Compound Yellow

05/26/2026

Side Yard Sounds presents: The Fancies with Death + Jackiemandrake
Saturday, May 30, 7–9 PM
Tickets in bio

The Fancies with Death, the brand new songwriting project of Sam Ramos , Ryan Thompson , and Michael Green , is bringing their first show, a special live show / open rehearsal/songwriting workshop on Saturday, May 30th, at Compound Yellow.

And yes, we also excited to welcome young Oak Park band, Jackiemandrake , who play an intoxicating mix of alternative/metal/post-hardcore, will also be performing!

Kids are welcome, and art project stations will be set up for them.

A big thank you to the The Fancies with Death and Jackiemandrake. All ticket revenue goes directly to Compound Yellow and helps us continue presenting more music, art, and public programs. No worries if you can’t, free tickets will be available at the door.

See you Saturday!

BIO:

The Fancies walked into a 7-11. It had been a long night. Death (not THAT Death!) stumbled into the same 7-11.

Yo, said The Fancies.

Yo, said Death.

And the rest was history.

As a kindergartner in the 1980s Sam Ramos was signed up for karate by his parents. He quit after the first day because he didn’t like taking his shoes off in front of strangers. It is a moment he has never overcome. Sam is a writer, museum guy, father, spouse…and musician? He grew up in Austin but considers Chicago his home even though he lives in Berwyn. 

As an elementary school kid in the 1980s Michael Green’s mom signed him up for judo classes. After he was dropped off, he waited for his mom to leave and then he climbed out through the window of the community center and ran away. He never went back and has mostly stuck with the arts since, currently working as a Creative Director with the Chicago Humanities Festival.

Since being discovered in the woods, Ryan Thompson has grown more accustomed to our modern human ways. He still sleeps on the floor and catches his own food. What you don’t know is that he made work about cryptids years ago. https://departmentofnaturalhistory.com/Burden-of-Proof

05/24/2026

Thank you to Dustin Laurenzi (.laurenzi ), Dan Bitney (.music ) and Daniel Van Duerm ( ) for a mesmerizing performance! Thank to all who came out! We were once again, so lucky!

See you back in the yard this Sat at 7 PM, May 30 for The Fancies with Death + Jackiemandrae ( )

05/21/2026

Thank you to at Sports and Visualist for choosing Dorr-Niro's Spectral Psalm at Yellow to be one of the for the top 5 picks for the weekend! So excited for Saturday and the whole month of activation!

TOP V. WEEKEND PICKS (5/21-5/27) by Visualist Chicago | May 21, 2026 | Blog | 0 comments 1. Lindsey Dorr-Niro: Spectral Psalm May 23, 2-6PM Compound Yellow: 244 Lake St, Oak Park   2. Regin Igloria: Mid-day Meditations for May May 25, 2-5PM Cultivator: Bray Grove Farm   3. Nathaniel Mary Quinn: A ...

05/20/2026

So excited about this Saturday's opening!! Don't miss it!

05/19/2026

Opening this Saturday!
Join us for the opening reception of Spectral Psalm, Lindsey Dorr-Niro ( )’s solo exhibition, this Saturday, May 23, 2–6 PM.

The wait is almost over — we’re so excited to share this exhibition with you. Light refreshments will be served.

Video teaser by Sonnenzimmer ( ), with sound by Zander Raymond ( ).
*Editioned posters available for purchase onsite.

05/19/2026

Side Yard Sounds: Laurenzi /Bitney/Van Duerm

Friday, May 22, 2026
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
$15 – Tickets in bio

Saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Dustin Laurenzi ( .laurenzi )crafts a distinctly personal approach to improvisation and composition, drawing on the roots of jazz, folk, and creative music. Renowned for his work with groups like Twin Talk and Natural Language—and collaborations with internationally respected artists like Bill Callahan—Laurenzi’s emotive style and adventurous sensibility have made him a key voice in Chicago’s thriving music community.

Dan Bitney ( .music )is best known for his work with the influential band Tortoise, as well as Isotope 217 and Spectralina. Bitney’s sonic explorations span avant-garde electronic, rock, and improvisational realms, continually pushing boundaries and inspiring new directions in contemporary music.

Daniel Van Duerm ( ) anchors the group with deeply textured keyboards and electronics. His unique voice draws from experimental, jazz, and multi-genre ensembles. Best known for his work with KVL, which features another original member of Isotope 217.

Together, Laurenzi, Bitney, and Van Duerm synthesize their wide-ranging influences and improvisational mastery, creating music that is adventurous, boundary-pushing, and unmistakably rooted in Chicago’s innovative spirit. Their trio serves as a powerful platform for exploration, spontaneity, and genuine creative synergy.

05/18/2026

How do we capture the beauty of this evening?

Thank you to Ana Everling and Edinho Ge**er for bringing such a beautiful performance to Compound Yellow, and thank you to everyone who came out and shared the day with us.

See you back in the yard this Friday at 7 PM for Laurenzi/ Bitney/Van Duem!

05/16/2026

Upcoming MAY Events at CY - https://mailchi.mp/compoundyellow/side-yard-sounds-lindsey-dorr-niro-opening-21555048