Ray Kamalay Performs, Gretchen Engle Schafft Lectures and Much More at HPL
BY MARTHA FERRIBY, DIRECTOR, HACKLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Star Wars Day, Ray Kamalay on guitar, the annual Hackley Lecture, computer classes, Girls Who Code and other classes and activities for all ages are at your library in May!
It is remarkable that anyone can play so many different styles of music as well as Ray Kamalay. Hear him and his guitar Monday, May 14 at 6:00 p.m. at Hackley Library.
From the time Ray Kamalay picked up the guitar so many years ago, he was looking towards the past. While his young colleagues screeched with distortion and feedback on their new electric guitars, Ray learned sweet chords on his acoustic.
Above, Ray Kamalay speaks and plays about the rise of American music from bondage to liberty.
Instead of listening to the radio for songs to learn, Ray proceeded to the dusty archives in libraries and antique stores. By the time he was in high school, Ray was endlessly fascinated by old and even ancient music.
That fascination continues. Whether its Delta blues or J. S. Bach, the music of Ireland or the music of Brazil, Ray has built a remarkably diverse and historic repertoire of music that is familiar, intriguing and fun. His beautiful voice and wry humor are matched by his fine mastery of the guitar.
But Ray doesn’t leave it at that. Besides the occasional joke (all “family” material, of course), Ray often tells the stories of the songs themselves, drawing the audience closer. All of which exposes not only his fine talent, but his great love of the music itself.
We have activities for kids, teens and adults at HPL every month!
Wednesdays, May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Tips and Tricks for Tablets and Phones. Having trouble with you tablet? Flustered with you phone? Bring it to HPL on Wednesdays to get tech help. Walk-ins welcome.
Saturday, May 5, 10:30 to noon, How Do I Do That? Ever wondered how to do something on your computer? Maybe use Dropbox to download a picture? Get started on eBay? Tips on using Facebook? De’Ondra Pentecost will teach you how at this hands-on technology potluck. Registration is required to make sure everybody gets a computer. Call (231) 722-8000.
Saturday, May 5, 2:00 p.m., May the Force Be With You. Celebrate Star Wars Day! We’ll watch a few episodes of the popular Disney XD show and make Star Wars themed crafts. Costumes are not required but are definitely recommended!
Mondays, May 7, 13 and 21, 5:30 to 6:30, Girls Who Code. Did you know Hackley Public Library has a coding club just for girls? We are an official host site for the international Girls Who Code organization. The club is open to students grade six and up. In the club, girls will master the basics of coding like loops, variables, functions, and conditionals, to name a few. We will meet every Monday evening through the end of May.
Above: Ozobots!
Saturday, May 12, all day, Monthly Makers: Ozobot Open House. Curious about our little robots? Come by the library any time and discover how much fun coding can be. We’ll have several activities you can try out, or you can make up your own code. The Ozobots work best for age six and up.
Above, Ray Kamalay plays Ballad of the Landlord from the CD We Won't Move: Songs of the Tenants' Movement.
Monday, May 14, 6:00 p.m., Ray Kamalay. Whether its Delta blues or J. S. Bach, the music of Ireland or the music of Brazil, Ray has built a remarkably diverse and historic repertoire of music that is familiar, intriguing and fun. Ray often tells the stories of the songs themselves.
Tuesday, May 15, noon to 7:00 p.m., Tech Tuesday. Hackley Library IT pros will answer your questions on using computers and apps — anything from how to upload pictures to how to navigate Windows. Reserve your 30 minute appointment by calling (231) 722-8000 at least 24 hours in advance.
Saturday, May 19, 10:30 to noon, Pinterest. Learn the basics of using this fun and useful site at this hands-on mini class taught by De‘Ondra Pentecost. Registration is required. Call HPL at (231) 722-8000.
Saturday, May 19, 2:00 to 4:00, Minecraft. It’s time to mine and craft and discover all sorts of new places on our Minecraft server. We have computers for 20 players. Reserve your spot today! Call (231) 722-8014.
Monday, May 21, 7:30 p.m., Hackley Lecture: Gretchen Engle Schafft PhD. At the Muskegon Museum of Art Auditorium, Gretchen Engle Schafft PhD. will present the annual lecture. She’ll speak on “We and They: Building Diversity into Life’s Landscape.” A reception will follow at the Hackley Library.
May 25, Hackley Day. The Library closes at noon on Hackley Day, in honor of Charles H. Hackley’s gift of the Library to the people of Muskegon on May 25, 1888. Thanks Mr. H.!
Saturday, May 26 through Monday, May 28, Memorial Day Weekend. The Hackley Public Library is closed.
Founded in 1890, the Hackley Public Library is located at 316 W. Webster Ave, in downtown Muskegon. The library is open noon to 8:00 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Hackley Public Library will be closed on December 23, 24 and 25 plus December 31, 31 and January 1. We’ll be open usual hours December 26, 27, 28, and 29, and starting again on January 2. The Hackley Public Library is dedicated to promoting knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, combating ignorance, intolerance, and indifference, promoting the free exchange of ideas, and conserving our national and local cultural heritage. The mission of the Hackley Public Library is to inform, inspire, and delight our diverse community by providing information, knowledge, literature, new technologies, and traditional and innovative programs. Visit them online at HackleyLibrary.org and on Facebook at HackleyPL.
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