strokestrokestrokestroke
 
Mark Dvorak In Concert
Since 1981, Mark has performed in nearly all of the United States. Though he often appears on festival stages and in theaters, he is also at home performing in more intimate settings. His concerts are a mix of the familiar and the new; traditional folk and standards from the American song book. He plays authentic country blues guitar and picks great old-time banjo. Mark enjoys sing along songs, just like The Weavers used to do, and mixes in his own well-crafted and often poignant originals. Mark has a straightforward, down-to-earth presence and is a very engaging performer. He likes to joke around with the folks who attend his shows and throughout the program he’ll add personal anecdotes, and a touch of history or social context.
 
Contact Artists of Note, Inc.
Mark is proud to be represented exclusively by Joann Murdock at Artists of Note, Inc. In 20 plus years of booking high quality touring artists, Joann has built an excellent roster, and an outstanding reputation in the field. Mark tours coast to coast and welcomes all reasonable inquiries.
 
Please direct all correspondence to:  Joann Murdock
                                              Artists of Note, Inc.
                                              PO Box 11, Kaneville, IL 60144
                                              630.557.2742
                                              jmurdock@artistsofnote.com
                                              www.artistsofnote.com                
 
Hi-res photographs, press releases, and other publicity materials are on the presenter resources page.
 
|
Old Songs & New People
Now in its 20th year, Mark’s award-winning introduction to American folk music has been enjoyed by family audiences and arts-in-education presenters across the country.  Click here to go the Old Songs & New People page for more information.
             Listen to a live sample (7:20)


Just Something My Grandma Used to Sing
An autobiographical and entertaining program of songs and stories for intergenerational and senior audiences.  Plenty of sing alongs, good stories and humor.
             Listen to “It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie” (3:27) 
             Listen to “I’m My Own Grandpa” (2:12)        
             Listen to “5-String Banjo Medley” (5:26)   
             Listen to “Someone to Watch Over Me” (3:25)


Once I Had an Old Banjo
A concert packed with interesting stories about the origin and evolution of this uniquely American instrument. The program includes samples from the historic minstrel show era, songs and stories from old-time mountain traditions, and examples from the masters of the banjo, from Pete Seeger to Earl Scruggs. 
 Listen to a clip from “Illinois Stories” (9:00)
 Listen to “Once I Had an Old Banjo” (2:54)
 Listen to “Oh Susannah” (3:52)


The American Folk Song
An educational program which examines the roots of American music through examples from African and British Isles traditions. Featuring songs, oral history, demonstrations and the music of American folk artists such as Lead Belly and Woody Guthrie. Suitable as a performance or a workshop, appropriate for middle school, high school and college level students, or community groups. 
             Listen to “The Traveling Folk Song” Medley (7:05)
             Listen to “5-String Banjo Medley” (5:26)


The Acoustic Roots Workshop
Mark would be pleased to present an instruction workshop, or series of workshops, to members of your organization, educational program or community group. In 2007 Mark celebrated his 21st anniversary as a faculty member at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, Illinois. He has helped many a beginner get through their first chords and strums, and has hosted a catalogue of master classes and workshops on a range of subjects from old-time banjo picking to the legacy of the great Lead Belly, to just about every other topic related to the study of American folk music. Click here to go to Mark’s Acoustic Roots Workshop page for samples of printed materials and sound files. Click here to access a handbill describing a possible presentation format. Get in touch here if you’d like to discuss the content an instruction workshop. 



Lead Belly & the 12 String Guitar
Along with Woody Guthrie, Huddie Ledbetter, better known as Lead Belly, is regarded as one of the great American folk song composers and performers. Born in the late 1800’s, Lead Belly played a big twelve string guitar. He was a song collector, an animated entertainer and a crack musician. Although he never achieved great success as a performer and recording artist in his lifetime, his songs and legend are inherently woven into the fabric of America folklore and folk music. In 1993 Mark wrote and produced Lead Belly’s Legacy which won the Peter Lisagor Award for Journalism. That script has been adapted for a live performance complete with narration and the songs of the great Huddie Ledbetter. This program can be presented as a concert or a workshop. 
                 Listen to excerpts from “Lead Belly & the 12 String Guitar” (5:18) 



