Start April With a Musical Bang at Tree of Life UU Congregation

Don’t be fooled!  The Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 5603 Bull Valley Road in McHenry is the place for music, entertainment, and even some spiritual enlightenment as we usher in April and the glories of spring.

First up, on Friday, April 1 at 7 pm the Haystacks Coffee House opens up for the spring session of its popular Open Mic and Jam Nights.  

Ukulele ensemble at Haystacks Coffee House, left to right Beth Hoover, Sue Kazluski, Amy Beth, Cassandra Vohs-Demann, Laurel Palma, and Dorothy Biris.

The evening will feature local performers working in a variety of musical styles—folk, rock and roll, jazz, pop, and classical, as well as spoken word performances by comedians, story tellers, and poets.  This Old Man will be on hand as usual with some original verse and a shout out to the beginning of National Poetry Month. 

“Our performers are ready and eager to celebrate spring,” said Thomas Steffens who coordinates Haystacks Coffee House performances.

Light refreshments including coffee, soft drinks, and water are available at no charge and there is no fee for admittance.  A free will offering will be taken to defray expenses.

And then on Sunday, April 3 the 10:45 worship services will feature the Church of Vivaldi with Greenleaf Strings, an up and coming young string quartet based in Chicago with violinists Paula Johannesen and Brian Ostrega, violist Emma Strohbusch, and cellist Rachel Schuld.    Johannesen, Ostrega, and Strohbusch all have master’s degrees from Roosevelt University and Schuld has a bachelor’s degree in cello performance.

Italian Baroque composer, virtuoso violinist, teacher, and cleric, Antonio Lucio Vivaldi is best known for his violin concertos known as the Four Seasons including Spring.  The Rev. Sean Parker Dennison will provide readings and commentary celebrating spring and rebirth. 

This is the third in an innovative worship service series that highlights various genres of music as spiritual experiences.  The Church of Jazz featuring the work of Duke Ellington and the Church of Folk with veteran singer/song writer Joe Jenks were the first popular installments in the series.  The fourth and final one will be the Church of Rock on May 1.

Call 815 322-2464 for more information, e-mail office@treeoflifeuu.org, or visit http://treeoflifeuu.org .