dawson, Demel, Dvorak, and Linda Marie Smith. Some of the writers she chose "aren’t as well-known in Chicago yet… but they should be," she said. She created a special listing of her May lineups, with descriptions of each songwriter and links to each, at http://suefink.com/special.html. "I just don’t want anyone to miss these," she added. "I’m so interested to hear what each songwriter has to say, let alone sing!"

Cover for each "In the Round" evening is $7. "We’re keeping the cover low to encourage folks to check out as many of these nights as they can," said Sweeney. Because Uncommon Ground doesn’t sell tickets in advance, Sweeney suggests people ensure their seats by making dinner reservations in the music room (773.465.9801). Information on all "In the Round" lineups can be found at Uncommon Ground’s online calendar at http://uncommonground.com. Hosts for future months include Morgan Foster (Common Shiner) in June, and Emily White in July.

Fink's Mondays in May include these songwriters (including Fink in each lineup):

May 5:  Jenny Bienemann, Steve Dawson, Sue Demel

May 12:  Linda Marie Smith, Mark Dvorak, Michael Smith

May 19: Clare Adella, Robin Bienemann, Al Rose

May 26: Andrew Calhoun, Brother Moose, Christina Trulio.

Please visit http://suefink.com/special.html to read descriptions and access weblinks to each performer.