FolktoberFest scores

Music & Potlucks and Friendly Community partner to raise funds for Beyond Hunger

OAK PARK IL - The sixth annual, four-event Folktoberfest presented by Music & Potlucks, a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, took place October 26, 27 and 29, at the Friendly Music Community, 6733 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. Byline Bank as well as several anonymous donors sponsored the event and one-hundred percent of the proceeds earned went to support Beyond Hunger.

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Beyond Hunger Food Pantry is located in the lower level of the First Untied Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake Street. For over 40 years Beyond Hunger has created solutions to end hunger through comprehensive programs that provide emergency food to families in need, summer meals for children when school is out and connecting individuals to valuable resources such as SNAP food stamp cards.

Stephanie Schrodt (pictured right) and Liz Ziehl (pictured left) of Music & Potlucks, turned over a check for $1,500 to Teri Miller, Development Director at Beyond Hunger on Tuesday, November 14. 

"Each autumn Music & Potlucks puts together a special series of events to support a local service organization,” said Schrodt of River Forest, who is co-director of Music & Potlucks. “We’re so excited to have partnered with the Friendly Community in Berwyn to support Beyond Hunger.”

“I simply love what Music & Potlucks is all about,” said Rob Pierce who has operated the Friendly Tap since 2007. Since then he has opened the Friendly Coffee Lounge, the Friendly Music School and added the multi-use Community Room earlier this year. 

“We’re in the business of attraction,” said Pierce in a recent interview. “Our goal is to create space where people of all ages can gather for music, for lessons or for a cup of coffee. Music & Potlucks does incredible work in the community and their mission and ours, are pretty much in alignment.”

On Thursday, October 26 folk singer songwriter Mark Dvorak hosted the “Acoustic Neighbors Folk Jam.”

On Friday, October 27 journalist and author Mark Guarino dropped by to discuss his new book Country & Midwestern. The book chronicles Chicago's pivotal role as a country and folk music capital. From the old WLS National Barn Dance to the opening of the Gate of Horn club and the Old Town School of Folk Music, to the alt-country movement, Country & Midwestern has received rave reviews across the country. 

Sunday, October 29 featured two events, “The Singing Habit” workshop hosted by Dvorak and a “Sing Along Concert” later that evening.

Visit Music & Potlucks at www.musicandpotlucks.org.

Learn more about the Friendly Music Community, Coffee Lounge & Music School at  www.friendlymusic.community or phone 708.484.9794.

Find Mark Guarino and Country & Midwestern at www.countryandmidwestern.com.

Mark Dvorak is at www.markdvorak.com.

Stay in touch • markdvorakinfo@gmail.com • PO Box 181 • Brookfield IL 60513 • 312 315 4273