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Try out these upcoming programs at the DeKalb Public Library, generously shared with the Hinckley community:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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​Melodies of the East (DeKalb)

July 25, 2026, 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Join oudist, vocalist, and composer Dr. Aboud Agha for an intimate evening of original music, and reimagined classical melodies as part of ‘Melodies of the East’.

The performance unfolds through the expressive voice of the oud, intricate rhythms, and improvisation. This concert takes audiences through an immersive musical experience to fire the imagination, drawing inspiration from ancient cultures and timeless artistic traditions.  

Aboud Agha was born in Syria and immigrated to Boston at the age of twelve. He is an accomplished performer and composer of Arabic and Middle Eastern music. Aboud is a master of the Oud (Middle Eastern lute) and of many vocal styles from this part of the world. He has a master’s degree in musical performance from Northern Illinois University and a doctorate in ethnomusicology from UCLA in California. He now teaches at the American University in Dubai.

Aboud will be accompanied by percussionist and DeKalb native Sven Oscar Hansen. Sven has lived and studied in Norway and India, and has created and performed events incorporating music, poetry, and sound healing.

There will be an opportunity after the show to meet and chat with the artists.

This concert is free and open to all. Doors will open at 6:00 and music will begin at 6:30 p.m. No registration is required. This event is part of the after-hours concert series in partnership with the Friends of the Library and 94.9 WDKB.

For additional information, please contact Chelsea at chelsear@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1700.

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Dennis Stroughmatt and The Honky-Tonk Circus: Western Swing and Texas Dancehall Sounds (DeKalb)

August 8, 2026, 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Prepare to take a journey from Tennessee to Texas, experiencing a mix of songs that tell the story of the history of American Country music! Distinct from the music of modern Nashville, this concert will explore old-time country music and it’s cousins “honky-tonk,” “western swing” and “Cajun swing.” This musical journey will feature songs from those who pioneered the sounds that would become country music, including Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Ray Price, Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard, Dottsy, and Tony Booth, with a special focus on the steel guitar.  

Known internationally as a master French Creole fiddler, Dennis Stroughmatt was also raised with a love for the music of Bob Wills, Ray Price, Tony Booth, Johnny Bush, and Wade Ray by his father Jack Stroughmatt, in southeast Illinois.  Jack was an avid music buff with thousands of records in a collection that dated to the 1930s.  Dennis began playing in western swing and honky-tonk bands in southern Illinois and southern Indiana in the 1980s. After having been immersed in French Creole fiddle, Dennis would eventually become the only fiddle student of western swing legend Wade Ray in the mid-1990s.  He would later be mentored by country fiddle legend and Nashville A-Team session musician Buddy Spicher, as well as other members of Ray Price’s Cherokee Cowboys, and country singing legend Tony Booth.  

The ensemble also features Greg Bigler on bass, Virgil Franklin on lead guitar, Raegan Stroughmatt on drums, and Areille Stroughmatt on fiddle. All band members will contribute to the vocals throughout the performance.

Beverages will be available for purchase before and during the concert, courtesy of Whiskey Acres Distilling Company in DeKalb.

This concert is free and open to all ages. No registration is required. This event is part of the after-hours concert series in partnership with the Friends of the Library and 94.9 WDKB.

This event is part of the America 250 initiative, celebrating our nation throughout the year.

For additional information, please contact Chelsea at chelsear@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1700.

 

A Slice of History: Learn to Bake Traditional White Bread (DeKalb)

August 22, 2026, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Celebrate American history and learn to make our nation’s favorite bread!

Chef Cherise Slattery will explore the emergence of this baked good as an American staple and guide you through the recipe. Learn the twelve steps of yeast bread production, along with tips and tricks to make bread baking your new favorite hobby. Each person will be able to sample this delicious homemade white bread and leave with the recipe and methods to make it at home.

This event is part of the America 250 initiative, celebrating our nation throughout the year.

This program is first come, first served, and is limited to 40 participants. It is intended for ages 16 and up. No registration is required.

For additional information, please contact Chelsea at chelsear@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 1700.

 

Heirlooms: Your Family History is American History (DeKalb)

August 31, 2026, 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Every family has a story, and every heirloom holds a piece of history. Explore how photographs, letters, recipes, clothing, jewelry, and everyday objects can connect personal memories to larger moments in American history. This program is run by Carolyn Law of Carolyn Law Antiques, LLC.

Learn how family keepsakes preserve culture, stories, traditions, and community experiences across generations.

This program is free to attend and is intended for teens and adults. This event is part of the America 250 initiative; celebrating our nation throughout the year.

For more information, please contact Amy at amyf@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 6108. 

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