Big Gig! - Monroe County Library System

Winter 2016
Newsletter
Featured Inside:
The 29th Annual
Blues Series
There’s no better cure for the winter blues than Monroe County’s annual Black History Month
Blues Series! Our award-winning history lesson with a backbeat, now the state’s longestrunning annual blues event, features a month-long schedule of concerts starring regionally and
nationally-known blues and roots stars.
The Blues Series begins its 29th year with a free concert at Ellis by Sugar Blue, who’s been
called both the Jimi Hendrix and the Charlie Parker of the harmonica, on Tuesday, February 2,
2016. Weekly “Tuesdays are Bluesdays” concerts continue in MCLS branch libraries, starring (in
chronological order) Michigan’s own Larry McCray and Thornetta Davis, Alvin “Youngblood”
Hart, and piano titan Victor Wainwright. The Ida Branch also hosts one of Chicago’s hottest
up-and-coming bluesmen, Toronzo Cannon on Thursday, February 25, 2016 (that concert also
features Dundee’s own Bubba Wilson.)
The 2016 Series goes out with a bang with The Big Gig! on Saturday, February 27, 2016. MCCC’s
Meyer Theater plays host to an only-in-Monroe lineup starring the growling, wailing, shouting,
singing and swinging voice of the steel guitar, played as you have never heard it played before
by The Campbell Brothers, who’ll be joined by their very special guest Maria Muldaur, bestknown for her classic “Midnight at the Oasis.” Guitarist Davy Knowles, one of the blues world’s
brightest young stars, will also perform, and of course, Detroiter Rev. Robert B. Jones, who began
the Blues Series with a 1988 solo performance at our Navarre Branch, will return for his 29th
year to host.
Big Gig!
Spotlights:
The Campbell Brothers
Maria Muldaur
Davy Knowles
Rev. Robert B. Jones
Letter from
the Director
One Book, One
Community
Kids Corner
@ The
Branches
Coming Soon
Booklist
Blues Series
Rundown
As always, all Blues Series events are free and open to the public, and no tickets are required.
The full schedule is in this newsletter as well as online at mymcls.com/blues, featuring video
clips and links to the web sites of all the artists.
For more information on all 2016 Blues Series events visit us online at www.mymcls.com/blues
As we come to the beginning of a fresh new year, our thoughts turn to resolutions, renewal and selfimprovement. In this spirit, the Monroe County Library System has events and programs to help you form
healthy, happy habits for 2016.
Yoga and Tai Chi classes, which are wonderful for both health and relaxation, are available at the Bedford and
Erie Branch Libraries. Adult coloring clubs are also available at multiple branches throughout the county.
Coloring has become an increasingly popular trend in the recent year, as the activity has shown to relieve
stress, improve relaxation and increase mindfulness and mental health. Our branch coloring clubs provide
coloring sheets and various colored pencils to try, and of course, a warm, friendly atmosphere to enjoy the
company of friends. To find an event near you, please visit http://bit.ly/mclscoloring.
For those interested in starting a new business, guidance may be found at the Ellis Library & Reference Center.
The Business Resource Center is always available upstairs in the Reference Department, which includes a
collection of books and other resources to aid entrepreneurs starting business ventures. Personal counseling
sessions with Small Business Development Center (MI-SBDC) representative, Kelly Robertson Notar, are also
held on the first Monday of every month. These events, entitled SBDC Walk-In Mondays, are available by
appointment, or by drop-in sessions. You can register for a session at: http://bit.ly/sbdcbusinessEL.
And, to help you prepare for the upcoming tax season, the Library has once again increased the number of
free copies that patrons may make for tax related printing. Patrons may print up to 15 pages, free of charge,
from reproducible tax books or online tax related pages. I encourage you to speak to our knowledgeable
Reference staff for assistance finding tax forms, schedules and booklets, or visit http://bit.ly/mclstaxnews
for more tax related news.
On behalf of all the staff here at the Monroe County Library System, we look forward to a wonderful and
exciting 2016 with you, your family, and the community.
- Nancy Bellaire
One Book
One Community
One Book, One Community of Monroe
County aims to enrich the experience
of reading for everyone, regardless
of race, gender, age, income or the
neighborhood they call home.
The One Book, One Community of
Monroe County Committee has chosen
2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel,
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr as this
year’s featured book selection.
Doerr’s story transports readers to World War II Europe
and shows us how, against all odds, people can survive
and maintain their humanity. The New York Times Book
Review called All the Light We Cannot See a “vastly
entertaining feat of storytelling.”
Learn more at http://bit.ly/onebookmonroe
Little Scientists are at the Petersburg Branch!
The Summerfield-Petersburg Branch Library invites your
little ones to learn about science at an early age!
This February through March, have fun and learn
during this program just for the
youngest scientists. Each week
we will feature a different, age
appropriate science topic with
lots of hands-on, playtime fun.
Register online or at the branch
to start your scientist on the road
to discovery!
60 E. Center, Petersburg, MI
(734) 279-1025
http://bit.ly/ptscientists
Blues Series Schedule of Events
SBDC Walk-In Mondays - Start or Grow Your Own
Business
At the Ellis Library & Reference Center
• Monday, February 1, 2016 from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• Monday, March 7, 2016 from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• Monday, April 4, 2016 from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• Monday, May 2, 2016 from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• Monday, June 6, 2016 from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thinking of starting your own business? Before taking the
plunge, meet with Small Business Development Center
representative, Norma La Vallee for FREE counseling sessions
in the Business Resource Center, upstairs at the Ellis Library
& Reference Center. Appointments are recommended, but
walk-ins are also welcome.
