Movie helps remind us of music's importance

In 1982, our 3-year-old daughter became enamored with the way Itzhak Perlman played his violin on "Sesame Street."

Nearly nonstop, Ashley begged for violin lessons, which she began at age 8 when music instruction was offered in third grade.

In fourth grade, the flute was my instrument of choice, but I was better at singing in the chorus than playing an instrument -- and I'm a lousy singer. So I was thrilled when Ashley took to the violin -- and later the piano and viola -- providing much joy in the orchestra all the way through high school.

On Saturday I tuned into the 1999 film "Music of the Heart," a true story about violinist Roberta Guaspari Demetras, the inspiration for Opus 118 Harlem School of Music.

The movie stars Meryl Streep as the substitute teacher who fought to bring -- and keep -- a string music program into the lives of young public school students in East Harlem, N.Y.

Somehow I'd missed the Oscar-nominated movie in the theater, but its themes of education, challenges, hope, romance, arts appreciation, determination and fundraising hit home.

Inspiring and sometimes heartbreaking, I found myself trying to hold back tears during "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and other familiar classical melodies, reminiscent of Ashley's repertoire.

When I mentioned the movie to Ashley, who has learned to compensate for dyslexia, she said she credits violin instruction with helping in academics, too.

"I'm convinced learning to read music helped me with my memorization skills and both reading and math," she said.

Catch "Music of the Heart" when you can. You'll likely connect with its themes, too.

The movie certainly reminded me to appreciate the performing and fine arts programs supported by our area boards of education.

Naperpalooza

Naperpalooza, the musical, cultural, community experience sponsored by the Rotary Club of Naperville/Sunrise, will go live from 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the warehouse of Jackson Moving and Storage, 740 Frontenac St.

The new event replaces the Beaux Arts Ball and will benefit several educational endeavors.

Sunrise Rotarian promoter and event planner Kevin Glynn recently visited Rotary/Downtown to drum up ticket sales. Glynn touts the party as a time for "charitable, partying citizens to enjoy all the music we grew up with."

Two bands, The Play Doctors and the Ides of March, will perform at the "best rock 'n' roll party in Naperville," Glynn said.

For one, all-inclusive price (now $150), revelers will enjoy spirited libation and gourmet food from many of Naperville's finest restaurants. And you don't have to don your fanciest duds to attend. In fact, one reveler said he's wearing Harley-Davidson cruiser gear.

Naperpalooza is primed to raise money to replace instruments for high school music programs in Pass Christian, Miss.

Naperville Responds, one of my pet projects, identified Pass Christian as its "Partner City" in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Since October 2005, our community has raised nearly $1 million in cash and in-kind services to build 20 homes, half of which are either finished or under construction.

Check out www.napervilleresponds.org for a running progress report.

Naperpalooza also will fund local needs-based scholarships.

And party goers can help fill a 20-foot container for shipment to Tikondane, Zambia, in support of the club's international service school-building project.

"We'll have the container at Naperpalooza on Saturday," e-mailed Rotarian Joe Haselhorst, who visited Tikondane with other Sunrise Rotarians and family members several months ago.

"We'll be sending a Solar Oven for a bakery, ultrasound and dental equipment, etc. And we're accepting other items that will support educational and medical needs."

Donations of new and gently-used items will have a direct impact on an impoverished community in Africa, Haselhorst said.

School desks; bicycles for AIDS caregivers; men's, women's and children's clothing; shoes; gardening implements; non-electrical kitchen items; children's books; textbooks through eighth-grade level; home medical supplies; eyeglasses and watches are needed.

For all the colorful details, visit www.naperpalooza.com or e-mail naperpalooza@napervillesunrise.com.