Poetry Open Mic Night, Helping Hands in Hard Times, Don't Stop the Rock, with GarageBand, and much more at Stark County District Library this Week

Before I give you the run down on upcoming programs this week at Stark County District Library, I want ot digress for a moment about the Youth Poetry Café which took place last week on Thursday, May 17. I have to say that I'm really glad I got to attend, because there were a lot of delightful poems read by many talented kids. One of the great things about hearing poetry out loud is that it comes with an element of surprise. A poem that you may have read to yourself on the page may strike you one way, intellectually, emotionally, and aurally, as you 'hear' the words in your mind, becomes a completely different experience when you hear it in the voice of its author--in the voice of someone who envisions and embodies the words a little differently. So, there were poems with a strong rhythm and sense of alliteration on the page that became spirited raps when read aloud. Quiet, simple poems got quieter and expansively pastoral in the half-whispered voices of the elementary school children who read them. Poems that were comical became outrageous and slapstick in the voices other children. There's something about performing the poem in front of an audience that can make it come alive in way you weren't expecting.

There was a packed house for the Youth Poetry Café: parents, grandparents, teachers, brothers and sisters, and maybe 100 kids reading their poems on stage. One kid even got up and sang his poem. Talk about the element of surprise. It was like hearing a re-discovered Appalachian folk song, or a Civil War ballad. Who knew he was going to do that? Maybe not even he did, until he was handed the microphone. It was riveting. And that's something that poetry can do: it might not even be about the words. Sometimes it's just about a human voice, sharing. I've posted a few photos from the event here. You can see more photos of the kids reading their poems on Flickr.

With that in mind, there's another chance to experience poetry out loud at Poetry Open Mic Night, on Tuesday, May 22 at Main Library. We'll hear poems from adults who entered poems in the 13th Annual Poetry Contest and from other poets and poetry fans.

As always, each program listed here is linked to the Stark County District Library Events calendar, where you'll get more information about the program (such as the time the event is offered), and have the opportunity to register online or by phone to attend.

On Thursday, May 24 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Main Library hosts Helping Hands in Hard Times, which features representatives from 27 different local organizations that provide vital services and resources during difficult times. A full list of participating organizations is available on the library's website at the link above and includes everything from health organizations to job training. 

Also, at 6:30 pm on Thursday, May 24, Perry Sippo Branch welcomes the Sisters Shopping on a Shoestring who will present their seminar on how to save money with smart coupon use. They'll cover strategic grocery shopping, realistc couponing, and meal planning made simple. Presenters Sara and Megan also write a popular and informative blog with tips on saving, downloadable coupons, and much more at Sisters Shopping on a Shoestring.

After the break for Memorial Day, teens can learn how to use the popular and versatile computer program GarageBand to mix, master, and share their own music compositions online. The program will be offered first on Tuesday, May 29 at Plain Community Branch, and then numerous times over the course of the summer at other branches--here's a full listing of days, times, and locations.

George Davis and Christopher Rudy will present their true crime book, The Last Victim at Perry Sippo Branch on Tuesday, May 29. Don't miss out on the opportunity to hear about the investigation and arrest of one of the most notorious and dangerous criminals in Northeast Ohio history.

There are many other excellent events planned at a branch of the Stark County District Library near you, including children's story times, book groups for adults, computer classes, programs for teens, and much more. For a full listing of events and programs, check www.StarkLibrary.org/eventscalendar and find something that enriches and inspires you today.