The Old Town School of Folk Music has a groundbreaking target for an $18 million expansion at its Lincoln Square site -- complete with classrooms, dance studios and a new 133-seat performance venue.

The planned 27,100-square-foot building -- the school's first new construction in its 53-year history -- will occupy vacant land acquired by the school in 2005 at 4543 N. Lincoln Ave. That's across the street from the Old Town School's primary home, which serves 7,000 students a week and turns away scores of others.

Ground will be broken early next month, and an event celebrating the beginning of the project is set for 6 p.m. Aug. 6, at the new site. The free celebration will feature a group sing-along with the Old Town School's guitar faculty, a Brazilian dance lesson, a jam for stringed instruments and a drum circle.