Thursday, May 13, 2010
Friends of Sequim Library launch new website
You're familiar with their wildly successful monthly used book sales behind the Sequim Branch Library...but did you know the Friends of Sequim Library have a brand new website? The site is packed with information about their sales, projects and programs funded by the Friends, and suggestions for how you can get involved. NOLS is in the process of adding a link on its website, and once it's there, you'll be able to visit the Sequim Friends' site from the NOLS Friends of the Library page. In the meantime, until NOLS staff can make that link, just click here. Thank you, Friends of the Library, for all you do to support the public library!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Strait-Paced Librarians in Sequim's Irrigation Festival Parade
NOLS' Strait-Paced Librarians had a blast in Sequim's annual Irrigation Festival parade on Saturday, May 8, 2010. Thanks to the Board members, staff, volunteers, and children and friends of staff who helped by decorating the carts, carrying the banner, managing the music and distributing bookmarks, and thanks to the team for another outstanding effort. A good time was had by all!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Port Angeles: Pioneer Dance Tunes Entertains Many With Music and Stories
Audience Participation:
Toes tapped and heads nodded as Vivian and Phil Williams performed pioneer dance tunes played in the Far West from the 1850s to 1880s at the Port Angeles Main Library on April 17th. The audience of nearly 50 laughed, chuckled and sighed at the humorous and sometimes poignant stories recounted from journals and interviews of early Washington and Oregon settlers.
Basics used for social get together:
Before towns, groups of neighbors would gather in the late afternoon in a barn or other large space and dance until midnight. After the traditional midnight dinner, music and dancing would continue until daylight allowed a safe return home. In a time of few musical instruments, simple hand claps or stomping of boots alone would often suffice with dance moves being called out. To the delight of all, Phil demonstrated the use of “straws” (in this case skewers were used) that added a percussion beat to the music as they were struck on the fiddle strings while the tune was played.
Stories of fun and mischief:
Among the humorous tales told was one of a dance where the ladies (always in short supply) became tired and wanted to leave after the midnight meal. Cleverly, some of the men set all their horses loose and thus dancing had to continue until dawn. Frequently the largest place available would be the “Dance Hall” where proper ladies would never enter. Once the pictures were turned to the wall and the bar closed, dances were deemed acceptable to the ladies.
Return promised:
The Williams continually research and gather tunes and stories in their visits to northwest communities. Their research has led to the discovery of regional variations on a tune and long unheard local songs. The Port Angeles Main Library’s Northwest Collection was naturally inspected for such stories with a promise was made to return and research our local Clallam County music.
Impromptu Fiddle Session:
In attendance were members of the Washington State Old Time Fiddlers who were so inspired that they stayed after for nearly an hour “jamming” with their fiddles and other stringed instruments. The meeting room door remained open and many library users who had missed the program stopped in to chat and learn more about the music in our local community.
Toes tapped and heads nodded as Vivian and Phil Williams performed pioneer dance tunes played in the Far West from the 1850s to 1880s at the Port Angeles Main Library on April 17th. The audience of nearly 50 laughed, chuckled and sighed at the humorous and sometimes poignant stories recounted from journals and interviews of early Washington and Oregon settlers.
Basics used for social get together:
Before towns, groups of neighbors would gather in the late afternoon in a barn or other large space and dance until midnight. After the traditional midnight dinner, music and dancing would continue until daylight allowed a safe return home. In a time of few musical instruments, simple hand claps or stomping of boots alone would often suffice with dance moves being called out. To the delight of all, Phil demonstrated the use of “straws” (in this case skewers were used) that added a percussion beat to the music as they were struck on the fiddle strings while the tune was played.
Stories of fun and mischief:
Among the humorous tales told was one of a dance where the ladies (always in short supply) became tired and wanted to leave after the midnight meal. Cleverly, some of the men set all their horses loose and thus dancing had to continue until dawn. Frequently the largest place available would be the “Dance Hall” where proper ladies would never enter. Once the pictures were turned to the wall and the bar closed, dances were deemed acceptable to the ladies.
Return promised:
The Williams continually research and gather tunes and stories in their visits to northwest communities. Their research has led to the discovery of regional variations on a tune and long unheard local songs. The Port Angeles Main Library’s Northwest Collection was naturally inspected for such stories with a promise was made to return and research our local Clallam County music.
In attendance were members of the Washington State Old Time Fiddlers who were so inspired that they stayed after for nearly an hour “jamming” with their fiddles and other stringed instruments. The meeting room door remained open and many library users who had missed the program stopped in to chat and learn more about the music in our local community.
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