When Amy Renzulli, owner of the School of Rock Oak Park, and Rob Breymaier, executive director of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center, were introduced to each other by Village Trustee Bob Tucker, they were told by Tucker that they “should know each other.”
“We met and quickly realized that we had a lot in common,” Renzulli said. “Most importantly, that we both believe that the diversity in Oak Park is what makes it such a great place to live, work and play and that we wanted to take an active role in shaping our community.”
At about the same time, Chef Melissa Elsmo (who’s also a freelance Pioneer Press columnist) conceived the idea of an event that would pair local chefs with home brewers. A few months later, in winter 2014, Rock the House, the first event benefitting both the Housing Center and the School of Rock, was held.
“It has grown each year and this year, we are expanding to include our newly renovated second floor space at the School of Rock,” said Renzulli. “There will be even more food, beer and live music. This event combines our mutual love of community, friendship, food and music.”
Rock the House 2016 is planned for Feb. 27 at the School of Rock, 219 Lake St.
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“The Best Party in Oak Park” is going to be better than ever this year, its organizers promise. But organizers warn that tickets often sell out (they’re available at tiny.cc/Rock2016).
“This night is pure fun,” said Housing Center Executive Director Breymaier. “There will be nine chefs [including Elsmo, Su Jang from New Rose Catering, Deno Andrews from Felony Franks, the Carnivore guys, Urban Till, Skrine Chops] and eight brewers providing food and beer tastings. The flavors are always amazing and the people involved are all local.
“In addition, there will be three bands — two rock bands downstairs and an acoustic duo upstairs,” said Breymaier. “Which leads me to the fact that we will be working with more space this year — the event will be on two floors.”
Anyone 21 and over that loves good food and good music should come, said Breymaier.
Last year’s event raised $8,000 and this year, the hope is to raise $10,000. Money raised is split by the Housing Center and School of Rock. The Housing Center’s share supports its integration work in Oak Park, while School of Rock’s share provides scholarships for music education to low-income students.
“When we first opened the School of Rock Oak Park, we made a commitment to making sure that the community inside the school, reflects the community we live in,” said Renzulli. “And in order to do that, maintaining a scholarship fund would be a key part of our business plan.”
Beside the fundraiser hype, the housing center also has another reason to be excited, because it’s also recently hired a new development director, longtime Oak Parker Stuart Barnes Jamieson. Jamieson comes to the agency after more than 20 years with Habitat for Humanity International and local affiliates of the nonprofit all around the Midwest.
An Oak Park resident since 1999, Jamieson has been active at Pilgrim Congregational UCC and the South East Oak Park Community Organization. His experience in fair housing and funding development makes him a great fit for the Housing Center’s ongoing mission, Breymaier said.
Felicia Dechter is a freelance columnist for Pioneer Press. Got a real estate-related story idea? Email [email protected].