March, they say, comes in like a lion, out like a lamb. It’s safe to say that those of us who’ve been in Connecticut this winter are really ready for the lamb! While you’re waiting for the milder weather to come sweeping in, we’ve got lots of great programs to keep you busy!
Weekend Concert Series – I Love a Piano” with Paul Bisaccia
Local audience favorite Paul Bisaccia will return to Cheshire with a new concert, “I Love a Piano,” featuring classic composers such as Chopin, Debussy, Satie and Paderewski, as well as popular composers, including Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Scott Joplin and Marvin Hamlisch. This concert is free and open to the public. No registration required.
Grow Your Own Meadow
Tuesday Mar 3, 2015, 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Join landscape designer Kathy Connolly for a one-hour discussion on the establishment, care and feeding of a flowering meadow. She’ll discuss meadow ecology and the role of native species, look at helpful tools, and explain steps you can take from June to December to start a new meadow or encourage an existing one. Seating for this event is limited. Please register on our website or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.
Fab Film Saturday: “Big Hero 6”
Saturday Mar 7, 2015, 2:00 – 4:00 PM
With all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, BIG HERO 6 is an action-packed comedy adventure that introduces Baymax, a lovable, personal companion robot, who forms a special bond with robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada. Rated PG. Running Time 1 hour, 30 minutes.
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Feel free to bring your own snacks!
Phoenix Performing Arts Troupe
Sunday Mar 8, 2015, 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Come enjoy this Hartford-based troupe as they perform a variety of Chinese classical and traditional dances, and teach about Chinese arts and culture. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
Dinosaur Tea Party
Monday Mar 9, 2015, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Ctrl Alt Achieve: Green Screen Fun!
Tuesday Mar 10, 2015, 4:30 PM
By using a green screen, kids will be able to bring portions of the book The Day the Crayons Quit to life. Kids will have the opportunity to dress up as their favorite crayons from the book and design and create props. By posing in front of the green screen, they will then be able to complete the scene with the addition of a background from the book. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED. For Children in grades K-2.
Take a Hike!
Tuesday Mar 10, 2015, 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Sometimes referred to as the area’s best kept secret, the Regional Water Authority owns 27,000 acres of land in south central Connecticut, some of which is open for recreational activities with a Regional Water Authority Recreation Permit. Each recreation area is unique. Visitors may hike, jog, cross-country ski or just meander along more than 60 miles of trails through Regional Water Authority watershed lands. Come to the program to find out more! Seating for this event is limited. Please register on our website or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.
Storyteller: Tales of Deep-Rooted Magic
Saturday Mar 14, 2015, 2:00 PM
Storyteller Sara deBeer will present stories from cultures around the world, and tales of the magic which waits for those who venture into the woods, into the wilds, and into the deep, dark, forest. Sara’s lively storytelling is suitable for listeners of all ages and includes audience participation to keep the youngest listeners involved. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
Full of Joy Yoga
Mondays Mar 16, 23, 30, 2015, 9:45 – 10:15 AM
Yoga helps children develop strong, flexible bodies while cultivating a lifetime of joy, peace and wonder. Classes with Lani Rosen of Full of Joy Yoga, combine music, games, props and stories which give everyone the benefits of yoga. For ages 3-5. Register on our website starting March 1.
Teen Time: Stop Motion Video
Friday Mar 20, 2015, 3:00 – 4:30 PM
Learn to make a stop motion video using legos, play dough, and an iPad. For grades 6 through 12- no registration required -come whenever you feel like it. The more the merrier- bring your friends and have a ball at the library!
Author Talk: Jon Katz
Sunday Mar 22, 2015, 2:00 – 3:00 PM
New York Times bestselling author Jon Katz (A Dog Year, A Good Dog, Rose In a Storm) will speak about his newest book, a memoir called Saving Simon: How a Rescue Donkey Taught Me the Meaning of Compassion. In 2011, state police notified him of a severely neglected donkey who needed attention. It was at that time that Simon entered his life and changed it forever. Hear more about Simon’s story of healing, Mr. Katz’s writing experiences, and much more. Register on our website.
Creating the Non-Stop Garden
Monday Mar 23, 2015, 7:00 – 8:00 PM
A nonstop garden doesn’t mean nonstop work. Lower maintenance is just one of the many benefits of four-season gardening. In this lecture, horticulturist Jennifer Benner will outline the benefits of creating a nonstop garden. Sit back and enjoy a botanical journey filled with inspiring photographs that will recharge your gardening batteries. Seating for this event is limited. Please register on our website or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.
Edible Book Festival
Saturday Mar 28, 2015, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
What exactly is the Edible Book Festival, you may ask? It’s a chance for patrons of all ages to test their creativity and combine their love of both books and food in fun displays that will be viewed by both a panel of judges and the public. The only rules are that entries must be based on a book (any book will do!) and they must be composed of edible items. We’ll be accepting entries in three age-group categories:
- Child (up to age 12)
- Teen (ages 13-19)
- Adult (ages 20+)
A three-person panel of impartial, non-library judges will evaluate all entries based on overall design and creativity, as well as how well entries represent their noted books. At the end of the event, one “Best in Show” prize will be awarded in each age-group category. The basic timeline for the day will be:
- 10:00 am – 12:00 pm participants will drop off entries at the library
- 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm the panel of judges will privately evaluate the entries
- 1:30 pm the public can begin viewing the entries
- 2:30 pm the winners will announced!
Registration will open on February 1st and will need to be done in-person at the Children’s desk at the library so that we can make sure all participants receive a packet of information for the event.
Weekend Concert Series: “Irish Music In America” with Atwater-Donnelly Band
Sunday Mar 29, 2015, 3:00 PM
The award-winning band Atwater-Donnelly will present a unique blend of traditional American and Celtic folk music and dance on the mountain dulcimer, banjo, tin whistle, guitar, mandolin, harmonica and more. For this very special performance, Aubrey and Elwood will be joined by John and Heidi Cerrigione on upright bass and autoharp, and Irish step-dancer Kevin Doyle. This concert is free and open to the public. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
For the Sake of the Country: Female Spies in the Civil War
Monday Mar 30, 2015, 7:00 – 8:00 PM
When you think of the role women played during the Civil War, what do you think of? Do you think of laundresses, homemakers, or nurses? Would you ever think of spies? Female spies played an essential and critical role in shaping the political, military, and social landscape. They changed the course of military battles, political intrigue, and even saved a president! Learn about four extraordinary Union and Confederate spies who risked all for the sake of their country.
Matthew Bartlett is a 2013 graduate of American Military University with a Master’s in Military History with a specialization in the American Civil War. His specialty is the battle of Gettysburg, about which he has written six books. A historian and lecturer, Matthew and his wife belong to the 14th CT CVI, Company F. He and his wife, Jenn, will appear in period attire as Allan Pinkerton and Kate Warne. Please register on our website or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4
Frozen Sing Along
Cheshire Cats Classics Club
Irish Family History: Researching Irish Websites
Take Your Child to the Library Day! Magic with Chick Kelman
Fab Film Saturday: The Boxtrolls
Author Talk: Jon Katz
Bird Biology and Winter Plants
Rainforest Rendezvous with Animal Embassy
Genealogy Software for Family History Researchers
Squishy Circuits
Learn Spanish Storytime
Exploring Connecticut and the Slave Trade
The Cheshire Library Blog 