The Free Library kicks off an exciting program of lending musical instruments on Monday, September 26. The day before, join us for a very unique musical moment: in a nod to the bluegrass instrumentation of the first round of instruments, fretted strings, Philly’s own Citywide Specials will play a FREE concert of their spirited bluegrass and old-traditional country music in the Parkway Central Library's Grand Lobby!

Citywide Specials

Above the Ethiopian restaurant Abyssinia lies one of West Philadelphia’s best-kept secrets. The sign-less bar Fiume gives little knowledge it’s there, but on Thursday nights, the Citywide Specials’ energetic bluegrass wafts down from the window and into the street. Named after Philadelphia’s popular shot and beer special, the group has been playing weekly above Fiume for fourteen years. Wielding bluegrass instruments like guitar, dobro, mandolin, fiddle and string bass, the group plays old-traditional country and bluegrass tunes, plus originals written by the bar’s owner, Kevin James Holland.

Before the Citywide Specials, have a full music matinee Sunday and catch the dancers of Hip Hop Fundamentals downstairs at 2:00 p.m. in the Montgomery Auditorium as part of Sundays on Stage!

To learn more about this concert or the Musical Instrument Collection (MIC), visit freelibrary.org, or ask a music librarian at 215-686-5316 or at erefmus@freelibrary.org