Free Salsa Lessons @ Your Library

Okay, last Thursday night was so much fun.  Lisa Rodriguez of Salsa Caliente did a great job of teaching us the basics of salsa dancing.  The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly and Lisa made everyone feel comfortable learning the steps. 

We even danced Rueda de Casino- that’s when you dance in a circle.  This style of dancing is highly interactive and we got to scream when Lisa called out- una bulla! 

There are three more classes- Thursday, September 27 and October 11 and 18th from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.  If you want to have some fun, meet new people, and learn how to salsa- come out to the library and bring your dancing shoes!  Check out some pictures from our last class.

Annya 

Fall is in the air

When I moved to Florida 29 years ago, I really missed the seasonal changes of the midwest.   I didn’t sense the subtle changes that Florida natives insisted were there.  The changes are very slight,  but I have learned to recognize them better than I used to.   When the brutal summer heat gives way to more bearable temperatures accompanied by significantly less humidity, I can tell fall is on its way. 

Another sure way to tell  fall is here is that our Meet the Author programs start up again.  We are truly lucky to be able to host so many popular authors at our library.  Last season we got hurricane preparation tips from  expert Bryan Norcross.  Daphne Nikolopolous, author of Storm Gourmet, told us about all the fabulous food we could make when the power was out.    The authors have such a good time at our library that many ask to come back again and again.  For example, Stuart Woods will be returning in October, Barbara Taylor Bradford will be with us in November, and Time Dorsey has just scheduled his third visit in February.  If you want to find out what motivates these authors to write about the subjects that fascinate them, here is your chance.  Not only do you get to meet famous authors up close and personal, but you can also purchase  signed copies of their latest books.  Classic Book Shop in Palm Beach provides the books for purchase at the Meet the Author events, and the best thing is that they donate back to the library a percentage of the books sold.  What a great fundraiser for us!  Check our website for specific dates and times of upcoming programs: www.mycitylibrary.org.

Tammie McKenna-Tubbs, Events Coordinator 

Good Conversation happens at the West Palm Beach Public Library

How developed are your converstion skills?  Do you freeze up when you want to say something that is not in your home language?  I know for many adults it is very difficult to learn a second language.  If you are a new resident in the South Florida area, you may be overwhelmed by the rapid speech of local English speakers.  And on the other hand, I’m sure many of you have visited other countries and were totally baffled and confused when you tried to ask a question or directions and you weren’t really confident about what you were trying to say. 

 Well, we have a solution for all of you English speakers who would like to be able to converse more fluently in Spanish, and we also have a solution for all those newcomers who want to be able to converse more confidently in English.  At the West Palm Beach Public Library, we have an ongoing Spanish Conversation Group for Beginners and one for Intermediate Spanish speakers.  And just two weeks ago, we expanded our Conversation groups to include one for English as well.  The two Spanish Conversation Groups meet on Monday evenings  from 6:30 to 8:00 pm and the English Conversation group meets on Tuesday evenings  from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. 

There is no pressure to perform, the atmosphere is casual and relaxed and many of the participants find it an enjoyable experience while they also polish those conversation skills.  Join us!

Tammie McKenna-Tubbs, Events Coordinator

If You Love Books- Check This Out!

Did you know that every month our very own Book Goddess hosts a Book Buffet with a smorgasbord of books, CDs, and DVDs? On September 20th from 12:15 to 12:45 pm she will be focusing on materials highlighting New York.

So, why not spend your lunch at the library and hear about some great books? The Book Goddess will supply the beverages.

Annya

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month began on September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18. Hispanic Heritage Month will continue through October 15.

To help you celebrate this month, the library has planned a number of events. Beginning Thursday, September 20 at 6:30 pm, we will be hosting Salsa Dance classes. The classes will continue on September 27 and October 11 and 18. Eddy and Lisa Rodriguez of Salsa Caliente will be teaching the classes. This class was very popular when we offered it earlier this year and should be again, so join us for a fun night of music and dance!!!

On Sunday, September 23 at 2:00 pm, El Alma Hispana, Inc. (a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving Hispanic culture) will bring us the Columbian musical group Alegro.

Also, don’t forget that we have two Spanish Conversation Groups here at the library on Monday nights. There is a group for beginners and also one for intermediate speakers of Spanish. The classes run from 6:30 – 8:00 pm and registration is required. To register, call 868-7723.

Janice

It’s Your Last Chance for Friday Night Jazz!

The day is quickly approaching.  That’s right, Friday, September 14th is the last day of wine and jazz for the season!  The Latin Jazz Group Lo Siento (which means I’m sorry in Spanish- appropriate choice for the last of the season) will be playing from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.  

As you already know, Galaxy Gourmet will be here again with their delicious food and wine.  The food and music are free and the wine is $6.00 per glass.  It doesn’t get any better than this!  

Hope to see you on Friday!

Annya