by Nicole Sankowski | Jun 7, 2021 | Blog
By Kelly Pollock, feature writer for The Buzz Cafe
When Diane VanDerhei founded INTUIT Dance! in 2004, her goal was to develop lifelong lovers of dance and to involve her students in the full creative process. She never imagined a global pandemic and the adaptations that it would require, but in March 2020, when COVID-19 shut down Oak Park and the rest of Illinois, the teachers and students at INTUIT did what they always do: got creative and made the best of the situation. “We had to turn on a dime and not miss a beat during the pandemic. I stress problem-solving in choreography class so I had to live up to my philosophy and figure it out instead of freaking out. The kids started using FaceTime during classes and that led me to videotaping classes and then Zooming,” said Diane.
Having taught at INTUIT for several years and having choreographed the Oak Park and River Forest High School musicals since 2017, Connor Cornelius, like the dancers at INTUIT, is used to creative solutions. “Our students are always adapting and learning about dance in different ways beyond traditional technique classes. They are used to being open-minded so transitioning to films and other new solutions in the classroom was smooth.”
For teacher Sage Miller, the pandemic offered a unique opportunity to reconnect with INTUIT. “I had taught at INTUIT before, but last summer when I was living in New York, I got in touch with Diane and and started teaching again via Zoom.” She has since relocated to the Oak Park area and spent the spring teaching in the studio. “Teaching online and hybrid teaching were challenging, but it also inspired me. It involved lots of patience from both us, the teachers, and from our students. I was amazed by their commitment and creativity.”
After more than a year of Zoom and hybrid classes including two virtual performances, INTUIT students from preschool to high school were finally able to dance in front of a live audience on May 22 on the campus of Dominican University in River Forest. “Spring Carousel of Dance” was in four parts including the classical ballet “Les Sylphides” by Chopin, contemporary dances set to music by King Sunny Ade, and the number “It’s Time to Dance” from Broadway musical “The Prom.”
To comply with public health guidelines, the performances were outdoors and the audience was limited. “I loved that the outdoor recital built a sense of community. There was no fourth wall, no separation between the dancers and the audience. Dancers could see the audience react to their dancing in the moment and audience members could rejoice together. We could feel the energy and positivity which was something we all needed,” said Connor. Added Diane, “I loved the outdoor setting. It was something I had been thinking about even before the pandemic. The setting, the costumes, and the choreography were a lovely combination. The audience was so ready for a live performance and that contributed to the success of the event.”
The day also marked an opportunity to celebrate graduating seniors Mira Mundt and Julia Patston. “Mira has been an important part of our musical theater program the last few years and Julia has been dancing with us since she was in preschool,” said Diane. “They will both be missed.”
Throughout the pandemic, Diane was careful to comply with all public health guidelines. But by keeping classes small, and ensuring that dancers were masked and socially distanced, in-person classes were a possibility at different times in the last year. For Julia, her time at the studio was one of her only in-person connections. “School was fully remote until February so dancing at INTUIT was just about the only way we had to spend time with friends for much of the pandemic. We felt safe there with temperatures being taken, masks being worn, and hand sanitizer being used. I am so thankful we had the chance to dance together.”
INTUIT Dance! is located at 237 Harrison Street in the Oak Park Arts District. The four-week summer session begins June 5 and one-week workshops are offered in July and August. For more information, visit www.intuitdance.org.
by Nicole Sankowski | May 24, 2021 | Blog
By Kelly Pollock, feature writer for The Buzz Cafe
Dye Hard Yarns launches its very first B.I.P.O.C. Box!
B.I.P.O.C. : The acronym stands for Black, Indigenous & People of color.
This box is a labor of love from Chastity Dunlap, owner of the fiber studio, to you.
It’s a gathering of Artists from diverse cultures and backgrounds. It’s a way to uplift and feature the beautiful Diversity that exists within the fiber world.
Each bi-monthly box has been curated around a particular theme, and it’s individual pieces create a harmonious experience for you to fall in love with.
