Mokena Looking for Homestays for Danish Musicians

Have an extra room and a desire for an unforgettable cultural experience? Why not host members of the Saeby Garden Concert Band when they're visiting Mokena from Denmark?

The group will be holding a free concert at 6 p.m. July 23 in the village owned open space by St. John's United Church of Christ, 11100 Second St., Mokena.

The church, in partnership with the Mokena Community Affairs Commission, is looking for host homes for some of the musicians from July 23 to 26, Dee Block of the commission said.

"As always, people have been very open with their homes and their time," Block said.

The Saeby Garden Concert Band was founded in Saeby, Denmark, as a Boy Scout band in 1955, Block said. It now has musicians of both genders and ranging in age from 10 to 59, according to the Saeby Garden Concert Band's website.

And they're all seeking places to stay for a few days.

Block said the musicians still seeking homestays are some teens ages 13 to 15, some adults and a few married couples. Many Mokena residents who took in band members when they came to town a few years ago have already jumped at the chance to welcome the musicians back to their homes.

"Lifelong friendships have come out of this," Block said.

The Community Affairs Commission is also looking for homes for the German Markgrafler Gymnasium Oberstufenchor and Big Band from Sept. 14 to 17.

To find out more about taking in musicians from either band, contact Dee Block at deeblock@aol.com or 708-478-5974.