ADRIAN — For a third time, patrons visiting the Adrian District Library in downtown Adrian on Saturday, April 5, are encouraged to be “loud” while inside the library.
That’s because the Adrian District Library and the Friends of the Adrian District Library are partnering together again to host “Loud3 at the Library: The Chocolate Version” starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 5.
The annual fundraiser, which began in 2022 with a standup comedy routine by Adrian native Rob Kuschell along with special music from Tecumseh rocker Cat Canyon, provides an opportunity for guests of all ages to not only support the library financially by purchasing an event ticket, but also by cheering on local talent and entertainment.
In 2023, the fundraiser featured a concert of local singers and veteran performers at the Croswell Opera House; Gabrielle Blondin, Amber Woolcott and Griffin Yeater. They were accompanied by longtime Adrian music educator Wynne Marsh.
There wasn’t a “Loud at the Library” event in 2024, and that’s because — as a predominantly fall seasonal event — scheduling conflicts arose between hosting the fundraiser and weekends in which there wasn’t something happening at the Croswell Opera House or with a University of Michigan Wolverines football game, according to Cindy Bily, president of the Friends of the Adrian District Library.
From November 2023: Music and entertainment coming to Adrian District Library for second ‘Loud at the Library’
“We decided to move our third event from the fall and to the spring,” Bily said.
Normally, libraries are a place for quiet atmosphere but when “Loud at the Library” comes around each year, it transforms the rather peaceful public space into a concert venue/performing arts stage.
This year’s event, scheduled to continue until 6 p.m. Saturday, will feature chocolate — hence the name “The Chocolate Version” — with candy sweets and chocolate treats at each station of an informal tour of the library, 143 E. Maumee St., downtown Adrian. There also will be musical performances from local musicians Maya Gangadharan and Jeff DiCenzo.
For the first half-hour or so on Saturday, guests are encouraged to tour the library, mingle and enjoy a variety of chocolates. There will be four stations of the tour throughout the library with former/present library staff at each station: the upstairs and newly renovated Children’s Area/Youth Services Department, Teen Lounge, Heritage Room and near the common book sale area for the Friends of the Library.
“Browse our fabulous chocolate stations, listen to the marvelous musical talents of Jeff DiCenzo and Maya Gangadharan, and mingle with our library lovers,” Julie Schultz, supporter of the Adrian District Library and member of the Friends of the Library said. “If you haven’t seen the remodeled Children’s Department or Teen sections, this provides a great opportunity.”
Music from Gangadharan and DiCenzo is expected to start around 4:30 p.m., Bily said.
Ticket costs are $25 per person and purchasing a ticket automatically enters people into drawings for chocolate door prizes provided by Harvest Chocolate, The Buzz Cafe and Marketplace, The Marks Trading Co., and Sass Gift Shop and Boutique.
Tickets can be purchased online at givebutter.com/LibraryFriends where donations to the library also can be made. Tickets can be purchased in-person at the main desk of the library in downtown Adrian during regular business hours. People can contact the library by calling 517-265-2265 or by emailing adrianfriends@gmail.com.
The mission of the Friends of the Adrian District Library 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. The Friends of the Library was formed in 2012 and consists of Bily, president; Susan Nichols, vice president; Cathy Chesher, secretary; and Tom Boldt, treasurer.
Support local news and subscribe: For all the latest local developments, breaking news, and high school and college sports content.
Funds raised from Saturday’s “Loud3 at the Library” fundraiser will support the Friends group to purchase items for the Adrian District Library that fall outside of its normal budget, as well as add to an endowment for the library.
“The library endowment fund has grown to $39,000 and the Friends work to support the library and its terrific staff in all ways we can,” Schultz said.
The mission of the Adrian District Library is to meet the evolving needs of the community through equitable opportunities for connection, lifelong learning and exploration. The library’s vision is to be Adrian’s place to connect, explore and learn.
— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at bheineman@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LenaweeHeineman.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: ‘Loud3 at the Library’ in Adrian will feature live music, tours and varieties of chocolate
Reporting by Brad Heineman, The Daily Telegram / The Daily Telegram
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
