Friday night out program at the library is a success

Denise Rose of the West African music group SheBoom performs at the Round Lake Area Public Library last Friday. Instruments were provided to the audience to play by Rhythm Academy, and the event was part of the library’s Friday Night Out series. (Amanda Schwengel photo)

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Adults and children alike enjoyed the dances and the sounds of Africa at the Round Lake Area Library. Group Rhythm Performance and Participation was the library’s second Friday Night Out program.

“With this program we are offering something that the community doesn’t have access to,” said Candice Lutz, reference assistant at the Round Lake Area Library. “Here they can see groups of people that are novel and activities that involve all ages.”

On the library’s April 4 Friday Night Out, no one was left empty handed. One by one, everyone in the audience was given an instrument and taught a beat by Rhythm Academy of Dance instructors, Jay Sinclair and Jerry Sullivan.

“It is a lot of fun,” Sinclair said. “When people are having fun it’s really easy to do.”

He facilitated the group of over 70 people in a drum circle that was so long that it had people taking bathroom breaks. But not everyone wanted a break. With a smile from ear to ear Round Lake Area resident Myrtle Klemens banged on the drum she was given for the entire session.

“That was so much fun,” said Klemens, who is a regular in one of the library’ s other programs, the adult program Sunday Sampler. “I really enjoy what [those at the library] do.”

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Dancer Evelyn Vega moved her body and showed the audience African dancing at the beginning of the program and at the end.

“When I dance I’m in my own world,” Vega said.

Vega danced to the rhythm of the all-women group called She Boom. She Boom is a group of five women who play West African rhythms. The group has been together for almost two years.

“It’s electrifying to see people of all ages listening and participating,” said Donna Donahue, a member of She Boom.

The program started at 7 p.m. and ended at 9 p.m. with the booming of instruments being played by all of the participants.

Round Lake area resident Tasha Seago-Ramaly took her two sons because she said they really enjoy playing the drums.

“This was very nice and I’m sure tomorrow I’ll wake up to my boys banging on my pots,” Seago-Ramaly said.

The Friday Night Out program happens once a month at the Round Lake Area library.

“You don’t have to be from Round Lake to come and enjoy the program, everyone is invited,” Lutz said.

Light refreshments during the program are always served. For more information on all the library’s events call the Round Lake Area Public Library at 847-546-7060.

Everything You Need To Know

The Instructors from the Rhythm Academy of Dance, Jay Sinclair and Jerry Sullivan will be performing at this year’s Dandelion Wine Fine Arts Festival. The event will take place at Bowen Park in Waukegan on June 7. For more information on the Dandelion Wine Fine Arts Festival contact the Waukegan Park District at  847 360-4740 or visit www.waukeganparks.org.

The group She Boom can be booked through their Web site: www.sheboomchicago.com.

For information on all the classes at the Rhythm academy of Dance call 847-244-4944 or visit www.rhythmacademy.com.