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By Lauren Suffoletto

When I began planning Friday Nights @ ZSR with several library colleagues, we knew that it would be an experiment. The series has promoted fun events after hours in the library throughout the spring semester. We knew that there was potential for the library to think outside the box, and bring new ways for the Wake Forest community to engage with one another.

And this is what our last event in the series set out to do. Last Friday evening, the library hosted “Folk Night @ ZSR,” a concert in the Outdoor Reading Room near Tribble Courtyard. The space was transformed, and had the atmosphere of an outdoor café.

It was a warm, beautiful spring night. Around 120 people came out to hear amazing folk artists share their music. Student Organizations including The Nya Nya Project, Girl Up UN, and Global Brigades hosted a massive bake sale to fund raise and increase awareness about their groups supporting global causes. Starbucks stayed open late for patrons.

The first band, Kozak & The Poets, featured Thomas Kozak, who led the band vocally and on acoustic. He was joined by Zack Koontz on drums, Kory Riemensperger on bass, Michael Anderson on the piano. The second group to perform was The Minor Circle, a group derived of members from the well-known bluegrass band, The Unbroken Circle. Jordan Lee led the group on the guitar and vocals. He was joined by Ella and Bailey Allman, (with special guest appearance by Joe Allman on bass for “Atlantic City”), Jodi Hildebran, William Huesman, and Sara Pesek.

As the sun went down, the space was beautifully lit for the talented headliner, Asheville singer-songwriter Sarah Tucker. The crowd, delighted by warm weather, yummy treats, and even sweeter conversation, gathered around to watch her perform. People raved about the ambiance the evening provided, and the performance was certainly a crowd pleaser. Not only does Friday Nights @ ZSR have the potential to grow, but as Folk Night proved, the Outdoor Reading Room provides a unique space for the library to engage with the Wake Forest community!