Read the full story of the BIPOC fiber box’s creation and find purchase details here: https://dyehardyarns.com/products/b-i-p-o-c-box-may
Dye Hard Yarns is located at 210A Harrison Street.
by Nicole Sankowski | Apr 30, 2021 | Blog
by Kelly Pollock, feature writer for the Buzz Cafe
One of the first things that Mark Doebler, Lead Pastor of Village Church of Oak Park, tells you after meeting him is that he is a rabid South Carolina Gamecock who abhors the color orange since he associates it with his archenemies, the Clemson Tigers. “It just galls me,” he says. So removing the orange-tinted windows at his congregation’s new church is one of his top priorities. Village Church recently acquired the building at 911 S. Taylor Avenue (the former Harrison Street Bible Church) in the Oak Park Arts District.
Village Church of Oak Park was “planted” about 10 years ago as a member of the Evangelical Free Church of America when a small group of people came together believing that Oak Park needed a fresh voice in an evangelical church. Since its inception, Village Church had been worshiping at The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association until the COVID-19 pandemic forced them online last spring. The acquisition of the new building finally gives them a physical home.
“The long-term goal of almost any church is a place to call home, but property in Oak Park is crazy expensive. We were exploring a few possibilities of churches that were available and this one felt like the best fit and the best opportunity,” says Mark. Village Church was able to take possession at the end of March. They have jumped right into renovations including a new roof and a new HVAC system as well as some interior remodeling. “We technically could have walked in and started using the building, but we didn’t want to do that. We need to make it ours, freshen it up, and make it as welcoming as we can.”
While he is focused on settling his congregation into their new home, Mark is simultaneously settling into his relatively new role as Lead Pastor. He and his wife Lesley just arrived here in August after he was called by the church. “Making a move in the middle of a pandemic to a church that was only meeting online was bizarre. In Hebrews, faith is described as ‘the substance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.’ We were all trusting God that this was the right fit.”
Faced with at least a few months of construction, Village Church is currently worshiping outside in their new parking lot. “On Easter, we had over 100 people all socially-distanced,” says Mark. And while their Village Kids children’s ministry program is on hold, their Village Youth youth group for middle and high school students has been making use of the parking lot as well. “They love it. They’ve never had their own space before.”
Mark is excited about the possibilities that the new building offers. “Jesus said that nobody lights a candle and then hides it. While there’s nothing wrong with renting worship space, it’s kind of like turning the light on and then turning it off. You’re there for a very short period of time and then you disperse because you have no choice. It’s hard to really become a presence, a shining light, when the time that you’re on is so brief. This building gives us a chance to be a light full-time.”
And for Village Church, being a light also means being a good neighbor. “Jesus was once asked, ‘What is the greatest commandment?’ and he said, ‘The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Who is my neighbor? My neighbor is my neighbor. We don’t always agree about everything, but we love them because God loves them.”
Mark is especially eager to see what the fellowship hall might mean for the community. “It’s great multi-purpose space. We’ve got a lot of flexibility with what to do with it. We want to be full participants in making this neighborhood a wonderful place to live and to do business and to experience life.” And whatever that means for Village Church, Mark is sure of one thing: that the coffee will be flowing. “I always say that coffee is proof that God loves us,” he says with a smile.
Village Church of Oak Park worships in-person on Sundays at 10:30 am in the parking lot at 911 S. Taylor Avenue. Services can also be streamed on Facebook Live. To learn more, visit their website at www.villagechurchoakpark.com
by Nicole Sankowski | Apr 5, 2021 | Blog
by Kelly Pollock, feature writer for the Buzz Cafe
This month, The Buzz is turning the spotlight on ourselves to highlight the fabulous managers of Buzz Café. Read on to find out what their favorite menu items are, where they shop in the Arts District, and what they do when they’re not working. (And they seriously work a lot!)
Name: Alana LeBeau
Job Title: General Manager
How long have you worked at Buzz Café? 19 years
What is your favorite Buzz Café menu item? Straight from the menu, it’s bacon and pancakes. But, I don’t eat anything exactly how it comes on the menu anymore. I make up my own creations now!
