LOGAN SQUARE — After nearly six months without live acts, Logan Square’s Township has re-emerged with a new look and a new booking company.
Township, 2200 N. California Ave., has undergone a remodel and aims to host an ambitious lineup of music and events, including a deeper dive into different music genres and a new focus on queer/LGBTQ shows, according to owner and Township head chef Tamiz Haiderali.
New co-owner Max Brumbach, the original owner of the California Clipper and Smoke Daddy, took on the redesign of the stage and audio equipment at Township.
The venue hasn't had a show since November 2014, due to a rough split between Haiderali and his former booking partner, Matthew Pantelis of MP Shows, but Haiderali said Township is looking toward the future.
"It's broader and it's more eclectic," Haiderali said. "We wanted to make it open to everything. We have people here in the morning for brunch and we want them to be here at night as well."
The adjoining restaurant stayed open during the music venue transition. The Logan Square corner building now boasts a state-of-the-art audio system, a brand new birch stage and a new lighting rig, according to an announcement for the relaunch.
While the venue may not cater to the same crowd as it once did, Township's owners have brought on a new music coordinating team consisting of Erica Corniel, of the Chicago pop band Office, and Erik Renan, of Soul Foundation, Reform and DnBiD, to focus on a wide range of genres including “rock and roll, roots and soul, Americana, pop, country, gospel, R&B, blues, funk, non stop, organ jazz, alternative, dance & folk, reggae, ska, spoken word, bluegrass, avant garde, drum & bass, western swing, acid jazz [and] bop.”
"It's not right to make it so specific," Haiderali of his venue's former focus on all-ages punk and metal shows that could often be heard across the street from the California Blue Line. "We want more of a queer presence — that was something that was missing. We have things on the docket."
Brumbach, a jazz musician who has toured with the likes of Johnny Young, Wildchild Butler and Otis Clay, was what the venue needed to get back on track, Haiderali said, and Township plans to eventually host shows every night of the week (so far it's at around four shows weekly).
Expect a wide sample of styles on the new Township stage, including Bollywood acts in addition to everything mentioned above. Township will move forward with its new digs and a new sound under the leadership of Haiderali and Brumbach.
Stay tuned for upcoming event listings.
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