On Sunday, September 20, 2015, the Chicago and midwest folk music community will gather for a concert in remembrance of Art Thieme, who died in May at the age of 73. Rather than a memorial service, Artb s request was to have people gather to have a good time in his remembrance.
This will be a free event, and open to the public. Please share and help us to get the word out to the many people whose lives were touched by Art and his music, folklore and jokelore.
Art Thieme Memorial Concert
Sunday, September 20, 2015 6:00 pm
First Congregational United Church of Christ Main Sanctuary
(Same building as the Two Way Street Coffee House)
1047 Curtiss Street
Downers Grove IL 60515
***(Across from the Public Library, two blocks from Downers Grove Main Street Metra Station) Parking in church lot, on street, or in lot just north of the Library, one block north of church. (all free)***
Admission: This is a free concert. Cards and free will donation for the family will be accepted.
Performers:
CT Thieme
Jim and Vivian Craig and Mitch Thomas
Emcee: Emily Friedman (Editor and Founder ‘Come for to Sing Magazine’)
ABOUT ART THIEME:
Art Thieme was a large man in his prime- not tall, but stout, with a full beard, a gentle smile and a constant thoughtful process going on behind the scenes. Art grew up in an apartment in Chicago. He became a folksinger and a
good ole 70’s hippie. He and his wife Carol took their VW bus and a small inheritance from Chicago to Oregon to open a craft store and live the dream. They returned to Chicago broke, but full of stories.
For Art, every song was a story and every story led to a song. He collected and told stories and jokes that were borrowed by the best, including Utah Phillips, The Golden Voice of the Great Southwest, aka Bruce Phillips. Phillips became more nationally famous than Art. Art preferred not to travel as much or as far from his family, Carol, and son Chris. He was central to the Chicago folk scene in the 70’s 80’s and into the 90’s. He was there as the Old Town School of Folk Music was born, as blues clubs came and went, as folk clubs came and went, as ‘Come For To Sing’ magazine emerged and eventually ceased publication.
Art made his living as a folksinger- not a singer songwriter whining about his own lost loves or pitiful life, but a collector of musical gold, folklore and jokelore and banjo styles and Travis picking on guitar and history and anecdotes and old songs and sometimes new songs. His few trips to Washington connected him with the Folklore Society, Craig Johnson, Bruce Hutton and like-minded folks. Art learned several of Craig’s songs.
Art’s last gigs were over 15 years ago, as music and story entertainment on the Mississipi Riverboat the Julia Belle Swain. As the boat meandered it’s way down the river, Art would tell true stories, jokes, point out places of interest, insert songs, and generally make the trip a 4 D experience for it’s travelers.
Art’s travels ended as MS slowly took over, but he began traveling on the internet, keeping up with Mudcat Cafe, folk friends all over, posting photos from his huge collection of folksingers who came through Chicago and staying in touch with as many people as possible. Sadly, MS took Art on May 27th at the age of 73, peacefully.
I’ve had few friends as close, as open and as ready to help in life as Art Thieme. I know many others feel the same way.
Cards can be sent to his wife, Carol at this address:
Carol Thieme
335 Illinois St
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
submitted by Cathy Fink