FAMILY MAGIC SHOW WITH BRUCE BRAY

MANAHAWKIN –   The Friends of Stafford Branch of the Ocean County Library is presenting the program ”Family Magic Show with Bruce Bray” on Saturday, March 13^th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.  Bruce’s unique blend of kids’ comedy, magic, and audience participation will prove to be an unforgettable afternoon for young and old alike. Bruce has over 25 years of experience, has presented thousands of shows, and has been invited to perform at the White House three years in a row. He has performed for celebrities such as Bruce Springsteen, Puff Daddy, and James Gandolfini. The show includes age-appropriate slapstick comedy magic, a silly balloon blowing contest, prizes for all of the kids and a real live bunny rabbit!  Don’t miss this exciting event.

The Stafford Branch of the Ocean County Library is located at 129 N. Main St. in Manahawkin. This program is free and open to the public. Please register by calling the Stafford Branch at (609) 597-3381, or visit the library’s website at www.theoceancountylibrary.org

YOUNG AUDIENCES OF NEW JERSEY PRESENTS THE PHOENIX WOODWIND QUINTET’S “PETER & THE WOLF” AT THE BARNEGAT BRANCH OF THE OCEAN COUNTY LIBRARY

In a performance provided by Young Audiences of New Jersey, the Phoenix Woodwind Quintet will perform “Peter & the Wolf” at the Barnegat library branch, 112 Burr Street on Thursday, February 25th at 7 p.m.

Accompanied by an actor/storyteller who uses masks and mime, the instruments of the quintet are the “voices” that tell the story of Peter and his animal friends.

“The Phoenix Woodwind Quintet’s musical telling of this timeless tale is a wonderful introduction to instrumental music,” Laurence Capo, director of Young Audiences said. “Children learn how music creates moods and the difference between melody and accompaniment.”

Young Audiences of New Jersey brings the arts to New Jersey children from all backgrounds, enhancing their formal education with dance, music, theater, literature and visual arts.  Each year, our teaching artists advance the education of more than 500,000 New Jersey school children, pre-k to 12th grade, through artist residencies, performance-demonstrations and workshops.

Community arts programs and professional development for teachers are also provided by Young Audiences’ professional staff.

Young Audiences of New Jersey is this state’s leading arts education resource and one of the 34 nationwide chapters that together constitute the country’s foremost arts education provider, Young Audiences, Inc., recipient of the National Medal of Arts.  The more than 4000 programs provided annually by Young Audiences of New Jersey are fully or partially funded with support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State; The Robert Wood Johnson, Jr. Charitable Trust; The Prudential Foundation; Merck & Co., Inc.; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Merrill Lynch & Co. Foundation, Inc.; The J. Seward Johnson Sr. Charitable Trusts; and The Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation.

This program is free and open to the public.  Register online at the library’s Web site www.theoceancountylibrary.org or by telephoning the operator at (609) 698-3331.

TR to host Odessa Klezmer Polka Band 11/1 @ 2 pm

The Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library (101 Washington Street) will present Ed Goldberg and The Odessa Klezmer Polka Band in a free concert Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 p.m.

The band plays a variety of Eastern European, Latin and Middle Eastern music, including polkas and the czardas.

The band has performed since 1984 and has played at fairs and festivals, weddings and bar mitzvahs throughout the New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania area. It has performed at Gracie Mansion and City Hall for NYC mayors Rudolph Guillani and Michael Bloomberg, and has toured Israel.

The band recently received the 2009 Just Plain Folks second place award for Klezmer Album Winners. Just Plain Folks is a community of more than 51,500 songwriters, recording artists and music industry professionals that provides a network of cooperation and inclusion for musicians.

Loosely translated, Klezmer means musical instrument. Jews brought this form of music with them when they migrated to the United States. Klezmer music experienced a resurgence of interest in recent years as Jewish Americans began rediscovering their roots, according to the band’s Web site.

The popular movie, “Fiddler on the Roof,” featured Klezmer music.

This program is free and open to the public. Registration is required. For more information or to register go to the Web site www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call (732) 349-6200.

4 items from Stafford: Master Gardeners; “Pieces of April”; computer training; Knit & crochet groups

MASTER GARDENER SPEAKER PRESENTATION MANAHAWKIN

The Stafford branch of the Ocean County Library will present the program: “Fall – The Time To Get Your Garden Ready For Spring,” on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 2:00 PM. TheMaster Gardener Association of Ocean County will present the program. Learn what you can do right now so that your garden will wake up refreshed and invigorated in the spring. Master gardeners have the knowledge and the tips. You will also learn how you can become a Master Gardener.

 MOVIES AT THE LIBRARY

MANAHAWKIN -Join us at the Stafford Branch of the Ocean County Library on Saturday, November 14th at 2:00 PM for our feature film ”Pieces of April,” a comedy about a woman who invites her dysfunctional family to Thanksgiving dinner. Rated PG-13. 2003.

Our family movie, “Monsters vs. Aliens,” will be held on Saturday, November 21st, at 2:00 PM. A motley group of monsters band together to fight off aliens who want to destroy the world. Animated. Rated PG. 2009.

