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Chinese New Year

 

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, also called Spring Festival  or Lunar New Year is an important traditional festival which is also celebrated in many Asian countries. Regional customs vary, but purchasing presents, decorations, food, and clothing at local markets is common practice and children receive “lucky” money in red paper envelopes. Typical celebrations might include dragon and lion dances with firecrackers or spectacular fireworks displays. The Calgary Public Library would like you to celebrate the Year of the Tiger with us! 

 

Chinese Calligraphy

Learn about the history of Chinese calligraphy and how to write basic characters.

 

Thursday, Feb. 18

7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Fish Creek  

11161 Bonaventure Dr. SE

 

 

Lamp

Chinese Fan Dancing

Enjoy a performance by the Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens' Association.

 

 

Friday, Feb 19

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Thorn-Hill

6617 Centre Street North

 

 

Tuesday, Feb 23

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Main floor South

Central 

616 Macleod Trail SE

 

 

 

Martial Arts Demonstration

Celebrate the grace and beauty of Tai Chi and Kung Fu as skillfully demonstrated by award-winning Mo Fan and students.

 

Wednesday, Feb. 24

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Main floor South

Central

616 Macleod Trail SE

 

 

Saturday, Feb. 20

2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Fish Creek

11161 Bonaventure Dr. SE

 

 

Wednesday, Feb. 17

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Thorn-Hill

6617 Centre St. North 

 

Mei-Mei’s Dream

Celebrate Chinese New Year at Calgary Public Library with a story time reading of "Mei-Mei's Dream"; a Chinese adoptee who longs for a sibling, but discovers that all children are family. Written and performed by award-winning poet/playwright Dale Chinese New YearsLee Kwong, and narrated by local actor and broadcaster, Barb Mitchell. This story is based on a play which was originally commissioned and produced by EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts.

Ages 5 and up

Saturday Feb 20

12:00-12:20 pm

Crowfoot  

8665 Nose Hill Dr.

 

 

 

Sunday, Feb 21

2:00 - 2:20 pm

Country Hills

11950 Country Village Link NE

 

 

 Family Storytime in Cantonese

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with songs and stories in Cantonese.

Thursday, February 11

7:00-7:30 pm

Thorn-Hill

6617 Centre St. North

  See your local branch for registration and additional program information!

 

Mind, Body, Spirit

 

Mind, Body, Spirit

THE SECOND ANNUAL

MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT WEEKEND

 

Join us for two days of learning and rejuvenation

Saturday, March 6th and Sunday, March 7th

 

SATURDAY, MARCH 6TH

 

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Healing with Music Listening Lorraine Kneier leads participants to experience the great works of cherished composers.

 

11:00 – 12:00 p.m.

The Art and Science of Birth Learn how to prepare for a positive birth experience with national bestselling author Gail L. Dahl.

 

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Restorative Vacations Discover vacations that focus on spiritual renewal

and rejuvenation. Presented by Suzanne Engster of Great Western Adventures.

 

1:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Five Minute Tools to Get Through Your Day Learn techniques for visualization, breathing, movement, and journal writing to become positive, relaxed, and rejuvenated. Presented by Amanda Wellness Resources.

 

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Reiki and Chakras Learn how they relate to your health and well-being.

 

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

A Buddhist Understanding Explore how the Buddhist perspective helps bring greater contentment, joy, and enlightenment. Presented by the Akshobya Kadampa Buddhist Centre.

 

SUNDAY, MARCH 7TH

 

11:00 – 12:30 p.m.

The Gift of Yoga Relax, and refresh the body, mind, and spirit. All levels welcome. Presented by Be Love Yoga Studio.

 

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Mindfulness Meditation Learn new ways of knowing mindfulness through meditation and stretching.

 

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Synchronicity and Coincidence Understand how these powerful tools guide you on life’s journey and learn how to listen to what the universe is telling you.

 

3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

AGE-tastics Celebrate your positive qualities and achieve a stronger sense

of self by exploring relationships, personal growth, and healthy life choices.

