Music & Potlucks awards grants to Youth Crossroads, Maywood Fine Arts & Frank Hamilton School
BERWYN IL - Music & Potlucks presented the 8th annual Folktoberfest on Thursday October 24, Friday October 25 and Sunday, October 27, at the Friendly Music Community, 6731 Roosevelt Road. Proceeds the event supported Youth Crossroads and the Frank Hamilton School in Decatur, Georgia.
The event kicked off Thursday October 24 with an acoustic jam and sing along hosted by folk singer songwriter Mark Dvorak.
Friday, October 25 featured a special live stream interview and conversation with folk music legend Frank Hamilton and a screening of the award-winning documentary film Frank Hamilton and the Folk Revival : From Woody Guthrie to “We Shall Overcome.” The conversation and screening supported the Frank Hamilton Music School in Decatur, Georgia.
Hamilton along with Win Stracke, cofounded Chicago’s venerable Old Town School of Folk Music in 1957. After a long and successful career in music that included a stint performing the hit folk quartet The Weavers, Hamilton found himself in the Atlanta area and in 2015 realized the timing was right to start a new school based upon the successful teaching methods used in Chicago.
A special Folktoberfest Community Concert featuring members of the acoustic rock group Risky Tingles who were finalists in the 2024 Law Rocks event, which raises money for local non-profit organizations. Music & Potlucks resident artist Mark Dvorak, joined by longtime singing partner Marianne Mohrhusen, also performed. The local folk ensemble Cooler By the Lake opened the show. The concert supported Youth Crossroads in Berwyn, Illinois.
Youth Crossroads supports youth and their families, guiding them through life’s challenges, and inspiring them to discover new opportunities for personal development, healthy relationships, and positive community involvement.
“Youth Crossroads has been serving the community since 1971,” said Josephine DiCesare, Executive Director. “We’ve gone through some changes over the years but the need for youth and family services is ongoing, and without Youth Crossroads, the youth in our community would not get the guidance, support, and inspiration they desperately need"
"Each autumn Music & Potlucks puts together a special series of events to support a local service organization or a community education program,” said Stephanie Schrodt of River Forest, who is co-director of Music & Potlucks, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
“We’re so proud to be able to grant $2,000 to the Frank Hamilton School, $2,000 to Youth Crossroads, and $2,000 to Maywood Fine Arts to support their music & dance programs. We’re grateful for the generosity of this community to help us support our neighbors in need.
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Learn more about the Friendly Music Community, Coffee Lounge & Music School at www.friendlymusic.community or phone 708.484.9794.