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24 | January 19, 2017 | The Mokena Messenger LIFE & ARTs mokenamessenger.com Mokena Library remembers Elvis’ 82nd birthday Amanda Del Buono Freelance Reporter At 4 years old, Olive Schlieske already has developed a taste for the wholesome music of the 1950s. Entranced by a performance by Dave “Elvis” Thomas at the Mokena Community Library District, Olive was ecstatic when Thomas sang Elvis Presley’s “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear” and handed Olive her very own teddy bear to take home. “My husband is a big Elvis fan,” said Carla Schlieske, Olive’s mother and an Oak Lawn resident. Carla’s husband, Tom, said that Thomas’ performance was one of the best Elvis impersonations he had seen. “I was blown away,” Tom Schlieske said. “He really captured the moment in an hour. … He’s probably one of the best I’ve seen.” As part of the library’s Saturday Music Program, it hosted its annual Elvis performance Jan. 6, which attracted nearly 60 attendees from Mokena and nearby communities. “We always do this program around Elvis’ birthday, which would be tomorrow, Jan. 8. He would have been 82,” said Nancy Baker, the library’s head of circulation. Baker said that Thomas has performed the Elvis program for quite a few years, and it has been one of the library’s best-attended Saturday Music Program performances. “They love ‘50s music, and they love Elvis,” Baker said. Additionally, Thomas has developed a fan base in the area, which helps bring in more community members, Baker said. “He’s become family to us, too,” she said. “And the patrons enjoy his performances.” In fact, Mokena resident Evelyn May said that she has been attending Thomas’ Elvis shows for more than a decade. “He sang at my granddaughter’s 16th birthday,” she said. “… He’s very good, and he’s got a good heart.” May said that she was not an Elvis fan during his heyday, but as she’s gotten older, she’s come to appreciate his music. “I didn’t like The Beatles either, but now I do,” she said. For Thomas, playing at the Mokena Library is always a great opportunity, he said. Although he’s performed for crowds of thousands, he said that the crowd at the library is special. “This is a wonderful crowd, and they get into the show,” he said. Having recently retired, Thomas said he’s dedicating himself to his Elvis performances. “I love doing this,” he said. “… All I’m trying to inspire is music.” Olive and May’s granddaughter aren’t the only young people that have been touched by Thomas’ music. His 11-year-old grandson, Drake Thomas, performed alongside his grandfather at the library. Drake Thomas has been performing with his grandfather since he was 2 years old, and he now sings and plays a handful of instruments. “Elvis inspires me because he was himself; he didn’t care what everybody else thinks,” the junior Thomas said. Dave “Elvis” Thomas performs during a tribute on Jan. 6 for Elvis Presley’s 82nd birthday -- which would have been on Jan. 8 -- at the Mokena Community Public Library District. Photo Submitted For Dave Thomas, it’s a very special opportunity for him to perform with his grandson. “Since he was 2 years old, he’s been on stage with me,” he said. “He’s extremely musically talented, but I want him to be himself. They always say it skips a generation. It’s an honor for me to be on stage with him. He’s 10 times the musician I’ll ever be.” Ready for a new, more modern approach to real estate? CALL ME TODAY to find out how I utilize the latest cutting edge technologies to get homes SOLD FAST. Dan Kenney | 708.629.6452 DanKenneyHomes.com Curious to know what your home is worth? Visit my home pricing website – homerglen.smarthomeprice.com Want to search for homes on the go? Download my mobile app to your smartphone or tablet. Simply text kw2glm4lc to 87778 or use my QR Code You can also find me on +
mokenamessenger.com MOKENA the Mokena Messenger | January 19, 2017 | 25 “THE 8TH WONDER OF THE WORLD. ...” —Joe Heard, former White House photographer Connecting Heaven and Earth “ ALL-NEW 2017 SHOW WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA I’ve reviewed about 4,000 shows. None can compare to what I saw tonight.” —Richard Connema, renowned Broadway critic “Absolutely the No.1 show in the world. No other company or of any style can match this!” — Kenn Wells, former lead dancer of the English National Ballet “Absolutely the greatest of the great! It must be experienced.” —Christine Walevska, “goddess of the cello”, watched Shen Yun 5 times “This is the highest and best of what humans can produce.” —Oleva Brown-Klahn, singer and musician “AWE-INSPIRING!” — “I just wish there is a way that I could cry out to mankinds, they owe it to themselves to experience Shen Yun.” —Jim Crill, veteran producer, watched Shen Yun 4 times SECURE YOUR BEST SEATS TODAY! Tickets sold out in many cities across the country. FEB 7-8 University Park Center for Performing Arts FEB 11-19 Chicago Harris Theater MAR 10 -12 Rosemont Rosemont Theatre Tickets ShenYun.com/Chicago 888-99-SHOWS (74697)
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