 

Freedom to Read

Freedom to Read Week

 

CALGARY PUBLIC LIBRARY’S

FREEDOM TO READ ESSAY CONTEST

WHY IS THE FREEDOM TO READ IMPORTANT TO YOU!

TELL US!

Even in Canada, the freedom to read what we choose can never be taken for granted.  This freedom is constantly being challenged by individuals and groups who wish to remove books from libraries, schools and bookstores.

 

WIN PRIZES!  Prizes will be awarded to the top three essays.  They will be published on our website and in the 2011 Freedom to Read Week Kit.


Contest Rules

 

· Contest is open to Calgary students in Grades 7 – 9.

· Entries must be 300 words, typed, double-spaced and have name, school, grade and contact telephone number attached.

· Contestants can email their completed essay to freedomtoread@calgarypubliclibrary.com or drop it off at any branch of Calgary Public Library.

· Entries must be received not later than Friday, February 12, 2010.

· Winners, whose entries are posted on the Calgary Public Library website and published in the Freedom to Read Kit, must agree to have their first names appear with the entry.

 

 To find out more please phone us at 403-260-2600,

or go to your local branch.

 

Black History Month

Join us for these programs in celebration and recognition of Black History Month:

drumsDrumming Circle

Enjoy a drumming experience led by the lustrous and spirited Bambalamb. Drums will be provided by Bambalamb and feel free to bring your own drum.

Wednesday, Feb 10

7:00 – 8:00p.m.

Fish Creek Library

11161 Bonaventure Drive SE

 

Register online, by calling 403-260-2620, or in person at your local branch.

 

 

“Pray the Devil Back to Hell”.

Join us for the screening of this movie, followed by discussion. In partnership with Afrikadey! Arts & Culture Society.

 

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

7:00 to 9:00 pm

2nd floor +15 level

John Dutton Theatre

Central Library

616 Macleod Trail SE

 

No registration required.  

 

Black History Month“What is Black History?” A Panel Discussion

 

Join us for this symposium to share ideas about “blackness”, including what it means to be black and issues that affect cultural unity. Panel members are: Dr. David Este, University of Calgary; Francis Boakye, University of Calgary; Derrick Shirley, motivational speaker and community organizer; and Jamilah Joseph, United Way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, Feb 19

7:00 p.m.

2nd floor +15 level

John Dutton Theatre

 Central Library

616 Macleod Trail SE

No registration required.

 

 

Author Reading

 

Join Olive Senior as she reads short stories about her home country Jamaica from her new book “Arrival of the Snake-Woman”.

 

Thursday, Feb 18

11:30 – 1:00p.m.

Main floor, Central Library

616 Macleod Trail SE

 

Saturday, Feb 20

2:00 – 3:30p.m.

Shawnessy Library

333 Shawville Boulevard SE

 

Register online, by calling 403-260-2620, or in person at your local branch.

 

 

“Things Fall Apart”

 

Join us for this actors’ reading of ‘Things Fall Apart”, a stage adaptation by Cheryl Foggo.

 

Friday, Feb 26

7:00 p.m.

Main floor, Central Library

616 Macleod Trail SE

 

Register online, by calling 403-260-2620, or in person at your local branch.

 

 

Learn more about Black History Month on Black History Canada's Website.

 

Ancient Egypt, A Virtual Tour

Egypt PyramidEgypt Hieroglyph

Have you ever wanted to travel to Egypt, the land of the pyramids? If you are planning to visit Egypt one day or if you just want to learn more about it without buying a plane ticket, come to the Library!

Embark on a journey through a world of antiquity with an expert Egyptologist. Presented by Eldowy Tours.

Tuesday, March 16

6:00 – 7:30 pm

2nd Floor +15 level, John Dutton Theatre

Central Library

616 Macleod Trail SE

Register online, by calling 403-260-2620, or in person at your local branch.

The Film Club presents...

Calgary Public Library and the National Film Board of Canada present The Film Club, a monthly showcase of new documentaries.

