Joan Hammel
Sings Songs of
America
Monday, April 23 at 7
p.m.
Audiovisual
Department
Joan Hammel
grew up in Lake
County ,
IL
in a musical
family and studied voice and instruments privately, in school and at
church. She performs live as well as in commercials, on television
shows, in films, and on radio. For the third year in a row,
Joan has been nominated for Pop Entertainer of the Year by the
Chicago Music Awards. Her album joanland was included
on the 2006 Grammy Awards Nominations Ballot in four different
categories. The Illinois Arts Council placed Joan on the
2005-2007 Illinois ArtsTour Roster of artists. ASCAP (American
Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) just gave her their
second ASCAPLUS Writer's Award, where a panel of music experts
recognize active writers in the early and midstages of their careers
with cash and recognition. The YWCA of Lake County chose Joan
as the winner in their Arts category for their Women of Achievement
Awards.
Her first full length CD is
joanland. It is a collection of 11 original songs
performed by Joan and a variety of talented musicians. Appearing are
members of the Cryan' Shames and blues legend Corky Siegel, as well
as Skip Griparis of the Major League movies among
others. Joan was also the vocalist on the recording of Oh
Lady Di in honor of the late Princess of Wales benefiting her
Foundation and charities, and America
honoring the
victims of 9-11.
The
America
recording
led to Joan being chosen by Washington
for a
nine-day USO tour to entertain the troops including New Year's Eve
in Guantanamo
Bay ,
Cuba
. Other
performance highlights include appearing as a headliner during the
Winter Olympics in Salt Lake
City and working
all around the globe in places like the Caribbean
and
Las
Vegas , including
Caesar's Palace. She has shared billing with entertainers like Buddy
Rich, Koko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks, the Chi-Lites, the Cryan’ Shames,
David Sanborn, Brenda Russell, Johnny Frigo, Rare Earth, James Moody
and the Second City Comedy Troupe. She has sung at Holy
Name Cathedral several times. She was thrilled to perform a
concert as a part of acclaimed cellist Yoyo Ma's yearlong
Silk
Road project in
Chicago
.
For several years, Joan was the lead singer
of the Exceptions with Billy Herman, formerly of New Colony Six and
Aorta. Commercials and television work include working with a
variety of sports legends like Mike Ditka, Dan Hampton, and
Dr. Julius Irving. Film work includes working with stars like
Bill Murray, Robert DeNiro, Andie MacDowell, Dolly Parton,
James Woods among others. The film Last Day in Chicago, in
which she had a starring role, won its division of the Chicago
International Film Festival.
Joan has
done shows with James Brown, Steve Allen, Richard Marx, Alan Thicke,
Bart Starr, Astronaut Jim Lovell, chef Jacques Pepin, Elektra
Records founder Jack Holzman, Jennifer O'Neill, Livingston Taylor,
Alan Osmond, Robert Guillaume, Joe Bonsall (Oak Ridge Boys), Statler
Brothers' Don Reid, Dr. Elmo (Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer),
HGTV's Room by Room hosts Matt and Shari, origina;
Mouseketeer Lonnie Burr, Lance Armstrong's personal coach Chris
Carmichael, Janis Joplin and BOH guitarist Sam Andrew, and
Hemingway’s travel companion, A.E. Hotchner, as well as covering a
variety of local and national issues.
Joan has
been a spokesperson for Jessica McClintock, Liz Claiborne,
Microsoft, Anheuser Busch, and Toyota
. Some of
the honors she has received include being named to Who’s Who in
Entertainment, Who’s Who in the Midwest, Who’s Who in Music, Who’s
Who of American Women, and the International Who’s Who of Music in
London. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Columbia
. "It’s Fun
To be Fit!", a television program she worked on at CBS TV Chicago,
won an Emmy for Best Children’s Program. At the same station, she
also worked on the "Daybreak" show and some of her favorite guests
included Jimmy Dean, Roger Miller, Jack Hanna, Jack Hemingway, Jack
Brickhouse, Sid Caesar, Virginia Graham, Janet Leigh, the Joffrey
Ballet, and the Alvin Ailey Dance
Troupe.
|
|
National Library Week Starts April
15
Lights, Camera,
READ!
