Let Freedom Ring: Learn About 250 Years Of American Music In Lacey

FORKED RIVER, NJ — The Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will host “What America Sounds Like: 250 Years of American Music” at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, in Forked River. The free program will feature Melissa Ziobro, curator of the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music at Monmouth University.

According to the program announcement, Ziobro will present an interactive multimedia talk that looks at iconic music and its connection to the nation’s shared history. The event is tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States and will explore how music helps explain that history.

The program will place special emphasis on New Jersey artists and historical figures who helped shape American music. According to the announcement, that includes Thomas Edison, Paul Robeson, James P. Johnson, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Queen Latifah and Bon Jovi, along with others from New Jersey.

The event is open to teens and adults, according to the library listing. Registration is required, but the program is free.

People interested in attending can register beginning July 7. The library said registration will be available online at tinyurl.com/MusicOCL250, by phone at 609-693-8566, or in person at the Lacey branch, 10 East Lacey Road, Forked River.