Rock Island, IL: Summer events take a tuneful turn next week at the Rock Island Library in July, with two new musical performers for children and families.
On Monday, July 7, the library will host a "Boogie in the Barnyard" dance party featuring musician, author, and chicken dancer John Duggleby. The all ages music event is from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. Duggleby, of Madison, Wis., plays about 75 one-man shows per year, at venues ranging from coffeehouses, to senior centers, to libraries, to festivals. Along with his own material, his songbook ranges from Stephen Foster and George M. Cohan to Beatles and Bruce Springsteen, performed on guitar and who knows what else. Oh, and yes ... there will be chicken dancing, so warm up your wings!
Duggleby is the author of 10 books, including "Artist in Overalls, the Life of Grant Wood," and hundreds of magazine articles. He made his professional performing debut at age five at the Sunset Supper Club in Muscatine, Iowa, singing, "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" after the piano man bribed him with a nickel. As an adult his bio states he "labored in several underappreciated folk, 60s rock, Cajun, bluegrass and world music ensembles." John also leads drum circles and kitchen bands for groups including seniors, kids and disabled people, as well as hosting a monthly Songwriters Showcase at a Madison-area listening room.
On Thursday, July 10, award-winning children's musician Jeanie B! brings her rock and roll music show for kids and families to two Rock Island Library locations. The free performances are from 10:00 am to 11:00 am
at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street, and from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road.The winner of the 2012 Parents' Choice for her CD, Sugar Buzz, and a 2006 Parent-to-Parent Adding Wisdom Award for Mommy Knows Best, Jeanie B! is a lifetime singer/songwriter who started playing guitar at age 12. Her sound is kid's music for everyone, leaning toward rock and roll, folk and country. Her high-energy concerts have been called "Velcro for kids" and are packed with dancing, sing-a-longs and interactive music. She involves the audience with movement, dancing, singing, and jumping, providing a rocking good time for both parents and children.
For more information about Rock Island Summer Reading, visit any Rock Island Main, 30/31 or Southwest Branches, go to www.rockislandlibrary.org call 309-732-READ (7323.) A downloadable events calendar is available on the library website at the newsletters and calendars link.
Founded in 1872, the Rock Island Public Library serves the area through three locations, which include the Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches, community outreach efforts, and online opportunities that provide resources to enhance personal achievement and stimulate the imagination.
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