Join the Team

John Mark

Owner/Founder/Host/Question Writer

From the 309, John Mark founded Twin City Trivia in 2014 when he noticed Bloomington/Normal needed a Trivia nightlife.

He grew up on Seinfeld, 80’s pop, and the Cubs. He loves running the business, Spicy Chicken Fillet sandwiches from Wendy’s and stand-up comedy. When he’s not working, he enjoys going on adventures out of town whenever possible.

He has a 19-year-old son who loves baseball like his father, a Beagle named Emmy, a mini Goldendoodle named Lady Bird, and his roommate, Alexa, lives in an Amazon Echo on his desk.

Hugs and kisses.

Hosts at Pour Bros. (Bloomington) on Wednesdays

Doug

Head of Hosting Operations/Trivia/Music Bingo Host

Since Doug was a little boy, he dreamed of becoming a trivia host. Just kidding. Doug can’t dream because he’s too tough for sleep. But on the rare occasions that he does dream, it’s unrelentingly about the Starship Enterprise.

Doug will eat leftover food from the refrigerator that has no discernible date of production- without first instituting the smell test. He never misses an opportunity to use the finger guns. He had a favorite stuffed raccoon named Coonie when he was a lad. His basement bar is rated a top 30 Bloomington/Normal attraction on Trip Advisor. Doug’s insatiable appetite for hot wings is only eclipsed by his infatuation with breakfast cereal.

A nerd in his own right (but the cool kind of nerd, not the kind that makes you rich), Doug has a diversity of useless knowledge and a jocular personality that can only assure that trivia nights with him will be fun and unforgettable. Every. Single. Time.

Hosts at:

Tuesday: CRAFTED (Bloomington)
Wednesday: Minier Tap (Minier)

Allison

Head of Seattle Operations/Trivia Host/Music Bingo Host

Allison is a native Seattleite and pollinator enthusiast who likes very long walks to bakeries and really terrible puns. Send her one. She dares you.

Russ

Question Writer/Spreadsheet Wizard/Trivia Host

Software developer by day, Russ has been writing and hosting trivia events since 2001, and got into the pub quiz business in 2012.

When he’s not writing trivia or hosting, he enjoys competing in trivia competitions around the US and hanging out with his wife Tammy, kids Emma and Jack, and dog Mabel. He’s impossibly boring.

Trivia specialties include 80’s Pop Culture, Art, and the Oscars.

You can find him sleeping in on Saturdays.

Hosts at Anvil and Forge (Springfield, IL) on Thursdays

Adam

Question Writer/Trivia Host

Dan L.

Question Writer

Dan is the younger, more presentable brother of Twin City Trivia host Mike L. A Bloomington-Normal native, he sought comfort in the warm embrace of video games, movies and music growing up since he was too uncoordinated to be successful at team sports. An assemblage of trivial and often niche knowledge, he began playing Twin City Trivia at Firehouse a few years ago.

Dan works as a teaching assistant at a local junior high school and also works part time at his uncle’s meat shop. When he is not hosting or writing trivia, Dan enjoys playing PC games, absorbing mass amounts of minutia from the internet, hanging out with his dog and sometimes he actually goes outside to play disc golf.

Ian W.

Question Writer/Trivia Host

Early one sweltering morning during the waning days of the Reagan administration, a strange child was born to a perfectly normal American family. He eventually grew up, cobbled together enough brain waves to speak, write, and hold a microphone, and learned to entertain bar patrons for a nominal fee.

Originally from Illinois, Ian has bounced around this country having lived in Wisconsin and Colorado before finding himself back in his home state. He has worn many different hats, but trivia has always been the main one. Specializing in geography, history, and music, he writes questions on things you’ve never heard of but with answers you can totally get.

When not scouring the Internet for random facts and obscure music, he can be found seeking out a career path that will pay the bills. And if you’re lucky and approach him nicely, you might find him playing on your trivia team as a ringer eager to make friends.

Ian hosts:
Mondays:  All Music Round Trivia at Smash House in Bloomington, IL

Wednesdays:  Trivia at Crawford’s Pub in Bloomington, IL

Jason (aka Rockey)

Question Writer

Having mastered the art of the high-angle MySpace selfie, Jason decided to give trivia a try.
He is an avid supporter of the Twin City Trivia format who spent a few years as a player before stepping up to host.
Having peaked too early by being nominated valedictorian of his junior high school, Jason claims to have pretty much petered out from there.

Formerly an Arby’s General Manager, he now works in social media and no longer “has the meats”.
Jason is a fan of nerd stuff like Marvel Comics, Pro Wrestling, and The Simpsons. He has an exhaustive collection of Funko POPs, which is now something he realizes he maybe shouldn’t admit to on a public forum.

