Current Season Shows
Marc Cohn
Inspired by a 70-year-old black pianist/singer named Murial Davis Wilkins, singer/songwriter Marc Cohn burst onto the music scene in 1991 with the Grammy award-winning hit, “Walking in Memphis,” which solidifed his place as one of this generation’s most compelling singer/songwriters. Critically acclaimed albums such as Join the Parade followed, and most recently, two new albums, Careful What You Dream: Lost Songs and Rarities and Evolution of a Record, were released in 2016. In addition to new music, Marc has put together a 25th Anniversary concert tour where he is performing his debut record in its entirety from start to nish, complete with photographs and video from his personal archives, allowing fans not only to hear the live music, but also see some of the people and places that populate those songs. What a perfect way to celebrate our 25th Anniversary – with one of our favorite artists who is also celebrating his!
“One of the most honest, emotional voices we need in this decade” ~ TIME Magazine
Dailey & Vincent
Nine-time Grammy award winners individually, three-time Grammy award nominees collectively, and winners of 35 IBMA awards altogether, Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent are some of the most reputable and elite entertainers in bluegrass, traditional country and gospel music. The concoction of the fantastically instinctive vocal blends of Dailey’s tenor and Vincent’s reedy harmonies has gained them well-deserved praise for their own distinctive style and worldwide recognition as bluegrass gold. Since opening our 2013 season, Dailey & Vincent’s PBS special Dailey & Vincent ALIVE - In Concert has aired in more than 84 markets, their live CD debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass charts, and their first national television series, The Dailey & Vincent Show, has garnered worldwide attention
“Rock stars of bluegrass” ~ CMT
Rhythmic Circus
From the creators of Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!, Rhythmic Circus presents a brand new holiday experience combining their signature style of rapid- re tap with the music audiences know and love. The company began as an underground percussive dance phenomenon in Minneapolis, Minnesota when four of the most sought-after dancers in the country teamed up seven of the Twin Cities’ heavyweight musicians, including a world-renowned beatboxer. The show’s brilliance has been marked by rave reviews, sold-out engagements and numerous awards, including two SAGE Awards for Outstanding Ensemble and Performance, a Spirit of the Fringe Award and two Upper Midwest Emmys. With a 2016 appearance on America’s Got Talent, these homegrown hoofers from Minneapolis are ready to burst onto the stage once again with a trunk full of tap shoes, funky costumes and a big brass sound in their newest show, Red and Green! Get ready to enjoy a new, wildly- creative production filled with the joy of the holiday spirit!
“Fast, furious footwork. Amazing beat-boxing!” ~ The New York Times
Molly Ringwald
Well known for her roles on stage and screen, Ringwald earned a Golden Globe at age 13 and went on to star in numerous iconic films, including Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink. On stage, she has starred in Broadway productions of the Pulitzer Prize-winning How I Learned to Drive, the revival of Cabaret, Tony-nominated Enchanted April and the West End production of When Harry Met Sally. However, little known about the star is her bona fide classical jazz background. The daughter of blind jazz pianist Bob Ringwald, Molly first began performing jazz at the tender age of six with the Fulton Street Jazz Band. Since her debut Jazz album, Except Sometimes, was released on Concord Records in April 2013, she and her band have performed 200 concerts in over seven countries, and with songs such as “Don’t You Forget About Me,” she continues to show off those sultry pipes to audiences around the world.
“The spin she brings to the American Songbook is thoroughly contemporary.” ~ The New York Times
Zoe Speaks
Originally slated on our 11th season, Zoe Speaks is a musical group we have never forgotten and whose CDs have charmed our CD players for more than a decade. At the time of their performance back in 2003, Zoey Raven, daughter of lead singers Mitch Barrett and Carla Gover, was just a baby. Now, 13 years later, Zoe not only speaks – she sings. With the addition of Owen Reynolds on bass, Zoe Speaks is back to wow audiences with their deep roots and musical synergy. A smooth, mellow instrumental mix lays the background for the close vocal harmonies that are a defining feature of their sound. From traditional ballads to finely crafted, award-winning originals, this trio creates its own style of music, and often accompanies themselves on guitar, claw hammer banjo, upright bass, dulcimers and occasionally clogging feet.
Like an Appalachian breeze blowing by . . . these voices were obviously meant to sing together.
The Celtic Tenors
With six albums to their credit, The Celtic Tenors have established themselves as the most successful classical crossover artists ever to emerge from Ireland. With total album sales worldwide of over one million and a full international touring schedule, The Celtic Tenors have topped the charts in the US, Canada, Germany, the UK and Ireland. The Celtic Tenors continue to pioneer a new style of cool never before seen on the classical stage by breaking the traditional stuffy tenor mold. Although they wear their success lightly, with banter and a delightful sense of fun, their thoughtful fusion of opera with traditional Irish music shines through in each flawless rendition of beautiful Celtic songs like the haunting “Danny Boy” and other exhilarating classics. The only tenor group with a truly global audience, their program is overflowing with cheer and vitality from start to finish.
Alabama Troubadours
Singer/songwriter Karren Pell and her band take you along the back roads of Alabama, spinning a magical web with stories and original songs. Travel with them as they journey from the Ave Maria Grotto to the Coon Dog Cemetery, singing songs of boll weevils, catfsh and barbecue. Photographs on display by award-winning photographer Chip Cooper capture the images portrayed in story and song. Funny, touching and captivating, Alabama Troubadours is a true celebration of off-the-beaten track Alabama. The world premiere performance was commissioned by Library Director and Southern Voices Founder, Linda Andrews, as part of the 1998 Southern Voices Conference. Now, 18 years later, the band is back and better than ever, celebrating writing, music and art on a homegrown/hometown stage.
Featuring songwriter Karren Pell on lead, Tim Henderson on guitar/mandolin, Michael Melton on bass and Matina E. Johnson on vocals
Phil Vassar
With eight albums and three Songwriter of the Year awards to his credit, country music hit-maker Phil Vassar’s piano-pounding reign of signature songs includes ten No. 1 singles and 26 Top 40 hits, including “Carlene,” “Just Another Day in Paradise,” “Six- Pack Summer,” “That’s When I Love You” and many more. Vassar hit the Top 5 seven times with his own recordings, but is also known as one of Nashville’s best songwriters. His songs that other artists have taken to #1 include “My Next Thirty Years,” sung by Tim McGraw, and two hits for Jo Dee Messina, “Bye Bye” and “I’m Alright.” Other hits include “Little Red Rodeo” (Collin Raye), “Right on the Money” (Alan Jackson), “For a Little While” (Tim McGraw), and BlackHawk’s “Postmarked Birmingham.” Vassar continues to churn out soulful melodies, and combined with his infectious stage presence, he brings an energy to the room that leaves audiences clamoring for more.
“Songs should evoke something . . . for me, that’s what it’s all about.” ~ Phil Vassar
Support
The Library Theatre is sponsored in part by the City of Hoover and the Friends of the Hoover Public Library.
The Library Theatre is a professional venue bringing world-class entertainment to an intimate setting in the heart of Hoover.
| HOOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES |
MAYOR, CITY OF HOOVER |
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Sara Rast, Chairman Library Director Fine Arts Coordinator |
HOOVER CITY COUNCIL |