“Your Library Brings You the World!”

The Cedar Mill Community Library Association is celebrating the rich cultural diversity in our community with our third annual Winter Reading & Arts Festival. “Your Library Brings You the World!” is the theme around which our festivities will once again revolve.

Winter Reading & Arts Festival structure

The festival combines literature and reading enjoyment with programs by local artists and performers who reflect the multicultural dimensions of Cedar Mill and Bethany.  Our goal is to enhance cultural learning experiences and build awareness of the impact of arts, heritage and humanities on our community’s quality of life, sense of place, and community identity.

Ten Cents a Dance

The “Reading” portion of this year’s Festival will focus on Young Adult literature and will culminate in a visit by local author Christine Fletcher. Join us in reading Ms Fletcher's novel, Ten Cents a Dance, the story of fifteen-year old Ruby Jacinski who must support her family when her mother falls ill. In the 1940s one of the few opportunities open to a Polish-American girl from Chicago's poor Yards is a job in the tough meat packing plants. When a friend suggests that she try dancing with men for money in a local dance hall, she jumps at this more lucrative prospect. Expecting glamour, Ruby finds herself leaving one desperate situation for another.  We encourage you to include Ten Cents a Dance in your winter reading. On February 28, at 2PM, Christine Fletcher will be at the Cedar Mill Community Library for a multi-media presentation based on her novel.  Her discussion of teen life, taxi dancing, and life on the home front during World War II will appeal to young and old, ages 12 and up.

Festival Events

The following festival events will take place in the upstairs meeting room at the Cedar Mill Community Library: 

The Beauty of Bronze -

December 22, 2009, at 7:30PM - a performance by Bells of the Cascades, Oregon's preeminent handbell choir. Complimentary tickets available at CML's adult reference desk. Tickets are required for admission.

The Art of Scrapbooking -

January 3, 2010, 2-4PM - Capture your holiday memories in this workshop conducted by Sage Mashru. For ages 7 & up. Registration Required. Call 503 644-0043 ext 114 to register beginning December 7, 2009.

Leyendas de México -

January 10, 2-3PM - Gerardo Calderón and Nelda Reyes give a bilingual performance of Legends of Mexico. For all ages - no registration required.

Fun with Brazilian Music -

January 16, 3-4PM - be a part of lively Brazilian rhythms with singer-songwriter Ronnie Robins. Percussion instruments will be provided. For all ages - no registration required.

Oregon Tricksters: Tales from Many Lands - 

January 30, 2-3PM - a crazy quilt of trickster tales from our State's many cultural traditions performed by master story teller Anne Rutherford. For all ages - no registration required.

Arabic Calligraphy -

February 7, 2-4PM - Instructor Kanaan Kanaan demonstrates the beauty and art of the Arabic script. Recommended for ages 7 & up. Registration Required, call 503 644-0043 ext 114.

Chinese Knot Tying -

February 12, 4-5PM - Rosalind Wang teaches this workshop recommended for ages 7 & up. Supplies provided. Registration Required, call 503 644-0043 ext 114.

Tangrams! -

February 14, 2:30-4:30PM - Learn to solve these ancient Chinese puzzles with Mr. Luoh Chwan-Jian. Recommended for ages 7 & up. Registration Required, call 503 644-0043 ext 114.

Circus on the Streets -

February 26, 7-8PM - a one-woman show by Sarah Stein about life growing up in a Jewish family on New York's Lower East Side in the 1940's. Recommended for ages 10 & up. No registration required.

Ten Cents a Dance -

February 28, 2-3PM - Author Christine Fletcher discusses teen life in the 1940s, taxi dancing, and the home front during WWII. A multimedia presentation with vintage photographs and video and audio clips accompanies her discussion based on her novel, Ten Cents a Dance.  Recommended for ages 12 & up. No registration required.

For more information - ask a librarian, call the library at 503-644-0043 ext 114,  or email AskUsCML@wccls.org.