Folk Club with Mark Dvorak
Bring your voices! Bring your instruments! Bring your friends! Bring your families! It’s a spontaneous folk ensemble! Singing and playing folk songs is most fun when improvised from the collective knowledge, ability and experience of a group. The power of folk music is best realized when all are included in its making. Present a Folk Club program as a sing along concert & jam session with the members of your organization or community in full participation! Award winning folk singer, recording artist  and instructor Mark Dvorak will lead a program of familiar folk songs like “This Land Is Your Land,” “Down In the Valley,” “You Are My Sunshine” or “When the Saints Go Marching In.” He’ll demonstrate the importance of choosing good songs for group participation and show the value of singing and playing in unison and in harmony.  He’ll invite those in attendance to join in with their voices and acoustic instruments. Throughout the session Mark will illuminate our common folk song heritage by sharing stories and historical background to the songs. Or present a single hands-on workshop, or series of workshops focusing on instrumental skills, singing basics and practicing the principles of singing and playing with others in a social context. 
                 Listen to Mark teach “Down In the Valley” (10:32)


The People, Yes
One of the most celebrated poets of all time, Illinois’ own Carl Sandburg, wrote an epic poem in the 1930s called The People, Yes, which turned the everyday words of Americans into everlasting images on the page. This presentation mixes some of the traditional folk songs preserved by Sandburg - who was also a folk song collector - and combines them with some of the words of this Pulitzer Prize winning author. The result is a compelling and entertaining musical portrait of the American essence, and especially the stories of the people of the Midwestern heartland. 

                
I Come For to Sing
In the years between World War II and the 1960’s folk revival, three Illinois roots musicians - singer Win Stracke, banjo player Fleming Brown and blues singer Big Bill Broonzy - collaborated to help create a touring performance called I Come for to Sing.  Mark Dvorak revives the spirit and the songs of this legendary program, drawing upon the breadth and depth of America’s living folk tradition and the legacy of Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. youngaudience.htmllisten_files/osnp.demo.mp3listen_files/2%2002%20It%27s%20A%20Sin%20to%20Tell%20a%20Lie.mp3listen_files/3%2003%20I%27m%20My%20Own%20Grandpa.mp3listen_files/06%20Old%20Joe%20Clark_Cripple%20Creek.mp3listen_files/08%20someone%20to%20watch%20over%20me.mp3listen_files/illinoisstories.mp3listen_files/once%20i%20had%20an%20old%20banjo-2.mp3listen_files/07%20oh%20susannah.mp3listen_files/02%20traveling%20folk%20song.mp3listen_files/5%20string%20banjo%20medley.mp3../Site2/acousticrootshome.htmllisten_files/DvorakWorkshopsFLYER1.pdfmailto:markdv@aol.com?subject=Hey%20Marklisten_files/lb.demo.mp3listen_files/downinthevalley.sfe.mp3shapeimage_4_link_0shapeimage_4_link_1shapeimage_4_link_2shapeimage_4_link_3shapeimage_4_link_4shapeimage_4_link_5shapeimage_4_link_6shapeimage_4_link_7shapeimage_4_link_8shapeimage_4_link_9shapeimage_4_link_10shapeimage_4_link_11shapeimage_4_link_12shapeimage_4_link_13shapeimage_4_link_14shapeimage_4_link_15
special programs&workshops “...a modern day troubadour and Chicago’s folk treasure... equal parts Big Bill Broonzy, Win Stracke and Art Thieme...”
- Second Sunday Concerts
Chicago, IL

“One of the brightest stars in the Midwest folk sky.” 
- First Night Evanston, IL

“Masterful...”  -- Chicago Tribune

“Dvorak shines...” 
- Sing Out! Magazine

“...the Midwest’s premiere keeper of traditions...”         
 - Rockford Folk Society

“...one of a vanishing breed... Although all of us benefit from the tradition, Dvorak is one of the few who keep it alive.  Listen.  Join in.”    
- Utah Phillips

“No one spins a yarn or sings an old timey song with more skill and respect than Mark Dvorak.  He's a builder of the folk world, in Chicago, the region and the continent.  His voice and song writing bring the heart of folk music into our contemporary world with authenticity, humor, fun and a great warm voice.”               
 - Bill’s Blues

“...an encyclopedic knowledge of traditional songs... a gifted guitar and banjo player...”
- Isthmus, Madison, WI

