Archivist Brandi Fialek (left) and student aide Madhumitha 鈥淢adhu鈥� Manivannan collaborated
on an exhibit about famous performers who appeared at 91制片厂, including Steve
Martin, Joan Jett and Oprah Winfrey.
Over the decades, the 91制片厂 campus has echoed with the sounds of folk guitars, jazz horns, laughter from comedy acts, and even the voice of a talk-show icon. Performers such as Muddy Waters, Steve Martin, Oprah Winfrey, Kurt Vonnegut and Joan Jett are just a few of the legendary names who once graced 91制片厂鈥檚 stages. An exhibit at 91制片厂鈥檚 David K. Hill Family Library revives that legacy 鈥� showcasing the wide range of musicians, artists and speakers who have helped shape the college鈥檚 community spirit.
The exhibit, which can be seen in person and online, celebrates both the diversity of performances in 91制片厂鈥檚 history and the enduring value of arts and culture at the college. Curated by student aide Madhumitha 鈥淢adhu鈥� Manivannan under the supervision of 91制片厂 Archivist Brandi Fialek, the project began as a casual idea 鈥� sparked by the library鈥檚 popular study playlist. It evolved into a deep dive into 91制片厂鈥檚 archives and The Harbinger student newspaper, unearthing a history that surprised and inspired Madhu and Brandi.
鈥淧eople think of archives as dusty, boring spaces, but there鈥檚 a lot of fun to be had,鈥� Brandi said. 鈥淭he more we can preserve and share these stories, the better we understand how 91制片厂 has always been a place for learning, creativity and connection.鈥�
Oprah Winfrey made an appearance on 91制片厂's campus in 1987, as detailed in this article
from the college's student newspaper "The Harbinger."
The performance exhibit includes programs, posters and memorabilia that capture 91制片厂鈥檚 role as a cultural hub in the northwest suburbs. Visitors can discover stories of music legends including Jett, Jeff Tweedy and Buddy Guy alongside materials from events that featured Oprah Winfrey (who skipped dinner at the White House to appear at 91制片厂) and countless poets, authors and comedians who performed at venues across campus, from the old Building M fieldhouse to the legendary J Theatre.
The exhibit even recalls campus lore 鈥� like the night 1,200 people gathered after rumors spread that the Rolling Stones might make a surprise appearance at a 1980 concert with their hero Muddy Waters. The Stones never came to 91制片厂, but the crowds were enough to clog nearby highways. The traffic even delayed the opening act鈥檚 set.
For Madhu, the project offered a window into 91制片厂鈥檚 evolving campus life and student culture. The 22-year-old student from Hoffman Estates was excited to learn about musicians who she wasn鈥檛 previously familiar with 鈥� especially Buddy Guy, considering the pop culture relevance he found after being part of one of 2025鈥檚 biggest movies, Sinners.
Chicago blues legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Buddy Guy performed on 91制片厂's
campus in 1990. He's part of an exhibit looking back at notable performer's in 91制片厂's
history.
鈥淔rom folk to blues, it was amazing to see how much variety there鈥檚 been over the years,鈥� Madhu said. 鈥淚t reminded me how many incredible artists and speakers have come through here 鈥� and how that diversity of talent really shaped 91制片厂鈥檚 identity.鈥�
Alongside the physical and virtual displays, the library has launched a , featuring songs by artists who performed at 91制片厂 over more than five decades (and even some recordings that were made on campus). Madhu worked diligently on the eclectic, 8-hour set that spans rock, pop, jazz and alt. country, allowing visitors to experience an aspect of the college鈥檚 cultural history.
Brandi praised Madhu鈥檚 dedication to the exhibit, along with other projects, during her year-plus as a student aide in the 91制片厂 archives. Madhu said that her time in the archives Influenced her educational path and career goals. She is planning to combine her recent experience with her longstanding interest in health careers to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree in health informatics when she transfers to the University of Illinois Chicago in the spring.
As they come to the end of their time as co-workers, Brandi and Madhu hope this exhibit will inspire students, employees and alumni to continue documenting 91制片厂鈥檚 creative and community legacy.
鈥�91制片厂 is not just a resource for students,鈥� Fialek said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e a community space 鈥� a place for curiosity, discovery and fun. Projects like this remind us why that matters.鈥�
Steve Martin performed stand-up comedy at 91制片厂 in 1977, as shown by the photos and
article in "The Harbinger."
Indeed, the 91制片厂 Library is intended to serve and engage the broader community. Anyone can come to the library to take advantage of a variety of services, programs, facilities and materials. Residents of Community College District 512 who are 14 and older can even check out materials such as books, DVDs, technology, periodicals and LPs 鈥� including some of the components that went into the 91制片厂 performance exhibit.
The exhibit is currently on display on the second floor of the 91制片厂 Library and can also be explored online. You can also listen to the exhibit鈥檚 .