SHARPEN YOUR COMPUTER SKILLS

 MANAHAWKIN – Join us at the Stafford branch of the Ocean County Library  Thursday, November 19 to “Sharpen Your Computer Skills.” Learn how to navigate the Web efficientlyand Internet safety and security. Learn how to set up and retrieve folders and files, and more. You must have mouse and basic Internet skills. There will be a half hour of presentation of the material, and the rest of the time will be practical hands-on and questions. This is a perfect opportunity to build computer confidence in a world that keeps telling us to “check our website.”

STRING OF PURLS – KNIT AND CROCHET GROUP

MANAHAWKIN – The Stafford branch of the Ocean County Library will host the program  “String of Purls” on Saturday, November 21st at 10:30 AM. Whether you’re just learning to knit, crochet, embroider, etc., already know how, or want to know what a “purl” is, join our group where experts will be available to answer your questions. Find that creative streak you know you have with this craft that has recently enjoyed an explosion of interest. For beginners, bring size 10 knitting needles and light-colored 4-ply worsted yarn. To crochet, bring the same type of yarn, and a size “I” crochet hook. If you’re more advanced, bring the project you’re working on.  This is also an excellent way to exchange ideas.

The Stafford branch is located at 129 N. Main St. in Manahawkin. This program is free and open to the public. Please register by calling the branch at (609) 597-3381, registering online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or in person. If you have any questions, call the library for specific information.

A Taste of the World @ Lakewood

CONTACT: Pat D’Andrea ph 732-363-1435 ext 2511 pdandrea@theoceancountylibrary.org

Margaret Greenan ph 732-363-1435 ext 2512 mgreenan@theoceancountylibrary.org

What: “A Taste of the World”

Where: Lakewood Branch of the Ocean County Library

When: Saturday October 24 @ 2pm

“A Taste of the World”

Lakewood – On Saturday October 24 at 2pm the Lakewood branch of the Ocean County Library will offer “A Taste of the World”: An International Celebration of Food, Music and the Arts.

Enjoy the music and various art forms of local artists and participate in a “taste of the world”, with an international food tasting.

The program is free and no registration is required. The Lakewood branch is located at 301 Lexington Ave., Lakewood NJ. For further information call the branch 732-363-1435 ext 2111.

Celebration of Jazz with Derek Pierre & Company

Lakewood – Jazz, jazz, jazz! On Saturday October 17 at 2pm, join us at the Lakewood Branch of the Ocean County Library for an afternoon of jazz with Derek Pierre & Company. Mr. Pierre, an accomplished guitarist, has performed locally in the area. The program is free and  registration is not required.  The Lakewood Branch is located at 301 Lexington Ave, Lakewood NJ.

For further information call the branch 732-363-1435, ext 2502.

QUILTING BEE TO MEET AT MANCHESTER LIBRARY

CONTACT:    Wendi Smolowitz, (732) 657-7600, ext. 4113

                        wsmolowitz@theoceancountylibrary.org

 QUILTING BEE TO MEET AT MANCHESTER LIBRARY

MANCHESTER – The Manchester Library’s Quilting Bee will hold its next meeting on Friday October 9^th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. During our monthly meetings, we work on both individual and group projects.  We share ideas, techniques, and patterns.  In the process, through our conversations as we work, friendships are forged.  Those wishing to learn how to quilt will have the opportunity to learn from experienced artists while experienced quilters will have the chance to pass on their skills.  Bring your sewing machines and join us! New members are always welcome!

 Meetings are usually held on the second Friday of each month. There is no need to register for this free adult program! For more information, please call (732) 657-7600 or go online to www.theoceancountylibrary.org.  The Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Township.

Manchester Library to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Flamenco Dancers

CONTACT:    Donna Risner, 732.657.7600

                        drisner@theoceancountylibrary.org

 Manchester Library to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Flamenco Dancers

 MANCHESTER, NJ – On Friday, October 9^th the Alborada Spanish Dancers will be performing at the Manchester Library at 2:00 pm. Everyone is invited to watch this highly rated company of Flamenco dancers with their exotic costumes, as they move to the beat of traditional music.

This free program is open to all ages and there is no registration. It is part of the library’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

The Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Twp.

Beachwood to present “A Christmas Carol”

CONTACT: Lynn Paro, 732-244-9176
lparo@theoceancountylibrary.org

Charles Dicken’s-A Christmas Carol

Saturday, December 19th at 2:00 pm – The Friends of the Beachwood Library invite you to celebrate “a wee bit” of good old fashioned, Victorian Christmas with a one hour reading of Dicken’s beloved classic, A Christmas Carol performed by the Traveling Literary Theatre. These beautifully dressed actors bring all characters to life!

The presentation will take place at the Beachwood Community Center, 147 Compass Avenue, Beachwood.

This program is free to the public and is appropriate for ages 10 and older. Registration for the program begins November 16th.

For further information or to register for this event in-person visit the Beachwood Branch Library at 126 Beachwood Blvd. in Beachwood, by phone at 732-244-9176 or online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

Lacey hosts Big Man Blues

CONTACT: Ana Diamand, (609) 693-8566
ldiamand @theoceancountylibrary.org
Lacey branch, 10 East Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731

Big Mans Blues Band

Forked River – Local band will be sure to heat things up at the Lacey Branch Ocean County Library Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 7 pm. Family event—all are welcome, join us for a toe- tapping, hand- clapping sound of Rhythm & Blues. Please register at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-693-8566.