Book Notes: Books, dance come together at Interplayers
It’s always nice to see one art supporting the next.
That’s what’s happening next weekend between Ballet Spokane and Page Ahead, the Seattle-based children’s literary program.
Page Ahead, founded in 1990, works with, according to the organization’s Web site, nearly 200 “pre-schools, elementary schools, early childhood centers, tribal libraries, migrant centers, homeless shelters, teen parenting programs and social service agencies across Washington State to promote motivational reading events, provide new books to children, and encourage parents to read with their children.”
Ballet Spokane’s final two performances of the season, at 3 and 5 p.m. next Sunday at Interplayers Theatre, will be “The Tales of Beatrix Potter.” Included will be staged productions of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” and scenes involving various other Potter characters.
Patrons who donate a new children’s book to Page Ahead will receive a $1 discount on the Ballet Spokane regular ticket price and will be entered in a raffle.
For ticket information, call (509) 325-SEAT. Or go to www.balletspokane.com.
“Speaking of Page Ahead, the Inland Northwest chapter’s book drive has already enjoyed a fair bit of success with area credit unions. “Banking for Books,” which recently completed its third annual campaign, attracted 574 children’s books.
According to publicist Angela Parchen, Page Ahead has provided more than 1.5 million new books statewide, with 60,000 of those in the Spokane region alone.
The local credit union branches involved were Global Credit Unions, Northland Credit Union, Spokane City Credit Union, Spokane Federal Credit Union, Spokane Firefighters Credit Union, Spokane Media Federal Credit Unions, Spokane Safeway Employees Credit Union and United Health Services Credit Union.
Calling home-schoolers
Sylvan Dell Publishing is holding a special nationwide contest aimed at home-schooled students.
Home-schoolers working at the upper high school level are invited to write and submit their own children’s books. The winner will receive a $200 cash prize and have their manuscript considered for publication.
The Mount Pleasant, S.C.-based publishing house offers full information about the contest on its Web site at www.sylvandellpublishing.com. Or call toll-free at (877) 958-2600.
Fahrenheit 451
One of the purposes of this column is to celebrate all things literary. That’s why it’s appropriate to mention the exhibit “Fighting the Fires of Hate: America and the Nazi Book Burnings,” a traveling show on display through May 5 at Gonzaga University’s Foley Center Library.
The exhibit, according a university press release, “includes displays of period artifacts, documents and news coverage, along with film, video and newsreel footage. It also examines the post-World War II years, exploring how the Nazi book burnings have affected American life, politics, literature and popular culture.
For online information, go to http://fires.gonzaga.edu.
Limericks finale
After pestering readers to get involved in our annual Spokesman-Review Limerick Contest, the payoff comes both today – when the top entries for 2007 are printed on D7– and on Wednesday, when all those whose work made the grade are invited to come to Auntie’s Bookstore to read publicly.
The Wednesday event, which begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Liberty Cafe, will offer a look back at the history of the contest, which began in 1998. We’ve chosen three top winners each year, and all those winners are also invited to come and read.
No need to search through your files for originals. Official copies will be made available.
Schedule change
John Gaetano’s reading from his latest book – a sequel to his novel “America the Beautiful,” titled “America’s Defeat” – that was originally scheduled for Tuesday at Auntie’s Bookstore has been postponed. The new date is May 22. Call (509) 838-0206.
Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public.
Book talk
“Dark City Mystery Book Group (“The Hunt Club,” by John Lescroart), 7 p.m. Monday, Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington. Call (509) 838-0206.
“Modern Fiction Book Discussion Group (“The Good Earth,” by Pearl S. Buck), 7 p.m. Tuesday, Spokane Valley Barnes & Noble, 15310 E. Indiana Ave. Call (509) 922-4104.
“East Bonner County Library Book Discussion Series (“Final Harvest: Poems,” by Emily Dickinson), 7 p.m. Thursday, East Bonner County Library, 1407 Cedar St., Sandpoint. Call (208) 263-6930.
“Auntie’s Youth Book Group (“The Higher Power of Lucky,” by Susan Patron, illustrated by Matt Phelan), 2 p.m. Saturday, Auntie’s Bookstore.
The reader board
“Spokesman-Review Limerick Contest winners, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Auntie’s Bookstore Liberty Cafe.