Jail Brakers and U.U. Congregation Offer Glimpse of Life at Stateville

 

Jail Brakers, the agency that offers support to families with incarcerated loved ones, and the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in McHenry are partnering to present A Day at Statesville in conjunction with the Changing Minds Campaign.

The program will be presented at 2 pm, Sunday, February 24 at the church, 5603 Bull Valley Road in McHenry.

A Day at Stateville is a play illustrating a newcomer’s first day as an inmate at the notorious  Stateville Correctional Facility developed by inmates who are currently facing life sentences without the possibility of parole. “This play’s objective is to inspire community leaders to take action to decrease the increasing number of youths entering the prisons and to advocate the improvement of prisons current conditions,” according to Jail Brakers Executive Director Cheryl Niemo.  

A musical performance by The Siblings will precede the play. 

A $10 donation is requested to defray the expenses of the program.

For more information contact Cheryl Niemo at cmeniemo@gmail.com or the congregation office at 815 322-2464.

Despite a Rainy Night Just Plain Folks Delighted an Enthusiastic Audience

Norm Siegel, Patrick Murfin, Dave Dreyer,  Andrew  Cohen  (seated) Cheryl Niemo, and Andy Andrick join in This Land Is My Land

It was pouring rain in McHenry as show time for Just Plain Folk—Songs About Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation.  The program had been moved into the church building, but a lot of folks expecting the advertised “Mini-folk festival on the Lawn” may have figured that the event was canceled.

But the 55 or so souls who did show up seemed to have a great time and responded enthusiastically to a nicely balanced program.  

After a welcome by the Master of Ceremony—That would be me and greeting from our new minister, the Rev. Sean Dennison,  The Siblings set the table with a tasty set heaving on traditional Appalachian and early country music..  Cheryl Niemo was a stand-out singing lead with great close harmonies by Dave Drayer on the stand-up bull fiddle and Andy Andrick on guitar.

After that, as I observed, the stage would be dominated by  old men with goatees for the rest of the night.  The first of these was Chicago folk scene vet Norman “Mad Dwag” Siegel who did a set heavy on singer-songwriter material from the 60’s.  Highlight included one of Fred Holstein’s signature songs, an updating of a Tom Paxton classic, and an hilarious take on growing older, which struck a chord with his largely graying audience.

But Andrew Cohen really showed why we was the headliner in a tight hour set that was a virtual clinic on great guitar picking and roots blues.  Picking up an all-steel resonator guitar and a pinky slide, he told the story of Casey Jones as the audience had never heard it before.

Then with all of the musicians on stage and the audience on its feet we closed with a Centennial birth year salute to Woody Guthrie by singing This Land is Your Land with the subversive, seldom sung verses.

Final numbers have not been crunched, but it looks like about $490 was raised after expenses for the Compassion for Campers program for homeless PADS clients.  That’s enough to finish this season until the seasonal shelters in county churches open back up for the cold months, and to seed next years work.

Last time Andy Cohen was here, I shared the bill in a words and music program.  Those that thought that they had dodged exposure to poetry this time were shocked and dismayed when I broke out a new one at the top of the show.  And here it is:

My Prayer Tonight

A Poem for Just Plain Folk—Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things

August 9, 2012

Let me be worthy of those

whose names have been forgotten.

Those who stood up,

            stood out

            and stood down.

Those whose hands bled,

            brows sweated

            and backs bent.

Those who nurtured,

            nursed

            and loved without question.

Those who questioned,          

            created

            and cared.

Those who offered hands up,

            hand outs,

            and hands on deck when it mattered.

Those who saw far,

            saw clearly

            and saw what need be done.

Those who sang,

            who danced,

            and laughed despite it all.

Those of faith,

            free thought

            and far horizons.

Oh, Greater Mystery,

            make we worthy of them all.

—Patrick Murfin

Rain or Shine, Just Plain Folks Makes Music on Thursday

The Weather Man on TV now says the heavy rains may be headed our way this Thursday evening.  That’s when Just Plain Folks—Songs About Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things is scheduled at 7 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in McHenry, 5603 Bull Valley Road.

“We planned a mini-music festival on the lawn,” said Patrick Murfin, spokesperson for the church’s Social Justice Committee which is presenting the program, “But we are keeping a close eye on the weather.  In case of rain, or threat of rain, the show will go on as scheduled in the church.  This is a chance for people to visit our beautiful new home in the former Haystacks Manor Restaurant Building.”

The program will feature the return of Memphis based bluesman and master guitarist Andrew Cohen who appeared in well received concert at the church in April.  Also appearing will be longtime Chicago-based folk musician Norman “Mad Dwag” Siegel and McHenry County’s own The Siblings with Cheryl Niemo, Harold Rail, Dave Dreyer, and Andy Andrick.

The performance will benefit Compassion for Campers, a project coordinated by the Social Justice Committee, which provides much-needed assistance for homeless PADS clients who have to camp out or live in their cars from May through September while the church-based rotating shelters are closed. Items such as mosquito repellent, sun screen, camping gear, non-perishable foods, and sanitary supplies are collected and distributed to campers who live in conditions rivaling any Third World squalor. Family style lunch cookouts are also provided to the community every Monday at the PADS office at 14411 Kishwaukee Valley Road.

A $10 donation is requested for admission. Donations of supplies will also be gathered. A complete list of requested items is available on request.

There is plenty of on-site free parking.

For more information, contact Patrick Murfin at pmurfin@sbcglobal.net or 815 814-5645, or visit www.uucofwoodstock.org .

Bluesman Andy Cohen Returns for Mini Folk Festival on the Lawn of UU Congregation in McHenry

Andy Cohen

When Memphis-based blues musician Andy Cohen came to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in McHenry this spring for a music and poetry benefit, he wowed audiences.  Now he is returning, headlining a mini-folk festival on the lawn of the church, 5603 Bull Valley Road on Thursday, August 9 at 7 PM.

Just Plain Folk—Songs About Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things will also feature longtime Chicago-based folk musician Norman “Mad Dwag” Siegel and McHenry County’s own The Siblings: Cheryl Niemo, Harold Rail, Dave Dreyer, and Andy Andrick.

The performance will benefit Compassion for Campers, a project coordinated by the UU Congregation’s Social Justice Committee, which provides much-needed assistance for homeless PADS clients who have to camp out or live in their cars from May through September while the church-based rotating shelters are closed. Items such as mosquito repellent, sun screen, camping gear, non-perishable foods, and sanitary supplies are collected and distributed to campers who live in conditions rivaling any Third World squalor. Family style lunch cookouts are also provided to the community every Monday at the PADS office on Kishwaukee Road.

A $10 donation is requested for admission. Donations of supplies will also be gathered. A complete list of requested items is available on request.

There will be festival-style lawn seating, similar to Ravinia or events on Woodstock Square.  Concert goers should bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy music in the summer air.

In the event of rain or excessive heat, the concert will take place inside the church.

There is plenty of on-site free parking.

For more information, contact Patrick Murfin at pmurfin@sbcglobal.net or 815 814-5645, or visit www.uucofwoodstock.org .