MACKINAW IL - Chicago's official troubadour, Mark Dvorak will perform at Mackinaw's first Firehouse Concert on Friday, August 9 at 6:00 pm. The event will take place at the Mackinaw Firehouse, 104 W. Madison and is sponsored by the Mackinaw Historical Collection and the Mackinaw District Library.
Dvorak, a song writer, folk historian and multi-instrumentalist will entertain with songs from Illinois history, five string banjo music and some of his original compositions.
The program will include two recently written songs about Mackinaw's Hermit, Charles Schultz who lived alone in a home he built on a bluff overlooking the Mackinaw River. Schultz passed away in 1936, but it wasn't until June of this year that a memorial stone was placed on his grave.
Kathy Friend, from the Mackinaw Historical collection organized a campaign to raise money to fund the creation of the gravestone, and also contacted Dvorak, who wrote two songs for the June 22 dedication ceremony.
"We were very happy with Mark's songs about our Hermit," said Friend. "We played CDs of the songs at the ceremony, and there was applause after each one. I heard many compliments. We're happy Mark is able to join us for a live performance at the Fire House."
"It was an interesting assignment," said Dvorak, who wrote and recorded 'The Ballad of Charlie Schultz,' and 'My Shanty on the Hill.' "Both songs were inspired by my conversations with Kathy, and by going over the materials and photographs she sent me. I feel like I have come to know Mr. Schultz in some way. I am looking forward to visiting Stout's Hill and walking the area where Charlie built his home."
A CD containing both songs will be available at the Firehouse concert, along with Dvorak's other recordings.
"These songs belong to Mackinaw," he said. "It is so inspiring when people take interest and work so hard to preserve their own local history. I am grateful for the chance to help tell Charlie's story in some small way."
All ages are welcome and admission to the concert is free. Food will be available for purchase. For more information contact Kathy Friend at 309 359 6281.
Visit Mark Dvorak's web site www.markdvorak.com.
• Click here for a free download of "The Ballad of Charlie Schultz"