Chippewa Chapel: Find Salvation Here!
by Catherine Kustelski
This Thursday, I'm doing what I have done so many Thursdays for the past few years—hanging out with the music fans and musicians at the Chippewa Chapel Open Mic Night. Though it hasn't always been called the Chippewa Chapel, it might as well have been. Formerly the Noiseday Hootenanny at Frederick's Music Lounge, this weekly get-together is where like-minded folks make music, make merry, and make connections—a place where some have been known to find salvation, and an audience.
It's been over a year since the closing of Frederick's Music Lounge. Fred Boettcher, Sr. (Fred Friction's dad), the original owner of the jukebox-bar on Chippewa Street, started this drinkers' home-away-from-home over 20 years years ago. He began using the password "Chippewa Chapel" referring to the discrete gatherings taking place in the bar on Sundays whenever a little "church" was needed.
In the same mood of rebellious camaraderie, Frederick's Music Lounge showcased its first public live music event in 2000. This open mic night, coined the "Noiseday Hootenanny", rocked every Thursday with no cover and guaranteed entertainment.
For nearly seven years, the Hootenanny drew a crowd of musicians, fans, hecklers, and Stag-drinkers. Week after week, I watched and listened as musicians cut their teeth on stage. Some wowed the crowd, some not. No matter. The Hoot opened its arms to everyone. Almost against my will, Thursdays would pull me to Fred's—so easy to stop in for "just one beer" and, finding the evening so intoxicating, end up staying for three.
As it was for many of my musician friends, Fred's Open Mic Night was my training ground. I'd begun to go just to watch, but inevitably, I got involved. I played spoons on stage for the first time at the Hoot, and there in 2003, I met my first band, Maid*Rite. Though extradordinary for me, this level of musical networking is common amongst the Chapel-goers. So many people I know met at Fred's, so many musical connections have been made there.
The closing of Frederick's Music Lounge in February 2006 put an end to this Southside Open Mic Night, but not for long. Missing the Thursday festivities, Paul Stark (the former Frederick's Music Lounge manager) called the congregation together and took it on the road. The plan was to keep things moving, taking the open mic night to new venues. Needing a new name for this new phase, Paul drew from the history of Fred's Music Lounge and re-christened our transient gatherings the "Chippewa Chapel."
Over the past year, the Chippewa Chapel, Traveling Guitar Circle, Medicine Show, Musicians' Network and Open Mic Night (the event's official long title) has graced 25+ bars in South St Louis, keeping the spirit of Fred's and the Noiseday Hootenanny alive. Personally, I've been blessed to be able to sit in with so many musicians, to bellydance for receptive audiences, to perform with my bands, and most challenging, to sing on stage alone with my guitar. I am still so grateful for the opportunity for growth this Open Mic Night has provided for me and for so many others.
A few months ago, I joined the rotation of hosts, driven by my desire to help other aspiring musicians feel comfortable enough to take the stage, to encourage them to share their talents, making a party for all involved. The Chippewa Chapel continues every Thursday, still no cover, and still some of the greatest variety, humor and musicianship one can experience of an evening. Thankfully, for most Thursdays, Off Broadway is becoming a permanent home to the Chippewa Chapel. No longer wandering, our hungry souls have found a home. Y'all come on out, you might find some heaven here.
Please join hosts Catherine Kustelski, Jesse Irwin, Justin Brown, and Brian Andrew Marek for the Chippewa Chapel, held every Thursday. Please check www.myspace.com/chippewa_chapel or www.chippewachapel.com for more information.