More info at http://bit.ly/sbdcbusinessEL
Dazzling Valentine Hearts at Erie Branch Library
Thursday, February 11, 2016 from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Make a sparkling Valentine Heart to give to your Valentine
or hang in your room. If you enjoy coloring with markers,
you will love this craft.
Register at http://bit.ly/erdazzleheart
Blizzard Bash-Frenchtown
At Frenchtown-Dixie Branch Library
Saturday, February 20, 2016 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Let’s celebrate winter! Come to the Frenchtown-Dixie
Branch Library and enjoy winter themed games and contests,
“Frozen” karaoke, crafts and snacks. Space is limited. Please
register each child separately for this event.
http://bit.ly/fbblizzardbash
Farewell to Downton at the Bedford Branch Library
Saturday, March 05, 2016 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Join us to say Farewell to our beloved Downton Abbey! Dress
up from the period and bring your own teacup to enjoy tea
and scones with other Downton fans. Cathy Kamenca of
WGTE will share a trivia contest, serve as a judge for our
costume contest, and share behind the scenes information!
Door prizes! Fun for all!
Register at http://bit.ly/bddownton
Coming Soon Booklist
May 2016
Emily Giffin - First Comes Love
Stephen King - End of Watch
Terry McMillan - I Almost Forgot About You
June 2016
Wanda Brunstetter - Betrayed Fiancee
Louise Erdrich - LaRose
Bill Pronzini - Zigzag
Check out our NextReads Coming Soon newsletters:
• http://bit.ly/ComingSoonFiction (Fiction)
• http://bit.ly/ComingSoonNonFic (Non-fiction)
Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at 7:00 PM
Sugar Blue in Concert - Ellis Library & Reference Center
Blues 2016 begins with a rare intimate, acoustic concert by
the legendary Sugar Blue, a Grammy winner known for his
mastery of the harmonica and his unique, fluid style - instantly
recognizable for its soaring trills, flamboyant flourishes and
swooping glissandos.
Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 7:00 PM
Larry McCray in Concert with special guest Thornetta Davis Dorsch Memorial Branch Library
“Tuesdays are Bluesdays” continues with Larry McCray, the
Arkansas-born, Michigan-based singer, guitarist, bandleader,
songwriter and heir apparent to a lineage that includes
personal heroes and influences like B.B. King, Freddie King
and Albert King, all of whom McCray’s met and performed
with. Detroit’s Queen of the Blues (and Monroe Blues Series
favorite) Thornetta Davis will join her friend Larry for a few
tunes at this special concert.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 7:00 PM
Alvin “Youngblood” Hart in Concert - Carleton Branch Library
Only one performer could be called “the cosmic American
love child of Howlin’ Wolf and Link Wray,” and that’s Alvin
“Youngblood” Hart, about to make his Monroe debut. Hart’s
relayed his eclectic musical message around the world and
earned praise from everyone from Bob Dylan to British guitar
gods Eric Clapton and Mick Taylor.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at 7:00 PM
Victor Wainwright in Concert - Bedford Branch Library
Living Blues has said “Wainwright serves as an electrifying
guide to a good time--spinning tales, telling his listeners
how to beat the blues, and meticulously conjuring raw soul
and energy out of his acoustic piano.” With a sharp sense of
humor and a knack for storytelling, Victor was an easy choice
to perform our 2016 Ann Rabson Concert, named in honor of
the late, great friend of the Blues Series.
Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 7:00 PM
Toronzo Cannon in Concert with special guest Bubba Wilson Ida Branch Library
Guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Toronzo Cannon has become
one of Chicago’s most recognized and most popular
bluesmen through the sheer force of his music, his soul,
his songs, his charisma and, maybe most impressively, his
passion. Opening for Toronzo in Ida will be Dundee’s own
Bubba Wilson, a 2015 finalist in the Detroit Blues Society’s
International Blues Challenge competition.
Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 7:00 PM
THE BIG GIG! - Monroe County Community College
The Campbell Brothers light up the stage for The Big Gig! 2016.
They’ll be joined by soul and blues vocalist Maria Muldaur,
and Davy Knowles, one of the blues world’s most highly
acclaimed up-and-coming guitarists. Hosting the show will
be Detroiter Rev. Robert B. Jones, who began Monroe’s blues
tradition in 1988 and has returned each year since.
Your Monroe County Library System
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Monroe, MI 48161-1557
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It’s a Fine Thing to Do EVERY DAY!
You can return overdue materials
and pay only $1. Proceeds, up to one
thousand dollars, will go to a different
charity each month.
January - Project Homeless Connect
February - American Red Cross
March - Relay for Life
Holiday Closings
All branches of the Monroe County
Library System will be closed:
January 18, 2016 in observance of
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
and
February 15, 2016
in observance of Presidents’ Day
To receive this newsletter electronically,
please visit mymcls.com/about_us
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If you love the library and want to help enhance library services and promote library use, we extend an invitation
to you to become involved in the Friends of the Monroe County Library System. Your membership also entitles
you to invitations to Book Sale previews, special Friends events, and related Library mailings.
Please fill out the application below, call 734-241-5770, or visit mymcls.com/friends_mcls
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The Monroe County Library System Board of Trustees
Laurence F. Gregory, Chair w Maryanne Bourque, Vice Chair w Catharine Calder, Secretary
Elizabeth Taylor, Trustee w Bernie Smith, Trustee w Director: Nancy Bellaire