Saint Paul Public Library and The Schubert Club Celebrate 125 Years of Words and Music
More than 20 entertainers gather to celebrate in Rice Park, the Central Library and the Landmark Center
Press Release: PDF | Word
 Together the Saint Paul Public Library and the Schubert Club celebrate 125 years of words and music from noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, September 30, in Rice Park, at the Saint Paul Central Library and the Landmark Center.
Sponsored by The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, festivities begin at 12 p.m., with a parade starting on the corner of Wabasha Street and 4th Street and running along 4th Street, ending at Rice Park, downtown St. Paul.
Following the parade is a welcome and a birthday celebration with local dignitaries including Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Library Director Melanie Huggins and special guest Franz Schubert. Live performances, free giveaways, and prominent speakers will be featured throughout the day at Rice Park, the Saint Paul Central Library and the Schubert Club, Landmark Center. All events are free and open to the public.
Schedule of Events
Starting at 12 Noon
Parade, with route running along 4th Street, starting at Wabasha Street and ending at Rice Park, downtown St. Paul. Music from Central High School Band.
Starting at 1 p.m.
Welcome to the Happy Birthday: 125 Years of Words and Music event with Mayor Chris Coleman, Library Director Melanie Huggins, and special guest Franz Schubert.
Starting at 1:30 p.m.
125 Years of Words & Music: History of the Library & Schubert Club in Magazine Room, Central Library
Learn about the history of two of St. Paul’s beloved institutions.
 Gamelan Demonstration and Workshop by International Novelty Gamelan in Courtroom #317, Landmark Center
The International Novelty Gamelan (ING) is one of many groups in North America that play decidedly non-traditional music on thegamelan, the traditional percussion ensemble of Java. ING will demonstrate a few of their own lively pop - and rock-influenced compositions. And - since they know traditional gamelan music as well - they will also give interested audience members a quick hands-on introduction to the interesting and exotic musical world of Java.
Minnesota Center for Book Arts workshop in Cortile hallway, Landmark Center (1:30 to 4:30)
Create a birthday pop-up book with staff from the Minnesota Center for Book Arts.
Minnesota Percussion Trio in Youth Services, Central Library
The Minnesota Percussion Trio presents “Clicks, Claps & Klunks.” Music comes from the heart and then you find something to play it on! Using simple or found instruments such as 5-gallon buckets, claves, paper, tin cans and body percussion, the trio features the creativity of today's composers. These unlikely instruments and their sounds unlock the musical possibilities of the things around us.
Starting at 2 p.m.
Teddy Bear Band in Rice Park
Teddy Bear Band inspires movement, imagination and fun for children, families, and stuffed friends with an upbeat musical journey of imaginary rides, musical games, & Bear-Robics. Fun for all with this award winning, nationally recognized, adult- friendly, children's show! (BYOTB - Bring Your Own Teddy Bear!)
 Tou Ger Xiong, Hmong spoken word artist in Cortile, Landmark Center
Tou Ger Xiong, the first Hmong comedian, storyteller, and rap artist, combines personal stories, humor, rap, and explosive energy into a lively performance that provides education and entertainment for people of all ages and professions.
Get ready to listen, learn, and laugh along in a program that will not only teach us about the colorful world in which we live but a little more about ourselves.
Dance Revels Moving History on Weyerhaeuser Stage, Landmark Center
Dance Revels Moving History presents ‘Charleston with “Me”: a tribute to Minnesota maverick Brenda Ueland and her ragtime world.’ Brenda Ueland’s work has inspired artists and writers since the Roaring Twenties and WWI.
 How better to represent Brenda’s own flamboyance and feisty spirit than through the dances of her day: the Charleston, Tango, and Black Bottom! With live ragtime piano, costumed dancers, slides, narration from Brenda’s books. Directed by Jane Peck, with 6 performers, including Josette Antomarchi with narration and song.
Los Soles Mariachi with Aldo Ramos in Nicholson Commons, Central Library
Los Soles uses the traditional charro costume, voices and string instruments to bring the rich musical tradition of Latin America to life. Los Soles will delight audiences with their music, from Cuban Boleros to Rancheras songs from Mexico.
Starting at 2:30 p.m.
Light From Heaven: Cambodian Music in Magazine Room, Central Library
Light From Heaven is a unique multicultural music ensemble based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The group performs in the classical tradition of Cambodia.
Starting at 3 p.m.
 Café Accordion Orchestra in Rice Park
Café Accordion Orchestra performs an eclectic mix of vintage Swing, Latin, American, and French Café Music. Their music evokes the repertoire of the bands that were popular in Parisian cafés and bistros in the 1920’s through 1950’s.They play with good humor and expressive abandon, and their high level of musicianship and passion for performance makes them an entertaining concert act as well as a great dance band.
