Last week, I hopped aboard the trusty LIRR to attend a concert in Manhattan with two friends that I hadn’t seen in a while; work, school, and a multitude of personal commitments can often conspire to keep us away from the people whose company we value the most. We had a great time catching up and bonding over our shared love for this particular singer-songwriter. We discussed the songs we hoped she would play and the reasons why we loved those songs so much. The show was incredible—everything we hoped it would be.
When I sat down to brainstorm ideas about my next Checking the Shelf post, I kept thinking about the experience of seeing live music with friends. It occurred to me that the LPL offers this same experience on a smaller scale. Our PR department secures talented musicians and singers that appeal to a large spectrum of tastes: Jazz, Folk, Rock, Country, Big Band, and more. Now, I know that in all likelihood the LPL will never host Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, or other worldwide, chart-topping superstars.* BUT, the performers we are fortunate enough to welcome are talented and accomplished in their own rights. I have dropped in on many performances and been impressed with their musical skills and ability to command the stage.
For November and December, we are offering five concerts—that’s five concerts in two months! For free! No need to pay for train fare if you’re a local—as most of our attendees are—or exorbitant parking fees. The most you would need to do is be aware of when the tickets become available (and you can do that through our bimonthly newsletter) and get your tickets before they sell out. You can come in on a Friday evening or weekend afternoon and spend time with your friends and family and listen to music the ideal way: live and unfiltered, with every drum beat and guitar pluck so close you think you could touch them.
Our upcoming concerts include Bob Dylan and Rat Pack tributes, holiday Folk music, and a special performance by pianist Brittany Maier, who has been featured on Dateline and has performed at Carnegie Hall. This past Sunday, we had a packed house for The Ed Ryan Band as they performed a rousing tribute to The Beatles. You don’t need a lot of money to make musical memories. All you need is your local library.
Until next time…
Happy Reading,
Jess
*If Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift and/or Blake Shelton are interested in performing at the Levittown Public Library for free or in exchange for a couple of tote bags, I’m sure we can work something out. 🙂
