Sunday February 12, 2012: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Celebrate Scandinavian culture through music, crafts, and traditional treats for the whole family!

Tuesday February 14, 2012: 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Join us for a special Valentine's Day Concert with the Ann Arbor Youth Chorale!

The goal of the Ann Arbor Youth Chorale is to enrich the culture and lives of the community by supporting and encouraging young singers, age 9 - 16, to excel in both musical performance and social activities. Basic concepts of melody, rhythm, harmony, and dynamics are taught, along with skills in vocal technique, breathing, tone production, diction, and sight singing.

Experience the Ann Arbor Youth Chorale at this concert - on Valentine's Day!

Friday February 17, 2012: 9:30 am to 10:00 am -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Learn about the oboe from Timothy Michling and about the piano from Kathryn Goodson. Then hear a story from Gari Stein and dance to the music of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra!

Friday February 17, 2012: 10:30 am to 11:00 am -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Learn about the oboe from Timothy Michling and about the piano from Kathryn Goodson. Then hear a story from Gari Stein and dance to the music of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra!

Friday February 17, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

With songs both traditional and original, and a sound that's at once as comfortable as old jeans and as fresh as a new blade of grass, Bill Bynum & Co. is a band that's easy to love and hard to quit. The band's core instrumentation of acoustic guitar, fiddle, bass, pedal steel guitar and harmony vocals can lean into country, veer toward bluegrass, or take listeners on a unique journey through Bill's original songs.

Although a Detroit native, Bill Bynum's musical roots are in the South. His parents migrated from Black Oak, Arkansas to work in Detroit's steel industry in the 1940s, bringing--like many others--their love for bluegrass and country music. Bill grew up listening to artists like Johnny Cash and Buck Owens on Detroit's country radio station, "The Big D." Detroit rock drove Bill's early musical career. But in 1999, Bill turned on the radio and heard "Yours Forever Blue" by Steve Earle and the Del McCoury Band. From that moment on he found himself with a "nonstop desire to hear and play those songs."

Bill is a first-prize winner in the Metro Detroit Songwriting Showcase with his song "Lovin' You." He has collaborated with bluegrass legend Pete Goble, an International Bluegrass Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Bill lives for the joy of entertaining his audience and is a true showman!

Saturday February 18, 2012: 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Stories, spirituals, blues, work songs, field hollers, country music, folk songs, gospel and original songs are all a part of the fabric of America's culture. This is the music that gave the world jazz, R&B, bluegrass, rock and even Hip Hop. They give insight into the way that we have lived and the ways that we continue to live together.

For over 20 years Robert Jones has been a champion of American Roots music, with a special emphasis on traditional African American music. He is also a storyteller, a preacher, an artist, and a teacher. In 2007 Robert was recognized with a 'Keeping The Blues Alive' award in Memphis, TN., as 'Educator of the Year' and in 2009 Robert was honored with an invitation to work as a featured storyteller at the prestigious National Storytelling Festival. He has also presented his American Roots Music In Education program at various venues in the United States, Canada, England and Germany,

Join us for this special afternoon concert - celebrating Black History month - as Rev. Jones shares his special gifts with us.

Thursday February 23, 2012: 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

The well-loved family band, Gratitude Steel Band, has toured Europe, the West Indies, Canada, the U.S. - - and now comes to the Downtown Library with a special concert during Black History Month. Enjoy the steel drum sound in an interactive musical event featuring favorite songs from around the world!!

The Gratitude Steel Band has released nine CDs of varied styles with steel drums, tablas, guitar, percussion, and singing. They create different musical adventures with fun, action, and audience participation! Do not miss the fun!

This event is for preschool to grade 5.

Sunday March 11, 2012: 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- The Ark
316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (map)

Called "The Mark Twain of Contemporary Kid's Music," Grammy Award-winning artist Bill Harley is a musician, storyteller, author, and playwright who has carved out a reputation as one of the finest family performers in the U.S. Nominated four times for a Grammy, Harley won the award in 2007 for Best Spoken Word for Children. In 2001, he was inducted into the National Storytelling Network's Circle of Excellence and is a recipient of the Magic Penny Award from the Children's Music Network for his lifelong contributions toward bettering the lives of children through music.

Friday March 23, 2012: 7:00 pm to 7:45 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Eric Litwin (aka Mr. Eric) is a "New York Times" bestselling author of "Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes." He is a guitar-strumming, book-writing, harmonica-blowing, banjo-picking, song-singing, award-winning, folksy, fun type of guy! Kids will sing, dance, and fall in love with books at Eric's exciting and interactive performances, featuring acoustic guitar, blues harmonica, folk song from around the world, and his popular Pete the Cat stories!

Tuesday April 17, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm -- Pittsfield Branch: Program Room

The Music Lady brings music, movement, smiles and laughter! This lively interactive concert includes many familiar songs as well as catchy originals with Beverly Meyer, The Music Lady.

Friday May 11, 2012: 9:30 am to 10:00 am -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Learn about the trombone from Donald Babcock and about the piano from Kathryn Goodson. Then hear a story from Gari Stein and dance to the music of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra!

Friday May 11, 2012: 10:30 am to 11:00 am -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Learn about the trombone from Donald Babcock and about the piano from Kathryn Goodson. Then hear a story from Gari Stein and dance to the music of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra!

Tuesday May 22, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Detroit-area musician Ara brings the sounds of the Middle East to a family concert! He performs on Armenian and Middle Eastern instruments, including the Kanun (laptop harp) and the Duduk (Armenian oboe).