May 05, 2012

Summer Reading is Coming!




Summer Reading Programs: “Dream Big: READ!”

     When school is out, reading is in, with library calendars that are packed with FREE shows, storytimes, crafts and prizes!  Each library is a little different, but look and you will find games for pre-readers, school-aged kids, teens, and even adults.  There are some not-to-be missed shows taking place: guest storytellers, puppet shows, cultural arts programs, animal presentations, music & magic—usually all coming your way thanks to the Friends of the Library (PLEASE become a member; it’s cheap, and the Friends are any library’s lifeblood)!

This is a good time of year to gather up the event calendars of every library system within your personal stomping grounds!  Here’s a website that can connect residents of the SF Bay Area with many of the libraries in the region: http://www.santaclaracountylib.org/locallib.html

 As for the library system where I have the pleasure of booking the special events, the Livermore PublicLibrary, there is a big summer ahead, and you will definitely want to pick up the event calendar when it’s available!  Signups for the game are ONLINE this year, and the independent readers will enjoy the return of the spinning wheel of prizes (which made its debut last year).  There will be crafts at each library appearing on the calendar, plus…

Storytimes (beginning 6/11):
Mondays, 10:30am at Civic Center: A NEW SCHOOL-AGED ONLY READING CLUB hosted by John (hey, that’s me!) outside, and PRESCHOOL stories inside with Kelly
Mondays, 7pm at Civic Center: FAMILY Storytime with John (wear your pajamas; the kids can, too!)
Fridays, 10:30am at Rincon: All-ages Storytimes with John

Free Special Events!

Wednesday, June 13  10:30 Civic Center     
South Indian Art & Dance
Clap & dance along as Livermore resident Swetha Dixit and the Kalaikoil dancers present the culture, language, geography and music of South India through the traditional art form of Baharatanatyam.  The classical dance, much like ballet & the hula, tells a story through a combination of dance, music & drama.  Kalaikoil dancers will show you how to dance a few of the steps and even teach you to say a few Indian words.
**Event will be held outside, with audience seated on tarps on lawn.  Proper sun gear is advised, & early arrival for best parking & seating is advised.  Stroller parking will be along sidewalk--not on grass.  All programs are recommended for ages 4+.

Wednesday, June 20  10:30 Civic Center     
Wild Americas
Meet beautiful wild animals including a Canada Lynx & an Armadillo, and hear their stories as Wildlife Associates takes you into the secret world of wildlife, right at the Livermore Library.
**Event will be held outside, with audience seated on tarps on lawn.  Proper sun gear is advised, & early arrival for best parking & seating is advised.  Stroller parking will be along sidewalk--not on grass.  All programs are recommended for ages 4+. 

Coming Wednesday, June 20 to Livermore's Civic Center Library!

Tuesday, June 26                   6pm Springtown
The Magic of Gerald Joseph
Gerald keeps the laughs going from start until finish, with stunning surprises, amazing sleight-of-hand magic and outrageously funny sight gags. The hilarious audience participation is no trick!
**Event will be held outside, with audience seated on tarps on lawn.  Proper sun gear is advised, & early arrival for best parking & seating is advised.  All programs are recommended for ages 4+. 
Wednesday, June 27  2:30 Rincon                                                                
            Cowgirl Tricks with Karen Quest
Don’t miss this return visit from America’s funniest cowgirl!  Karen’s fun-filled Vaudeville-style Western comedy act features trick roping, whip cracking, magic, and a whole passel of kooky, family-friendly cowgirl shenanigans.
**Event will be held outside, with audience seated on tarps on lawn.  Proper sun gear is advised, & early arrival for best parking & seating is advised.  Stroller parking will be along sidewalk--not on grass.  All programs are recommended for ages 4+. 

Wednesday, July 11   10:30 Civic Center     
The Busy Bee Dogs in “3 Billy Goats Gruff”
Canine actors reenact the classic story using colorful props, silly dog comedy and amazing stunts! The doggie stars—formerly homeless shelter animals—will also present their production of “The Library Lion.”
**Event will be held outside, with audience seated on tarps on lawn.  Proper sun gear is advised, & early arrival for best parking & seating is advised.  Stroller parking will be along sidewalk--not on grass.  All programs are recommended for ages 4+. 

Wednesday, July 18   7pm Civic Center       
            Goldilocks & the Three Sharks
Using the magic of black light, Puppet Art Theater transports the audience deep into an ocean environment to join Goldilocks the Mermaid under the sea as she looks for adventure and finds nothing but trouble
**INDOOR EVENT: Space limited, and no strollers allowed in room.  Attendees are advised to arrive quite early, as space is not guaranteed.  Just a few chairs will be out, for those with limited mobility.  Event recommended for ages 4+**

Saturday, July 21        2:30pm Civic Center  
            Lion Dance
Watch a performance of the traditional Chinese Lion Dance—and learn how to dance like a lion, yourself!  San Francisco’s Jing Mo Athletic Association martial arts group will be bringing the 1500-year-old art to Livermore, along with some nice loud drumming & a few martial arts moves!  Library-goers are invited to bring their own cameras to take photos with the Lion.
**INDOOR EVENT: Space limited, and no strollers allowed in room.  Attendees are advised to arrive quite early, as space is not guaranteed.  Just a few chairs will be out, for those with limited mobility.  Event recommended for ages 4+**  **LION DANCE programs can be LOUD!**

Tuesday, July 24                    6pm Springtown         
Storyteller Kenneth Foster
Kenneth Foster has collected a lifetime of stories, from his fond memories of his New Mexico childhood, to his travels far & wide, to his 28 years with the Livermore Lab.  Kenneth enjoys sharing the joy at wit of storytelling with audiences of all ages, and showing us we all have surprising stories to share.
**Event will be held outside, with audience seated on tarps on lawn.  Proper sun gear is advised, & early arrival for best parking & seating is advised.  All programs are recommended for ages 4+.  

