UPDATED: All-Star Lineup Headlines D46 Fundfest

Music, food and fun are all on tap during the Fundfest event this weekend, designed to benefit the District 46 Education Foundation.

elementary school students will be the beneficiaries of the proceeds from the Fundfest at on Center Street, but this first-time event is not just for kids.

Performers like Svelte Bobby & The Soulfixers and King Robinson & The Housewreckin’ Blues Jam will be rocking the house from 1 p.m. to midnight this Saturday, June 25.  Admission is free.  Abel’s menu of food and drink will be available for purchase.

“The primary goal is to get the name of the foundation out to the public," said foundation co-founder and D46 parent Jane Landers. "If we are able to generate some tax free donations at the same time, that would be great.” 

Lander’s husband, Mike, organized the event and also will be performing.  “There are several good reasons to come,” he said.

“Eleven hours of high-quality music – for free. The Grayslake connection: several of the band and performers are long-time village residents.  All ages are welcome. Abel’s is a family friendly restaurant making it an excellent venue for this event.  It’s also a chance to show support for D46 schools, teachers and students without any politics, which is sort of a rarity these days,” Mike Landers said.

BAND LINEUP

1:00 p.m.

Svelte Bobby & The Soulfixers Hometown blues band featuring longtime GCHS (and now GNHS) music teacher Paul Nielsen, as well as Frederick School PE teacher Jim Geske.

2:00 p.m.

Villa Avenue Unplugged:  A Round Lake acoustic rock duo showcases all original tunes by singer/guitarist Chris Schinler.

3:00 p.m.

Lydian Concept:  High school jazz group developed at the Grayslake Jazz Combo Workshop, run by Paul Nielsen and fellow longtime Grayslake resident and Warren HS teacher Bill Chapin. Nearly all of the current Lydian line-up are products of D46 schools.

4:00 p.m.

A Bad Day at the Circus  Reviewed as “a really entertaining acoustic duo.”

5:00 – 9:00 p.m. 

King Robinson & The Housewreckin' Blues Jam  Fronted by Mike Landers and Chicago harmonica master Rob "King Robinson" Sulski, this was the top open mike blues jam in Lake County for years. After a seven-year run playing every Wednesday night at AJs in Round Lake, the band scaled back in 2009 to doing occasional Saturday evenings at Abel's and select other venues, just for fun. As always, competent blues musicians are welcome to sit in - just ask.

9:30 p.m. – closing

The Message Ensemble   A stellar jazz quartet fronted by world-class vibes virtuoso Ken Hall of Lake Forest, guaranteed to captivate the serious jazz buff and casual listener alike.

Also on the bill: Margaret Stewart  Longtime Prairie Crossing resident and Grayslake's resident jazz singing diva, Margaret will be stopping by to sing with both Lydian Concept and the Blues Jam.

* * * * * * * * *

A new District 46 Education Foundation board has been recently selected and will be actively seeking local business support and participation, while also working to reenergize the presence of the foundation within the community. 

The D46 Education Foundation has a not-for-profit 501(c)3 status so all donations are tax-deductible. Foundation representatives will be on hand at the Fundfest to answer questions and accept donations.

“The foundation has set up matching gift programs with many of the larger corporations in the area, such as Abbott, WW Grainger and Discover Financial Services. We would encourage community members to contact their Human Resource Departments to see if they have a matching grant program,” said Jane Landers.

The D46 Education Foundation was established in 2006 by a group of involved parents. The objective was to help compensate teachers and support school programs that were negatively impacted by failed referendums and cutbacks, while not increasing taxes.  

For more information on the D46 Education Foundation visit: www.ccsd46educationfoundation.org

For more information on the event contact: Mike Landers, 847-494-2567, email:  nightcrawler54@yahoo.com.

CORRECTION: The original version of this article had incorrectly identified the name of the District 46 Education Foundation. The foundation is not related to the district education fund. Patch regrets the error.