“...a note of thanks for your wonderful performance... what a night!  In addition to being a stellar musician and story teller, you are also a highly talented ‘engager ’... it’s what sets you apart... there were so many wonderful comments...”   
 - Sharon Speziale
Someplace Else Concerts, LaGrange, IL

“...I wanted you to know I listened to your record and loved it, sounds great man...”               
- Jim Tullio, Winnetka, IL

“...pizzazz and humor, fine pickin’ and an obvious affection for the American tradition; the down home, burly side of the musical coin...”                       
-Art Thieme, Peru, IL

“Great concert!... It’s obvious you have a real passion for folk music and it was a real joy to listen...”     
 - Kathy & Ken, Janesville, WI

“Thank you so much for your book. I can literally picture the scenes you write about and hear the music!  Thank you for your devotion to the old and for writing the new...”                          
- Joanne Hesselink
Black Hawk Folk Societ
Mt. Morris, WI

“I so much enjoyed the workshop; so filled with wisdom and the spirit of love...the way you work with and dignify people, and bring out their best is terrific - a real gift.”
- Charlie Fischer
HInsdale, IL

“You have a gift...you brought a lot of joy to our kids, some of whom struggle mightily with acaemic/emotional issues and wretched home lives...”
- Carol MacDonald
Acacia Academy
LaGrange Highlands, IL

“Great performance Mark! Huddie would have been proud!
- Bill Lange
Wilmette, IL

“...your Lead Belly show was really extraordinary...so well done, so informative and musical. Thank you.”
- Louise Frank
WFMT
Chicago, IL

“...your presentation at LaSalle Library was a great experience...”
-- Carlos Botero, LaSalle, IL

“...great hearing you perform... great songs & stories!”              
-- Steve Deasy, Detroit, MI

“...I came home energized from your concert... I like it that you really encouraged participation.  It's the answer to the comment a friend made recently, that people need to be finding their own culture. “ 
-- Juniper Sundance, Abrams, WI

“Your songs are thoughtful and good...they really sound like they’re from you, from your heart and from your life...”
Tim Lilly
St. Louis, MO

“We were honored to have Mark in the studio for a wonderful show of his brilliant talent. The Windy City is fortunate to have Mark base his creativity here, and his podcast has set the record for downloads...”
- Michael Teach
Chicago Acoustic Underground

“He is a cross between James Taylor, Pete Seeger and Big Bill Broonzy. Now go write that down.”
- Elbert Beard
The Old Timer
Erin , TN

“Thanks for everything you did to make the Wincentennial such a success. Your performances and commentaries were superb...”
- Bob Riesman
Chicago, IL
HOME  |  SCHEDULE  |  NEWS & BUZZ  |  LISTEN  |  STORE   |  BOOKING  |  FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES  | PRESENTER RESOURCES  
  ACOUSTIC ROOTS WORKSHOP  |  COMMUNITY  |  SCRAPBOOK  |  EMAIL  |  MYSPACE markdvorakhome.htmlhttp://www.musi-cal.com/search?performers=%5eMark+Dvorak%24news%26buzz.htmlstore.htmlbooking.htmlyoungaudience.htmlpresenterresources.html../Site2/acousticrootshome.htmlcommunity.htmlscrapbook.htmlmailto:jmurdock@artistsofnote.com?subject=Mark%20Dvorakhttp://www.myspace.com/markdvorakmusicshapeimage_7_link_0shapeimage_7_link_1shapeimage_7_link_2shapeimage_7_link_3shapeimage_7_link_4shapeimage_7_link_5shapeimage_7_link_6shapeimage_7_link_7shapeimage_7_link_8shapeimage_7_link_9shapeimage_7_link_10shapeimage_7_link_11

To book Mark for concert, workshop or other event, 
please contact Joann Murdock 
Artists of Note, Inc.,  PO Box 11
Kaneville, IL, 60144
630.557.2742
jmurdock@artistsofnote.com
www.artistsofnote.commailto:jmurdock@artistsofnote.com?subject=Mark%20Dvorakhttp://www.artistsofnote.comshapeimage_8_link_0shapeimage_8_link_1
HOME  | SCHEDULE  | NEWS & BUZZ  | STORE  | BOOKING  | EMAIL  FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES  | PRESENTER RESOURCES ACOUSTIC ROOTS WORKSHOP  | COMMUNITY  | SCRAPBOOK LISTEN |