Wednesday, July 25   2:30 Rincon
            Music & Stories with Juan Sánchez
Spanish-born recording artist & teacher Juan L. Sánchez performs internationally for adults and children.  He will be performing music on instruments including a charango, a daf (frame drum), and a violin, and will be sharing stories from Japan, Central America, and South Africa—including the beloved song-story “Abiyoyo.”
**Event will be held outside, with audience seated on tarps on lawn.  Proper sun gear is advised, & early arrival for best parking & seating is advised.  All programs are recommended for ages 4+.  

Wednesday, August 1             10:30 Civic Center
            House of Samba Drum & Rhythm Show
Expect to dance, sing, get involved and be transported around the globe through the sounds of drums and percussion!  Samba Samba is an interactive educational workshop that uses music, rhythm, percussion instruments, and drums as tools for capturing the imagination of the participants. This program is suitable for all ages from children to adults. 
**Event will be held outside, with audience seated on tarps on lawn.  Proper sun gear is advised, & early arrival for best parking & seating is advised.  Stroller parking will be along sidewalk--not on grass.  All programs are recommended for ages 4+. 

Wednesday, August 8, 2:30 Rincon
            Hansel & Gretel
Puppet Art Theater presents a hilarious new take on the Grimm old classic!  Will Hansel & Gretel escape the witch’s gingerbread house and find their way home?
**Event will be held outside, with audience seated on tarps on lawn.  Proper sun gear is advised, & early arrival for best parking & seating is advised.  All programs are recommended for ages 4+. 


GROWN-UPS: Please remember that many libraries offer an ADULT Summer Reading Program, and your participation—your example of reading—is an important gift to your child!

May 01, 2012

Upcoming Events

Public events!
 STORYTELLING appearances are in red,
and STORYTIMES at the Livermore Public Library are in brown.

Returning to Children's Fairyland May 12-13 & June 30-July 1


Friday, May 4
10:30am Baby/Toddler Storytime
11am Preschool Storytime


Monday, May 7
7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime
(Final Spring Pajamatime Family Storytime)


Tuesday, May 8
Wednesday, May 9
Augmented Reality Event
Santa Clara Convention Center
Voice Talent: I'll be heard but not seen, as the theater announcer at this special technology conference & expo!


Friday, May 11
10:30am Baby/Toddler Storytime
11am Preschool Storytime
(Final Spring Storytime)


Saturday, May 12
Sunday, May 13
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 and 2:30 each day
(weather dependent)

Thursday, June 7
Storytelling at 10am
3251 20th Avenue, San Francisco


Monday, June 11
Livermore Public Library, Civic Center
Pajamatime Family Storytime

Friday, June 15
Livermore Public Library, Rincon
10:30am All-Ages Storytime

Saturday, June 16
Storytelling at 5:30pm

Monday, June 18
Livermore Public Library, Civic Center
Pajamatime Family Storytime

Friday, June 22
Livermore Public Library, Rincon
10:30am All-Ages Storytime


Monday, June 25
Livermore Public Library, Civic Center
Pajamatime Family Storytime

Thursday, June 28
Alameda Free Library, West End Branch
788 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda
Storytelling at 2pm


Friday, June 29
Livermore Public Library, Rincon
10:30am All-Ages Storytime


Saturday, June 30
Sunday, July 1
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 and 2:30 each day
(weather dependent)

Monday, July 2
Livermore Public Library, Civic Center
Pajamatime Family Storytime

Friday, July 6
Livermore Public Library, Rincon
10:30am All-Ages Storytime

Monday, July 9
Livermore Public Library, Civic Center
Pajamatime Family Storytime

Thursday, July 12
Daly City Library, Westlake Branch
Storytelling at 10:15am

Friday, July 14
Livermore Public Library, Rincon
10:30am All-Ages Storytime

Monday, July 16
Livermore Public Library, Civic Center
Pajamatime Family Storytime

Thursday, July 19
Milpitas Library
Storytelling at 3pm

Friday, July 20
Livermore Public Library, Rincon
10:30am All-Ages Storytime

Monday, July 23
Livermore Public Library, Civic Center
Pajamatime Family Storytime

Thursday, July 26
Storytelling at 4pm

Friday, July 27
Livermore Public Library, Rincon
10:30am All-Ages Storytime

Monday, July 30
Livermore Public Library, Civic Center
Pajamatime Family Storytime

Tueday, July 31
Storytelling at 7pm

Friday, August 3
Livermore Public Library, Rincon
10:30am All-Ages Storytime

Monday, August 6
Livermore Public Library, Civic Center
Pajamatime Family Storytime
(Final Family Storytime of the Summer)

Friday, August 10
Livermore Public Library, Rincon
10:30am All-Ages Storytime
(Final Storytime of the Summer)


Saturday, August 18
Sunday, August 19
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 and 2:30 each day
(weather dependent)

Wednesday, October 24
Storytelling at 2pm
310 B Street, Cayucos, California

Wednesday, October 24
6:30pm: Scary stories for kids ages 7+
421 S. McClelland Street, Santa Maria, California


Saturday, October 27
Storytelling at 11am
1010 Nipomo Street (at Monterey), San Luis Obispo, California


Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education for The Dorris-Eaton School, Hacienda CDC, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Heads Up Palo Alto, Children's Academy of Danville, Learning Links Burlingame, Acorn Learning Center, Tutor Time, and Fremont Unified School District.  Private events (for schools, etc.) do not show up in listings above.  For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!