Jason grew up in the Peoria area and still lives there with his wife Jen and his large adult son, Groot.

Kyle O.

Question Writer/Trivia Host

They say that those who can’t do, teach, and that those who can’t win Trivia, host.  Kyle is a teacher and trivia host (and club sponsor, track coach, book editor, and more) from right here in Bloomington-Normal.  He’s never been to Disney and doesn’t feel bad about it.

Kyle was once likened to a “wise gibbon,” which may be the nicest thing anyone has ever said about him.

Shoutout to Barbara Boll Weevil, Kyle’s Trivia team mascot and good luck charm.

Hosts Trivia at Keg Grove (Bloomington, IL) on Wednesdays

Steve S.

Question Writer

Whether you’ve heard him screaming at the top of his lungs announcing local indie wrestling or on the radio around BloNo, you may have heard Steve’s voice before.

A weekly regular at Firehouse, Steve’s Trivia expertise is niche.  He’s got college mascots and 90’s wrestling covered…just don’t ask him anything about movies.

Brandon

Trivia Host

Originally from Iroquois County, Brandon has lived in Taylorville since 2001 when he moved there to become a radio announcer and news reporter. Having left full time radio in 2011, he has spent the last decade as a part-time broadcaster, hotel manager and medical biller.

In Trivia, he is known primarily for his sports expertise. He has also written and hosted a variety of trivia fundraisers. In addition to Trivia, Brandon is an avid fan of boxing, bowling, the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Marlins.

He and his wife Megan serve on the board of the Forever Home Feline Ranch cat rescue in Rochester. He has two sons and five cats.

Hosts at:

Brewski’s (Springfield, IL) on Wednesdays

Brenna

Trivia/Music Bingo Host

Hi, I’m Brenna! Outside of hosting trivia, you can usually find me in the salon or out enjoying a good meal with friends—often with my dog by my side. I started going to trivia after moving to the Bloomington-Normal area and quickly fell in love with the community. Now, I’m excited to be part of it from the host’s mic!

Brian

Trivia/Music Bingo Host

Born in Springfield, in the glorious, neon specter of the 1980’s, Brian early on picked up a knack for remembering truly useless info. He parlayed this into a love of all things trivia, and when he came of drinking age, hit the ground running in the pub quiz circuit. After playing for nearly a decade, he figured if you can’t beat them, join them.

When he isn’t hosting a Trivia or Music Bingo night, Brian can be found sitting in front of his computer trying to make sure things don’t blow up for the state Treasurer’s office. He still enjoys going to the occasional Trivia night when he has time and loves spending whatever free time left playing video games or rooting on the Atlanta Braves.

Hosts at:

Trivia at Hand of Fate on Wednesdays (Petersburg)

Trivia/Music Bingo at It’s All About Wine on Saturdays (Springfield)

Chris S.

Trivia Host

Chris was born and raised in Pekin, IL.  He’s married with 2 daughters, a dog named Ivy Grace, and a cat named Maggie.

During the day, he’s an Account Manager for Coca-Cola.  He’s a lover of all genres of music, movies, TV (especially The Simpsons), with an unhealthy addiction to Air Jordan’s and tattoos.

He’s an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Cubs, and is fuled by Monster and frozen pizza.

Chris hosts Trivia at Jac’s Doghouse on Thursday nights in Pekin, IL.

Cassie

Trivia Host

Bio Coming Soon

Hosts at DR McKays (Bloomington, IL) on Thursday nights

Daniel

Trivia/Music Bingo Host

Bio Coming Soon!

Curt

Trivia Host

Born and raised in Kewanee, IL, Curt moved to Blo/No in 1999 to attend ISU and never left. After earning a degree in the biological sciences, he followed the career path of so many before him in the field by promptly taking a job in social services working with kids.

Even after forcing John Mark to read a litany of raunchy and offensive team names while playing weekly trivia at Firehouse for years, he still offered Curt the opportunity to host a night.

When not playing or hosting trivia, Curt can be found drinking whiskey, throwing darts, and playing tunes at local open mic nights and gigs around Blo/No.

Hosts at:

Station Saloon (Downs) on Mondays

Barrel  House (Bloomington) on Tuesdays

Ian M.

Music Bingo Host

Joel

Trivia/Music Bingo Host

Joel is a life-long resident of the Bloomington/Normal community and has always loved playing trivia with, and against, his friends.  He used to observe verbal arguments during family game nights about who got to have him on their team, because he has a wealth of so-called “worthless knowledge” rattling around in his head, as well as countless song lyrics. Don’t ask him to remember your birthday, but if you need to know the lyrics of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire”, he’s your guy.