The members have a combined total of over a century of experience with the likes of Prairie Home Companion, Stoney Lonesome, Bone Tones, The Nationals, Jumbo Ya Ya, Ethnic Dance Theater and the Laketown Buskers.
 Drummer Sowah Mensah in Cortile, Landmark Center
Sowah Mensah is an ethnomusicologist, composer and a “Master Drummer” from Ghana, West Africa. Sowah has taught music in both Ghana and Nigeria and is currently a music professor at both Macalester College, and the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul where he also directs each school’s African Music Ensemble. In addition he also directs the African Music Ensemble at the University of Minnesota.
Sowah is also the director of Sankofa, a Ghanaian Folklore and Dance Ensemble in the Twin Cities and a member of Speaking in Tongues, a four-piece group based out of the Twin Cities that uses two percussionists, a bassist and a Chinese pipa player.
 Minnesota Crime Wave in Courtroom #326, Landmark Center
Presenting Resort to Murder. Resort to Murder is an anthology of mystery stories set in Minnesota, specifically a Minnesotan resort, and written by Minnesota authors. Edited by the Minnesota Crime Wave, the anthology follows on the heels of the wildly successful collection, The Silence of the Loons.
Minnesota State Fair: An Illustrated History presentation by Kathryn and Linda Koutsky on Weyerhaeuser Stage, Landmark Center
Minnesota State Fair: An Illustrated History is filled with memorabilia from the Great Minnesota Get-Together and more than 100 recipes from 4-H groups, famous Minnesota companies, time honored concessionaires, important food growing associations, and ribbon-winning contestants, this treasury of Minnesota’s happiest memories will keep you looking forward to the fair all year long. Join authors Kathryn Strand Koutsky and Linda Koutsky for a presentation, including great photographs and memorabilia.
Storyteller Danielle Daniel in Youth Services, Central Library
Hear spellbinding folktales, stories, jokes, riddles, folk songs, and blues handed down through generations. Danielle's stories combined with Alphonse Bolden's unique blend of music will captivate and transport you on an exciting journey filled with adventure, suspense, and drama.
Starting at 3:30 p.m.
 Raptor Center in Magazine Room, Central Library
See how the Raptor Center of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine specializes in the medical care, rehabilitation, conservation, and study of eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons. The essence of their mission is to strengthen the bond between humans and birds, to improve the quality of life for both, and to contribute to the preservation of the natural world. Come see their birds!
Kantorei Chamber Choir in Nicholson Commons, Central Library
Now in its 20th season, Kantorei is a choral ensemble drawing its members from throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Founded in 1988, Kantorei has grown to include about 40 singers from across the metropolitan area and greater Minnesota who perform works outside of the mainstream, focusing on seldom-heard 19th and 20th-century European compositions.
Palabristas Spoken Word Group in Zelda’s Café, Central Library.
Members of Palabristas, a troupe of Latin@ spoken word artists who perform in and around the Twin Cities area, share their work.
Events starting at 4 p.m.
Dance Revels workshop in Cortile, Landmark Center.
Plus the fantastic Bill the Juggler, strolling musicians, costumed authors and composers from the past 125 years, and more!
About the Saint Paul Public Library
2007 marks Saint Paul Public Library's 125th year of service to the community. When the Saint Paul Public Library was established in 1882, it opened for business on the second floor of the Ingersoll Block building with 8,051 books, sharing space with doctors’ and dentists’ offices. You can now choose from a collection of more than one million items available at the Central Library, 12 branches and a bookmobile, and online at www.sppl.org . Saint Paul Central Library is located at 90 West Fourth Street, Saint Paul.
About the Schubert Club
The Schubert Club, named in honor of Franz Schubert, has secured a prominent place in the history of musical organizations since 1882. It is one of the oldest arts organizations in the country, predated by, among the few, the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. For the last 125 years, The Schubert Club promotes the art of music particularly recital music, through concert, museum, and education programs while maintaining a high standard of excellence. For more information, please visit www.schubert.org . The Schubert Club is located at 302 Landmark Center, 75 West 5th Street, Saint Paul.
About The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library
Currently celebrating its 62nd year, The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is a private, nonprofit organization which assists the Saint Paul Public Library through private fundraising, advocacy, cultural programming and public awareness activities. For more information, contact The Friends at 651-222-3242, or visit www.thefriends.org.
Supported By
The Happy Birthday! 125 years of Words and Music event is supported by Minnesota Public Radio, the Saint Paul Pioneer Press and Landmark Center.
Copyright 2002-2008, Saint Paul Public Library - 90 W. 4th Saint Paul, MN 55102
Questions or comments: 651-266-7000 / Ask a Librarian
Melanie Huggins, Library Director | Library Board
An Agency of the City of Saint Paul - Christopher B. Coleman, Mayor
Media Relations: Sheree Savage / 651-266-7029
Webmaster: SPPLWeb@ci.stpaul.mn.us
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