Monday, August 2: Comedy Juggler Steve Russell at the Library

For more than half of his life, Steve Russell has literally juggled his way around the world. His travels and talents have taken him from the Pyramids of Egypt to the Amazon Basin. Notable performances include the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Lincoln Center in New York.

Now, to help celebrate the 2010 Summer Reading Challenge in Racine, this former trainer for Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus will bring his show of skill and laughter to the Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St. His show is appropriate for all ages and will be presented on Monday, August 2 at 6:30 pm in the Youth Services Department. The event is free and open to all. Seating is available on a first come/first served basis. No registration is necessary.

Steve picked up the skills of juggling from a book he borrowed from a library when he was 15 years old. The skills turned into a hobby, the hobby turned into an obsession, then to a profession. In the years he has been performing professionally, Steve has visited 35 countries and all 50 states with his unique mix of juggling, magic, comedy and audience participation.

"I love performing for libraries!" says the Wisconsin native. "The Summer Reading Programs are a wonderful way to keep children reading throughout the year. I tell them that books can be keys to the world. In my case, it was literally true."

Russell has shared the stage with Penn and Teller; has performed for film director Ron Howard; and has appeared before the Royal Family of Spain.

Monday, August 2: Comedy Juggler Steve Russell at the Library

For more than half of his life, Steve Russell has literally juggled his way around the world. His travels and talents have taken him from the Pyramids of Egypt to the Amazon Basin. Notable performances include the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Lincoln Center in New York.

Now, to help celebrate the 2010 Summer Reading Challenge in Racine, this former trainer for Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus will bring his show of skill and laughter to the Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St. His show is appropriate for all ages and will be presented on Monday, August 2 at 6:30 pm in the Youth Services Department. The event is free and open to all. Seating is available on a first come/first served basis. No registration is necessary.

Steve picked up the skills of juggling from a book he borrowed from a library when he was 15 years old. The skills turned into a hobby, the hobby turned into an obsession, then to a profession. In the years he has been performing professionally, Steve has visited 35 countries and all 50 states with his unique mix of juggling, magic, comedy and audience participation.

"I love performing for libraries!" says the Wisconsin native. "The Summer Reading Programs are a wonderful way to keep children reading throughout the year. I tell them that books can be keys to the world. In my case, it was literally true."

Russell has shared the stage with Penn and Teller; has performed for film director Ron Howard; and has appeared before the Royal Family of Spain.

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!

Read and Win! Summer Reading Challenge and Events Begin June 19 at the Racine Public Library

The Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St, is launching is 2010 Summer Reading Challenge for ALL ages beginning Saturday, June 19 and running through Saturday, July 31. Registration may be done after June 19 at any public service desk at the main or mobile library, as well as on the library's website at www.racinelibrary.info. Participants of all ages, once registered, will be given a reading record and asked to complete a challenge: either to read a specified number of books or to read for a specific amount of time. Once the challenge is completed, reading records are turned in to the main or mobile library, and participants receive a gift and an entry into the library's grand prize drawing. A library card is not needed for participation in the reading challenge, although one is recommended so that full use may be made of the library's many resources. Library cards for all ages are available for free by completing a simple registration form. Forms may be obtained from any library information desk or at the mobile library.

In addition to the reading challenge, the library will be celebrating summer reading through its series of special events. The following programs will offer something of interest to all ages.

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! summer programs are designed for kids ages 5-10. The library is offering the following opportunities for kids to experience music, stories, and other fun activities. Some registration is required as listed below. For more information or to register call the Youth Services Department at 262.636.9245.

• Storywagon Series - This series of performances by professional entertainers is held on Thursdays at 10 am and 1:30 pm inthe Youth Services Dept. Thursday, June 24 will feature the musical fun of Pint Size Polkas; Thursday, July 1 the library hosts dramatic demonstrations in "Get Excited About Science" with Steve Bellevue; on Thursday, July 15 Bassmeister Curt Strutz will send you into side-splitting laughter with his Fishing Comedy Show. All programs are free and no registration is necessary.
  