What is your favorite Oak Park Arts District business? Unfortunately, I don’t get to enjoy the shops along Harrison anymore since I always have to drive straight home because of my kids. In my earlier life, though, I used to make jewelry as a hobby, so I’d say Bead in Hand.
What did you do to keep busy during lockdown? WORK. I’ve been working full-time outside the home since last March and would actually LOVE a break. It’s been quite stressful.
What’s one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you? I still play the “original” Civilization game on a PC.
Recommend a book you’ve recently read, a movie you’ve recently watched, or a show you’ve recently binged.
I don’t have much free time and don’t read or watch anything. Seriously. I play video games to wind down (Mario Party 6 in da house!). The last movie I saw was “The Christmas Chronicles 2” on TV with my boys.
Would You Rather?
Have a cat or a dog? CAT!!!
Take a beach vacation or a mountain vacation? Beach vacation
Cook or clean? NEITHER
Write in a journal or talk with a friend? Talk with a friend OF COURSE!
Play an instrument or speak another language? Can’t do either, but would love to do both!
Draw a picture or ride a bike? Draw a picture
Name: Brian Thompson
Job Title: Kitchen Manager
How long have you worked at Buzz Café? 8 years
What is your favorite Buzz Café menu item? Apple Pie with Oat Crumb Top
What is your favorite Oak Park Arts District business? The Brown Elephant
What did you do to keep busy during lockdown? I worked.
What’s one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you? My diverse musical background.
Recommend a book you’ve recently read, a movie you’ve recently watched, or a show you’ve recently binged.
Book: Lion Heart by Elizabeth LaShaun, Movie: Tom & Jerry, Show: The Resident
Would You Rather?
Have a cat or a dog? DOG
Take a beach vacation or a mountain vacation? Beach vacation
Cook or clean? Both
Write in a journal or talk with a friend? Write in a journal
Play an instrument or speak another language? Both
Draw a picture or ride a bike? Both
Name: Cathy Koritz
Job Title: Bakery Manager
How long have you worked at Buzz Café? Almost 12 years
What is your favorite Buzz Café menu item? Southwestern Breakfast Wrap
What is your favorite Oak Park Arts District business? Bead in Hand
What did you do to keep busy during lockdown? Watched TV, crafted with my granddaughter, and did LOTS of cooking.
What’s one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you? I have a lot of experience in the medical field.
Recommend a book you’ve recently read, a movie you’ve recently watched, or a show you’ve recently binged.
I just re-watched Game of Thrones in its entirety. It’s my FAV!
Would You Rather?
Have a cat or a dog? Cat!
Take a beach vacation or a mountain vacation? Beach vacation!
Cook or clean? Definitely cook
Write in a journal or talk with a friend? Talk with a friend
Play an instrument or speak another language? Speak another language
Draw a picture or ride a bike? Ride a bike
Name: Tierra Dorsey
Job Title: Morning Manager
How long have you worked at Buzz Café? 12 years
What is your favorite Buzz Café menu item? Italian Grilled Cheese
What is your favorite Oak Park Arts District business? The Brown Elephant
What did you do to keep busy during lockdown? I worked.
What’s one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you? I love playing The Sims.
Recommend a book you’ve recently read, a movie you’ve recently watched, or a show you’ve recently binged.
I love the “A Twisted Tale” Disney books.
Would You Rather?
Have a cat or a dog? Dog
Take a beach vacation or a mountain vacation? Mountain vacation
Cook or clean? Cook
Write in a journal or talk with a friend? Talk with a friend
Play an instrument or speak another language? Both
Draw a picture or ride a bike? Ride a bike
Name: Julie Beland
Job Title: Night Manager/Music Manager
How long have you worked at Buzz Café? Since 2016. I started as an intern from Chicago’s Community Kitchen and was later hired.
What is your favorite Buzz Café menu item? BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza with Chips
What is your favorite Oak Park Arts District business? Chad Keast Hair
What did you do to keep busy during lockdown? I worked.
