No Exit Cafe in Chicago 21 Aug 2009 please join in

Subject: RE: No Exit Cafe in Chicago 21 Aug 2009 please join in
From: Elijah Browning
Date: 01 May 09 - 03:14 PM

Hey Mike,

I remember falling asleep on those wooden benches along the back when I was just a kid during the third set. Remember when it was on the other side of the tracks too, that gas blower heater kicking in overhead during the blizzard of '79. Will get the word out to facebook friends and the like. Definitely a worthy cause and sounds like a great time. Will be glad to try and spread the word. Not too far out to make it in if circumstances permit. Please message me with details, web site, fliers, etc., and I'll get it out to those in and out of the area. Can think of a few right off the bat that would come.

Much obliged,
E.B.

Subject: RE: No Exit Cafe in Chicago 21 Aug 2009 please join in
From: Art Thieme
Date: 19 Apr 09 - 12:12 AM

Hard to grasp. That was 49 years ago I first played there...

Art

Subject: RE: No Exit Cafe in Chicago 21 Aug 2009 please join in
From: mrdux
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 12:12 AM

mike --

very cool. i spent a bunch of time at No Exit in the late 60s- early seventies, listening to a lot of music -- including Art and Jim Brewer -- and drinking a lot of coffee. fond memories. unfortunately, being on the west coast, i won't be able to come by, but, perhaps another time. . .

good luck.

michael

Subject: RE: Folklore: No Exit Cafe in chicago
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 07:30 PM

Good luck with this. I've never been there, but it has a fond spot in my heart just from all of Art's stories of his times there. It's a very worthy thing you are doing...may it go better than expected and continue from there.

ATB,

kat

Subject: RE: Folklore: No Exit Cafe in chicago
From: frogprince
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 06:41 PM

Oh, man; why do I have to be 300 miles away now. I lived within two blocks for a few years, and first heard Art and god-knows-who-all of the regulars there. Wonder if they still have the world's ugliest wall clock? I was in town at New Years a few years ago, and disappointed to see there was nothing like the old stuff there at the time. May your venture prosper!

About the closest I ever came to fame back then was telling a really pitiful joke to Anne Hills and having her repeat it when she went back on stage; actually, I'm not that much closer to fame now.

Subject: RE: Folklore: No Exit Cafe in chicago
From: Art Thieme
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 05:05 PM

Mike,
I just P.M.d you back. I'll not be there with you, but you've got my blessing for sure! It'll be good for folks, in these insane times, to mellow out a little and remember the real oasis that the No Exit Coffeehouse and Gallery was. The conversations were always lively and stimulating. With all that caffeine, you couldn't go wrong!!!!!!

Art

Subject: Folklore: No Exit Cafe in Chicago
From: Mike Felten
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 05:14 PM

After a year or so of chasing and begging and asking politely- the folks that own the No Exit Cafe have relented and are allowing me to put on a night of folk music on 8/21.
The No Exit may be the oldest coffee house in Chicago - dating back to the 1950's. Art Thieme had a regular gig there for 37 years. Blind Jim Brewer was a regular too.
Though the physical location has moved a couple of times, the spirit of the place goes on. Lately it has been utilized as a theater, but with the granting of a liquor license they added a night of country and I've been lobbying for a night of singer/songwriter folk.
Friday August 21st is the kickoff to the Glenwood Ave. Art fair and Devil in a Woodpile will be playing a gig on the street that ends at nine.
Our mission is to pick it up from there. I need people to show up and a musician or two to help get this off the ground.
I'm hoping we might be able to create another venue if we do well. Help me out? [e-mail]