Come celebrate National Library Week with
us...Hollywood style! Books and movies often go
hand in hand. Our special events will highlight famous titles that
have gone from the written word to the silver screen. Bring family
and friends to the Open House from noon to 3 p.m., Sunday,
April 15 for games in the lobby, Looney Tunes Premier
Collection cartoons in the Audiovisual Department, a book sale
in the foyer, drawings for prizes and showtunes performed by locally
based pianist/vocalist/playwright Wayne Richards whose talents have
been enjoyed by thousands throughout Chicago, the Midwest and in
various international capitals. Perhaps Richards most
recognized song is Mackinac Dreams. This work, released
originally in 1989, has become a familiar anthem on Michigan's
famous island. In addition, Richards has written scores for over 16
Great Lakes based documentaries produced by Rand Communicati ons.
Some of these video products are available for check out in our
library. Wayne Richards album entitled All My Travels, can
also be found in our CD collection. This loving audio tribute to
baby boomers include Rosie's Roadside Cafe, Shining Through, 66
is Still Alive and many other often requested songs.
 Wayne Richards
Kids can try their hand at games like mini
golf, bean bag toss and more. Our littlest patrons will all win
prizes by playing the “Mighty Ducks” Duck Pond Game in Youth
Services, while those age 6-12 are welcome to participate in
“Library Lingo,” a Bingo-type game in the Craft Room. You’ll get
some fabulous deals at the book sale, and all proceeds will go to
the Children’s Home and Aid Society.
Have you ever dreamed of having your face
(or your children's faces) on a poster? Enter our drawing and you
may be one of several lucky winners featured on a READ poster to be
placed in the library for six months. You can enter with family,
friends or individually. All you have to do is answer five simple
questions designed to provide us with your opinions on library
resources and services. We will use that information to serve you
better! Everyone will get a prize just for answering the questions
and have their name included in the drawing for a personalized READ
poster. Winners will receive their own copy of the poster.
The purpose of National Library Week is to
familiarize you, our patrons, with all the library has to offer.
Stop by the information table at the Open House to find out about
our books, databases, classes, trips, software and more for all
ages. Visit Downloadable Media display to learn about the library's
audiobooks, ebooks, videos and Playaways. Check out our Web site at
www.stdl.org
for online copies of newsletters, program listings, special events,
countless links and databases.
The Audiovisual Department has planned
three movies starting at 3 p.m. Stop by to view the following films
and receive a free keychain.
Happy Feet
Flushed Away
Open Season
So mark your calendars for Sunday, April 15
and make sure to stop by the library between noon and 3 p.m. for the
National Library Week Open House! Hope to see you there! I will be
at the Information Table.
-Barbara |
(continued from Joan Hammel column)
Joan has
studied singing and recorded with Robert Harris of
Northwestern
University
as well as
studying both singing and conducting with the legendary
Margaret
Hills
of the Chicago
Symphony Chorus. She studied voice and acting with Tony Randall and
operatic singer, Sherrill Milnes. At Ravinia, she had a master class with
Conductor Christoph Eschenbach. She is a graduate of Columbia
College Chicago where she is active in their Alumni Assocation. Joan
is currently working on original recording projects of her own as well as
others.
Accompanying Joan will be Dean Malsack on piano.
Dean has performed all over the United States as a solo
pianist and with several ensembles ranging from jazz to blues to popular
show tunes. Dean's enjoyment in playing is evident in his whimsical and
unique style, and appeals to a wide range of listeners. Dean
was chosen by Washington to
accompany Joan Hammel for a nine-day USO
tour to entertain the troops including New Year's Eve in
Guantanamo
Bay ,
Cuba
.
