Old Town School East smoothly debuts with intimate vibe, outsized potential

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large new open space within the lobby area of the new Old Town School of Folk. January 13 , 2012 I Scott Stewart~Sun-Times

Updated: February 16, 2012 8:29AM

The new Old Town School East is the first structure in the school’s 55-year history to be built from the ground up. And the sky was the limit.

That was the consensus Friday night when the $16 million building made its live music debut with the Chicago-based Swing Brasilerio playing samba music for the school’s new “Global Dance Party” series. The event was sold out, attracting 130 dancers of all ages and ethnic groups. Because it was a dance party it was not a seated event. Portable bleachers were folded up against the east wall, and there was a smattering of black nightclub-type tables and chairs for weary dancers to rest.

Every Friday throughout the “Global Dance Party” will begin with a half-hour of lessons, followed by a live concert. Dancers moved to the recorded sounds of Brazilian samba singer-guitarist Beth Carvalho and others. The music was gently muffled and heavy on the bass, which encouraged people to hit the dance floor.

The six-piece Swing Brasilerio took over for a live set. At first, the group was loud and the mix was heavy on vocals and saxophone before a balance settled in. But most important, the dimly lit room carried an intimate vibe that freed inhibitions for even the oldest folkie. This accessibility bodes well for future Global Dance stops such as Tango (Jan. 20) and the sounds of Haiti and West Africa (Jan. 27).

For an opening night in a new venue things went fairly smoothly. As attendees walked through the front door, they were greened with a mellow new-car smell. The new building does not have its liquor license, but folks were encouraged to BYOB. More than 30 historic folk music posters donated by Gary, Ind., author-folklorist Ron Cohen lined the walls near the entrance to the music hall.

Godfrey Gillette, 40, of Pilsen, and his dance partner, Merdyth Brook, 37, of Lincoln Square, were impressed. Gill said it was a beautiful space. “It’s roomy and you could see what other people were doing.” Brook lives in the neighborhood and has taken singing lessons at the school. She added, “I like how the space is so modern. And it sounds good.”

Nikki Bonnin, 27, drove in from Milwaukee because she is a fan of Swing Brasilerio. The graphic designer believed the room sounded great. “There’s nothing like this in Milwaukee,” she said. “When we go dancing it’s usually in bars. There’s nothing specifically devoted to dancing unless it’s the Kohler Arts Center.”

But most stimulating was the synergy between the new school and the nearby Old Town School at 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. You could walk across the street and hear the Brooklyn, N.Y., a cappella group The Persuasions singing as part of their 50th anniversary tour. Upstairs the spritely Salvation Army jazz of Old Town students played to a gallery opening for Chicago photographer Steven Gross as his concert pictures of Dizzy Gillespie and Taj Mahal filled the walls. The North Lincoln corridor — also known as Steve Goodman Way — was full of life.

And when Chicago’s beloved singer-songwriter (and former school student) wrote “The 20th Century is Almost Over,” he had no idea the 21st century would begin this way at the Old Town School of Folk Music.