WESTFIELD — The Westfield Memorial Library, located at 550 East Broad Street, will offer three music programs for adults during the month of September.
On Tuesday, September 19, at 7 p.m., musician Matthew Fishteyn will return to the library to take audience members on a musical journey along the Mississippi Delta as he explores genres such as ragtime, stride, boogie-woogie and New Orleans blues. He will describe how these genres imparted their influence on swing, country, rock n’roll and other musical styles that forever reshaped how people think about music, and the emotional response it triggers within them.
International concert violinist David Podles, Ph.D., also will return to the library, on Saturday, September 23, at 2 p.m. He will present “Trail of Mystery: An Enchanting Gypsy/Romani Experience.” Dr. Podles will play the music of the mysterious culture of these worldfamous nomads whose music remains rich in mysticism and ancient traditions. Musical selections will hail from Hungary, Romania, India, the Baltic States and Russia, as well as music performed in the gypsy theater and stage.
Guitarist Ken Lelen will spotlight “Poets of the Prairie” on Tuesday, September 26, at 7 p.m. With songs and stories, he will explore the cultural impact of multiple late-20thcentury
American and Canadian composers, performers and recording artists, including Woody Guthrie of Okema, Okla.; Goebel Reeves of Sherman, Tex.; Bob Dylan of Duluth, Minn.; Gordon Lightfoot of Toronto, Ontario; Buffy Sainte-Marie of Qu’Appelle Valley, Saskatchewan; and Ian Tyson of Victoria, British Columbia.
Known for shows full of catchy tunes, clever lyrics and amusing anecdotes, Mr. Lelen has played more than 2,000 East Coast and Midwest concerts since 1999. His performances include American jazz, swing, ragtime and pop tunes within the framework of a romantic, musical or historical theme, nimble guitar work and Mr. Lelen’s vocals.
To sign up for a library card, learn more about the library’s resources or register for other programs, visit https://wmlnj.org/ or follow the library on Facebook and Instagram.
Currently, library hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
