Erica Wheeler In Concert At the Library
On Saturday, March 11 at 8:00 PM, we will be hosting singer/songwriter Erica Wheeler, this month's entry in "The Living Room Concert Series." "The All Music Guide" has described Ms. Wheeler's work as exhibiting "the literary sensitivity of New England combined with the spiritual vision of the American West,"Ưand the Berkshire Eagle describes her as a "top-notch ...songwriter," whose compositions are "three minute works of art that resonate with compelling truth."
An award-winning songwriter based in western Massachusetts, Erica has been a nationally touring artist for over a decade and have four critically acclaimed releases to her credit. A Signature Sounds Recording artist, she has been featured on NPR's All Things Considered, WXPN's World Cafe and her CD "The Harvest" remained on Billboard's Gavin Americana chart for five months with a solid month in the top ten. Erica has appeared as clubs, concert halls, colleges and festivals across the country and has shared the bill with Shawn Colvin, Indigo Girls, Greg Brown and many others.
With a voice that echoes with a little bit folk, a little bit new country and a little bit bluegrass, Erica's music is an imaginative and ultimately unforgettable ride through the beauty of the American landscape and the lives lived there. Touted as "the next Mary Chapin-Carpenter," Erica is known for her engaging stage presence, hilarious stage patter, and the pure richness of her songwriting. Her songs weave through small towns and open roads telling tales of love lost and found again with poignant clarity. Her writing has been called "cinemagraphic" due to its visual scope, full of precise and evocative details.
General admission is $10.00. Students and senior citizen admission is $6.00.
Creative Writing Workshop with Erica Wheeler
Most of our concert artists also host a musically related workshop on the afternoon of their concert. We've had successful vocal and songwriting workshops, as well as practical sessions on the art of performance. With Ms. Wheeler session (to be held on March 11 at 1:00 PM), we will be taking a somewhat different approach. Widely acclaimed for her insightful lyrics, Ms. Wheeler will offer a workshop with a somewhat broader appeal than many of our previous "musicians only" offerings.
Entitled "The Soulful Landscape: Writing with a Sense
of Place" this workshop begins an inspiring, dynamic presentation of place-based songs, stories, poems and visual arts. Wheeler then leads a series of writing exercises geared at deepening the connection
between the land and ourselves. This is followed by group sharing, feedback and discussion. Wheeler often demonstrates how to turn in-class free writing into a more formed piece of work by using writings from the class to create a song on the spot. Participants come away with a renewed connection to themselves and the land, as well as a method of writing that can be used for further self-exploration
Cost for this workshop in creative writing is $45.00. This fee includes admission to the Erica Wheeler's evening concert as well.
Upcoming Concerts
Our concert series will continue throughout the spring. In April, please note that we will be running two concerts--including the rescheduled appearance by regionally acclaimed artist Amy Fradon (whose February concert was canceled due to inclement weather). She will appear on
Saturday, April 29 at 8:00 PM and will conduct a vocal workshop earlier on that day.
Our previously scheduled April concert featuring Vickie Russell is still scheduled to take place on April 15. If you've just finished with your taxes on that day, what better way to celebrate than enjoying a pleasant evening of quality music in our cozy, welcoming "living room."
Fibormyalgia and Smoking Cessation
Workshops
Licensed acupuncturist Ted Wolf will be holding two different informational sessions in March. On Wednesday, March 15 at 6:30 PM, Mr. Wolf will be addressing the much discussed topic of fibromyalgia. He will follow that session up with one on smoking cessation on March 21 at 6:30 PM. Both sessions will be held in the library annex. All are invited to come and learn how alternative treatments may help in dealing with these health
concerns.
Please note that the date originally posted on our monthly calendar for the fibromyalgia session has been changed. Originally listed as being held on Monday, March 13, it has since been rescheduled for Wednesday, March 15.
Sessions For Seniors - Tax Preparation and Medicare Counseling
We are delighted to be able to offer space for AARP's tax preparation services here in the library annex Mondays and Wednesdays right up until tax time. Sessions run from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on those days. Please note, however, that the library itself does not schedule these appointments. Interested parties can still set up a time to meet with a tax counselor by calling the Hyde Park Town Clerk's office at 229-2103.
The library will also be hosting sessions on scheduled Thursday afternoons with a representative from the Duchess County Office of the Aging who will meet with those affected by recent changes in Medicare prescription plans. So far, sessions have been scheduled for March 9, March 23 and March 30. We should have more information on how to schedule appointments by the time this column appears. Please call the library at 229-7791 for more information.
De-Clutter De-Stress Workshop with Life Coach Denise Lewis
We have run a number of workshops with "life coach" Denise Lewis that have been very popular with our patrons. Our upcoming session with Denise on "de-cluttering and de-stressing" one's home, business and life promises to another winner. This is a topic that concerns almost everyone (and overwhelms many of us), so get organized and register early for what promises to be a very popular event. It
will be held on Tuesday, March 28 at 7:00 PM.
From the Children's Room
Mrs. B. continues to run her popular story times and craft sessions for various pre-school age groups. "Mother Goose" meets regularly on Mondays at 9:30 AM. The "Toddlers" group meets also on Mondays at 10:30. On Tuesdays, our "Pre-schooler" sessions run at 10:30.
Mrs. B. also holds a monthly evening story time and craft session for school aged children. In March, we will be holding a Peter and the Wolf themed session, recommended for children in the early elementary grades. The event will take place on March 21 at 6:30 PM in the children's room.
Book Club News
This month's book selection for our book discussion group will be "The Hotel New Hampshire" by John Irving. Our discussion sessions will be on March 20 at 7:00 PM and on March 24 at 12:00 noon. New members are always welcome. Those wishing a copy of the book can order an interlibrary loan copy at our circulation desk or by calling 229-7791.
Library Related Meetings.
Our Friends of the Hyde Park Library group meets on the second Tuesday of each month. New members are always welcome. This active group has been instrumental in assisting the library staff with programs and events and have been active in fundraising. New members with creative ideas are actively sought to help this vital group in their mission--and to assist the library in any number of important ways.
The next meeting of the Hyde Park Library Board of Trustees is March 16 at 6:30
PM.
For more information on library events and other library news, check out the library website at www.hydeparklibrary.org.
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