Hanover Township features 'The American Folk Song' with troubadour Mark Dvorak

On Thursday, Aug. 11, the Hanover Township Senior Center, 240 S. Route 59, Bartlett, welcomes Chicago's "official troubadour" Mark Dvorak to the Stars & Stripes Cafe for an afternoon of song and story at 1 p.m.

Dvorak who accompanies himself on guitar, five-string banjo and 12-string guitar, has performed in 38 states and in parts of Europe and Canada. He has released 17 albums and has won awards for journalism and children's music. In 2008, he received the Woodstock Folk Festival Lifetime Achievement Award and received the Lantern Bearer Award from Folk Alliance International in 2013. In 2012, Rich Warren, longtime host of "The Midnight Special" radio program named Dvorak "Chicago's official troubadour."

"We're happy to welcome Mark back to our series," said program coordinator Devora Murillo. "He is an amazing musician and a favorite with our audience."

Dvorak is busy at work on his 20th CD release "Live & Alone," recorded in an empty concert hall during the height of the pandemic lock down. He is also planning to publish his fourth book of essays, "31 Winters," which reflects on his long journey through music and teaching.

"At this stage of the game," said the singer from his home outside Chicago, "I feel like I'm doing my best work."

The Chicago Tribune has called Dvorak "masterful," and the Fox Valley Folk Festival describes him as "a living archive of song and style."

For information, phone (630) 483-5600 or visit www.hanover-township.org.

Learn more about Mark Dvorak at www.markdvorak.com.