If Joel isn’t playing or hosting Trivia or Music Bingo, you can most likely find him chasing Tiffany, Here Come the Mummies, or Reba around the country as this is his favorite past-time.

Joel Hosts Music Bingo at:

Lil Beaver Brewery on Mondays in Bloomington, IL

Lucky 7’s on Wednesdays in Bloomington, IL

BloNo Pizza on Thursdays in Bloomington, IL

Joni (AKA JZ)

Trivia Host

Joni is proud to be born & raised in Decatur, IL. She graduated from Illinois State with a degree in Elementary Education, but soon thereafter, realized she wasn’t all that fond of other people’s children. So she called an audible and entered the exotic, prestigious career of Crop Insurance, even though she admittedly knows nothing about farming. Her passion lies in volunteerism, though. She’s mentored with Big Brothers Big Sisters and has been on the Board of Directors for United Way of Mid Illinois since 2018.

As a consummate cat mom, Joni’s pride & joy are her three sassy fluffballs named Harlow, Piper, and Fiona. In her spare time, Joni enjoys going to concerts & STL Cardinals games, experimenting with fashion, putting together jigsaw puzzles, watching Letterkenny & Schitt’s Creek, and spending sunny afternoons on other people’s boats. Joni is fluent in 5 languages… profanity, rap lyrics, sexual innuendos, meowing, and sarcasm.

Loves: Guacamole, snakes, and Amazon Prime
Hates: Spiders, wet paper towels, and dangling prepositions
Excels at: Party Planning, making up new lyrics to existing songs, and Flippy Cup

Hosts at:
Wednesdays: Lincoln Square Lounge (Decatur)

Kameron

Trivia/Music Bingo Host

Kameron is a former resident of Colfax and graduated from Ridgeview High School and then Illinois State University.

He is a Sci-Fi Buff and a huge Trekkie.  He collects Star Trek memorabilia and enjoys playing Trivia and now hosting.

Hosts at Colfax Bar and Grill on Wednesday Nights.  (Colfax, IL)

Katy

Music Bingo Host

Katy has hosted various events around Seattle and Los Angeles over the last twenty years, but Music Bingo is, by far, the most fun and unique event she’s hosted.

When she’s not hosting Music Bingo, she’s the office and leasing manager for a local apartment building, does tons of craft projects, hangs out with her dog and cat, and performs around town with her cover band, Dis Chord.

Katy hosts Music Bingo at Chuck’s Hop Shop (Greenwood) on Wednesdays

Kendal

Music Bingo Host

Originally from Northern California, Kendal is a Seattle transplant who fell in love with Music Bingo while living in Norfolk, Virginia.  A West Coaster at heart, Kendal knew he needed to bring Music Bingo back to the “Best Coast”.

He grew up on golden oldies and loves all genres of music but thrives on the 80’s, 90’s, and his favorite genre, Yacht Rock.

Kendal was a former 7th Grade Science teacher and now trains school IT Directors how to integrate Google into their environment.  So you could say Kendal likes to talk for a living.  This is perfect because he stumbled upon hosting Music Bingo which is another outlet for him to chat it up.  Outside of work and hosting, Kendal loves to draw, explore the outdoors, paddleboard and tasted all of the craft beers… “for science”.  He also recently self-published his second children’s book and is working on a music based book next!

Hosts at:

Good Society Brewing (West Seattle) on Wednesdays

Marty

Trivia Host

Marty “McFly” Ryan was born and raised in Lincoln, IL. After spending 6 years in Milwaukee, and another 7 in the Chicago suburbs, he has not-so-triumphantly returned to his roots. While growing up, if he and his friends weren’t riding bikes or playing sports, they were quoting lines from TV and movies. Marty loves live music and is a huge Grateful Dead fan. His daughter, Dylan, is almost 6 and she is the love of his life.

Top movies:
The Big Lebowski, The Royal Tennenbaums, Goodfellas, and The Burbs.

Top TV shows:
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Eastbound & Down, and Arrest Development.

Hosts at Spirited Republic on Wednesdays (Lincoln, IL)

Nate T.

Trivia Host

Nate grew up in Bloomington, IL and now resides in Champaign with his girlfriend. He is a middle school teacher by day, so you know he can handle all the stress and heckling associated with being a trivia host.

When he is not hosting trivia, he likes watching college football, going to concerts, annoying his friends with Seinfeld quotes, collecting coins and sports memorabilia, and drinking a beer or two.

Nate hosts Trivia at The Axe Bar in Champaign, IL on Wednesdays

Nick M.

Trivia Host

Originally from the Springfield, IL area now living in Champaign, Nick brings the jokes and sarcasm to trivia nights thanks to his years as a podcaster and DJ.  Now with the ability to put another microphone in his hand, Nick has turned to Trivia.

