The Man Who Made the Jailhouse Rock: Alex Romero, Hollywood Choreographer

with author Mark Knowles
Sunday October 12th 2:00 p.m.

Choreographer Alex Romero created Jailhouse Rock, the iconic Elvis Presley production number, but never received screen credit for his contribution. MARK KNOWLES, who traced the history of tap dancing in his acclaimed book, Tap Roots, has written a lively book on Romero which he will discuss at Crowell Library on October 12 at 2:00 p.m. Known for his inventive style and creative use of props, Alex Romero was instrumental in bringing rock and roll to the screen. Knowles’ biography includes first-person accounts of Romero’s collaborations with Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, and others.

The son of a Mexican general, Romero escaped the Mexican Revolution, joined his family's vaudeville dance act and became a dancer in Hollywood. Part of Jack Cole's exclusive Columbia dance troupe, he was eventually hired as a staff assistant at MGM, where he worked on Take Me Out to the Ballgame, American in Paris, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and On the Town, among many others. When Romero transitioned into full-time choreography, he created the dances for numerous films, including Love Me or Leave Me, I'll Cry Tomorrow, Tom Thumb, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, and additional movies for Elvis.

Mark Knowles has directed and/or choreographed over 300 productions nationally and internationally, from Buenos Aires to Broadway, as well as innumerable film and television productions. Locally, he has taught dance at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, La Salle High School, Occidental College and UC Irvine. Mr. Knowles is the author of four books, The Tap Dance Dictionary, Tap Roots: The Early History of Tap Dancing,(winner of the American Library Association’s Choice Award for Outstanding Academic Text), and The Wicked Waltz and Other Scandalous Dances.

A Brass Quartet in concert

Thursday, October 9th, 7:00 p.m.

Come to Crowell Library for a night of fabulous music from the Brass Quartet led by San Marino Music Center instructor, Kory McMaster. The program will feature both classical and modern works, from Bach to Holst and even film scores such as "How to Train Your Dragon." The San Marino Brass Quartet consists of Kory McMaster and Michelle Lane on trumpets, Nolan Markey on French horn, and Julius Lopez on trombone. The concert will delight audience members of all ages. The concert is sponsored by the San Marino Music Center and the Friends of Crowell Public Library. No reservations are necessary, but seating is limited for this very popular series.

Kory McMaster is a freelance musician, film composer, and orchestrator. He graduated with a B.M. in Music Composition from Azusa Pacific University where he studied with renowned trumpet instructor Robert Slack. Kory currently works as an orchestrator at Sparks and Shadows under television composer Bear McCreary working on shows such as The Walking Dead, Da Vinci’s Demons, and Marvel’s Agents of Shield. Kory is incredibly passionate about teaching, striving to provide his students with the same opportunities that his instructors provided for him.

Michelle Lane (trumpet) has toured much of the US and currently plays in the house band for the late night talk show “Noches Con Plantanito.” Michelle has performed at Elvis Presley’s Graceland, the Jonathan Club in Los Angeles, Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival, and the Grove and Americana in Los Angeles. She also studied with Robert Slack at Azusa Pacific University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in commercial trumpet performance and was offered a full scholarship from Azusa Pacific to pursue a Master’s Degree. Michelle also teaches master classes at various high schools.

Nolan Markey (French horn) began studying piano at the age of five, but was absolutely terrible at it and decided to pursue trumpet instead. Later he added French horn to his musical palette and has been playing ever since. Nolan is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Film Music Composition at California State University, Northridge and frequently works as a copyist and composer. For the last several years, he has served as the staff brass instructor at Pete Knight High School in Palmdale, California.
Julius Lopez began playing trombone in ninth grade. He was a nursing student at Cal State Fullerton, but was coaxed by Robert Slack to attend Citrus College and pursue music. He eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Azusa Pacific University. As a trombonist Julius has performed throughout the United States. He has played at venues such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Catalina Jazz Club, Newport Jazz Festival, and has backed up artists such as Rob Reiner, Sammy Nestico, Marc Shaiman, Scott Whitfield, and Dale Kristien.

You won’t want to miss this evening of free music at Crowell Library. Light refreshments will be served.

Maezie’s Pumpkin Patch

Friends of Crowell Public Library Meet the Authors Series:
author Lynn Snowden and illustrator Kyle Kennedy Powell:
Wednesday October 8th 7:00 p.m.

Each autumn, Pasadena resident and avid gardener Maezie Powell would donate her prize-winning pumpkins to the Children’s Garden at the Huntington Library. In August of 2012, vandals destroyed Maezie’s pumpkin patch. The story made the newspapers and the TV news. The crime was never solved, but it brought out Maezie’s neighbors who offered their help and support. Neighbors who had never met their neighbors helped put the garden back in shape. Maezie also received pumpkin seeds, cards and letters from all over the country. When Maezie showed her friend, Lynn, the collection of letters and cards, Lynn was so moved she went home and wrote a story about it that night. Lynn then asked Maezie's grandaughter, Kyle, to illustrate it. And, so the creation of a heartwarming children's book began. Come to Crowell Public Library on Wednesday, October 8 at 7:00 p.m. to Meet the Authors in the Barth Community Room.

Lynn Martin Snowden has devoted her life to children and their creative endeavors. Teaching students of all ages for over 36 years, her career has spanned both coasts of the United States in a variety of disciplines. Currently, she is an educator in southern California. Maezie’s Pumpkin Patch is her first children’s book. Kyle Sydney Powell grew up surrounded by a family of artists and can always be found with a pencil or camera in her hand. She received her MFA in New York and has been a graphic artist, and an art instructor for both children and adults. She lives just blocks from the great pumpkin patch.

Maezie Powell, a remarkably youthful ninety-five year-old, gives her pumpkin seeds to all who are interested in creating a garden of their own. Crowell Library and their Friends are hoping to see Ms. Powell in person at this very special evening!
Other local authors participating in this series: Susan Rosvall (Silence is Broken) in November, Nicole Mones (Night in Shanghai) in January, Chris Lynch (One Eyed Jack) in February and Mona Simpson (Casebook: a Novel) in March. With Friends like these, the authors keep coming at Crowell Public Library!