Music and entertainment coming to Adrian District Library for second 'Loud at the Library'

ADRIAN — The Adrian District Library for a second straight year is inviting the public to visit its location in downtown Adrian for an opportunity to “be loud at the library.”

Many stereotypes hang on, a news release from the Friends of the Adrian District Library said, especially the silly ones like those who carry an image of a stern-faced librarian telling everyone to “shush.”

There won’t be any “shushing” going on starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, when the second annual “Loud at the Library” fundraiser returns to the ADL, 143 E. Maumee St.

The program is expected to bring festive music to the normally quiet atmosphere with the participation of three local singers who are veterans of the stage at Adrian’s historic Croswell Opera House and are current students at Siena Heights University.

Gabrielle Blondin, of Lindin; Amber Woolcott, of Grand Blanc; and Griffin Yeater, also of Grand Blanc, are the three performers who will provide the entertainment for the fundraiser titled “The Magic of Music and Books.” They will be accompanied by Wynne Marsh, a longtime music educator in Adrian, the Friends of the Library said.

Tickets for Loud at the Library, which is expected to last for one hour, cost $25 each. They can be purchased from Friends members and at the circulation desk in the library during normal business hours. Tickets also will be available at the door on the day of the event. Snacks, pop and water will be served to patrons.

Proceeds from the event will support the Friends of the Library’s endowment fund, Cindy Bily, president of the Friends of the Adrian District Library said. The purpose of the organization, which was formed in 2012, is to promote the importance of the library to the community, increase awareness of the resources offered by the library and raise funds for library projects.

“It is entirely run by volunteers and is always open to welcoming new members,” Bily said in the news release.

Financial support for the Friends group comes from book sales, donations, membership dues and the annual fundraiser, which became an inaugural event in 2022. Live music from Tecumseh rocker Cat Canyon, special reading excerpts from library staff and the headlining stand-up comedy routine provided by Adrian native and comedian Rob Kuschell — who was a former employee of the Adrian District Library — rounded out last year’s inaugural fundraiser.

More: Comedian Rob Kuschell returns to hometown to support Adrian District Library fundraiser

Corporate sponsors for 2023 include Clift Buick-GMC, Old National Bank, TLC Community Credit Union, Kapnick Insurance and Meijer.

“Last year we were pleased to see many new people come into our beautiful library for a comedy event. This year’s musical program promises to be just as much fun,” said Julie Schultz, founder and chairperson of the Loud at the Library committee. “We are proud of our library, and we want people to recognize its many contributions to our community.”

Blondin is a senior at Siena Heights majoring in musical theatre. She has appeared on the Croswell’s stage in “Mary Poppins,” “Beautiful: The Carol King Musical,” “Footloose” and “Anything Goes,” as well as several productions at SHU. She has been the assistant director of Siena’s youth theater program.

Woolcott was onstage last summer at the Croswell as the title character in “Mary Poppins” and as the character Mary Delgado from “Jersey Boys.” She was nominated for a 2022 Best Performer in a Musical award from BroadwayWorld Michigan for her performance as Reno Sweeney in “Anything Goes” at the Croswell. A singer, actor and dancer, she also has had roles with the Flint Community Players and Siena Heights where she is a senior in musical theatre.

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Yeater also is a senior at Siena Heights majoring in musical theatre. He is a singer-songwriter and has been seen on the Croswell stage in “Mary Poppins,” “Jersey Boys” and “Footloose.”

The variety of tunes each of the performers sing on Saturday will conclude with one patriotic number, the Friends said, in honor of Veterans Day, which is observed this year on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Those wanting to learn more about the Friends of the Adrian District Library can contact Bily at 517-662-9519 or at cindy.bily@gmail.com. The Adrian District Library can also be reached at 517-265-2265 or by visiting adrian.lib.mi.us.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Music and songs coming to Adrian District Library for 'Loud at the Library'