With summer reading completed, it's time for me to fulfill a promise that I've made to a handful of presenters who, each is his/her own way, made Watchung Library's Be Creative at Your Summer a memorable experience.  Watchung Library offered over 55 programs to more than 1,900 children this summer, and everyone had fun.  These are favorites of mine, not only because of how the children responded, but because each presenter truly loved - was passionate about - what he/she was doing.  The performers are in no particular order:

Mime

Lluana Jones

Creative Imaginations LLC

P.O. Box 6217

Bridgewater, NJ 08807-9998

...@verizon.net" title="blocked::mailto:east...@verizon.net">...@verizon.net">...@verizon.net">east...@verizon.net

Lluana is a wonderful mime.  Her passion for her art, and her ability to connect with children are inspiring.  Lluana did a brief performance then taught a mime class.  She even had parents running up from the audience to learn how to do the traditional mime walk or "moon walk."  Lluana embraces the possibility in children - much like Kate  DiCamillo does in her new book, The Magician's Elephant - encouraging them to ask "What if?  Why Not?  Could Be?"

Dance

Miss Kim's School of Dance
30 Coddington Avenue
North Plainfield, NJ  07060

908-756-5972

Imagine you were a small business owner, and the public library calls asking you to present a dance, AND instruct the children to do some hip-hop moves?  How much would you be willing to do for free?  Miss Kim is passionate about dancing and keeping the art of dance of alive.  She came with three dance instructors, who made two costume changes.  They illustrated various dances and steps, many of which are the basis of hip-hop moves.  She and her instructors taught a 45 minute class with the children, which included a hip-hop routine.  Each child left with a Gotta Dance bracelet.  Passion, experience, generosity were shared with the audience, along with the dance.  If Miss Kim isn't in your area, check out the dance schools that are.  You may find a treasure like Miss Kim in your neighborhood.

Magic

Mr. Magic

(Nicholas Cerchio)

P.O. Box 7023

North Arlington, NJ 07031
www.Comedy-of-Mr-Magic.com

E-mail Address:zany...@yahoo.com

201-230-3428

Shows, especially magic shows, always make me a bit nervous in the beginning.  How is the audience doing while they're waiting for the show?  Will the tricks work out?   There is something to be said for experience.  Mr. Magic had the children engaged as soon as they started to arrive. When there were enough children, he started a circle game.  He did lots of tricks, and they were performed seamlessly.   There is an ease about what he does, which comes from experience.  His magic, his humor, his program were simply delightful!  Yes, Watchung has had many different magicians, each uniquely entertaining.  If you are looking for delightfully easy family fun, Mr. Magic will do the trick!

Music

Didgeridoo Down Under

813-961-4656 or 813-833-8856

www.ddu.me
Didgeridoo Down Under combines the music and culture of the Aboriginal peoples of Australia.  The program is one-part entertainment and one-part education, and Lindsey Dank, who performed the program at Watchung, brought a collection of didgeridoos to play, along with large photos and nearly life-sized plush animals to illustrate his music.  He is passionate about building bridges between cultures through music.  And the children - though it may be hard to believe - actually learned how to play PVC pipes like didgeridoos!  This is a unique program!

All the Best,
Sharon Orlando
Youth Services Librarian
Watchung Public Library
12 Stirling Road
Watchung, New Jersey 07069
908-561-0117
sorl...@sclsnj.org

Elissa,
not sure where you are - I'm thinking sort of North Jersey? Stagestruck Performing Arts (http://www.sskpac.com/education.htm) in Berkeley Heights has a number of great programs.

Between my branch, West Windsor, & Robbinsville (one of the other Washington Townships!), they've done at least 4 programs for the Mercer County Library System. Their prices aren't too high, but they do charge $50 extra if you're what they consider far. Stand Up Comedy and Anime drawing were very good.

I'd love to hear the other ideas you get.

Best,
Carolyn

Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:54:17 -0400
From: wtpl...@gmail.com
To: njy...@njstatelib.org
Subject: [njyac] Teen Performers/Programs

Can anyone recommend any performers/hired programs for teens (grades 6-12)?

Thank you,
Elissa Rizzo

--
______________________________
Elissa Rizzo, Teen Librarian
Washington Township Public Library
Long Valley, NJ
...@wtpl.org">elis...@wtpl.org or ...@wtpl.org">tee...@wtpl.org

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