What’s one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you? I am an ex-felon. Buzz Café gave me a second chance in life.
Recommend a book you’ve recently read, a movie you’ve recently watched, or a show you’ve recently binged.
Show: Criminal Minds
Would You Rather?
Have a cat or a dog? Dog
Take a beach vacation or a mountain vacation? Mountain vacation
Cook or clean? Cook
Write in a journal or talk with a friend? Talk with a friend
Play an instrument or speak another language? Speak another language
Draw a picture or ride a bike? Ride a bike
by Nicole Sankowski | Mar 1, 2021 | Blog
By Kelly Pollock, feature writer for The Buzz Cafe
In 1980, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the first Women’s History Week and a few years later, in 1987, Congress formally established Women’s History Month. Since then, women’s contributions to the United States have been celebrated every March. In the Oak Park Arts District, the 5th annual WOW! Women Owned Works event will take place on March 20 to promote women-owned businesses in the district.
Gail Coughlin of Elevate Creative (321 Harrison Street) came up with the idea for the event in 2017 after the former president’s inauguration and the subsequent Women’s March. “I thought it would be a good opportunity to celebrate all the women-owned businesses in the arts district—the most of any business district in Oak Park,” says Gail. “It was not a happy time and I wanted to bring something positive to the neighborhood.”
Yellow was chosen as the signature color for the event. “It’s happy and cheerful. It’s bright and attention-grabbing,” says Gail, then adds with a laugh, “Yellow is an underrated color.”
This year’s event offers an extra reason to celebrate with the inauguration of Kamala Harris as the first woman Vice President. It also happens to fall on the first day of spring which offers some hope for warmer weather after an especially cold and snowy February. And the WOW! event comes almost exactly a year since Governor Pritzker issued Illinois’ stay-at-home order in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
“Business owners are exhausted. We are tired of thinking of ways to promote our businesses and to keep our customers engaged on top of the constant worries of daily life—home, school, kids, and health. This event will give us something to celebrate. Every year we’ve had more participating businesses offer sales and promotions and more customers know about it,” says Gail.
“My business was forced to close for three months last spring and so we amped up our online store. It’s been going really well. Our focus is hair, skin, bath, and body items that are eco-friendly, health-conscious, and women-owned. We have a full complement of beauty items,” says Gail. Elevate Creative will offer a free gift with purchase during the WOW! event.
At Studio 144 Boutique (144 Harrison Street), owner Marcia Brown Jackson is excited to celebrate being a woman-owned business in the Arts District. “Since yellow is a refreshing color we decided to go with our ReFresh Sale where you can refresh with skincare, bath and body, fragrance, candles, and more. We will also be giving out skincare and fragrance samples while supplies last,”says Marcia.
Bead in Hand (145 Harrison Street) and owner Kim Humphrey have participated in the WOW! event in the past and will once again showcase jewelry handmade by the staff. They will also have a sale on yellow glass beads and a free gift with a $25 purchase. “Since the pandemic began, we’ve created a number of do-it-yourself kits that can be purchased through our website and then shipped or held for pickup. They are projects that don’t require special tools and have fairly easy-to-follow instructions,” says Kim. She’s focused on getting through the pandemic and is especially looking forward to the time when Bead in Hand can hold classes again.
Tamekia Swint, the executive director of Styles 4 Kidz (235 Harrison Street), sees the WOW! event as an opportunity to get to know the residents of Oak Park and build community after moving into the Arts District last summer. They will have a selfie station near their front door and door prizes and candy for families that stop in. Tamekia is hoping to raise awareness for her non-profit that “expects to serve 900 kids and 400 families this year.”
At Purple Sun Arts (142 Harrison Street), owner Ann Viernes can’t wait to “celebrate the end of winter, the beginning of spring, and the vernal equinox.” Her store will offer sunny decorations, Yellow Ribbons rose giveaways, and registration for her long-awaited Cosmic Smash Booking art journaling sessions. Ann is looking forward to the end of the pandemic and a much-delayed grand opening.
