news & buzz
MD back in MI
Bob’s Barn Jamboree to feature Chicago folk legend in Lake Odessa on November 30
LAKE ODESSA, MI - Chicago’s “Official troubadour,” Mark Dvorak will make a rare concert appearance on Sunday, November 30 at Bob’s Barn Jamboree, 1417 Johnson Street, Lake Odessa. The concert begins at 3:00 pm, followed by an all-acoustic folk jam and sing along.
“Our Jamboree is a live recording session that takes place in an actual barn,” said Robert Warner, producer of Bob’s Barn Jamboree. Warner is also know as ‘Bob the Clogger’ in the Midwest folk and dance community. "The sound in our room is superb,” said Warner. …
MD appointed to two arts advisory boards
Chicago folksinger, songwriter and educator Mark Dvorak has accepted appointment to the advisory board of two important Midwest arts organizations.
The Uri-Eichen Gallery, 2101 S. Halsted, Chicago was founded by Kathy Steichen and her husband Chris Urias in 2011.

“Our goal for the gallery was to create an indendent space for art and community building in the Pilsen neighborhood,” said Steichen, who is an activist and employee of the AFL-CIO. “We presnet art exhibitions focusing on the struggles of working people in America and globally. We’re excited and honored to have Mark in the loop as a resource and supporter.”
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Noam Pikelny
Banjo great Noam Pikelny playing his Skokie hometown
by Lilli Kuzma for Sun-Times Media
Banjo virtuoso Noam Pikelny is having a very good year. The Skokie native, a graduate of Niles North High School, was recently named banjo player of the year by the International Bluegrass Music Association, which also honored him with the Album of the Year award for his critically acclaimed “Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe.”
Pikelny has found success as a founding member of progressive bluegrass quintet, Punch Brothers, and before that was in the lineup with Leftover Salmon and The John Cowan Band. …