241

4544 N Lincoln Ave

Chicago , IL 60625



(773) 728-6000

I take class here, and I've been to some concerts. It's a great place. There are all sorts of classes for all ages and levels. I take tap dance with Reggio; he's a great teacher and has helped me improve so much despite the fact that I have two left feet and they're both on backward. Whenever I come to class, I see and hear people practicing all sorts of dances and instruments. The shop is awesome, the cafe is great, the concerts span many genres and are super fun no matter the performance space. There are also music jams; I intend to participate someday! Take a class here, see a concert. Volunteer for credits you can use toward either! You won't regret it.

Love love love this place! Have taken a few different singing classes, djembe, tiako, and tap dance and all the classes were a blast. Have also seen various shows in the theater and it was been a great experience. I would highly recommend for a fun, relaxed atmosphere, with great instructors!

I was here for a concert and thoroughly enjoyed the venue. The staff and volunteers were friendly and helpful. The performance space is intimate - no bad seats - and comfortable. It's probably better for "softer" music than what I saw since it is a seated venue. They removed the tables from in front of the stage area to provide standing room, but this did mean the first few rows of seats were blocked from viewing the stage by people standing. I like that you have the option to sit or stand regardless. Given how hot it is in Chicago right now, the efficient air conditioning was also appreciated! I would definitely go to a show here again!

Fair warning to anyone who considers taking ots flamenco class with this poser Mehran. He can't even play his own material without butchering it. But if you make a mistake when you just barely had time to learn the piece he's on you like an evil jerk. I'm surprised ots is that desperate to allow this creep to be a instructor for them.

Have taken my kids to Wiggleworms for a few sessions. Diana is an experienced, fun, and engaging teacher that always keeps things fresh and entertaining as the kids learn.

It's pretty pathetic the director of this "nonprofit" makes a quarter million dollars a year, yet is laying off staff.

Group classes, private lessons, workshops, concerts...there really is something for everyone here! While the quality of the teachers and classes varies, I've been mostly satisfied with the instructors I've learned from. I would also recommend applying to become a volunteer. The application process is straightforward and quick. The New Volunteer Orientation is for a couple hours and is helpful to learn the different ways you can volunteer as well as the layout of both buildings. You only have to volunteer once per year to be considered a volunteer. And you can use the hours you accumulate towards classes and concerts! I've volunteered in several capacities and have learned so much about music as well as being exposed to new artists, especially local ones. Also, you MUST attend Square Roots in July.

Their World Music Wednesday series pulled us into the space last night after wandering by it for the past few years, have to say I feel a little like a chump for not exploring this space sooner. Sitting in the Maurer concert hall we enjoyed Perujazz a great fusion of Peru and contemporary jazz. Go, explore, use this amazing asset we have in the city - lessons, camps, dance, concerts

Saw the Bettye LaVette performance on April 13th and was blown away by her continuous ability to keep her audience enthralled with one of the most eclectic musical style that combine blues, jazz, soul, rock and other genres outside of rap! Hope she keeps singing for another 30 years. Kudos to the superb acoustics and intimacy that the OTSOFM concert hall provides that maximize the musicians' connection with the audience. The BLV performance was just the latest of many concerts I've attended at Old Town of which none has disappointed in the least bit. Truly a world class venue that all Chicagoans should be proud of!

Everyone here, the whole vibe, is just awesome. Amy from the cafe is the best, and particularly makes a bomb gourmet grilled cheese...

I highly recommend taking belly dance classes here with Erika - she's a great instructor, very knowledgeable about Egyptian dance. The school offers each class the opportunity to perform at the end of each semester/term. I've also attended two Brazilian dance workshops here, which were challenging but great fun and an excellent workout. The Alash (Tuvan throat singing) concert in January was spectacular, and I've really enjoyed the African musicians and groups they've brought for concerts this year; the Salif Keita show in particular was amazing. However, audiences here can be quite stiff, and the layout of the main auditorium is terrible for any sort of dancing. For upbeat shows, I wish they would scrap the tables in the front altogether and make it a general standing/dancing area. Likewise, for shows in the smaller auditorium across the street, they should forgo chairs on the main floor to make an open dance area. This may block the view of the audience members in the first row of built-in seats, but it would allow dancers to move without awkwardness and allow the audience to give the acts the level of energy, feedback, and respect that they deserve and that they're accustomed to. I also ask that the School do away with intermissions during single act shows and dance nights - I find them to be unwelcome vibe killers.

