Jackson Street Sounds Finds a New Home

Jackson Street Sounds, Oswego's family friendly open-mic night, has settled into its new location—Pearce's at Fox Bend.

Up until last March, Jackson Street Sounds met every second Thursday at the.

“We loved the Little White School,” said Kristie Blocker Vest, co-founder and Special Events Coordinator for the Oswegoland Park District.

Summertime sessions on the lawn were particularly fun. In the winter, though, the Little White School was too big. Even the biggest jam sessions did not fill the schoolhouse halfway. Regulars of the open mic were also asking for beverages and snacks.  That's when Vest and the other coordinators began to consider other locations.

Pearce's emerged as a welcome alternative. It offered the desired improvements and would maintain the family friendly environment so valuable to the Jackson Street Sounds regulars.

In the months since the March move, Jackson Street Sounds has settled comfortably into its new home. Pearce's provides a more intimate environment. The layout of the Little White School created more of a recital atmosphere. Pearce's has more of a coffeehouse vibe.

When the weather is nice the open mic moves to the outdoor deck where both musicians and audience members can enjoy the view of the golf course. During bad weather and winter everyone moves indoors to enjoy the great acoustics Pearce's has to offer.

Jackson Street Sounds still attracts great acts and friendly audiences. It's still THE place to go if you love to play, but are nervous in front of big crowds; if you want to try out new songs or new arrangements of old songs or if you love to listen to local music, but hate going to crowded noisy clubs.

“There is no typical act,” Blocker Vest said.

Some artists perform their own work; others cover known musicians. Most people bring instruments, but others sing a Capella.

“We've had poets, a flutist once and one band playing what they described as 'Space Age Bachelor Music' that they played on computers," Blocker Vest said with pride.  “Students from the Fox River Academy of Music and Art and other music schools often try out new pieces with us.”

The evening still ends with a jam session of all the artists who performed that night.

Musicians and performing artists from all over the Fox Valley are welcome. Jackson Street Sounds starts at 6 p.m. the second Thursday of every month. Each musician gets a 10 minute set plus the jam session at the end. The open mic goes until about 9 p.m. For further information, visit the Fox Bend Golf Course website's events page. 

No reservations are needed and admission is free. The next open mic is Thursday.