Shir Hadash to host open mic night

A bit of the 1960s folk music scene will blend with more contemporary entertainment when Shir Hadash Synagogue stages a Coffee House Night—Open Mic Style in its new home at 200 W. Dundee Road in Wheeling.

The Coffee House Night, from 7 to 10 p.m., Saturday, January 25, is open to a variety of performers, including instrumental, vocal, dance, oral interpretations, monologues, magic, and comedy, said Margie Skora, one of the organizers. “You name it,” she said, “it’ll be a potpourri—a potluck of talent.”

Performers of all ages are welcome; members and nonmembers are invited to perform as well. Free-will donations will be accepted.

Skora, who is spearheading the event, always had a love of music. She grew up playing the guitar but always yearned to play the banjo. She met her late husband Tom in 1984 while studying at the Old Town School of Folk Music—the epicenter of the Chicago folk music scene. Tom had been active in the movement since its birth in the late 1950s. Together, they immersed themselves in the scene, visiting many famous coffee houses and meeting the most renowned folk music performers.

So when they joined Shir Hadash and noticed the talented membership, a light went on. “It was obvious to both of us that Shir Hadash had enough talent to make a fantastic evening,” she said. “So the idea for a Shir Hadash Coffee House Night—Open Mic Style was born and I started talking up the idea.”

It started picking up steam in August 2013 when the synagogue acquired its own building, a former library system headquarters in Wheeling. “I knew it was the right time to launch the Coffee House Night,” Skora said. “Now that we have our own building, the time has come for Shir Hadash to showcase the enormous talent of our members and their friends.”

The laid-back atmosphere is a great place for performers—from novice to pros—to test out their material. “Open Mics are a great way for people to test out new material, in person, in front of a live, supportive audience,” Skora said, “get immediate feedback, take a non-risky step to break out of the living room and, most importantly, connect with people in real life.”

To register, visit Shir Hadash’s website at www.shir-hadash.org, or just show up!

About Shir Hadash

Shir Hadash is a progressive, active, and dynamic congregation, serving the Jewish community in the north and northwest suburbs of Chicago from its synagogue in Wheeling, Illinois. Its inclusive membership welcomes singles, couples, and families. The synagogue attracts members from Northbrook, Arlington Heights and Palatine as well as Chicago, Skokie, Park Ridge, Barrington, and Gurnee. Under the leadership of Founding Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow and an active member board, Shir Hadash presents a “new song” for the Jewish community in worship, education, and cultural connections. Reconstructionism is a progressive, egalitarian, inclusive movement that makes Judaism relevant to contemporary life, while still honoring Jewish tradition. For more information, call (847) 498-8218 or go to www.shir-hadash.org.