We’re excited to announce this year’s One Book, One Chicago program highlights!
At One Book, One Chicago, we believe the book is just the beginning. We take that one book and expand it into an annual season of learning and engagement focusing on a theme expressed in the book that is integral to the lives of all Chicagoans.
For One Book, One Chicago in 2017-2018, we’re reading I’ll Take You There: Mavis Staples, the Staple Singers, and the Music that Shaped the Civil Rights Era. In this excellent work of nonfiction, author Greg Kot takes readers through the Staples Singers’ inspiring story as they produced an iconic sound that shaped the Civil Rights Era. The book highlights a historic period of change in America and reveals more intimate moments of Mavis Staples’ 60-plus year career. Readers will learn more about the Civil Rights Era, local and national music history, and proud Chicagoan Mavis Staples herself.
The theme we’re exploring in conjunction with this book is “Music: The Beat of Our City.” There are a whole host of activities you can participate in that explore the impact of music on our city and in our lives, including:
Lou Della Evans-Reid’s Traditional Gospel Choir
Lou Della Evans-Reid, retired Minister of Music at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, brings to the stage a 60-voice choir that has been called “the gold-standard of gospel chorus singing.” This gospel choir concert celebrates the exhibit “The Fellowship of Rev. Clay Evans,” on display on the 9th floor of the Harold Washington Library Center through March 5th. The concert takes place on Saturday, March 3rd at 2 pm at the Cindy Pritzker Auditorium at the Harold Washington Library Center.
Sing-A-Long: Voice of the People Special Edition with Andrea Bunch and Mary Peterson
Join us for a spirited sing-a-long featuring songs from the folk, soul, and freedom song traditions as inspired by I’ll Take You There. Old Town School of Folk Music teaching artists will take you on a journey of tunes and tales as you sing and share in making song together. The sing-a-long takes place April 26th at 12:15 pm in the reception hall of the Harold Washington Library Center.
Make a Speaker Amplifier for your Smartphone on the 3D Printer
The second-best thing to live music is getting to hear it on good speakers. Your smartphone’s speakers don’t always cut it. That’s why we created this workshop that teaches you how to design an amplifier using free design software. Participants will learn the basics of 3D modeling and printing, plus you’ll be able to save your file and 3D print your very own speaker amplifier. Workshops take place at 1:30 pm and 6 pm on February 22nd, March 15th, and April 23rd at the CPL Maker Lab located on the 3rd floor of the Harold Washington Library Center.
This is just a sampling of the educational and fun programming we have available through this year’s One Book, One Chicago program. Please join us in turning the page, putting a record on, and tapping your foot to the beat as we celebrate “Music: The Beat of Our City.” To learn more, inquire at your local library or visit the Library’s One Book, One Chicago webpage here.