Art

9 November, 2009

Homolatte: Where Music Finds Poetry

Scott Free is buried neck deep into preparations for the ALT Q Festival at the Old Town School of Music, but he still finds time to hold the bi-weekly spoken word series called Homolatte.
On the first and third Tuesday of each month, some members of the Chicago LGBT community hang out at Tweet for a laidback night of queer music and spoken word.
When I walked into Tweet, a breakfast and brunch restaurant on the Argyle Red Line stop, I was greeted by a friendly bouncer. Even though it was an off day at Tweet, the bar was bristling with activity while a tastefully decorated room at the back was being set up for Homolatte. The atmosphere was friendly and family-like without being cliquish. I easily struck up conversation with two regulars, who I ended up hanging out with for the rest of the night. The performances were playful, charming, and thought-provoking.
Homolatte at Tweet is the spot to check out when all you want is a place to relax and listen to poets versify while folk-type musicians serenade you with acoustic guitar sounds.
Chicago is a tough place when it comes to creating an entertainment series with a brand name that everyone recognizes. That's why Mr. Free's success with Homolatte is remarkable. He attributes his success with the series to the central role it plays in the LGBT community here in Chicago. "[Homolatte] was really started just because there wasn't any gay/lesbian live thing happening on a regular basis. It was formed out of a need to fill a gap", says Mr. Free.
Homolatte is just one of many items on Mr. Free's production scorecard. He is currently collaborating with the Old Town School of Music on a music festival in celebration of the LGBT experience and culture. The music Festival, ALT Q, kick's off on May 9th.