In 2021, Nick became the PA announcer for the Fighting Illini Men’s Hockey team. Nick does trivia night hosting to help support his son’s very expensive travel sport…Hockey.

Nick loves sipping on a good bourbon while listening to music, watching comedy shows, reading comics, and watching Marvel movies and TV shows. You can also win him over with a really cheesy Dad joke.

Hosts Trivia at:

YoYo’s on Tuesdays  (Mahomet, IL)

VFW on Wednesdays (Champaign, IL)

Paige

Trivia/Music Bingo Host

Paige is a transplant to Central Illinois from the Chicago suburbs (ISU ’23), and loves meeting new people from BloNo & the surrounding area. Paige is the Volunteer Recruiter/Trainer for CASA, where she recruits community volunteers to become Court Appointed Special Advocates for children living in foster care.

When she’s not keeping busy with her day job and hosting duties, you can find her spending time outside hiking at COMLARA park (& other nearby trails), or spending time inside binge-watching tv shows with her cat Ariel!

Some of Paige’s favorite things: Sitcoms, caffeinated drinks, trying not to kill houseplants, Downtown Bloomington, singing along with Disney movies, & anything that contains chocolate

Rose

Trivia and Music Bingo Host

Hailing from the small town of Eureka, Rose got bit by the travel bug at a young age so she is always trying to see new places!

Rose loves a good drink and alcohol is her trivia specialty- especially wine. She also never says no to a shot (Hint, hint!).

She’s a loving mother to 2 crazy cats, Luna and Apollo. If you enjoy watching someone dance with their shoulders and sing along to all the songs then check her out at Music Bingo! And if you want a good laugh hearing her mispronounced words, join her for Trivia!

Hosts at:
Music Bingo at Chi Family Express (Bloomington, IL) on Tuesdays

Trivia at The Outpost (Eureka, IL) on Wednesdays

Music Bingo at The Local Tap (El Paso, IL) on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Scott Z.

Trivia Host

Hi.  I’m Scott Zorn.  Pastor by day (and night), bible teaching geek and a Tuesday night trivia freak.  Doing TCT at Honest Abe’s in Morris IL where I have lived the past 13 years.

Scott hosts:

Trivia at Honest Abe’s on Tuesdays (Morris, IL)

Steve J.

Trivia Host

Steve “Stevie J” Jepson is originally from Wheaton, Illinois where he cut his teeth as a carpenter. He quickly changed professions due to dental costs and when he learned that he was supposed to be cutting the wood instead. Steve went to ISU not once, but twice, because he just couldn’t get enough learning and really enjoys having student loans. Graduating with a Bachelors in English in 2018 he currently works in the insurance industry.

When not hosting trivia, Steve can be found playing trivia with friends, writing poetry and short stories, or juggling outside.

Steve loves talking books, comics, and movies/cinema with anyone so don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation about your faves!

Steve hosts Trivia at Chi Family Express (Bloomington, IL) on Wednesdays

Shannon

Trivia Host

Hi, I’m Shannon, your trivia hype woman and cheerleader for those moments when your brain isn’t braining! Hailing from Davenport, IA, where I wrote and hosted trivia for three years, I now bring my energy and charm to Peoria’s trivia scene. As a stay-at-home mom to three awesome boys (21, 16, and 2), my youngest keeps me on my toes, but trivia nights are my escape to connect with this amazing community. I’m also training to become an addiction counselor, a passion fueled by my own recovery journey.

Join me for fun, fast-paced trivia that’ll test your knowledge and leave you smiling!

Tony

Trivia Host

PhD in Biology! During his time in grad school, Tony studied how reptiles with temperature-dependent sex determination could be affected by climate change. Friends and co-workers have described him as “the heart of the friend group”, “the life of the party”, and “the eternal hype man”. Top interests include but are not limited to:  Science, History, A Song of Fire and Ice, Anime, Rock Music, and… TRIVIA!

Will

Trivia Host

Will is a goofy RPG enthusiast and stay-at-home dad who converted his dungeon-mastering ability into trivia-hosting skills. He also dabbles in dog agility training, PC building, playing bass guitar, and singing karaoke enthusiastically (although not particularly well).

He also enjoys craft beer, cider, and mead as well as Golden State Warriors basketball.

Will hosts Trivia at Knomad Bar (Austin, TX) on Wednesdays

Thagg

Trivia Host

Bio Coming Soon!

Hosts Trivia at:

BloNo Pizza (Bloomington, IL) on Mondays

Windjammer (Bloomington, IL) on Wednesdays

Casper Brewing (Bloomington, IL) on Saturdays