Patrons of all ages of Lakewood Public Library have a truly special evening to anticipate on Saturday, April 26, 2008. Spring will be upon us, the renovation continues in its final phase of collection restoration and the Saturday Night Family Music and More Program will return from its long absence with a performance by one of Northeast Ohio’s most celebrated and beloved family entertainers and a Parents’ Choice Award recipient, Foster Brown. Anyone who has seen his unique live performance of original songs, characters, storytelling and multiple instruments including banjo, guitar, dulcimer, mandolin and fiddle will need no more enticement to head to the library for the show.

During a pleasant phone interview and conversation, Mr. Brown described his interests and elements of his background that led him to his ideal career. As a child, he was in plays, loved the outdoors, band and choir, but never dreamed of putting it all together. He studied biology and outdoor education in college to become a naturalist and to lead outdoor recreation programs and trips. When he was a bit older, he saw a performer who used music, characters, and acting and he began to combine these elements himself. He formed Nature Theatre the name under which he still publishes and promotes his live shows. He relocated to this area from Indiana when the Cleveland Metroparks conducted a nationwide search for a Naturalist/Historic Interpreter and in 1996 he was hired. He continues to research all aspects of the natural and cultural history of our area, developing an enormous range of performances and characters for all audience ages. Check out his repertoire at clemetparks.com under the Education/Ask the Naturalist tab – it’s amazing!

While he was enthusiastic about discussing all aspects of his career and upcoming performance, it was when I asked him what he enjoyed about this area that he became most excited. Without hesitating, he listed off that this area was a crossroads of industry and natural resources; oil, lakes, canals, sandstone, railroads, steel and ore. There is a sad environmental history but one filled with rich human stories of ingenuity. He enjoys the connections and diversity of people who have settled and lived here, of puzzling over why different ethnic groups converged in our region. As such, his songs educate and create awareness and appreciation for their surroundings, the natural world and the history that connects us all. More than any particular message he could convey, however, he wants his shows to inspire people to get outside and connect to a place of nature and to adopt caring attitudes toward one another.

Foster Brown is a folk artist in the purest sense of the art form; he draws from many sources of inspiration, factual research, and legends. He expresses himself through a variety of performance media and instruments and actively seeks audience participation. Above all, he seeks to create happiness with his songs and a memorable experience for families. He also recognizes that audience members not only feel a connection to performers but some ownership with the songs and that it is special to get to sit down with an artist. Some of his most memorable experiences are when kids approach him after a program and want to sing with him which he said "melts his heart."

Please join us to experience this gifted and inspiring entertainer for the return of Family Music and More on Saturday, April 26. The show will begin at 7 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium. Doors open fifteen minutes prior to the performance. Seating is limited so please plan to arrive at this time. More information about Foster Brown can be found on the Cleveland Metroparks website or on his own site, FosterBrown.net.