August 22 community music event celebrates the songs of Woody Guthrie and John Prine
BROOKFIELD IL - The fifth annual community concert and block party, “Raymond Unplugged,” will take place Saturday, August 22 from 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm. The event is presented by Music & Potlucks, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and takes place at 3525 Raymond Avenue to support the work of BEDs Plus in La Grange.
“Homelessness and food insecurity are on the rise,” said Stephanie Schrodt, director of Music & Potlucks. “Our mission is to partner with other organizations and do what we can to help. Last year we raised over $2,200 for BEDs and delivered a couple of carloads of groceries and toiletries for their food bank."
“Raymond Unplugged” will feature music by Brookfield resident Mark Dvorak, who is the resident artist at Music & Potlucks, Ashley and Simpson of Downers Grove, Cooler By the Lake, a folk band based in River Forest and Joseph Kostal from the Friendly Music Community in Berwyn.
The block party opens at 4:00 pm, the music begins at 5:00 pm. The evening will conclude with a sing along tribute to song writer John Prine and a tribute to Woody Guthrie.
Since 2017 Music & Potlucks, a state-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit granting organization, has presented over three hundred programs and events, and granted out tens of thousands of dollars to other non-profits in the Chicagoland area.
“This is the sort of community event where folk songs really come to life,” said Dvorak, who is producing the event. “John’s songs, and Woody’s songs too have helped to define and express a message common to all of us during times of struggle."
BEDS Plus has been serving the community since 1988 and partners with area housing agencies to provide housing for people with histories of chronic homelessness. Transitional housing programs are also available for clients with intensive needs, including families, domestic violence survivors, other victims of crime, and transition aged youth.
The event is family friendly and takes place on Raymond Avenue in Brookfield, Illinois. There is no admission charge and some food and beverage will be provided. There will an area for children’s activities and those attending should bring a chair, a picnic and refreshments. Cash donations and donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries will be accepted.
One hundred per-cent of all proceeds collected will go to support BEDS Plus, La Grange IL.
To register for the event and receive an invitation visit Music & Potlucks on line at www.musicandpotlucks.org.
Learn more about BEDS Plus at www.beds-plus.org.
Mark Dvorak is at www.markdvorak.com.