The Perth & District Union Public Library is set to use the space like never before.

On Saturday February 22 at 8 p.m., the library will be transformed into a unique live music venue for its first every, Library, After Dark event. The event will take place long after the library closes its doors for that day, and will feature live music by Juno-award winning Jenny Whiteley and Joey Wright.

The idea of transforming the library into a music venue was inspired by a visit to the Arnprior Public Library. The Library in Arnprior offers ticketed evening events that bring music and culture to the community.  The hope is that by creating an “After Dark” program, it be able to draw people into the library and create unique communal experiences. Future plans include open mic nights, author visits and more music.

“As a live music lover, I am always keen to access and support music locally. I really want to bring the magic of the library space alive and increase the cultural capacity and profile of the library in the community;” explains Perth librarian Heidi Taber, who is spearheading the event.

About the Musicians

From bluegrass to old time, from folk to jug band music, Jenny Whiteley has been immersed in the tradition of acoustic music her whole life. Her most recent album is dedicated to her dad, Chris Whiteley, and the musical influence he continues to have on her. The whole recording rings out with strains of banjo, fiddle, harmonica and guitar, but also features such un-sung instruments as jaw harp, mouth trumpet, bones and even the jug! Jenny has won two Juno Awards for her solo recordings in 2000 and 2004, and was nominated in 2017 for her “The Original Jenny Whiteley” recording in the Traditional Folk category. That same record was Longer Listed for the 2017 Polaris Prize and got a nomination from the Canadian Folk Music Awards as well.

The resulting live show is an extravaganza of quirky sounds and solid songs, echoes of the long-gone dust bowl, and shadows of the delta blues, all strung together with the pearls of Jenny’s original songs. And let’s not forget the joy! Jenny’s famous sense of humour is often featured during her shows, in the engaging stories of musical friends, encounters with Folk music legends, and daily life that leave audiences giggling and tapping their toes at the same time.

Joey Wright is a Juno-nominated songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist and performer from Toronto. Joey is well known for his lyrical and inspired guitar and mandolin playing. He is also highly regarded for his compositions and songwriting.

Joey was one of the leading lights in the explosive bluegrass, old time and traditional country scene in Toronto in the 90’s and 2000’s. Joey joined Jenny Whiteley’s band in 1999, and their first two albums (Jenny Whiteley & Hopetown) both won Juno awards for Best Roots Traditional Album. In 2005 Joey joined Sarah Harmer’s band to record the album I’m A Mountain which earned him a gold record. In 2007 Joey collaborated with Jesse Zubot, Steve Dawson, Dan Whiteley and Joe Phillips to create his own album, Jalopy. Jalopy received a Juno nomination for Best Instrumental Album. He has since recorded the acclaimed albums Hatch, Tuxedo! (with Christine Bougie), Country Music, and Satie on the Beach (with Luke Mercier) among others.

Tickets to the Feb. 22 event will be available to purchase through Ticketsplease for $20 each children under 12 are free and all ages are welcome.  Visit TicketsPlease to purchase your tickets in person at the Visitors’ Centre in the Perth Museum at 11 Gore Street E. in Perth, (613) 485-6434  or visit its website at ticketsplease.ca

To learn more about the services and programs offered by the Perth and District Union Library, visit us at 30 Herriott St. or online at www.perthunionlibrary.ca. 

For more information, please contact:

Contact: Heidi Taber, 613-267-1224
htaber@perthunionlibrary.ca