  
• Family Fun Nights - Special activity nights for families looking for some quality time together. Programs are held once a month on Thursday evenings at 6:30pm; registration is required. June 24 families will spend time with the Master Gardener's Club learning all about growing your own family garden. July 22, families are invited to participate in a game night with board games, Wii gaming, and some fun group games. August 26, the library will host a family "End of Summer Pity Party".
  
  
• Make a Splash Activity Days - Story and activity days are held weekly on Tuesdays at 2:30pm. Registration is required. Themes vary weekly with such topics as Water Science, Pirate Parties, and Outdoor Water Games.
  
  
• Ruff Readers - The library's award-winning read-to-the-dogs program continues over the summer. 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. The following schedule begins June 21:
• Mondays @ 10:30am : Dewey or Daisy
• Mondays @ 4pm: Hobbs
• Tuesdays @ 1pm: Lucy
• Tuesdays @ 4:30pm: Bowie
• Thursdays @ 4:30: Marshall & Epstein
  

Make Waves! is the library's series of activity days just for teens ages 11-17. These programs are held on Mondays at 2:30pm. Registration is required and space is limited for some of the events. Call 262.636.9245 for more information or to register. The following is a schedule of upcoming events:

- June 28 - Water Your Imagination with cool science experiments and creative art activities
- July 12 - Beach Bum Day - Join us for beach games, crafts, and a community service cleanup at North Beach.
- July 19 - (Tentative) Kayaking and Orienteering at REC on Sixth St. Space is limited.
- July 26 - Water Wars - Outdoor water games.


Water Your Mind! just for adults. Summer fun isn't just for the kids! The library has created some interesting and thought-provoking entertainment just for grownups. Some registration is required as listed below. Call the library at 262.636.9245 for more information.

• Watercolor Workshop - Thursday, July 1 at 10am. - Our friends from RAM will lead you through a hands-on mini watercolor project. Supplies provided. Registration is required as space is limited.
  
  
• Great Lakes Diving Adventure - Friday, July 2 at 11:15am and 3:00pm. - A presentation by a mother/son duo who have explored shipwrecks in many of the Great Lakes and throughout the world. They'll be introducing us to diving history, equipment, safety and what's to be found in our own watery backyard. No registration necessary.
  
  
• Protecting Our Local Waterways - Thursday, July 15 at 6:30pm (tentative)- A presentation by the Root River Environmental Center about water conservation, watershed projects, and the REC's role in the Root River revival. No registration necessary.
  

• Sierra Club Presentation - Thursday, July 22 at 6:30pm - This local environmental group presents intriguing and educational programs. Join us as they explore practical ways you can help to protect our valuable natural resources. No registration necessary.

• Wii Gaming for Adults - Tutorial Days on Thursday June 1 & July 8 at 10am; Game Days on Thursdays beginning July 22 from 10-noon. Come have some fun with this popular active video game experience in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere! Drop in only; no registration.

All of the above programs are free and open to all. Dates and times may be subject to change. Visit the library's website (racinelibrary.info) or call 262.636.9245 to confirm events.

The library is also offering two free concerts for all ages.

Geneva Red Harmonica Blues Concert - Monday, June 21 at 6:00pm - World renowned Blues Harmonica player Geneva Red will give an introduction to America's Blues music through performance by her juke joint duo The Original Delta Fireballs. This is a hands on harmonica workshop for participants. Bring your own harmonicas if possible (a 10 hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C is needed); the library has a limited number available for use. Call 262.636.9245 if you plan on attending.

Comedy Juggler Steve Russell - Monday, August 2 at 6:30pm - In this slightly off-center variety show, you get all the laughs of a stand-up comedian with the added bonus of disappearing bananas, impaled potatoes and adeptly juggled luncheon meat. Lots of laughs, fun and surprises for ALL ages. Free; no registration necessary.

For more information and a complete listing of summer programs, visit the library's website at www.racinelibrary.info or call 262.636.9245.