Dean performs over 250 engagements
yearly. He performed at the STDL in March, 2005 when
he presented movie themes on piano. His collection of CDs are housed
in the Audiovisual Department. They are titled, A Grand (Piano)
Christmas, Broadway and Me, Movies & Me, Romancing the Keys and
Christmas on the Keys. Andrina Singer will join Joan and Dean and is a singer and
violinist. Andrina has worked with stars like Tony Bennett and Melba
Moore. She has worked primarily in the Chicago area. Her combination
of vocal and violin talents is rare and she is a delight to hear. Her
album It's About Time was on the Nominations Ballot for the
Grammy Awards. The album contains classic standards like
Summertime and Memory from Cats. Andrina
appeared in concert at the library in September, 2003. Her CD,
It's About Time, is housed in the Audiovisual Department.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the
Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
|
|
Marvina Bowker
Sings Doris Day's
Greatest Hits
Monday, May 14 at 7
p.m.
Audiovisual
Department
|
Marvina Bowker will sing some of
Doris Day's greatest hits as well as tell about her life and rise to
fame as a big band singer, movie star and TV personality. She
will take the audience on a magical trip down memory lane with her
heartfelt renditions of Doris Day's classic standards.
The audience will be
involved with some trivia and encouraged to make requests for other
songs that made Ms. Day popular. In addition, CDs will be availble
for purchase after the program.
Many of you may
remember when in October, 2003, Marvina kept us spellbound as she
paid a special tribute to the late great Patsy Cline.
Singer, songwriter,
Marvina Bowker has opened for Anne Murray at the Rialto Theatre in
Joliet; appeared at Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Trump
Taj Mahal Casino Resort, Atlantic City, N.J.; The Empress Casino
Lounge, Joliet, Illinois and the Illinois State Fair in Springfield,
Illinois. She has appeared frequently in many ballrooms with
well-known orchestras such as T.T. Nelson, Ron Smolen, Swing Kings,
Brass Track Jazz, Fred Wayne and many more.
"The first time I heard
Marvina sing I was spellbound. In my 55 years on radio I have never
heard a warmer voice...finally a female voice that interprets a song
as only Sinatra could do. It has been my pleasure to play at least
one song by Marvina on every show I do." Art Hellyer, ABC
Radio
"Marvina's soulful
vocals have brought new depths to tunes ranging from country to
classic big band. Her voice repertoire of music make her adaptable
to so many venues; we cannot classify her to just one. Her
enchanting presence captures audiences, and her gracious personality
makes her a dream to work with." Billie Limacher, THE BILLIE
LIMACHER BICENTENNIAL PARK, Joliet, Illinois
New Formats for Music, Movies and
Books!
Nowadays, music, movies and even books
come in formats once considered space age or futuristic.
Technology keeps moving forward, making our entertainment devices
smaller, easier, more compact and better quality than those of the
past. Here at the Schaumburg Township District Library, we provide
patrons with a multitude of formats available in the Audiovisual
Department. For audiobooks, there are cassettes, CDs, Playaways,
MP3-CDs and downloadable books. For videos, we offer video
cassettes, DVDs and downloadable videos. For more information, stop
by the Audiovisual Information desk for assistance or call us at
(847) 923-3182.
Battle of the Bands
Band Applications Due: May 14
Battle Day: Tuesday, July 31 from 7 – 9
p.m.
Attention: Teen Local
Bands!
Yes, the library has books, and yes,
the library is traditionally a place of quiet. But on July 31,
pounding drums and blaring guitars will rock Town Square for a knock
down, drag out Battle of the Bands! Come to the library’s first
Battle of the Bands competition and vote for your favorite local
band. There will be food and beverages for your stomach and
guitar-bass-drums for your ears. All teens are welcome!
How to
Enter:
The majority of band members must be
from Schaumburg Township. All band members must be teens. No one
over the age of 19 may participate in the competition. To audition,
submit one song on MP3, CD or cassette tape to the central library
(Schaumburg) Reader Services Desk, or submit your audition
electronically to aalessio@stdl.org or through a Web
link like Purevolume or MySpace. Responses must be received by
Monday, May 14. Bands selected for the competition will be notified
shortly thereafter. For more information, contact Amy Alessio at
(847) 923-3191 or aalessio@stdl.org.
| |
