The Christmas gift Jennifer Mukosey gave her boyfriend Greg Foertsch last December has turned out to be one of those gifts that just keeps giving.
According to Foertsch, he had hinted, none too subtly, that his ideal gift would be a home concert by one of his favorite performers, musician Edward David Anderson. He was ecstatic when that was indeed the gift Mukosey gave him. Then he started thinking about the best way to use that gift.
“Greg said he thought it was a shame that only a handful of people would enjoy this performance, and he wondered if there was a way to do something bigger with this,” Mukosey said.
Foertsch came up with a plan that was much bigger than a house party — a concert to raise money for college scholarships for the students at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island.
The idea was proposed to Anderson, and he was all for it.
Finding a venue to hold the event was the next step. Foertsch and Mukosey approached Alan Cromwell of Blue Island Beer Co. about using the brewery’s “WayBack Room,” a large space that has housed numerous concerts, craft shows, fundraisers, and other events. Cromwell was also all for it.
Thus was born Edward David Anderson Sings Songs for Scholars at Blue Island Beer Co., set for Saturday, May 6 at the brewery, 13357 Old Western Ave.
Foertsch has been a school counselor with Community High School District 218 for 19 years, the last 10 at Eisenhower, where he’s on the scholarship committee.
Some scholarships come from donors, including Marquette Bank and Metro Recycling. The school also has its own fund built through fundraisers such as fitness walks and trivia nights.
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“We give out 70 scholarships at awards night. They are of varying amounts, not real big, but they help,” Foertsch said. “The more money we raise, we can bump up the amounts we give out.”
The performer, Edward David Anderson, supports the idea wholeheartedly.
“I think it’s really fantastic. I am a big proponent for education. I loved school, and if this helps facilitate a young person’s studies and education, in any way, shape, or form, I am happy to do it,” he said.
Foertsch has been a fan of Anderson, frontman for the band Backyard Tire Fire, for 20 years, and describes his music as crossing multiple genres from folk rock to rock to alt-country.
Anderson said he likes doing solo shows because they allow him to connect to the audience in a more personal manner.
“I like to find common ground with the crowd, telling stories about the songs and other experiences, so people can say, ‘I understand what this person is talking about.’ I hope to have a positive effect on people for that day or night. That’s what we’re trying to do as entertainers and song writers, take people away for a few minutes, let them forget their troubles and worries and get lost in some songs,” he said.
The Blue Island Beer Co. is donating the space for the event because, according to Cromwell, the goal of raising money for the high school “is near and dear to our hearts.”
The brewery is also picking up the tab for the opening act, Alex Teller, who performed there in January and is someone Cromwell wants to bring to attention.
“I’ve known about Edward David Anderson for 20 years and I’m happy to finally get to host him, and also support a new artist, Alex Teller. These things come around,” Cromwell said.
Foertsch reported that in addition to the music, Crave Belly food truck will be there. Split-the-pot and raffles for tickets for Bulls or Blackhawks games will be offered.
Everyone involved considers this event a win-win situation.
“People get to enjoy some great live music, support local musicians, support local businesses and support the local school,” Foertsch said. “All this makes a community. I love Blue Island, and this brings attention to the city. And all of this is on top of helping the kids, of course.”
As for Mukosey, she couldn’t be happier with the plan.
“It’s really cool how this turned out, this shows how a community can come together, and incorporates having fun with doing something good. All the proceeds go to the scholarship fund. This is for the kids, it’s really about them,” said Mukosey.
Foertsch said he would like to continue this idea in the future, to have a concert as an annual fundraising event, so he hopes this first one comes off well.
Tickets for the event are $20 and available at the door or online in advance at https://chsd218.revtrak.net/EHS/dde-scholarship/ehs-concert-fundraiser.
Carol Flynn is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.