I arrive an hour early to the show. I have to set up equipment and merchandise and schmooze with the bartender for extra drink tickets. My ensemble doesn’t usually play with other bands, so the room is quiet this early in the evening. I’ve intentionally stopped playing at bars. Instead, I’ve been making my own venues: studios, lofts, cabarets. The idea is to offer an “intimate, boutique” experience. That’s the established marketing model for singer/songwriters, I think.
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At Work Forums are opportunities to network, build your community, learn, and share important information about your art practice.

Mar 8:   Dancers at Work: Dance and Criticism
Mar 15: Musicians at Work: When to Get a Manager
Mar 18: Artists at Work: Domestic Studio
Mar 26: Theater at Work: IN>TIME Symposium: Performing Futures (1–5:30pm)

Save the date for the 2010 Creative Chicago Expo.  Saturday April 10, 2010. more...

Lawyers for the Creative Arts (LCA) is the only provider of pro bono legal services to the arts in this area. [Pro bono means "free."] I don't have a story as such; I have a plea to the arts community, based on hundreds of stories told by the artists who come to us for help.

My plea is simple, and not very original. I am urging each of you to realize that whether or not you like it, you are in business. more...

I feel that success, in its broadest terms, means to be engaged in work that feeds the soul and nourishes the spirit. I began my professional music career playing in a popular Chicago cover band for several years. This opportunity afforded me the luxury of being able to support myself solely through my art. It was during this time that I began songwriting with the intention of someday starting my own project. more...