Where: Central Library, in the John Dutton Theatre, 2nd Floor, 616 MacLeod Trail SE

When: Film starts at 2:00 pm, doors open at 1:30 pm

FREE ADMISSION

 

February 13:   A Time There Was:  Stories from the last days of Kenya Colony

“Raised on the romance of Empire, he’d imagined a great African adventure.  But the look in the eyes of that dying rebel sets his life on another course.”  The Mau Mau Rebellion is recounted 50 years later by participants: Donald McWilliams, the filmmaker, Mwaria Njuma, Mau Mau veteran, Achroo Kapila, activist lawyer and John Nottingham, a colonial official who embraced the cause of Kenyan independence.

88 minutes

Film Website              Film Club: Upcoming screenings.   

 

March 13:  Afghan Chronicles

This documentary is about a country courageously rebuilding itself.  Afghan Chronicles paints a touching picture of a land that is a work in progress, dreaming of a better future for all of its citizens.

52 minutes

Film Website              Film Club: Upcoming screenings.   

 

April 17:    Waterlife

Gord Downie, lead vocalist of The Tragically Hip narrates this cinematic poem about the journey of the Great Lakes from Lake Superior to the Atlantic Ocean and the perils of taking water for granted. 

109 minutes

Film Website              Film Club: Upcoming screenings.        

 

 

 

Exercise your brain and identity:  Support Canadian independent filmmakers.

 

 

Creation Station Coaching

Drop in for one-on-one help from volunteers with Adobe: Photoshop Elements, Premiere Elements, and Audition. Edit photos, sound clips and video. Create slideshows, movies, and soundtracks. This is a great opportunity to see how these programs can work for you. No registration required.

Creation Station computers are also available for use during regular Library hours at select branches. Check your branch for Creation Station computers today.

 

Drop-In Coaching 

 

Central Library

Mondays and Wednesdays, January 6 to April 28

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

3rd floor South, 616 Macleod Trail SE

 

 

headphones

Crowfoot

Wednesdays, January 27 to March 17

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

8665 Nose Hill Dr. NW

 

Fish Creek

Tuesdays,  Jan. 19 to April 6

6:30 - 8:30 pm

11161 Bonaventure Dr. SE 

 

Forest Lawn

Tuesdays, January 19 to April 20

2:00 - 3:30

4807 8 Ave SE  

 

 

Louise Riley

Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 9, April 13

2:00 - 3:30 p.m. OR

Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 25, April 29

7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

1904 14 Ave NW

 

Scanners and negative scanners are available. You can also download from email, digital camera, cell phone, or digital video camera. Upload your creations to email or web site - or burn CDs and DVDs.

Bring external memory to save your files to. (USB, CD, DVD)

CyberSafety

Cyber Safety

Are you worried about web safety? Discover how to keep safe, be confident, and stay afloat while surfing the web. Presented by Bright Ideas Personalized Learning Inc.

Ages 50 and up

 

CrowfootCyber Safety

Wednesday, March 31

7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

8665 Nose Hill Dr. NW

 

Fish Creek

Wednesday, March 3

2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

11161 Bonaventure Dr SE

 

Forest Lawn

Tuesday, April 13

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

4807 8 Ave SE

 

Shaganappi

Thursday, April 1

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

3415 8 Ave SW

 

Southwood

Monday, March 1

2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

924 Southland Dr. SW

 

Thorn-Hill

Thursday, March 18

2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

6617 Centre St North

 

 Register online, by calling 403-260-2620, or in person at your local branch.

 

What's Cookin' Club

 

Cookbook

Try a different cookbook monthly, eat tasty treats, and come discuss all things edible with special speakers from the food industry!  For the food-lover at heart.

Reading a cookbook

 

 

 

Thursdays, Feb 18, Mar 18, and Apr 15

1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Fish Creek Library

11161 Bonaventure Dr SE

 

Register online, by calling 403-260-2620, or in person at your local branch.

