Thom Jayne and the Nomads at Common Ground

Last night, our Literature and Lyrics contest winners Thom Jayne and the Nomads opened for Sheryl Crow at the Common Ground Music Festival. As a part of a prize package that included tickets to the festival, a gift certificate to Marshall music and food and drink tickets, the band also was awarded a 45-minute opening spot at Common Ground.

Thom Jayne and the Nomads are a Global Fusion group from Lansing. Their line-up featured digeridoos, trumpets, guitars, fiddles and African percussion. The foot-stomping inspirational music was fantastic, and the crowd loved the high energy performance! Check out more photos from the show at Flickr.

Watch Thom Jayne and the Nomads’ winning video:

Posted by ErinS

CADL Weblogs

TechCorner |  Small Business |  CADL Teen

Ann Patchett visits CADL

The Capital Area District Library welcomed Ann Patchett to Holt Junior High School on Thursday, May 14 . Patchett is the author of Bel Canto, The Patron Saint of Liars, The Magician’s Assistant and Run, as well as Truth & Beauty, her award-winning memoir of her friendship with writer Lucy Grealy.

When Patchett took the stage, her warmth immediately lit up the room.  Her larger than life personality filled the theater as she captivated the audience for an hour with stories from her personal life, professional life and childhood. She talked about her coincidental connection to opera singer Renee Flemming, and how the connection has led them to become the best of friends. That friendship has even taken Ann to the stage of the Metropolitan Opera.

After about 50 minutes of entertaining anecdotes, Ann brought the Capital Area District Library Adult Selection Specialist, Sarah Redman up to the stage. Redman asked a few questions and then opened the floor to the audience. Questions from the audience ranged from character name pronunciation clarification to aria secrets. Patchett didn’t hold back. She talked about books she liked – and those she didn’t. And an audience member kindly reminded us that Ann Patchett’s mother is none other than Jeanne Ray author of Julie and Romeo Get Lucky, Step Ball Change and Eat Cake.

After a brilliant presentation, Patchett signed books and chatted with fans. She was truly a gracious and entertaining guest!

On hand that evening was also Lansing Community College’s TV production staff. They were kind enough to record a brief pre-show interview with Patchett hosted by CADL’s Sarah Redman. For more photos, check us out on Flickr.

For more events at the Capital Area District Library, go to cadl.org and click on events calender.

Posted by ErinS

Southern Gospel Treat

Concert-goers were treated to a unique musical event last Saturday when southern gospel favorite, the Calvarymen Quartet performed at the Leslie Congregational Church in Leslie, MI. The four brilliant singers filled the church with sweet harmonies and soul-stirring, upbeat hymns.

Ranging from sweet ballads to mood lifters proclaiming, “Honk if you love Jesus,” the songs were full of zeal. The Calvarymen even treated us to a quick and nostalgic Christmas carol medley. And the crowd was fully appreciative, clapping and tapping their feet with energetic enthusiasm.

The Calvarymen Quartet formed in 1956 and are a staple in gospel music. For more than 25 years, they have represented Michigan on the main stage at the National Quartet Convention.  In 1976, the Michigan State Senate declared them “Ambassadors of Goodwill.” Regularly featured on TV and radio stations across the country, the Calvarymen Quartet was a treat not to be missed.

If you are a gospel fan, make sure to check out the legendary Dorinda Clark-Cole on Saturday, April 18 at 7 pm at the South Baptist Church, 5250 Cornerstone Drive, Lansing

Straight From Motown

Over 200 people took a break from the winter weather last Saturday to heat things up with Grammy-nominated jazz group Straight Ahead and vocal legend Carolyn Crawford. The group performed Motown classics at the Okemos, Downtown Lansing and Holt-Delhi Libraries. 

Straight Ahead at the Downtown Lansing Library

Straight Ahead’s powerful performance harked back to the vibrant Detroit Jazz scene they emerged from. They recorded their first album, Look Straight Ahead in 1990 for Atlantic Jazz. They followed that up with Body and Soul. In 1995, Dance Of the Forest Rain received rave reviews, and Branford Marsalis called the group, “a monster outfit that truly swings!” Check out the Best of Straight Ahead CD at CADL.

Carolyn Crawford

Joining Straight Ahead was Motown recording artist, Carolyn Crawford. After winning a radio contest in 1963, Crawford was awarded a recording contract with Motown Records. While at Motown, she recorded Smokey Robinson’s “My Smile Is Just A Frown (Turned Upside Down),” which in 1964 became a minor hit in the United States. A cellarful of Motown! is a great collection of Motown gems including Carolyn Crawford’s “Take My Hand.”