Posted by Meredith on Saturday, Jan 30, 2016
Join the Iowa City Public Library as we celebrate all things musical with Music is the Word. This special series of programming, to continue through May 2016, welcomes the University of Iowa School of Music building to downtown Iowa City. Here’s what’s happening in February:
7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center Gymnastics Room: Yahoo Drummers. This Family Drumming Session at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center will have families exploring and playing percussion instruments from all over the world. No fee; no registration required.
7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, in Meeting Room A: Film screening – “Bessie.” Queen Latifah stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in this HBO Films presentation, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dee Rees. 112 minutes (2015)
10:30 to 11 a.m. and 1:30 to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, in the Storytime Room: Book Babies – West Music’s Sing, Play, and Grow.
2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, in Meeting Room A: Concert – Gospel Explosion Ministry's Choirs. Join the Gospel Explosion Ministry's Praise and Worship Team, GEM Teen Mime Ministry and Precious GEM'S as they share hymns and gospel songs.
Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, in Meeting Room A: Music on Wednesday @ICPL with Preucil School of Music.
10:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, in Meeting Room A: Preschool Storytime – Preschool Valentine’s Day Dance.
7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, in Meeting Room A: Documentary – “Twenty Feet from Stardom.” The backup singer exists in a strange place in the pop music world; they are always in the shadow of the feature artists even when they are in front of them in concert while they provide a vital foundation for the music. Through interviews with veterans and concert footage, the history of these predominately African-American singers is explored through the rock era. 91 minutes (2013)
10:30 to 11 a.m. and 1:30 to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, in the Storytime Room: Book Babies – Preucil’s Music Together.
2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, in the Storytime Room: Sing-Along – “Tangled.” Will Rapunzel ever find her way out of her tower, or discover that she's really the lost princess of the kingdom? Stop by the Storytime Room to sing along and find out! This Disney movie features music by Academy Award-winning composer Alan Menken.
5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, in Meeting Room A: Concert -- Traditional Chinese Music Performance featuring Wu Man. Wu Man is an internationally renowned pipa (Chinese lute) virtuoso.
7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, in Meeting Room A: Film program -- And the Oscar for Best Original Score goes to “The Adventures of Robin Hood.” Sir Robin of Locksley, defender of downtrodden Saxons, runs afoul of Norman authority and is forced to turn outlaw. Guest speaker Nathan Platte, Assistant Professor of Musicology at the University of Iowa School of Music, will introduce the film and give a short history of the Academy Award for Best Original Score.
2 to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, in Meeting Room A: Family Event – Dancers in Company. Dancers in Company, the University of Iowa’s premiere touring dance company, performs work by nationally and internationally active faculty and guest choreographers throughout the state and region. This year, the company has created a series of works around the theme of “water.” The show will feature dances that investigate personal, local, and global issues underlying the beauty, vitality, and necessity of water by faculty choreographers Armando Duarte, Eloy Barragan, Jessica Anthony and Michael Sakamoto, and guest choreographer Rennie Harris.
Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, in the Lobby: Music on Wednesday @ICPL with Anthony Arnone. Called “a cellist with rich tonal resources, fine subtlety and a keen sense of phrasing,” cellist Anthony Arnone enjoys a varied career as a soloist, chamber musician, conductor, recording artist, composer, and teacher throughout the country and around the world. Associate professor of cello at the University of Iowa School of Music, he is also on the faculty of the Preucil School of Music in Iowa City, where he teaches and conducts.
Noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, in Meeting Room A: Music on Friday. Please join students from the University of Iowa School of Music as they share a hour of music over the lunch break. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the amazing talent of our University of Iowa students.
For more information, visit www.icpl.org/mitw or call the Library at 319-356-5200.