Off Square Music in Woodstock, Illinois, sponsors many musical events and programs, helping to make Woodstock the center of musical energy in McHenry County. Our programs include:
- Year-round indoor live music venues
- Online/hybrid events
- Outdoor special events
- Open mics
Musicians and non-musicians, local and non-local, gather here to celebrate music and the Woodstock area.
Off Square Music is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, started in 2003. Our mission is to help local artists share their music and build the best music community in the country. We rely on your generous support to achieve our goals, so please consider donating using the buttons on our website.
The Off Square Music Story …
Off Square Music brings local and distant musicians together in Woodstock to play music of many genres. Musicians and non-musicians alike come to our area to hear, learn about, and enjoy wonderful music and the ambiance of a unique town, Woodstock, Illinois.
Off Square Music began in 2003 when the Masthouse could no longer host formal concerts. While the Masthouse continued to host a very popular open mic and sing-a-long series, Off Square Music needed other venues where we could sell tickets and pay performers.
The Masthouse Concert Committee at that time included John Hoyt, David Ashby, and Keith Johnson. The group applied for a federal tax number and the journey began. Judy Matzen soon joined us, then a few years later Roger Benson was onboard. Judy and Keith wrote the 501(c)3 application, organizing us as a not-for-profit corporation in the state of Illinois.
What We Do
From this small beginning, Off Square Music began to host other kinds of events. Currently, we sponsor:
- Featured Artist concert series
- Sundays on the Square concert series
- Stage Left Open Mic
- All-Original Open Mic at Stage Left
- Every Saturday Virtual Open Mic (via Zoom)
The Off Square Music board currently includes Laurel Palma, Andy Andrick, Joe Pesz, Jeremy Simon, Kent Fishburn, Keith Johnson, and Rich Prezioso.
Off Square Music is a 501(c)3 non-profit folk music organization. We dedicate ourselves to promoting live music.
Want More Information?
- Visit our website frequently
- Sign up for our mailing list, right column of every page of our site, and
- Check out Off Square Music on Facebook (@offsquaremusic.org), Instagram (offsquaremusic), and YouTube.
We Welcome and Rely On Donations
If you would like to donate to our ongoing program and activities or to particular musicians who work with us, please visit our Donations Page or use the Donate buttons in the left column of any page of this site. Off Square Music thanks you for your support!
How to Perform at Off Square Music Events
To promote and support our performers in the best way possible in all our venues, we ask that all current and future performers visit this page to request a performance spot in any of our venues. We’ll get back to you to confirm as soon as possible.
Virtual Open Mics only? If you perform only at our Zoom Open Mics, please refer to our Setup Guidelines for Every Saturday Virtual Open Mic performers (or click on the button below).
Off Square Music Current Activities and Programs
OPEN MICS
Stage Left Open Mic
The Stage Left Open Mic meets on the 2nd Friday of every month from 7 – 10 pm at Stage Left Cafe, 125 Van Buren St. on the historic Woodstock Square.
The Stage Left Open Mic from Off Square Music is a monthly event in Woodstock. Performers — musicians, singers, poets and others — come together to connect with a live audience in a wonderful, family-friendly environment.
Whether you’re just starting out as a performer or are a seasoned veteran, Open Mic nights feature a supportive atmosphere. Stage Left, part of the Woodstock Opera House, offers more support with an exceptional performance space and sound system.
Off Square requests a $5.00/pp donation to support our many music activities, including these Stage Left Open Mic nights.
Every Saturday Virtual Open Mic
Our Every Saturday Virtual Open Mic from Off Square Music started when we couldn’t get together for live music during the COVID pandemic and stayed when we went back to live performances. They bring together long-time friends and expand our music world and friendships way beyond the boundaries of Woodstock.
Want to hear some great music (or share your own) without having to leave the comfort of your home? Then these virtual open mics are for you!
Every Saturday, Off Square Music hosts a virtual open mic featuring performers from our community and beyond. We typically feature six to eight people every week. Each person performs two songs or a ten-minute set (whichever is less). Doors open at 6:30 pm, and the music starts at 7:00 pm, usually running until 8 or 8:30 pm. Stay with us after the performances for Music Trivia and hanging out.
How to Participate
If you are already on the Off Square Music mailing list, you don’t have to do a thing. If you would like to join our mailing list then visit our website and sign yourself up with the short form in the right column of every page of the site. Be sure to check the “Every Saturday Virtual Open Mic List”. You will receive a weekly reminder email with the link to join “Every Saturday.” We record these sessions, so you will also receive a follow-up email with a link to the recording so you can enjoy the evening all over again!
All-Original Open Mic
Our All-Original Open Mic at Stage Left Cafe features original songwriters, poets, storytellers, and composers. We are delighted to showcase these artists in a warm, welcoming community setting.
All performance styles are welcome as long all material is original and the performance is family-friendly.
All-Original Open Mics meet on the fourth Friday of every month, Stage Left Cafe,125 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock, 7:00 – 9:00/9:30 pm. Stage Left Cafe offers an exceptional performance space and sound system for these events.
Reservations to perform are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Join us for these wonderful evenings of family-friendly entertainment. There is a suggested donation of $5/pp for these open mics.
CONCERTS AND EVENTS
Off Square Music sponsors several types of concerts and concert series.
Off Square Music concerts feature touring musicians and bands. These concerts are usually held either at Stage Left Cafe, 125 Van Buren St., Woodstock or just across the street in the historic Woodstock Square.
There is a suggested donation of $15.00/pp for non-ticketed concerts.
Sundays on the Square concerts, hosted on the historic Woodstock Square, run during the summer season and feature great artists, both local and touring. Stay tuned to the Off Square Music website and our monthly newsletters for details.
And there’s lots more . . .
Off Square Music co-hosts, co-sponsors, partners with, assists, and supports many other local organizations and events in various ways. Be sure to sign up for our emails so you can stay up-to-date on all our events. Use the Email Sign-Up form in the right column of every page of our site.