Arts Fest at the Library Schedule, Saturday, June 22

11 AM: History of Dance in the Ohio Valley

Don Feenerty will present lecture interspersed with dances by members of the Heritage Dance Association. The program is based on primary sources that mention styles of dance and in some cases the names of dances—all taken from journals and books written by men who lived or traveled through Western Pennsylvania and Western Virginia. Dancers will be costumed in fashions of the 18th and 19th centuries.

1:00 PM: Poetry Prompts Suitable for Everyday Praxis

In this hands-on creative writing workshop, WV Poet Laureate Marc Harshman will show how things as mundane as lists, eavesdropping, headlines, and imitation, especially imitation of voice, can provide a way forward not only to new poems but to the re-seeing of old ones.  He promises to bring a wide range of samples to help fuel the search for the news that stays new.

2:30 PM: Songs & Poems of the Civil War & W.V. Statehood

Featuring QuarterTone Quartet, Dr. David Thomas and CJ Farnsworth, with readings of poems by Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, and Stephen Crane among many others, as well as songs like "Battle Cry of Freedom," "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home," and "Aura Lee," among many others. Experience the emotional and intellectual power of well-chosen words, both spoken and sung.

The library will also sponsor the "Spoken Word Tent" at the West Virginia Northern Community College Square from 10 AM to 5 PM. Local history and local interest books will be available for purchase. Children’s author DeeDee Barbour will sign books from 10-11, Marc Harshman 11 to noon and steamboat historian John Bowman 12:30 to 3:30. Additional authors will be announced.

All library ARTS FEST events are free and open to the public. Please call 304-232-0244 or visit facebook.com/lunchwithbooks for more information.

Note: Some projects are being presented with financial assistance from the West Virginia Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views or recommendations do not necessarily represent those of the West Virginia  Humanities Council or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Then at LUNCH WITH BOOKS on Tuesday, June 25 at noon— From Animal House to Our House

Author Ron Tanner, who is traveling around the country in a camper van with his loyal dog Cleo, will be at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library in Wheeling on Tuesday, June 25 at noon discuss his book, From Animal House to Our House: A Love Story. The book describes his adventures with girlfriend Jill as they attempt to save and restore a grand old Baltimore Victorian that was wrecked by a fraternity. Tanner maintains a blog about the adventures at www.houselove.org. Meet Ron and Cleo and pick up a copy of the book. Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and free beverages are served. Please call the library at 304-232-0244 or visit facebook.com/lunchwithbooks for more information.

AND...

That evening at the PEOPLE'S UNIVERSITY American History 2, The Civil War & Statehood: Tuesday, June 25 at 7 PM--Rea Redd, a highly regarded Civil War expert and Director of Eberly Library at Waynesburg University where he also serves as an instructor of American history, will lead the final class in the series on June 25. "Reconstruction" will feature a review of the process that began in 1862 of states reentering the Union. Consideration will be given to Lincoln's, Johnson's and the Congress' evolving reconstruction plans; the movement of African Americans from freedom to citizenship; the return of soldiers to civilian life; and how Americans viewed the war during and after Reconstruction. People's University programs are free and open to the public. Please call the library at 304-232-0244 (to RSVP) or visit facebook.com/lunchwithbooks for more information.