Larry O. Dean

Inspired by round-robin nights held regularly in Nashville, Los Angeles and New York, Flint native, San Francisco transplant and Chicago-based singer-songwriter Larry O. Dean started Folk You! in December 2001. Weary of standard acoustic open mikes and showcases, Dean wanted something more intimate and at the same time, more varied. Held the second Wednesday of every month, Folk You! presents a trio of performers taking the stage simultaneously with naught but their guitars (sometimes pianos) and songs. Interaction is encouraged but there is no script; performers may play and let the songs speak for themselves, talk about how they came to write them, or wing it. Anything goes. Who performs at Folk You!? Larry hosts and plays, joined most months by two others. The one through-line is the night must comprise all original material that can be played without accompaniment and stand upon its own. Obviously performers well-versed in folk-type solo acoustic situations are welcome, but Dean also encourages songwriters who tend to front electric combos to step out from their role as one of the band and let the songs be heard as they were written. Folk You! is currently in its 22nd (!) year and shows no signs of letting up. Stop by and check it out; or better still, become a regular. You never know what (or who) you might hear! This month: LOD + JOE GORKA & DAVID SHERMAN As always, FREE! Hope to see you there!