****My original review was taken down because I used employee's full names. I've removed last names and am including this link that is publicly available where one can learn more about the organization's staff.**** https://www.oldtownschool.org/aboutus/staff/ ***Update*** Dawn from there called to offer a feigned apology and the good ole "we'll speak with her about it" yet refused to provide any true actionable change or sincerity to the situation. ****Dave's comment regarding class refunds and cancellations is factually untrue...as of the time of his comment, no such offer was ever made. I'd be more than willing to take a videotaped lie detector test with whomever made the asinine statement of class refunds, and second, I would like to believe this organization has the class and professionalism to remedy bad behavior vs throwing money at it and hoping it'll go away. I wouldn't take the refund of classes either, I like paying those teachers...they're wonderful, outstanding, terrific, super, the best. I offered to Dawn that Amy could provide me an apology in same lobby area where she decided to show off such awful attitude, but apparently that was more than what she was willing to do. I guess only some of us were taught to own up to our mistakes. To say you tried everything when all that was offered was you'd speak with the employee is not just a lack of effort, but doubtful given the willingness to make untrue statements of refunds and cancellations**** This review is of the cafe. Specifically the person who identified herself as Amy, one of the employees in the cafe. I've never in my life been more offended by the teenage like/ indifference/snootiness/rolling eyes horrendous service provided by this ignorant embarrassment of a cafe server. I attempted to buy a bottle of water. A simple a bottle of water and this egregious mistake of a hire couldn't wait to make drama out of it. She began by ignoring my ask of what a bottle of water costed...a simple request I would imagine. After she ever so slowly came up to me she already rang up two bottles of water and raised all kinds of attitude and shade about how I asked for two bottles of water, how she doesn't give refunds, refused to give me her manager's name, and after an everlasting eye roll she decided to give me cash back while instructing me next time I should go to a vending machine in the basement. Jen, who i was told was the manager of the cafe should also be mentioned, because Amy demonstrates a total lack of judgement and managenent intelligence to put such a detestable employee behind the counter. To compound the callous indifference shown by Amy, I didn't even get our member discount....as she didn't even bother asking before I received this immaculate bill. I love the classes here. My wife and son are currently enrolled and we are regulars of the performances (the Bela Fleck show was amazing). We've never seen such atrocious service at any part of this fine establishment, but this experience certainly brings a sour taste. A true shame to an otherwise great institution. This is most definitely one of the situations where I'd read the not recommended reviews. Sheds some interesting light.

I've seen so many reviews for the school (which I love) that I would be remiss if I didn't share my 5 years of experience with the cafe! I eat there once a week and there are always fresh, tasty, reasonably priced options for lunch. Chili, soups, subs, wraps and more. Service with a smile and the yummy lunch! Check it out when you are in Lincoln Square for lunch time.

This is how music is meant to be taught, This is how music is meant to be enjoyed, This is how music is meant to be celebrated. From the first time you step in here there is a sense of community, mutual interest, mutual respect, love of music, and a communication through music. Its supportive through group lessons, encouraged through an "everyone participates" attitude in just the right delivery.

One of the things I miss most about living in Lincoln Square is The OTSOFM. They have dance and music classes that are taught by instructors with professional experience and performances from musicians from around the world. It's a real gem and anyone should check it out if you like world music or dance. Just know I used to bike or ride the train here because Lincoln Square parking is challenging, though there may be a parking lot now.

My wife signed our daughter up for the Lullabies class (0-6 months) with Julie and I ended up being pleasantly surprised. The class is only 30 minutes but our daughter seems to really enjoy it. If you're looking for a way to spend quality time with your family and meet other people with kids the same age as yours, these classes are well worth it. We'll be signing up for Wiggleworms after the holidays and look forward to a long relationship with OTSFM.

The cafe of the OTS is a hidden gem. Despite its relatively small size, it has a diverse menu of tasty items...wraps, soups, sandwiches, and more. My favorites include the Asian Chicken Wrap and the Black Bean Burger. And did I mention the espresso bar? Very pleasant service by cafe staff, coupled with good food, make this a worthwhile stop.

This review is about the customer service ONLY. I didn't end up getting lessons here because I was so frustrated with setting everything up. First of all, every time you call this place you wait on hold 10 minutes before someone picks up. I can appreciate they're dealing with customers in the store so I never complained about the wait time. I've been waiting for the upcoming private lesson registration to open up for several weeks now. The only date I was able to find online for when the registration opened up was December 4th. When I called on December 4th, I sat on hold for several minutes before someone picked up and explained to me the registration for private lessons actually opens up December 6th so I would have to call back. This information was nowhere on the website. When I called back on December 6th I waited on hold for at least 10 minutes before a man picked up. I explained to him I wanted to purchase private lessons for my husband and get him registered before all of the available times were taken. He first directed me to buy a gift certificate online but this would not allow me to register for lessons so I said that I needed to do it over the phone (I realized later he just didn't want to deal with my request over the phone so he pushed me to the website initially). I wasn't about to buy the gift certificate online, then call back and sit on hold, only to find out there were no class times available anymore. Right away I got the sense he was annoyed he was going to have to set this up for me. He asked for a few pieces of contact information before we could get to any sort of purchase/registration step in the process. His computer was lagging so he kept apologizing that it was taking so long and I assured him it was no problem at all. Eventually he said he had to restart his computer and that I would have to call back later to complete the purchase and register for classes. He went on to say in an annoyed tone that two people called in sick so it was just him answering the phone and he couldn't help me with this request. He then proceeded to hang up up on me before I could even respond. I was shocked that after sitting on hold 10+ minutes before he picked up in the first place and then was patient with him while he collected my contact info through all of his computer issues that HE hung up on ME and expected me to go through that circus again. No thanks. I'll never understand why people with no patience and care for customers are in the business of dealing with people. There is no way I would support this business by buying private lessons after that experience.

One of my favorites places in Chicago. I love the energy from this place. People always so happy and outgoing. Wednesday's you can come and check the World Music Concerts.