Noted actor and playwright Cedric Liqueur performed Rocks in My Bed, a music appreciation program on Duke Ellington, during his October 18 appearance at the George W. Hawkes Central Library.

Duke Ellington was an African American musician and orchestra leader whose music continues to influence performers worldwide. Children, college students, adults and retirees enjoyed the program. Cedric played his collection of vintage Duke Ellington records and gave monologues in character as Duke Ellington. Library patrons learned about Ellington's childhood, career, musical influences and broad array of compositions. Cedric had his audience snapping to the beat and dancing in the aisles!

Cedric asked patrons to share their own experiences with Duke Ellington and other jazz legends. One audience member described seeing Ella Fitzgerald play an amazing one-night show at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas. Another told the crowd about listening to Duke Ellington as a young man in Chennai, India. The patron's love of jazz music started while listening to Ellington's music on international Voice of American radio broadcasts as a college student. He even bought tickets to see Duke Ellington perform a concert in India, but lost his chance when the tickets "flew out the window of his dormitory." He said that Cedric's performance brought him back to that part of his life.

The Arlington Public Library puts on a variety of cultural programs for adults and families throughout the year. Programs such as Rocks in My Bed offer patrons a chance to expand their horizons and share their experiences.