The Oak Park Arts District WOW! Women Owned Works event will be held Saturday, March 20, from 11am-4pm although hours will vary by business. Follow #WOW!2021 and #shoponharrisonstreet on social media and visit www.oakparkartsdistrict.com for more information.
by Nicole Sankowski | Feb 8, 2021 | Blog
By Kelly Pollock, feature writer for The Buzz Cafe
Growing up in Oak Park, Krystal Williams was shy, but dance lessons, modeling school, and pageants turned her into a social butterfly. Now she’s giving other girls that same sense of poise, confidence, and purpose at her new business, Cygnature Girl, located at 911 S. Lombard Avenue in the Oak Park Arts District.
Krystal entered her first pageant at age 11. “I went in with long gloves, a fancy gown, and satin shoes. We had no idea what we were doing. I didn’t place. The judges said that I was very robotic. But I decided to keep competing.” Krystal was awarded Miss Congeniality at most of her pageants and finally won her first title, Miss Central Illinois, when she was a freshman in college at Illinois State University. She went on to compete in Orlando for the national title of Miss American Coed. “Although I didn’t win, I loved meeting new people, building my confidence, and soaking in the beauty of pageantry.”
After that experience, Krystal moved on to coaching and mentoring other pageant girls and providing them with foundational modeling techniques. She also worked with different pageant systems where she planned and hosted pageant weekends as an Assistant Director and Pageant Production Manager. “Pageantry was great, but I kept thinking about the girls who couldn’t afford to or didn’t want to do pageants or the girls I saw out with their families who weren’t holding their heads high. They didn’t look confident and it broke my heart a little.”
After college, life took Krystal in different directions. She worked in communications and public relations, lived in different cities, and experienced some life events. But she never forgot her desire to empower girls to be their best selves. By 2020, Krystal was back in Chicago and ready to realize her dream.
In May, she was running her usual route up Lombard when she passed a paint and sip studio. Krystal was intrigued by the space and went in to check it out. A few months later she ran by again and saw that the studio was gone and a For Lease sign was in the window. It felt meant to be. “Here I was in the middle of a pandemic, having been furloughed from my job a few weeks earlier, and I was signing a lease. But I’ve always been one to just go for it. I don’t think about what could go wrong. I live my life thinking about what could go right.”
Krystal struggled with what to name her new business. “Back in college, I took a magazine class and named my magazine Cygnature Girl. I knew that poise, confidence, and purpose were the pillars that I wanted the name to represent and a friend suggested that I resurrect Cygnature Girl. As soon as she said it, it was obvious. I’ve loved the name for fifteen years!”
Although she is still planning the experiences that she will offer, Krystal has the basics down. “I knew I wanted to create a safe space for girls to become who they were created to be. I want to empower them in all aspects of their lives. I’ve had lots of ideas over the years so I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to do with the studio. But I trusted that if I give God something to breathe on, then He’ll make everything work out for me. And I’ve been busy since I signed the lease!”
Cygnature Girl’s first event was vision board parties the first weekend of January for three different age groups – tweens, teens, and women entrepreneurs. Krystal partnered with three outside speakers: Bea Flowers of In Full Bloom who helped the girls identify what they loved to do and how they could achieve their ambitions and LaKisha Janay of Sereniti Life and Dishenda of Jaz Mo Consulting who helped the women set their business goals and strategies for 2021.
In February, Cygnature Girl will kick off monthly community service projects by packing snack boxes for Ronald McDonald House. And beginning February 20, the third Saturday of every month will be “Cygnature Girl Pop-Up Day” when customers can come in to shop items from girl bosses.
Currently, Cygnature Girl’s marketing is all on social media, but Krystal is looking for ways to become more of a presence in Oak Park and to serve more local girls. “I’m looking forward to bringing a new level of empowerment to girls in Oak Park and am open to partnering with other organizations that share my vision of creating the ultimate girl experience.”
Cygnature Girl is located at 911 S. Lombard Avenue. For event information or to learn more, visit the website at www.cygnaturegirl.com or contact Krystal Williams at 312-248-9982.
