In case you missed it, the musical event of the decade happened last Sunday, i.e., Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony performed by the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest and the Heritage Chorale and City Voices Chorus. Riccardo Muti, conductor of the Chicago Symphony was there, he definitely knows a good musical event when he sees it. I can’t help you out with a promise of a repeat. But you can show your support of this august group by attending the Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) dinner, silent auction to benefit the symphony. Tickets are $40 for a single, $75 for two. This wonderful event will take place right here on Madison Street at Skrine Chops at 7 p.m.
Or you may want to attend a celebration of the birthday of Franz Schubert on Jan. 31 at the Frank Lloyd Wright Unity Temple on Lake Street. More details on this Schubertiad to follow.
Rain or shine, snow or sleet, whatever the weather, you’ll see them together on the way to their posts every day. Jim and Cathy Thompson, always a good-bye kiss and then they are off to do their civic duty, protecting our kids.
For something complete different and fantastic, check out the concert at Pineapple Dance Studio Friday, Jan. 23. See a real whirling dervish named Azaz of the Mevlavi Sufi Order, along with the internationally known Yuval Ron Ensemble. There will be whirling, poetry, sacred ritual and devotional music of the East. 7518 Madison Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Call for more info: 708-299-2608.
The first annual FoPaPalooza will be held at First United Church, 1000 Elgin on Jan. 24 at 5:30 p.m. for viewing of the Historical Society Museum. A concert will begin at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Admission is $10 for non-members, $8 for members. Call Diane Grah at 708.232.3747 for advance tickets or for more information. ( Children under 12, $5) Music will be provided by The Gasse School of Music, Los Primos, The Medina’s, Tam and Dan, John Milan, Alyssa Allgood andthe Harlem Maenner und Damen Chor.
Paul Lindblad and King Henry VIII request your presence at the Jan. 25 season of the Epiphany at Saint John Lutheran Church, 305 Circle at 4 p.m. A six-course medieval feast will be served with choral and instrumental fanfare preceding each course. Guests will witness the baptism of Jesus, the changing of water into wine, and ending with the Transfiguration. Along with the Saint John Choristers, the adult choir, the Handbell Choir , guest choirs singers and instrumentalists will supply the music. And those Lutherans are really good at music. For more information contact the music department at 847.420.9200, Paul Lindblad. Checks may be made payable to St. John Lutheran Church, 305 Circle, Forest Park, 60130.
Happy birthday to Cassidy Brown, Andree Catalano, Olivia Schwebl, Erin Connor, Cathy Woods, Tracy Aleksy, Kathy Doss, Gladys Gulla, Connor Bafetti, Natalie Frank, Kelly Rosen, Catherine Marquart Nickels, Tracy Doss, Orion Javier, Leela Itzel, Esther Huebner and Mozart, W. A. Happy anniversary to Connie and Matt Brown.
Jackie is a former Chicago and Elmwood Park schoolteacher with an undying love for music, friendly pets and a host of life’s other treasures too numerous to list. She was born on the far southwest side of Chicago in a great neighborhood when it was a great time to be young.
