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Contact: Tess Mayer
Director of Library Services
Berkeley Public Library
510.981.6100
tmayer@cityofberkeley.info

Outdoor Music Festival at Claremont: “Benvenue Beats”
Three Bands, Free Gelato & Family-friendly Fun

Berkeley, California (June 17, 2022) – On Friday, June 24, 2022 the Claremont Branch Library, located at 2940 Benvenue Street in Berkeley, will host a family-friendly, outdoor, mini-music festival that is open to the public. Three bands will play live music outside from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Relax and enjoy the festivities, with free gelato from Naia Gelateria while supplies last.

“Moving back to in-person programming at our Libraries during the pandemic has given our staff the opportunity to be creative. This is our third ‘party in the streets’ event in the last few months,” notes Director of Library Services, Tess Mayer. “Turn out for these special library programs has been wonderful and we have received much community feedback to continue offering these gatherings.”

Musical entertainment includes:

3pm: Cascada de Flores brings intoxicating energy to the Latin American songbook. Featuring Arwen Lawrence’s ravishing voice and guitarist Jorge Liceaga’s supple accompaniment.

4pm: Asheba is widely celebrated for his calypso-inspired musical storytelling. He shares stories of hope and happiness, bringing folklore from his birthplace in Trinidad to his performances.

5pm: California Blues Runners specialize in the Zydeco and Cajun musical traditions of South Louisiana. Accordionist Andrew Carriere, rub board stylist Haywood Douresseau and rhythm guitarist Tom Stewart showcase songs in French dialects.

“With this special outdoor event at Claremont, we hope to inspire, entertain and build community and are very happy to host such an array of talented musicians. We want to welcome patrons and neighbors back to the branch, share our new layout and services and introduce them to our newest staff members,” explains Shani Leonards, Claremont Branch Supervisor. “As one of the bandmembers told me the other day, ‘Bring your dancing shoes!’”

Traffic and parking will be closed on Benvenue Street between Ashby Avenue and Webster Street from 2pm until 7pm the day of the festival.

For questions regarding this program, call Shani Leonards at (510) 981-6280.

Thank you to the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library for the generous grant that funded the programs for this event and to our partners at Naia Gelateria for their delicious donation of gelato.

Masking is strongly encouraged for this outdoor program and required for entry into the library branch. This event is wheelchair accessible. To request a sign language interpreter or other accommodations for this event, please call (510) 981-6195 (voice) or (510) 548-1240 (TTY) at least five working days in advance to help ensure availability. Please refrain from wearing scented products to public programs.

For questions about additional Library events, services, hours and locations, please call (510) 981-6100 or visit the Library’s website www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

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Contact: Tess Mayer
Director of Library Services
Berkeley Public Library
510.981.6100
tmayer@cityofberkeley.info

Summer Reading: Taking the Kickoff Party to the Street

Berkeley, California (June 2, 2022) – Summer Reading is here and the Library is taking the kickoff party to the streets!

This Saturday, from 2:00-4:00pm outside of the Central Library, enjoy live performances and activities right on Kittredge Street, on the block between Shattuck Avenue and Harold Way.

The fun for all ages includes:

• 2:30pm Coventry & Kaluza clowning and comedy
• 3:00pm Musical Storytime
• 3:30pm Zumba with Becca for all ages
• Crafts with the Museum of Children's Art (MOCHA)
• Button making for teens and all ages
• Chance to win SF Opera tickets for adults
• Free Ice cream from Strauss Creamery

At the party, adults, teens and kids can sign up for summer reading and receive a free book to keep. A list of the sign-up books, curated for a variety of reading levels and interests, are on the summer reading webpage.

Can’t attend the kick-off party? You can still participate in the summer reading challenge! There are four additional ways to sign up: register online, download the summer reading app, “Beanstack,” print out a game card, or pick up a paper game card at any of our libraries.

There are prizes! Readers of all ages who complete the challenge earn tickets to enter a drawing for some great prizes, including a mountain bike, a guitar, a ukulele, a Kindle, walkie talkies, tickets to regional museums, gift cards from Amazon, Mr. Mopps’, and more. Plus, kids who complete the challenge can come by any library to pick up a finisher prize-book and a $5 gift card for Five Little Monkeys.

“Summer Reading is one of the Library programs that can truly include the whole family – babies, children, teens and adults,” notes senior librarian and summer reading program coordinator, Erica Dean Glenn. “This year’s theme is ‘Off the Beaten Path’ and we hope to inspire our patrons to get outside, relax and read.”

Thank you to the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Chabot Space and Science Center, Five Little Monkeys Toys and Gifts, Gelateria Naia, Mike's Bikes of Berkeley, Museum of Children's Art (MOCHA), Mr. Mopps' Children's Books and Toys, Pegasus Books, San Francisco Opera, and Straus Family Creamery for their support of Summer Reading at the Berkeley Public Library.

For questions regarding the Summer Reading Kickoff party, please call Elaine Tai at (510) 981-6231. For questions regarding summer reading in general, please call Erica Glenn at (510) 981-6229.

Events will be wheelchair accessible. For questions, to request a sign language interpreter or other accommodations for this event, please call (510) 981-6195 (voice) or (510) 548-1240 (TTY).

For questions about additional Library events, services, hours and locations, please call (510) 981-6100 or visit the Library’s website www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

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