'READ to the Rhythm' with Gail Borden this summer
"READ to the Rhythm" this summer with Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin.
The 2015 Summer Reading Challenge, featuring a variety of programs and activities, continues through Aug. 10. For information about the reading challenge, visit www.gailborden.info/Read2015.
Prizes for participants, infants to eighth grade, include: a choice of a paperback or comic books; free swim pass at Wing Park or Lords aquatic centers from Aug. 1-16; free rides at the Elgin carnival; and a scratch-Off card to reveal a prize.
For every five books that high school age teens read, their name will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win Beats Solo 2.0 Headphones, $50 Ticketmaster gift certificate and more. Finishers receive an Elgin pool pass and free carnival rides.
As part of the Summer Reading Challenge for adults, you will be helping someone else learn to read! Finish eight books and the Gail Borden Public Library Foundation will donate $5 to The Literacy Connection. Finishers also will be entered into a drawing for gift certificates from local businesses.
Stop by the "Musica of My Heart" exhibit at the main library. Learn about music genres from norteña to bolero, listen to classic and modern songs, learn the steps to salsa, take a picture with images of Selena and Vicente Fernandez, and more. Costumes, musical instruments and a collection of vintage record album covers will be featured.
<h3 class="leadin">Rock 'n' Roll Party: </h3>
Kids, age 3 to 7, with an adult will want to wiggle, giggle, jump and play when they use rhythm instruments and props while singing and dancing to the Kid Rock 'n' Roll beat! The "Little Movers Rock 'n' Roll Party" will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 24 in the Meadows Community Rooms.
<h3 class="leadin">Magical History Tour: </h3>
Children in first grade and up will take a trip through the history of popular music using games and activities at "Rock & Roll Magical History Tour" at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 25, in the Meadows Community Rooms.
<h3 class="leadin">The Science of Music: </h3>
Families will experience hands-on activities that explore the intersection of music, sound, science and technology. "The Science of Music" program will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, in the Meadows Community Rooms. It will be presented in cooperation with Northern Illinois University STEM Read and SMARTspace@NIU.
<h3 class="leadin">Summer Drumming: </h3>
Everyone will make their own drum, then we will play together as a group in "Summer Drumming" at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, in the Meadows Community Rooms. Kids in first to fifth grade are welcome. All materials will be provided.
<h3 class="breakHead">Family picnics</h3>
Bring a picnic lunch to the library's west lawn at 6 p.m. Beverage and dessert will be provided by the library. Performances begin at 7 p.m.
On Wednesday, July 1, Alina Celeste will dance, sing and celebrate folk and original tunes in a family picnic, "Canta y Baila." This show will be in Spanish. In case of inclement weather, tickets will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 6 p.m. at the Greeter Desk on the day of the performance.
On Monday, July 13, The Barefoot Hawaiians will entertain with dynamic dances, dramatic drumming, vibrant costumes and display of customs from the islands. Watch the dazzling Samoan Fire Knife dance, the thrilling visual Poi Balls dance from New Zealand and the famous Hula dance from Hawaii. On Monday, Aug. 10, The Rope Warrior will dazzle you with rope jumping, dance, aerobics, martial arts and rhythmic gymnastics. He has been featured on "The Today Show" and "Good Morning America."
<h3 class="breakHead">KidSpace Concerts</h3>
Enjoy music by Elgin-area performance groups and an opportunity to learn from each about their style of music on the youth center stage.
A barbershop quartet from the Fox Valley Men of Harmony will perform at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 8. The concert features the magic of choral harmony and get a chance to see if you have what it takes to make a chord "lock and ring."
Enjoy ukulele music and learn about this popular musical instrument with the Ukulele Klub of Elgin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9.
Join Suzuki School of Elgin students to hear why the rhythm "Mississippi Hot Dog" is so special at 1 p.m. Monday, July 13. Play along with them to see how much rhythm you have.
<h3 class="breakHead">Summer concerts</h3>
The Elgin Community College Concert Band will perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, on the outdoor stage. It features members of all ages and from all walks of life. The groups' repertoire is eclectic, featuring great marches, music from the movies and Broadway, and traditional concert band favorites. Bring your own lawn chair for this summer outdoor concert!
The Shamrock Ragsters will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, on the outdoor stage. In case of rain, it will be held in the Meadows Community Rooms. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the fun and energy created by the Shamrock Ragsters, who are a quartet of top musicians from the Chicago area who sing and play a mix of traditional Irish/Celtic, bluegrass and Dixieland Jazz. They perform their music using a wide variety of instruments that include banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bass, Jew's harp, tin whistle, Irish flute, concertina, trumpet and trombone.
The Potts & Pans Steelband will play at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, in the Meadows Community Rooms. The trio is made up of Christina Guerrero, Matt Potts and Anthony Jay Houston. They will take you to the Caribbean country of Trinidad and Tobago to talk about and demonstrate the steelpan (also commonly called the steel drum). The trio also will share information about the history of the pan as well as how one is made and tuned. There also will be hands-on demonstrations to show how quickly you can learn how to play various Caribbean rhythms.