Summer Kickoff Week at the Library

The Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St, has kicked off its lineup of summer programs for all ages. Here are the week's events!

• Geneva Red's Harmonica Blues Concert - In partnership with the Junior Women's Club of Racine, the library is offering a one-hour musical performance and Hohner Harmonica Blues workshop with acclaimed blues musician Geneva Red on Monday, June 21 at 6:00pm.
  
  With her partner, Jackie 5 & Dime, on drums and guitar/banjo, Geneva Red will present an hour of music, history and interactive harmonica instruction. The audience will embark on a musical journey that starts in Chicago, heading south along the Mississippi River, to St. Louis, Memphis, the Juke Joints of the Mississippi Delta, and down to New Orleans. Participants are introduced to this small but powerful instrument with an insightful introduction to beginners Blues harmonica. A limited number of harmonicas will be available for use by participants. It is suggested that those attending come with their own harmonicas, Hohner being the recommended brand. A 10 hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C is needed. Free; call the library at 262.636.9245 to register your attendance.
  

• Ruff Readers - The library's award-winning read-to-the-dogs program kicks off another season on Monday, June 21. Kids ages 6-12 are invited to spend 15 minutes reading to one of our specially-trained listening dogs. This is a relaxed and fun way for kids to practice reading over the summer. Participants may drop in during the reading times or may call 262.636.9245 to reserve a time slot. Days and times vary. Call 262.636.9245 for more information.

• Early Childhood Storytimes begin June 22 and will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10am in the Youth Services Dept. Two different age-appropriate programs are held simultaneously to accommodate different learning levels. Both programs are designed to teach crucial early literacy skills. Children ages 1-3 are invited to sit with their parents in a 20 minute storytime featuring songs, fingerplay, and short stories. Children ages 4-5 who are able to sit independently are invited to attend a longer preschool storytime offering more complex stories and activities. These are drop-in events and no registration is needed to attend.

• Make a Splash Activity Day: "Just Add Water!" - This weekly story and activity program will be held on Tuesday, June 22 at 2:30pm. This week's topic is all about the things water can do when we "just add it" to things and situations. Registration is required. Call 262.636.9245.

• Storywagon Performance: "Pint-Size Polkas!" The first in this series of performances by professional entertainers will be held on Thursday, June 24 at 10 am and 1:30 pm in the Youth Services Dept. The program will feature an entertaining and educational live polka musical experience for children of all ages and their families. Free; no registration.

• Family Fun Night: "Growing Power!" A special activity night for families looking for some quality time together. On Thursday evening at 6:30pm families will spend time with the Master Gardener's Club learning all about growing your own family garden. Registration required; call 262.636.9245.

• BONK! It's the season to hit the streets and enjoy some of Racine's finest evening entertainment. Enjoy an evening with some very talented artists on Saturday, June 26 from 6-8pm, for another installment of "BONK!", a free monthly performance series in downtown Racine. Now being held at the Racine Arts Council, 316 Sixth St., the series was created to expose the public to both local and nationally-recognized artistic talents. Each event showcases poets, writers, musicians, film makers and other talented artists. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with seating available on a first come/first served basis. Each BONK! event features a short question and answer session with the artists. This month's event will feature poet NINA CORWIN, spoken word artist NIGEL WADE, and musicians KEVIN MACPHAIL, AUSTIN SPIKA, CODY HESS.

For more information about the Racine Public Library's summer event schedule, call 262.636.9245, follow us on Twitter, find us on Facebook, subscribe to our blog (rplinfo.blogspot.com), or just visit our website at racinelibrary.info!