Current Press Release

TOMS RIVER – Experience the emotions felt on the front lines and the home front during World War II, celebrate the legacy of women in pop music, and revel in the richness of the Great American Songbook during guitarist Ken Lelen’s Vintage Music Concert series at six Ocean County Library branches in November and December.

• Waretown Branch – “Midcentury Melodies,” 2 PM Thursday, November 3; 112 Main Street, (609) 693-5133. Registration required.
• Point Pleasant Branch – “She Did It Her Way,” 2 PM Saturday, November 5; 834 Beaver Dam Road, (732) 295-1555. No registration required.
• Stafford Branch – “Midcentury Melodies,” 2 PM Wednesday, November 9; 129 North Main Street, Manahawkin, (609) 597-3381. Registration required.
• Long Beach Island Branch – “In The Mood,” 2 PM Saturday, November 12; 217 South Central Avenue, Surf City, (609) 494-2480. Registration required.
• Upper Shores Branch – “In The Mood,” 2 PM Wednesday, December 7; 112 Jersey City Avenue, Lavallette, (732) 793-3996. Registration required.
• Toms River Branch – “She Did It Her Way,” 6:30 PM Tuesday, December 13; 101 Washington Street, (732) 349-6200. Registration required.

The performances are sponsored by the Ocean County Library as part of its Senior Services Fall/Winter Concert Series.

For nearly a quarter-century, Ken Lelen has enthralled audiences of all ages in libraries, museums, churches, senior centers, broadcasts and more, playing about 100 concerts a year. He maintains a strong following at www.KenLelen.blogspot.com.

In addition to singing great American tunes from the 20th Century, his performances include playing several acoustic steel-stringed guitars, American-made instruments built between 1920 and 1950, and each with its own character, tone and sustain.

“In The Mood” features romantic songs of the 1940s that gave pop music emotional depth and evoked sentiments that were felt on the front lines and the home front during World War II.

“Midcentury Melodies” offers tunes of the 20th Century’s pre-Rock era, brought to prominence by artists including Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Nat Cole, Rosemary Clooney, Vaughn Monroe, Patti Page, Jo Stafford, and many more.

“She Did It Her Way” celebrates the lives, romances, careers, and memorable songs of vocalists including Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Shore, Billie Holliday, Judy Garland and many others.

Except where noted, registration at www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events is required for these free programs. For more information, call of visit any participating branch or call (732) 349-6200.

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

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