Dig the Beat

Dig the Beat

05.30 Behind the Stacks HeaderWhen you think about libraries, you naturally think about books. If you drop by the Fayetteville Public Library this summer, you will quickly find that books are just the beginning.

Sat., June 1 marks the kickoff celebration for FPL’s annual reading programs — for children, teens and adults. Most folks are familiar with youth reading programs, but we extend the summer fun to our adults as well. Just like the youth programs, the adult reading program features great sign-up prizes, as well as weekly and grand prize opportunities which include chances to win an Amazon Kindle and an iPad Mini. Quite simply, the more books you read the more chances you have to win. However, the Fayetteville Public Library offers more than just books.

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The Great Scotts

Our kickoff celebration will feature a multitude of games and activities for kids and music for everyone to enjoy. The edgy blues sounds of Shawn James and the Shapeshifters will headline our kickoff party on June 1 beginning at 10 a.m. The summer reading celebration also serves as a launch pad for our summer concert season.

The library will keep your toes tapping with weekly concerts in our Mountain Street Stage music series and our America’s Music discussion and concert series. Music has always been one of the most popular draws during the hot summer months, so this year FPL has expanded their concert schedule to run throughout June and July. The best news of all — these concerts are completely free to the community.

The library highlights some of the best musicians working in Northwest Arkansas with the Mountain Street Stage music series beginning in June. Now in its fifth year, Mountain Street Stage has evolved into one of the library’s premiere annual events, allowing the public an opportunity to sample the musically rich and diverse community we share. Sunday concerts begin at 2 p.m. and feature:

o June 2: Adams Collins Jazz Trio

o June 9: Leah & the Mojo Doctors

o June 16: East of Zion

o June 23: 1 Oz. Jig

In an effort to expand musical programming this year, the Fayetteville Public Library received the America’s Music grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, supported by the Tribeca Film Institute, the American Library Association, and the Society for American Music. The America’s Music series is a six-week program featuring a combination of concerts paired with scholarly discussions and documentary film screenings exploring 20th Century American music.

On Wednesdays beginning June 26, University of Arkansas professor and music scholar Robert Cochran will screen music-themed documentary films and lead discussions on the cultural, political, social, and ethnic influences that musical genres impart on American life. On the following Sundays, the library will feature live performances from the musical genres covered in Cochran’s discussions. The series discussions will examine the influence of American musical styles like the Blues, Gospel, Tin Pan Alley and Broadway, Swing, Jazz, Bluegrass, Country, Rock, Latin influences and the rise of Hip Hop.

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Shawn James

America’s Music film screenings and discussions will be held each Wednesday, June 26 – July 31 and will start at 6 p.m. The America’s Music concerts run each Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. The concert schedule includes the following performances:

o June 30: Gospel inspirations with Ocie Fisher

o July 7: Broadway retrospective with the Young Actors Guild

o July 14: Jazz spotlight with the Claudia Burson Trio

o July 21: Country music sounds of Fork and Knife

o July 28: Rock showcase with The Great Scotts

On Sat., Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. the library welcomes Hip Hop performers Brian Smallwood and Michael Corbin for a special series finale. Their dynamic act will conclude the America’s Music series.

So, why not join the party. Start by visiting www.faylib.org to sign up for the Summer Reading Program and your chance at great prizes. Then, continue the fun all summer long by checking out an unexpected music venue right here in the heart of Fayetteville. For more information, contact the Fayetteville Public Library at 479.856.7250 or email us at questions@faylib.org.

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