ABOUT THE SHOW

We held a benefit show for the Tom Zahorik Cali Scholarship Fund on Thursday, January 8th at the Opry in Western Springs. It was a wonderful evening of music, art and poetry from Jon Langford and Jenny Bienemann.

The Zahoriks commissioned Jon to create a painting of Tommy Zahorik, highlighting his years living in Cali, Colombia where he helped start a Latin Jazz bar, Punto Baré. The painting was shown at the show, along with other pieces Jon has created. Mike talked with Jon about the background of the painting and talked about a visit family and friends made to Cali in February when the painting was presented and hung at Punto Baré.

Mike and Jenny talked about her Haiku Milieu series and her new tiny book of haikus and images, “The Come Back.” Jenny’s haikus have led to collaborations with many artists (including Jon).

Jon and Jenny then performed some duets and their own songs individually. The intimacy of the small space at the Opry was palpable and powerful. Lots of great stories and great songs were shared with dear family and friends.

Here are some pictures and videos from the evening

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Jon Langford is a Welsh-born musician, a long time Chicago resident, prolific artist, consummate collaborator and tireless champion of many causes. He is an original member of the punk band the Mekons when they formed at the University of Leeds in 1977 and since the mid-1980s he has been one of the leaders in incorporating folk and country music into punk rock. Langford has released a number of solo recordings as well as recordings with other bands outside of The Mekons, most notably the Waco Brothers, which he co-founded after moving to Chicago in the early 1990s.

Langford is also an accomplished visual artist best known for his striking portraits of country music icons including Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and forgotten figures from the dawn of country music. Some of his recent pieces will be displayed and discussed at the show. You can find much of Jon’s art at Yard Dog gallery.

Jenny Bienemann is an award-winning poet, singer, songwriter, and visual artist with a mission to find the extraordinary in the everyday. With three critically acclaimed studio albums and two live albums, her music has underscored TV, film and theatre projects. 

Jenny began a daily practice of taking photos and writing haiku years ago. What started as a lark quickly evolved into Haiku Milieu, a movement of creativity and community. Today, there are four Haiku Milieu books, and more than 450 new songs inspired by Haiku Milieu, written by artists from across the United States, as well as a Sunday Morning Haiku Milieu email that reaches a global audience. She will share songs and haikus at the show.

Click here if you want to learn more about the Tommy Zahorik Cali Scholarship Fund and donate.