One of the telescopes at last week's "STAR Party"

@Blue Hill Library

Tuesday, April 29, 2014-- In this issue:

•  Events This Week... 
•  Book Sale This Saturday 
•  Film: Young Frankenstein 
•  Opera Preview: La Centerentola (Cinderella) 
•  Workshop: Washi Paper Dolls 

• There are only a few spots left in the Library's workshop on independent publishing by Cheryl McKreary, the managing editor of Maine Authors Publishing, THIS THURSDAY May 1 at 6:30 PM. This class will guide authors through the steps needed to publish responsibly and effectively, and demonstrate how to avoid the many pitfalls in the fast-changing world of independent publishing.  Register using the Library's interactive web calendar or call 374-5515.     

• Book sale this Saturday (see below)   

      The Friends of the Library will hold their first-Saturday-of-the-month book sale on May 3 in the Library's basement "book nook" from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  This sale offers many hundreds of quality used books for all interests and for all ages at bargain prices-- most just a dollar or two.  All children who come may choose a free book from the youth shelves.

This is just one side of the rolling cart specials-- books on herbs and various fiction authors.

     Rolling Cart Specials (just 25˘each) include collections of: Rex Stout (circa 1950 -60), Alexander McCall Smith paperbacks, Spiral cookbooks, The Hermitage Arts series (set of 9 VHS tapes), Civilization (VHS set of 7) and much more.
 
     The monthly book sales are organized by the Friends of the Library and dedicated volunteers, and are supported by very welcomed donations.  Proceeds from the sales enable the Friends to provide special programming and materials to the library and its patrons.  In addition to the first Saturday sales, there is an ongoing paperback sale on the second floor, available anytime the Library is open. To donate books that are in good condition or for more information, contact the Library at 374-5515. 

     The Friends of the  Library Film Series continues on Thursday, May 8 at 7:00 PM with Young Frankenstein (1943), directed by Mel Brooks and starring Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Madeline Kahn and Terri Garr. The film is a satirical comedy poking fun at the various film adaptations of Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein and the horror genre in general.

      All films are shown free of charge on the Library's "pretty big" screen in the Howard Room. The series occurs on the second Thursday of the month until summer.  For more information, call the Library (374-5515) or Michael Donahue, 374-5248 or Donahue.mg@gmail.com.

    Giacomo Rossini's opera "La Cenerentola" (Cinderella) comes to the Grand in Ellsworth on Saturday, May 10, by live simulcast from the Metropolitan Opera in New York. To help music lovers prepare for this event, the Bagaduce Music Lending Library and Friends of the Blue Hill Public Library will join together to introduce and study this comic opera at 1:00 PM on Friday, May 9, in the Blue Hill Library's Howard Room.

Pietro Spagnoli as Dandini, Joyce DiDonato as Angelina, Rachelle Durkin as Clorinda, and Patricia Risley as Tisbe in Rossini's "La Cenerentola." Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera.

      Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato stars, singing her first Met performances of the Cinderella title role, along with tenor Juan Diego Flórez, as her Prince Charming. Alessandro Corbelli and Luca Pisaroni complete the cast, and Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi leads the effervescent score.

Juan Diego Flórez, seen here in Rossini's "Le Comte Ory," sings Prince Ramiro in "La Cenerentola." Photo: Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera. Flórez, due to illness, was replaced by Mexican tenor Javier Camarena for the first few performances but is still scheduled to perform on May 10.

      Local opera enthusiasts Linda Lesko and David Porter will summarize the plot, introduce the music and offer some ideas of special ways to enjoy the Saturday simulcast. All are welcome, no previous opera knowledge is needed, and admission is free. For more information, call the library at 374-5515.

     Deer Isle artist Frederica Marshall will present a workshop on Japanese washi paper dolls for girls and boys age 7 and up on Saturday May 10 at 1:00 PM. The workshop will start with a kamishibai paper theater story about Issun-bōshi "Little One Inch", a boy who is only one inch tall but fancies himself as a samurai warrior. This Japanese story includes a princess, and danger with a happy ending!

       After the story, children will create their own characters with poster board, glue, special Japanese patterned paper, mizuhiki cord, and markers. Participants can make a warrior, a princess, or a ninja! There may be time to make more than one and to create new stories.

     Frederica Marshall grew up in Japan and delights in sharing stories, arts & crafts from that beautiful country. She currently has an exhibit of Japanese kokeshi dolls in the Larchwood Cases that runs to the end of June.

       The workshop is free thanks to the Friends of the Library, but registration is required.  To register participants may use the interactive calendar on the Library's website or contact Library at 374-5515.

Don't hesitate to call us for more information at 207-374-5515.