A Marvelous Bookhouse Season Closes

SheilaMark featuring Sheila Stratton on vocals and Mark Hamza on Organ along with Nick Driscoll on Saxophone and Flute and Rick Stateman on Drums closed out the 2013 season of The Eastern Monroe Public Library Bookhouse Series on Friday October 18th in The Library’s Edinger Community Room of The Hughes Library in Stroudsburg, PA. A modest size audience filled with blues lovers gathered to listen to the music the group has become well known for. The mood enhancing music and quality performance proved to be a fitting end to a season filled with great memories.

After some welcoming remarks and an introduction given by Linnae Cintron of The Eastern Monroe Public Library, the band began their first song sung through the powerful voice of Sheila Stratton. Her light hearted delivery of the song titled, “Moon Dance” by Van Morrison reflected the light of the Harvest Moon that hovered outside the venue encouraging those who heard it to snap their fingers, tap their toes, and sing along with their eyes in preparation for the marvelous night that was yet to come. And, indeed, the marvelous nature of the concert soon became evident as one song after another was performed.

Many of the selections presented throughout the evening shared the lighthearted melodies of the opening song while others gave those who listened to them some thoughts to ponder. In any case, the concert was an enjoyable one and demonstrated SheilaMark’s ability to enhance any song they play. You’ll find more photographs taken during the concert in the EMPL 2013 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151585206515421.1073741827.636000420&type=1.

SheilaMark presents a variety of music genres during their performance including blues, classic rock, 60’s and 70’s music, and popular music of today. They have performed in various venues throughout the Pike and Monroe County area and beyond to include The Annual Celebration of the Arts Festival, The Church on the Mountain Gazebo Concert Series, and The Deer Head Inn which are all located in Delaware Water Gap, PA. They have also performed during the Community Concert series at Shawnee Inn and Resort located at Shawnee on Delaware, PA many times and were the featured artists on the Home Grown Concert Series on WVIA Radio. You can learn more about SheilaMark, their music, and their upcoming performances by exploring their website at www.sheilamarkproductions.com.

The Eastern Monroe Public Library (aka The Hughes Library) Bookhouse Concert Series take place in the Edinger Community Room which is located on N. 9th Street (aka route 611) in Stroudsburg, PA. The Hughes Library is the main branch of the Monroe County, PA library system which includes their Pocono Township Branch in Tannersville, PA and their Smithfield’s Branch in Marshalls Creek, PA. The library offers access to numerous books, DVDs, Audio Recordings, and cultural programs free to the public. The library’s BookHouse series is part of its cultural programming designed to provide a venue for literary and musical events which are outside of the commercial and literary mainstream.

As mentioned earlier, the SheilaMark concert was the last performance scheduled for the 2013 Bookhouse Series. The first event for 2014 has yet to be scheduled but it will most likely take place on a Friday evening beginning at 7:30pm with the doors opening at 7pm. Admission will likely be free, but donations would be gratefully accepted. Refreshments will also be available for a small charge. Please Contact Linnae Cintron at 570-421-0800 x28 or explore The Eastern Monroe Public Library Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/EasternMonroePublicLibrary?ref=ts&fref=ts to learn more information about the library, their Bookhouse series, and all the institution has to offer the community.