Yesterday’s blog entry was all about the magic taking place at the library this summer.  Today’s will be all about the music.  Since “Be Creative” is our Summer Reading Program theme, musical mayhem is a big part of our plans this summer.  Here’s what we’ve got cookin’:

This Saturday (6/13), when we kick off our 2009 Summer Reading Program at the Fairmount Street Library, one of the creative workshops we’re hosting is a chance to make a musical instrument, and then use that musical instrument to jam will Blues musician extraordinaire, Ellis Kell.  The workshops begin at 1:00 pm, and happen every hour on the hour until 5:00 pm.

Twilight fans will not want to miss the Twilight-centered band Bella Rocks! at 4:00 pm on Saturday.  Bella Rocks! will play music inspired by the wildly popular vampire series on the outdoor stage provided by the City of Davenport. If you love Bella Swan, Edward Cullen & Jacob Black, get there early for a prime location!

To get your music mojo movin’, try out this great book or this great CD:

The Cardboard Piano by Lynne Rae Perkins is a story about friendship and specifically how friendship can be really tricky.  Just because you are friends with somebody, and just because you are the same in most ways, doesn’t mean that you will always see eye to eye.  When Debbie gives Tina a cardboard piano, she is sure that Tina will love it.  After all, Debbie spent a long time making it, and it looks just like a real piano.  Now Tina can learn to play too.  They will play duets together.  It will be so amazing.  Or maybe not.  Find out what happens. — Tamra

“Hey you kids!” by The Jellydots exceeded all of my expectations.  And that says a heckuva lot, since I had super high expectations for this album.  A few months back I stumbled upon the Jellydots’ sophomore release, Changing Skies, and my world was rocked.  The album was consistently funky, melodically interesting, and beautifully orchestrated — one of the few kid’s albums that I can put on the stereo without my husband complaining about listening to a kid’s album.  So I expected their freshman release to be awesome.  It is.  It really is.  Awesome.

This album is targeted to a slightly younger crowd than Changing Skies, but it’s equally impressive.  Kindie rock at it’s very best, this album is surprising, uplifting, cheerful, and all-around spectacular.  It may well change your opinion of kid’s music.  It’s not all syrupy sweetness or traditional folk tunes or educational boringness.  It’s alt-rock for your kindergartner that you will love, too.  Get yourself warmed up for Saturday’s musical mayhem by listening to this excellent album.  Then continue the rockin’ at Fairmount!

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 11th, 2009 at 6:51 pm and is filed under Book Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.