KUOW's Amanda Wilde presents "Hidden History of America's Favorite Music"

Amanda Wilde

The Edmonds Arts Commission and the Edmonds Library new monthly free-admission music series, “Music at the Library,” continues Thursday, March 16, 6:30pm at the Plaza Room with a presentation by former KUOW radio host Amanda Wilde on the he history of minstrelsy, the first uniquely American entertainment craze.

Edmonds Plaza Room, 650 Main Street, Edmonds (above the library). Admission is free.

A significant part of our country’s shared musical heritage emerged from 19th century blackface minstrelsy, the first uniquely American entertainment and entertainment craze.

Recently retired radio host Amanda Wilde (KUOW’s “The Swing Years and Beyond”) explores how this controversial phenomenon laid the foundation for American performance, and how its influence reached beyond its era of popularity.

The talk discusses race in American music by looking under the blackface mask and coming to terms with this mixed heritage, concentrating on music as a powerful agent of transformation. Ms. Wilde’s presentation is also presented in partnership with Humanities Washington.

The inaugural season of Music at the Library concludes April 26 with steel drum musician Ian Dobson. For more information about Music at the Library contact Richard Suico, Managing Librarian Edmonds Library, 425-771-1933,