Plainfield Great Read to Hold Grand Finale

Submitted by Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202

From its blues-based roots in the 1950s to the British Invasion of the 1960s; from disco to punk in the 1970s; from new wave in the 1980s to grunge in the 1990s, and from soft rock to heavy metal, few things have influenced and defined pop culture in the last 70 years like rock and roll.

Musician, comedian and entertainer Skip Griparis will bring that point to life in his show, “From Fad to Forever! Skip Griparis Sings Rock’s Story” at the Grand Finale of this year’s Great Read community literacy program.

Griparis will perform at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at the Fountaindale Public Library, 300 W. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook. This all-ages show is free. “Pop culture”-themed refreshments will also be served, and the winners of the Great Read art contest and fan participation free drawings will be announced as well.

With his remarkable 3 1/2-octave voice, dynamic guitar and insightful humor, Griparis explores and recreates rock’s innovators, from pre-Elvis to the Beatles and beyond.

The 2015 Great Read community literacy program is presented by a consortium of area public and private organizations to promote literacy, reading, conversation and community in the greater Plainfield area. This year the program focuses on the tremendous impact of pop culture on society.

Community members are encouraged to read books about pop culture and participate in the many 2015 Great Read-related programs slated through May. Suggested books and a listing of events are available at the Great Read web site.

Programs highlight pop culture topics ranging from books to art, movies and television, from music to the media, and food to fashion, all of which uniquely impacted society – whether short- lived like pet rocks, or long-lasting like the Beatles.