The Alternative Press

On Wednesday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m., the Westfield Memorial Library hosts folk singer Spook Handy, who will present, “The Life and Works of Pete Seeger.” The library is located at 550 East Broad Street.

This program looks at the legacy, struggles, songs and stories of one of America’s most beloved folk singers—the man who gave audiences, “If I Had a Hammer,” “Turn, Turn, Turn,” and “Waist Deep in the Big Muddy.”

Mr. Handy, a New Jersey based singer and songwriter, has played a number of concerts with Pete Seeger, the “grandfather of American folk music,” in recent years. Ten years ago, Mr. Seeger heard Spook’s song “Vote,” and added it his repertoire. According to Mr. Seeger, “Spook Handy really understands how to write a good song that says something important.”

About.com said, “Spook’s songs embody the same intellectual rattle and simple honesty that have characterized so much of Pete Seeger’s career.”

Upon graduating from Rutgers (Phi Beta Kappa) many years ago with a major in Math and Business, Mr. Handy almost started working in the actuarial field. But he realized that his “what if” and “why not” questions precluded him from conventional work, and he should follow his vision of a creative life.

Today he has four full length CDs to his credit with a fifth on its way. He has written for film and theatre, and his songs have charted as high as number ten on the Folk Radio Charts. He has toured throughout North America playing over 3,000 concerts.

Mr. Handy has also Mced over 1,300 events, including open mics and festivals, facilitated scores of workshops and presented lecture/concerts on the “Power of Song” at colleges and universities. He performed dozens of times with Pete Seeger and has shared the stage with the likes of Donovan and Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary fame.

The program is free and open to Westfield Memorial Library and MURAL cardholders. MURAL cardholders belong to libraries that are part of the Middlesex Union Reciprocal Agreement Libraries. Check our website to see if your library participates.) To register for the program, visit the library’s website at www.wmlnj.org, click on the Calendar tab, or call 908.789.4090 ext 0.

Founded in 1879, the Westfield Memorial Library—the community’s destination for discovery and ideas—engages minds, entertains spirits and facilitates lifelong learning for people of all ages. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information call 908.789.4090, visit the library’s website at www.wmlnj.org, and sign up for the monthly e-newsletter “Library Loop,” or stop by the library at 550 East Broad Street for a copy of the award-winning quarterly newsletter “Take Note.”