 

Learn English @ the Library

ESL

 

In partnership with the YWCA, the Calgary Public Library is again offering affordable ESL classes at several learner skill levels this winter. Our ESL classes aim to provide new Canadians with the language skills and cultural knowledge needed for daily life and work.

 

There is a non-refundable fee of $45 for this program, payable at the time of registration. Registration can be done in person at the following branch locations:

  

For a list of Beginner Classes, click here.

For a list of Intermediate Classes, click here.

For a list of Intermediate/Advanced, click here.

For a list of Advanced Classes, click here.

 

Register at your branch today!

 

 

Readings/Events

   

Experience the excitement of literature by attending upcoming readings and events at the Library!

 KATE PULLINGER and KAREN CONNELLY

 

Kate Pullinger, Winner of the Governor General's Award for Fiction, will read from her book, Mistress of Nothing.

Reviews of Mistress of Nothing:

‘Absorbing, intimate, Pullinger's story of a loyal English maidservant's awakening during a journey to an 1860s Egypt in turmoil is also a subtle observation of the play of power and love’ Lisa Appignanesi

‘A highly sensual evocation of place and time…a journey down the Nile that explores the subtle complexities of power, race, class and love during the Victorian era. The book, narrated by the character of the maid, Sally Naldrett, has one of the most distinctive and memorable voices in recent literature.’ Governor General’s Award Jury Citation

 

AND

 

  

Burmese Lessons; a love storyWinner of the Governor General's Award, Karen Connelly, will read from her book, Burmese Lessons; a Love Story.

This haunting story details Connelly’s involvement with the Burmese people, and her love affair with the charismatic, enigmatic dissident leader she calls Maung.

                                                            Wednesday, February 24

7:00 - 8:00 pm

Memorial Park Library

1221 2nd St. SW

 

 No registration required.

 

 

 

 

 

J.B. Harkin: Father of Canada's National Parks by E.J. (Ted) Hart

Hart follows Harkin's career from his apprenticeship in the Department of the Interior to his retirement in 1936, and presents Harkin as a major force in early Canadian parks and wildlife conservation.

Thursday, Mar 25

6:00 - 7:00p.m.

Central Library

616 Macleod Trail SE

 

Register online, by calling 403-260-2620, or in person at your local branch starting Dec 21.

 

The Great Planet Robbery

 

The Great Planet Robbery by Craig DiLouie

 

 

DiLouie reads from his latest science fiction novel in which two weary soldiers try to get rich by robbing an entire planet.

 

 

Thursday, Apr 1

12:00 – 1:00p.m.

Central Library

616 Macleod Trail SE

 

 

Register online, by calling 403-260-2620, or in person at your local branch beginning Dec 21.

 

Craig Di Louie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Notorious Poets for Lunch:

Thursday, Apr 22

Central Library

616 macleod Trail SE

 

·     Too Bad by Robert Kroetsch

Governor General’s Award-winning author shows through stark lyrics how ‘every enduring poem was written today.”

 

12:00 – 12:15p.m.

 

·     Memory's Daughter by Alice Major

Come and listen to the voices of the muses in a Scottish-Canadian daughter’s homage to her parents.

 

12:15 – 12:30p.m.

 

·     wild horses by rob McLennan

Supple lines meander and flit over scapes of love and place, affording a lucid estrangement.

 

12:30 – 12:45p.m.

 

Register online, by calling 403-260-2620, or in person at your local branch beginning Dec 21.

 

 

 

Vanishing and other stories by Deborah Willis

Vanishing and Other Stories

 Deborah Willis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An exploration of emotional and physical absences, the ways in which people leave, are left, and whether or not it’s ever possible to move on.  Nominated for a Governor General’s award, this is Deborah’s first book. 

 

 

Thursday, Apr 29

12:00 – 1:00p.m.

Central Library

Main Floor- New & Notable Area

616 Macleod Trail SE

 

 

Register online, by calling 403-260-2620, or in person at your local branch beginning Dec 21.