RETURN TO THE COFFEEHOUSE ARTICLES

 

Wearing only a silk belt and black boots, poet Aurora bares more than her soul to a mostly clothed crowd in a Lakeview home. The Burkhart Underground -- with Nag Champa incense burning, soft red light glowing and loud tunes blaring -- is full today, and such free expression is normal.

This coffeehouse/art gallery is the home and studio of artist Fred Burkhart. His Burkhart Underground is a gathering spot for artists young and old to perform, mingle, exhibit and create. But it's also a future demolition site that is destined to sprout pricey condos and chain stores. The smoke of clove cigarettes will clear and an era will end. (editor's note: The Burkhart Underground was a non smoking zone!)

Some see the demise of the Burkhart Underground as a sign of the times. "It's the end of an era," says musician and self-described "hippie dinosaur" Howie Gayck, 47. "It's indicative of the hyper-commercial age we live in. It's also indicative of the gentrification age we live in. We are pushing the artists out."

Burkhart, who created the Underground seven years ago, lived in the creaking house for 20 years, watching his rent checks increase, while re-creating himself in ever newer terms to meet the demands. He is best known for his documentary photography of musicians, beat writers, lesbians and the homeless. Uninterested in fame, his commitment to the Burkhart Underground never the less earned him a place in the Chicago art scene. "I've always believed in opening my home up to share the blessings," he said.

Spoken word artist Ozkr du Soleil, 40, follows Aurora's act, reading his highly sexual poetry wearing only an open, white Oxford shirt. "It could be a real forgiving place," he says, sadly.

Tugging at the curls of his long, unkempt gray beard, Burkhart, 63, ho-hums at the thought of being the last artist unseated to make way for the yuppies. "This has been an amazing place -- a magical space," he murmurs as he lovingly touches the worn down floor boards painted with his daughter (then 10 years old) and the muti-faceted artist, Beau Glazar.

Burkhart is still stooped and in pain from a nasty fall that broke his back a year ago. He had to temporarily suspend his popular Sunday night event until he recovered. Then he got the landlord's news! Still, he decided to revive the event before it was too late.

As he packs boxes, Burkhart says that Lakeview is no longer a place for artists. For him, the move was inevitable. "There's nobody here, just condos, and the banks and bars that feed them," he says. "It's very disturbing. The other artists moved out years ago. Artists are the reason we have neighborhoods. You can't have a community without the artist's visions."

Always a free spirit, Burkhart is looking on the bright side. He says he was tired of the upkeep and of washing mismatched coffee cups, and he views the wrecking ball as an opportunity to free up his life. He dreams of returning to painting.

"Although the whole world is open to me, I like this town. I am sure to continue the work I was doing, as soon as I can establish a new home for myself and the others."