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| I played a shell horn to kick off my "Dig Into Shelling" program. |
My first-ever children's program to kick-off Summer Reading at the Seminole Community Library on June 19th was a hit! I had spent over a month developing the seashell program from scratch, incorporating my own photographs and videos taken over the last year on my beach. With most kids in the Tampa Bay area spending the summer at the beach, I hoped to educate them about the seashells they would find while also teaching them that live shells (with the animals still inside) should probably be thrown back to live another day. The designer in me also shared ideas for how to use broken shells in arts & crafts, and of course, just like my adult programs, I performed a parody song honoring seashells called "SHELLabration," where I play an Australian Trumpet shell (which is quite similar to the French Horn I played for 10 years!) To see some footage from the program, click here. While I'm sure the kids enjoyed performing the song with me at the end and learning about all of these shells, I know the free shells I gave out was their favorite part of the whole program. I want to thank the St. Petersburg Shell Club for providing some of those shells (I also gave out ones I had collected as well), in addition to providing most of the giant shells showcased on the display table. As a member of the Board of Directors, I encourage anybody interested in learning more about seashells to come to our meetings when we start up again in September. For more information, click here. Thanks again to Jill Storm and the Friends of the Seminole Library for having me.
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| I love reading to my audiences so I chose Seashells by the Seashore for the kids. |
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| I incorporated all of my own photographs for the program, showing both live & dead shells found on our local beaches. |
The next day, I was back to performing for adults where I was the special guest for the Palm Harbor Newcomers Club. On arrival, I instantly noticed that my favorite book The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho was the centerpiece of each table and after commenting about the odds of that happening, I was told they did that on purpose. I almost shed a tear right there I was so touched. Nothing brings me greater joy than sharing my love of reading. I was treated so kindly by these incredible women as they purchased my literary purses or simply offered encouraging words like not to give up or that libraries need more librarians like me. I want to thank Barb Griffin for reaching out to me and inviting me to perform.
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| My favorite book The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho was the centerpiece of each table - so cool! |
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| The write up on me was awesome - and yes, we can be fun and funny! |
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| Thanks Barb! |
On Saturday, I was back at ARTpool Gallery with my friend Marina Williams to perform at her 80's Pride Prom party. A huge fan of the 80's and the LGBT community, I just knew I had to make an appearance. Even with a downpour of rain, nothing could keep us from having an awesome time. I chose to perform "I Ran (After THE GINGERBREAD MAN)" a mash up of 1982's hit "I Ran (So Far Away)" by A Flock of Seagulls and the fairytale The Gingerbread Man. Here's a video of the live performance:
***For a direct link to "I Ran (After THE GINGERBREAD MAN)," click here:
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| Just a couple of "Material Girls" hanging out at ARTpool! |
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| With Marina Williams, owner of ARTpool Gallery. |
