Tag Archives: Hatch Auditorium

Apr 20 2026

Bob Stephens joins David Harrison and Friends at The Library Center on May 5

Hi everyone,

Here we are, only 15 days from doing it! The stage is set, our players are prepared, and now we enjoy the countdown and continue to introduce you to the people who are going to make the evening of May 5 such a thoroughly delightful one. BOB STEPHENS is one of them. You can tell at a glance at his picture that he is a many of many interests and talents. He’s a musician, a cat lover, an achiever, and a writer. Well, here’s the modest bio that he gave me to introduce him that night.

Bob Stephens, who served as Mayor of Springfield from 2013 to 2017, has been writing most of his life, first for business, more recently, poetry and fiction. A few years ago, Bob, Chris Burros, and Gemma Blackburn brought together a group of local poets to provide readings throughout the community and region. They named it Bards of Moon City, a nickname for North Springfield before the merger with Springfield in1887. To which I’ll add that Bob has just completed publishing the fourth annual anthology of poems by members of the Bards. The latest collection — The Bards of Moon City, Vol. IV –like its predecessors, is a fund raiser with proceeds going to Ozarks Literacy Council. It features ten poets with five each of their poem and can be ordered online or in selected stores in Springfield, Missouri. Stores to be named soon.

Apr 13 2026

Byron Biggers Band joins David Harrison and Friends at The Library Center on May 5

Hi everyone,

I have known CHRIS CRAIG, first as a young man and later as he pursued his passion to teach while also spending a time as a budding musician in Nashville. Our daughter, ROBIN WILLIAMS, was a teacher’s aid in an elementary class Chris taught for visually impaired students. More recently I’ve known Dr. Craig as Dean of Education at Drury University, and both Dean of Education and Associate Provost at Missouri State University in Springfield.

Portraits from Fall photo days, September 4, 2019. Visual Media/Missouri State University

Several years ago Chris sang and played his guitar at a Barnes & Noble program and I was next, reading some of my poems. Chris asked for permission to set some of my poems to music. One poem is about an unfortunate soul named Byron Biggers who scratches himself to death in an Ozarks chigger patch. Before I knew it, we were joined by another musician, math teacher by day and percussionist in bands by night, GALE CLITHERO.

Byron Biggers Band has made a number of appearances over the years at schools, libraries, literature conferences, and my occasional library program. We’re going to do it again tonight. When I asked Chris for an introduction, here’s what he sent.

Twenty years ago, professor by day, professional musician by night, Chris Craig, set ten of David Harrison’s poems to music, including Bryon Biggers, about a deadly chigger patch. Chris invited fellow teacher by day, musician by night, Gale Clithero, to make it a trio. Performing as Bryon Bigger’s Band, we have been braving chigger patches ever since. Tonight (May 5), we will play The Man on the Moon, A Sad Tale, and Practice, Practice, Practice!

Apr 12 2026

How to attend David Harrison and Friends

Hi everyone,

I’ve given you most of this information in various posts, but today I want to get it all in one place for those who are thinking about joining us on May 5 for two hours of free entertainment. It will take place in Hatch Auditorium in The Library Center at 4653 Sound Campbell in Springfield. You can park in front of the building and walk through the library but there is an accommodating parking lot in the back, close to the entrance to Hatch.

Springfield public library New addition Hatch Auditorium on December 30, 2025. Kevin White/KWPhotos

Doors will open at 6:00 and the program is set for 6:30-8:30. After the last performance, I will sign books for those who want to take home a copy of one of my titles. Admission is free and no tickets are required. Students who will be performing will be seated in rows of chairs on the floor area in front of the stage, shown in the picture below.

Springfield public library New addition Hatch Auditorium on December 30, 2025. Kevin White/KWPhotos

Parents of performers will be seated behind the students if there is enough room. Otherwise they may be placed, with special guests in the first rows of the theater chairs. All other seats will be available on a first come basis.

Springfield public library New addition Hatch Auditorium on December 30, 2025. Kevin White/KWPhotos

This new auditorium is roughly five times the size of the auditorium in the main building when you walk in through the front door. It accommodates 500. Little Theatre in downtown Springfield holds 525-527. David Harrison and Friends will be among the first programs to be held in Hatch so it will be an historical night and we plan to fill the hall. You can’t make reservations but you can arrive early to make sure you get a seat. Tell your friends about the program. I promise you it will be a one-of-a-kind evening of entertainment!

Apr 7 2026

Judy Domeny joins David Harrison and Friends at The Library Center on May 5

Hi everyone,

My May 5 program at The Library Center (6:30-8:30 p.m.) is 31 days from today. We’ll have 20 acts on the agenda. Byron Biggers Band will be there. I’m especially honored that a group of actors will reprise their performance from several years ago when they read, as only actors can, from a selection of my work. Our state’s new poet laureate will give a reading. So much more!

Here’s a little information about one of our star entertainers, JUDY DOMENY. One of the most popular performers in the region, Judy will sing to her guitar accompaniment. I’m always delighted when Judy agrees to join me in anything I plan at the library.

Judy Domeny Bowen never achieved her dreams of being a ballerina, cowgirl, or oceanographer. She became, instead, an art teacher, auctioneer, and raiser of Boer goats on Judy’s Green Acres farm near Rogersville. And throughout her life she has been a folk musician, performing songs of the pioneers and original songs at festivals, conferences, and concerts throughout the nation and internationally. Tonight, Judy shares a song entitled “The Mother Road.” 

Mar 31 2026

Mary Jane Mooneyham joins David Harrison and Friends at The Library Center on May 5

Hi everyone,

My May 5 program at The Library Center (6:30-8:30 p.m.) is 36 days from today. I don’t have an exact number yet of how many performers we’ll have to entertain you because some of the schools aren’t quite certain, but it looks like we’ll have 123. These range from 3rd grade students to well known singers to equity actors to the current poet laureate of Missouri.

Here’s a little information about one of them, MARY JANE MOONEYHAM. The painting that she will finish during the show will be auctioned off with proceeds going to the library.

MARY JANE MOONEYHAM
Mary Jane Mooneyham’s art is frequently selected for the nationally recognized Watercolor USA. There she is known for her remarkable three-dimensional watercolor paper sculptures, from a pair of moccasins to a Chinese takeout meal. Her latest piece, 7th Inning Stretch, proves she can even make watercolor paper sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” Tonight, she will work in two dimensions on a painting about the Mother Road.