Concert celebrates Carl Sandburg's legacy in Elmhurst

Carl Sandburg's legacy as a poet, writer and folk musician is a source of pride for the Prairie State, as well as the City of Elmhurst.

Through his vivid, honest and often gritty depictions of American life, the Prairie Poet had a knack for colorful imagery that connected with the masses and earned him wide acclaim and eventually three Pulitzer Prizes.

Sandburg was born in Galesburg and eventually settled with his family in Elmhurst in 1919 during a prolific time in his career. The Elmhurst History Museum is commemorating the 100th anniversary of Sandburg's settling in Elmhurst - where he lived from 1919 for nearly a decade - and his first Pulitzer Prize win in the same year with a special folk concert in his honor.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, April 14, the Elmhurst History Museum presents "The Poetry of Carl Sandburg, Music of Chris Vallillo." Popular folk musician Chris Vallillo, described as "Illinois' pre-eminent prairie-poet singer-songwriter," presents a combination of Sandburg's poetry paired with his own original music and several selections from Sandburg's American folk song collection.

Vallillo's style is often compared to Sandburg's, and he is known for evoking the people and places of rural America.

"For years people have been telling me my work reminded them of Sandburg's poetry," Vallillo said. "When I began to explore the possibilities, I was struck by just how powerful the combination was."

Much as Sandburg himself, Vallillo spent several years collecting and documenting the music of rural Illinois, much of which influenced his own work.

The program takes place in the Elmhurst History Museum's Education Center at 120 E. Park Ave. in downtown Elmhurst. Registration for the concert is required and can be made online at www.elmhursthistory.org (in the Adult Programs section) or by calling (630) 530-6879. The cost is $5 and limited free parking is available on-site. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

The Elmhurst History Museum is a department of the City of Elmhurst supported by the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit organization.

If you go

What: "The Poetry of Carl Sandburg, Music of Chris Vallillo"

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, April 14

Where: Elmhurst History Museum's Education Center, 120 E. Park Ave.

Cost: $5

Info: elmhursthistory.org