The Brookfield Citizen

Brenda Metterville

From arts and crafts to yoga, dance and movies, special events are planned all week long during the February School Vacation. Events are funded by the Friends of the Library.

On Tuesday, Feb. 21, 5-7 p.m., all ages are welcome to participate in a Drop-in Arts program.

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, 3 to 4 p.m., the Library offers a class in Kripalu DansKinetics®, a free-style blend of dance and yoga. Sign up at the Main Desk or call the Library; space is limited. The non-choreographed dance-style movements of Kripalu DansKinetics are easy, require no partner and offer the chance to exercise in a fun environment.

DansKinetics is appropriate for everyone and is great for children. It gives kids an opportunity to do what they like to do: play, explore and learn.
DansKinetics draws its roots from Kripalu Yoga to increase awareness of body and breath. It uses the joy of movement to tone muscles, build flexibility and endurance, and to cultivate self-awareness. It is sometimes wild and filled with abandon, sometimes quiet and graceful. In a typical DansKinetics class, the teacher leads the class through non-choreographed dance-type movements, allowing short times for participants to follow their own spontaneous impulses. The atmosphere of the class is never performance-based or competitive. No dance experience is necessary.

DansKinetics instructor Deb Kelley-Dominick received her certification from Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Lenox, Mass. in 2002 and has taught classes in Charlton, Sturbridge, Palmer, Worcester, Barre, Brookfield and West Brookfield. Deb blends aspects of her practices of dance, yoga and meditation in her classes. She is also an environmental scientist who cares deeply for our earth. Her intention is to provide a safe, supportive atmosphere where participants move from a place of connection with themselves and with others.

On Thursday, Feb. 23, at 6:30 p.m., the Library hosts a Movie Night for Young Adults! Suggest a movie title at the Main Desk. The Friends of the Library have purchased a Public Performance Site License assuring full compliance with Federal Laws. “Home Use Only” movies open opportunities for many future programs including Book and a Movie Night and Children’s Disney Afternoon Matinee.

On Friday, Feb. 24, from 3 to 5 p.m., jewelry making will be the focus of a Drop-in Arts program.

Banister Book Group
Books are available one month prior to discussion, please call to reserve a copy or pick up at the Main Desk.

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. Twenty Years at Hull House by Jane Addams
This is Jane Addams' graphic account of her famed settlement house in Chicago's West Side slums. Covering the years 1889 to 1909, a time when America was fired with fear of subversives and suspicion of foreigners, this book stands as the immortal testament of a woman who lived and worked among the immigrant settlers, the sweatshop toilers, the unwed mothers, the hungry, the aged, the sick, to show them the true concept of American Democracy. Compare this tale with the ‘murder, magic and madness at the fair that changed America’ at the White City in Chicago.

March Events
Tuesday, March 7 at 6:45 p.m., learn to Mat Your Own. Debbie Roberts Kirk will present an hour program on the finer technique of matting your artwork. She will present how to crop, beveled and straight cut with a demonstration with proper tools.

Thursday, March 9, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Kripalu DansKinetics® is a free-style blend of dance and yoga for adults only.

Tuesday, March 28, 7:30 p.m., the Banister Book Group discusses Last Days of Dogtown: A Novel by Anita Diamant.

Set in early 1800s Massachusetts and inspired by the settlement of Dogtown, Diamant reimagines the community of castoffs—widows, prostitutes, orphans, African-Americans and ne'er-do-wells — all eking out a harsh living in the barren terrain of Cape Ann.

Read previous columns from the Library