‘Kevin and the infinite possibilities’ jazzes up life at the Lincoln Public Library

 

[June 29, 2018] 

Someone wandering into the Lincoln Public Library Annex on Thursday morning may have been a bit confused. Instead of a quiet library scene, the place was jumping with dancing and laughing kids led by a troubadour with a guitar.

The library summer reading program “Reading Takes You Everywhere” was in full swing with entertainer “Kevin and the Infinite Possibilities,” and he had the young readers up and moving.

Kevin and the young readers begin their exploration filled with Kiddie Rock and wild dancing.

Kevin hails from the Chicago area, and he has been taking his show “Prince K’s Rock and Roll Adventure” to area Midwest libraries and schools for the past three years. He already has done forty shows this year. Kevin spent several years as a special education teacher and still teaches music part time in Chicago public schools, but decided to take off on his own to see if he could bring his brand of self-composed music to a new audience.

My mother is a children’s librarian, and I attended a show at her library one year. I had an AHA moment and thought maybe I could do that,” he said. “Now I get up every day, and know that I am going to play music. That makes my day,” he added with enthusiasm.

Kevin writes all of the music for his performances, and it really resonates with the youngsters. “I want my music to tell a story, to tell kids that they should tap into their self-expression, and be as free as they want, to harness their creativity,” he said.

Kevin also stresses that life should be an adventure no matter how old we are, and as evidenced this day, he takes his own advice.

While his music has a message to be bold and brave, it also creates an opportunity to get up and dance any way you want, to have fun!

The kids at the library took full advantage of the opportunity. Kevin led them on a conga line throughout the stacks with songs like “No Bananas in the Sky” and “Siesta Fiesta” during this rock and roll adventure.

Everyone was up and dancing.

Even the adults were having a great time.

While the kids were dancing all around, the adults were bouncing around in their seats, singing, and laughing as much as the kids.

His music reaches out to everyone. An unofficial poll after Kevin’s performance said that everyone, kids and parents alike, thought it was one of the best the library has presented.

The Lincoln Public Library Summer Reading Program continues next week with another entertaining performance Thursday morning by a talented performer. The library asks parents to call ahead and sign up for the morning’s events. Contact the Lincoln Public Library Youth Services at 217-732-5732.

[Curtis Fox]