Cool Summer Fun & Learning at Rock Island Libraries, June 25-29

Show up at your library next week for some "Cherry and Jerry," Hidden History, Foamy Fun, and More! Looking for cool summer fun and lifelong learning? The Rock Island Public Library offers some ways to explore new topics and have family fun at no cost. Events include a free musical performance, history events, health information, science fun, and art.

On Tuesday, the Rock Island Public Library presents a free performance by the Cherry & Jerry Ragtime Show at 1:00pm on June 25 at the Rock Island Public Library Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30^th Street, Rock Island. The one-hour show features ragtime, early blues, and jazz standards from the 1900s through 1920s. It's suitable for all ages.

"Cherry & Jerry" is Isaac Cherry on percussion and Jerry Rabushka on piano. The upbeat performance takes Cherry and Jerry audiences on a walk back in time, from familiar tunes like The Entertainer, Alexander's Ragtime Band, and St. Louis Blues to lesser-known songs that also sparkle. Hear the likes of W.C. Handy, Scott Joplin, May Aufderheide, Irving Berlin, Charlotte Blake, Euday Bowman, and more. Jerry performs the original sheet music, while Cherry adds percussion via a setup of cajon box drum, cymbal, and bell tree. The St. Louis-based duo will also talk about how this music evolved as America's first "pop" music.

On Wednesday, library board member Eudell Watts, III, presents the first Hidden History conversation, also at the Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30^th Street. (The branch name honors the many lifetime contributions of Mr. Watts and his late mother and fellow library board trustee, Lorene Evans Watts.)

The 2pm event on June 26 features a conversation about the parts of history that aren't always front and center, such as the contributions of people of color in the American military. As a community leader, Eudell has long advocated for the recognition of African-American and Native American stories in our shared history. His talk is free and open to the public, and is aimed at adults, though all are welcome.

On Friday, children get a chance to play in mounds of dry-stacking foam blasted onto the Watts-Midtown Branch patio by Absolute Science. The free "Foam Blaster Party" is presented twice on Friday, June 28, with the 11am time strictly for ages children 5 and under. Children ages 6 and up get their turn at 12:30 pm. Age restrictions for each event will be enforced to make sure that everyone has a good time.

Absolute Science's Mega Foam Blaster pump builds a wall of foam out 40 feet, with a rotation of 180 degrees. The foam, which has a bubble bath-like texture, is non-slippery, non-toxic, non-staining, non-allergenic, and bio-degradable. The foam eventually evaporates and is safe for the environment, including lawns and gardens.

On Saturday, teens ages 12 to 17 can make manuscript art in an "Art with the Figge" hands-on project. The free event takes place from noon to 1pm on June 29 at the Watts-Midtown Branch, and requires pre- registration. Teens can design their own manuscript letter or full-page document, in the style of the illuminated medieval manuscripts displayed at a current Figge Museum exhibit. Participants will get a free group pass to the exhibit, which is on display through August 11. Art with the Figge is part of the library's Your Future in STEAM event series, which are funded by a Project Next Generation grant.

While at the library, patrons of all ages can check out the library's Read, Renew, Repeat Summer Reading Challenge. From June 1 to July 31, the library is encouraging adults, children, and teens to read at least 1,000 minutes, which works out to about 16 minutes a day. Participants earn digital badges for meeting reading and activity goals, with virtual tickets rewarded to use toward prize drawings. Finishers (10 badges or more) can also claim a special prize. Both online and paper-based reading challenges are available, and the reading challenge is open to anyone. Prizes must be picked up locally.

For more details, visit the RIPL summer reading page. For more information about library services and upcoming events, visit the library's website at www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-READ, or follow the Rock Island Library Facebook and Instagram social media sites.

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Rock Island Public Library, Read, Renew, Repeat: June 1 to July 31, 2024. All Ages summer reading challenge and special events focused on personal renewal, sustainability, and family fun. Participants earn rewards for reaching reading and activity goals.