Amazingrace, the popular counterculture coffeehouse and music performance space that flourished in Evanston, Ill., from 1971 to 1978, will be celebrated Oct. 15-23 during a week of 40th anniversary events. Run by a collective called the Amazingrace Family and best known for its intimate and friendly atmosphere, Amazingrace was the top music club in the Chicago Reader poll for many years. Performers from a variety of genres – blues to bluegrass, folk to funk, rock and jazz – played at Amazingrace from its beginning on the campus of Northwestern University until a later iteration at Main Street and Chicago Avenue closed in 1978. What was so special about Amazingrace? Bryan Bowers, a frequent performer at Amazingrace, said the “loose” atmosphere backstage led to the relaxed and positive performances onstage. More than 300 performers graced the stages of Amazingrace, from beloved Chicago locals such as Steve Goodman and John Prine to national acts including Emmy Lou Harris, Jimmy Buffett, John Hartford and Steve Martin. It was a space in which performers were treated with respect – and not interrupted by the sound of beverages being served or audience members talking. Tickets were inexpensive, the sound system was terrific and there were often wonderful surprises, like Bob Gibson singing a duet with Odetta or Bryan Bowers, Claudia Schmidt and John Bassette appearing in angel costumes to sing a rather bawdy version of an old hymn. The anniversary celebration will feature several musical events. Michael Johnson and Al Day Trio perform Oct. 14 at Mayne Stage to open the week of festivities. The official kickoff concert for the anniversary celebration features Sam Bush and Redwood Landing at the Old Town School of Folk Music at 7 and 10 p.m. Oct. 15. Redwood Landing appears again Oct. 16 with Claudia Schmidt at EvanstonSPACE at 7 p.m. SPACE also will be the site for So Fine: An Amazingrace Celebration of the Music of Steve Goodman and John Prine at 7 p.m. Oct. 21 and a reunion of the legendary Siegel Schwall Band at 8 p.m. Oct. 22. Over the years, the Amazingrace Family members have maintained their special connection and are responsible for organizing the Amazingrace 40th Anniversary Celebration. In addition to musical performances, there will be two events on the Northwestern University campus. At 3 p.m. Oct. 21, The Adventure That Was Amazingrace: Music, Food, Politics and Family will be the topic for a roundtable discussion at the Norris University Center. Members of the Amazingrace Family will tell the story of how Amazingrace left its mark socially, politically, legally, artistically, technically and even gastronomically. The opening reception for the exhibit titled Amazingrace Collective: A Countercultural Legacy at the Northwestern University Library follows at 4:30 p.m. The exhibition, which runs through the end of the year, includes promotional posters, photographs, clothing and other countercultural and Amazingrace memorabilia. A retrospective in the Fall 2011 issue of the Northwestern University alumni magazine by Neil Tesser details the history of Amazingrace, including behind-the-scenes-stories, rare photos of performers (from folk icon Odetta to the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia), and images of some of the famed Amazingrace concert posters.