The best speakeasies of the 1920s and early 1930s were swanky places, where people gathered to enjoy good food, great entertainment and the forbidden fruit of the day, alcohol. Nothing within reason, however, will be forbidden at the Collinsville Social Club’s Speakeasy on Sept. 17.

CSC’s Speakeasy takes place in the art space that is Gallery 101 Main. There will be an eclectic mix of live musical performances. Guests are invited to contribute their own creative pot luck dishes to share with others. And this will be a "bring your own" forbidden fruit event. 

"April to December is the main gallery season for us," advises Gallery 101 owner Doug Tubach. "And, we’re in the second year of our monthly series of Collinsville speakeasy events." 

Tubach spends January to March in California working his "day job," developing visual effects for Industrial Light & Magic, a division of Lucasfilm Ltd. In 2010, he was busy working on the feature films, "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" and "Super 8."

This month’s CSC Speakeasy coincides with Sam Collins Day. Ryan Christenson, a multi-dimensional artist, will bridge the SCD events with those of Gallery 101. Christenson, who spent the summer creating huge murals on buildings, will be producing an original art piece outside Gallery 101, at 3 p.m. Christenson will follow this presentation with a showcase of his fine and graffiti art, inside Gallery 101 at 7 p.m. "He’s on the fast track to artistic stardom," assures Tubach.

So, speakeasy-wise what else can we expect on the 17^th ?

"You’ll be able to socialize with lots of different people; hear all kinds of great music, thanks to talent wrangler Chris Sheehan; eat some interesting food; and enjoy yourself in a casual atmosphere," predicts Tubach. Then, there’s the added prospect of the spontaneous jam session.  

"There have been times," recalls Tubach, "when all the musicians jam at the end of the show. It’s something that’s come to be known as the, 'Collinsville Train Wreck.' One night we had two guitarists, Paul Mallory and Con 'Coyote' Doty, in a battle of Jimi Hendrix solos. It was amazing."

So, will there be a Collinsville Train Wreck on the 17th?

"I hope so! You never know."

Here’s the Deal

Gallery 101 Main, 101 Main St, Collinsville; 860-693-1785: www.gallery101main.com or doug@gallery101main.com

Sam Collins Day, Sept. 17, 2011

3 p.m.: Art Demo by Ryan Christenson

7 to 9 p.m.: Art Exhibition by Ryan Christenson

9 to 11 p.m.: CSC Speakeasy: Pot luck; live music; BYOB  

There’s no cover charge for the CSC Speakeasy, but guests are asked to show their appreciation for the musicians with a monetary donation of their choosing.