ALL-AGES LIVE MUSIC EVENT: There is a Happy Land- Music and Stories from Little House on the Prairie
Wednesday, August 19 ~ 7-8 PM
Reference Room

Enjoy tunes loved by Laura Ingalls Wilder, played by local musicians, and learn about music that was popular among our nation’s pioneers. This program is suitable for all ages – bring the whole family!

Registration requested: https://thayermemoriallibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/live-music-event-there-is-a-happy-land-music-and-stories-from-little-house-on-the-prairie/
Laura Ingalls Wilder vividly described the lives of pioneers who settled the West in the latter half of the 19th century. This unique event blends stories from her beloved books with live music to bring to life music that was such a vital part of the settlers’ lives.

“If the pioneers wanted to hear music, or dance to it, they had to create it themselves,” says David Shnaider of Sterling who conceived this program along with his wife, Patricia Sette. “There are 127 songs and tunes mentioned in the Little House books, many played by Laura’s “Pa,” an expert fiddler. Some of the songs are well known, but many tunes are not as familiar.”
“This program looks at various ways the settlers enjoyed, heard, or played music at home, at community gatherings or celebrations, at dances, or at churches,” says Ms. Sette, who wrote the program’s original script. “And it intertwines musical selections with readings from Wilder’s books and provides historical background.”
“There Is A Happy Land will appeal to people who are binging the new Netflix series, who love the “Little House” books, to fans of traditional American music, to those with an interest in the history of America’s westward expansion, or to anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly event.”