Enjoy lunch, performance of 'The Gift and the Curse' Sept. 1

On Thursday, Sept. 1, the Women's Fellowship of First Congregational Church invites you to enjoy a lunch and performance by Karen Berk Barak of "The Gift and the Curse." The luncheon starts at noon at the church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake.

This show takes you on a journey of her personal life story as a second- and third-generation Holocaust survivor told through stories, pictures and music. For information, visit www.fcc-cl.org or call (815) 459-6010. It is free but a freewill offering will be accepted.

Barak is a classically trained pianist who began studying and performing at the age of 7. At age 14, she was the youngest to win the Young Peoples Concerto Competition of Ohio and at age 16, the Golda Meir Competition of Israel. With her comedic and musical talents, she turned to theater at 18 and was cast as several leads in college and as part of the professional Porthouse Summerstock Theater company. In 1983, she recorded a poignant song in Israel called "In Beirut" which quickly catapulted her onto the Israeli music scene. Topping Israeli charts, the song was revolutionary in nature and the first written in English to achieve national recognition. She lives in Chicago and performs customized concerts as an entertainer, singer, songwriter, author, and comedian. Her commanding presence and emotional delivery make her a sought after performer around the country. Her writing and music has also been featured on various radio programs including the "Eight Forty Eight" show on Chicago's public radio station WBEZ. She uses her artistry to entertain, educate and inspire.

For information, visit www.fcc-cl.org or call (815) 459-6010. For more about Karen and her performances, visit www.karenberkbarak.com.