Lumino staff has howlin' good time at Chicago piano bar

Story by JON SINGER
Photos by TRILISA M. PERRINE

On April 15, Lumino Magazine's party at Howl at the Moon piano bar in Chicago was better than anyone expected. After all, there was just light conversation and an after-work crowd sliding in and out of the bar early on during this Thursday night.

But tax day was over, and hope was in the air.

Lumino co-founders Nick Powills and Jon Singer welcomed other staffers and random Lumino well-wishers (everyone on Lumino's mailing list was invited), many who had never met. Among other Lumino staffers and contributors who attended (most with friends) were photo editor Trilisa Perrine, writer and PR director Aimee Phipps, writers August Forte and Lukas Szymanek, and photographers Barry Brecheisen and Brian Malcolm.

The Lumino group made adequate conversation, but more often was seen munching on nacho chips, barbecue and shrimp and trading in their free drink tickets for a refreshment. They were waiting for something fun to happen – and they didn't have to wait long.

At about 7 p.m., the music started and Luminoers headed toward the wide open first just three feet from the stage that boasted the dueling pianos.

Even versed musicians could see the talent oozing from the pianists, one a 30-something male and the other a 30-ish female. Both had to have known hundreds of songs by heart. But these weren't sappy post-1980 Elton John ditties. Every song was done with bubbling energy, and the crowd loved it. Requests were flowing in, and only the first few were granted without a $5 bill attached to the request slip. Demand grew quickly, and so did the price of hearing your favorite song.

Probably the best treat musically, though, was when the balding white pianist – who obviously used to be a chorus geek back in high school – grabbed the mic during Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back," a classic requested by Nick. The singer owned the place. He rapped every word with ease, then doubled back to the piano to pound out the song's rolling bass line.

The Beatles were often requested, as was William Hung. A Meat Loaf tune also brought down the house.

After about an hour, two other musicians came out, backing the pianists on drums and bass which were hidden behind the pianos. Shortly thereafter the drummer and bass player found their way to the piano benches, and the former pianists became the rhythm section. Musical chairs continued for hours – the musicians were loving it and so was the crowd.

A couple of barflies also paid $20 to sing with the band. One chose "Proud to be an American," the other chose REO Speedwagon's "Keep on Loving You." Their singing made William Hung look bonafide, and this is not sarcasm. That made it great, though. The crowd laughed at the attempts and respected the fact that anyone so drunk or mentally handicapped (it was a very fine line) would display his lack of ability for a crowd of hundreds.

Lumino featured Howl at the Moon in its After Hours section in the May 2004 issue. Writer Nick Powills talked it up well. Not until going there yourself, though, will you understand the electricity involved.

After heading out at about 10 p.m., – after all, it was a school night – everyone agreed that Howl at the Moon was worth coming back to – with reinforcements.