Story and images provided by Stillwater Public Library
Fun, reading, and prizes abound at the “Libraries Rock!” summer reading programs designed for kids, teens, and adults. The summer program includes reading challenges, prizes, and weekly programs for each age group. Registration for the summer reading program begins on May 11, and the community is invited to the all-ages kick-off on June 2.
Children’s Summer Reading Program
Children’s Summer Reading Programs take place on Tuesdays in June and July at 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. There will be no evening performance of the operetta. Programs include:
June 5: A Thoroughly Modern Rapunzel. Local children perform in the annual operetta.
June 12: Doggie Dance! Sienna and Joey, Denise Gard’s famous Border Collies, perform groovy tricks. Discover incredible stories set to music and then learn how to dance like a dog! Do you think dogs prefer classical, rap, country, or pop music?
June 19: Kevin Wade’s Rock and Read Magic Show. Kevin returns to the Stillwater stage to mystify and amaze with his bag of magic tricks while also expressing a love of reading.
June 26: We Will Rock You. Internationally renowned percussionist Lee Ann Harris offers an innovative and unique musical presentation designed to both entertain and enlighten. She demonstrates a mélange of interesting and often unusual instruments while performing some of the more captivating rhythms of our world.
July 3: Hill’s Irish Dancers. Talented student dancers present a spirited and entertaining Irish dance experience. Get your toes to tapping and hands to clapping, while you enjoy the colorful costumes and fast-moving feet of these award-winning step dancers as they showcase both traditional and modern dances of the Emerald Isle.
July 10: Juggle Whatever’s Lights! Music! Circus! Be amazed by a glow circus show set to fun music with a variety of high-tech LED props including hula hoops, juggling, unicycling, and much more.
July 17: Jump Rope Master. Jump ropes, a unicycle, audience participation, and motivational speaking, this is what Peter Nestler is all about. The program is designed to capture children’s attention, inspire them with jaw dropping skills, and build a lasting memory of what it takes to be a champion.
July 24: Libraries Rock Award Ceremony. Monty Harper gives an energetic performance of original songs that will have you moving and grooving in celebration of books and reading! This is a special celebration for children who reached their 10+ hour reading goal. It is by “invitation” and held at 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
Teen Summer Reading Program
Teen programs take place on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. All students in grades 6-12 are eligible to participate. Programs include:
June 6: Astronomy Rocks! The Lunar Sooners, an outreach group of astronomy students from Oklahoma University, will bring a portable planetarium to SPL. Our teens will learn about the stars in the planetarium, participate in hands-on astronomy demonstrations and spend time in a question and answer session with the Lunar Sooner.
June 13: Climbing Rocks! Enjoy an afternoon of rock wall climbing at the Colvin Center.
June 20: Ukuleles Rock! Stillwater Ukulele Association will get our teens up to speed on ukuleles. The group will perform a few songs and present information on ukuleles followed by lessons for uke players of any ability. The culmination of the program will be a collaborative performance by our teens.
June 27: Latin Dance Rocks! Heather Burns, a professional dancer and choreographer specializing in Afro-Cuban dance, will introduce and model Latin dance movements and rhythms including cha cha cha, conga, danzon, mambo, orishas, palo, and rumba. She will teach participants about the history of the dances and offer instructions on movement. The teens will get a chance to show off their new skills in a performance to some Latin music.
July 11: Geology Rocks! Members of the Oklahoma State University Geology department will bring hands-on geology demonstrations to SPL. Teens will have a chance to interact firsthand with different types of rocks and participate in activities involving the different minerals. The geology group will present information on other facets of geology and answer questions.
July 18: African Dance, Music and Drum Lessons Rock! Aboubacar Camara and percussionists who specialize in African music will give a thirty minute presentation and performance of African drumming and dance. Teens will then learn different dances and percussion rhythms from various African cultural traditions and the meanings of these dances and rhythms.
July 25: Trampoline Finale. Teens will end the summer with exciting activities at the Ultimate Air Trampoline Park and announcement of prize winners.
Adult Summer Reading Program
Adult readers will enjoy an array of musically themed programs, including:
June 7 (Evening time TBD): Music & Wine Pairings. Learn which music goes best with different types of wine (but without actual wine!)
June 17 (2-4 p.m.): Father’s Day. Kids and Dads (or other male figures) work together to make musical instruments out of PVC, while mom gets a day off!
June 19 (evening time TBD): New Music Appreciation. Not interested in newer types of music? This program will make you enjoy it more.
June 27 (10 a.m.): Music for Babies. Parents will participate with their little ones in music activities for babies up to one year old and learn why it is so important to expose babies to music as early as possible.
July 9-15 (Days and times will vary): Music Escape Room. Get a small group together to look for clues and solve puzzles to escape our musically themed room.
July 19 (6:30 p.m.): Classical Music Appreciation. Learn about music history and find out how to enjoy the classics.
July 27 (7 p.m.): Finale.
Movies at the Library
On Thursdays, come to the library to see family friendly films (rated G or PG) on the big screen in the auditorium at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. One bag of popcorn per person will be provided. We encourage everyone to bring a water bottle which we can refill with ice water. Movies will start on June 7 and run through July 19.
For updated times and programs, visit the library’s summer reading site at http://library.stillwater.org.
*Editor’s Note: With summer break on the horizon, families are making plans for summer activities. Stillwater has many recreational opportunities, activities, day camps, and programs to keep you busy all summer long! We have compiled a comprehensive list of resources to help you get started making your summer plans.
Visit StillwaterLiving.com/2018-summer-guide to see our constantly updated list of summer activities for the whole family! Do not wait to look into these programs, because space is limited for many and registration closes quickly.
