Your public library is a great place to explore new hobbies, interests and ideas. Begin at the Rock Island Public Library to explore a variety of topics ranging from knitting to Taylor Swift, railroads to world music, and more, April 15 to 20.
From knitting to trains, world jazz and maqam music, and something for teen and adult Taylor Swift fans, there’s something for every interest next week at the Rock Island Public Library.
On Monday, April 15, knit away your tax-day stress at the Rock Island Library’s monthly knitting circle. The free drop-in event is for any fiber-based crafter, and takes place from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Rock Island Downtown Library, 401 19th Street. Crafters can bring an existing project to work on, or start a new one with the library’s supplies and patterns.
On Tuesday, April 16, the library’s continuing series on Rock Island Lines Train history features a ride through the past with “Old News is Good History.” The 2 pm event, also at the Downtown Library, features old and new clips collected by a railroad worker who started on the line as a brakeman in 1938. His grandchild rediscovered the clips in 1980, and is sharing the 46-minute home-produced video. March 31, 2020 marked 40 years since the Rock Island Railroad rolled into history as one of the nation's largest railroad shutdowns.
On Wednesday, April 17, the library’s Watts-Midtown Branch stage features Quad City Arts visiting artist Wanees Zarour. The free performance is from 6:00 pm to 7PM at the branch, located inside the Rock Island YMCA at 2715 30th Street. Wanees Zarour is an award winning Palestinian-American composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist steeped in maqam and jazz music. He is a community leader who believes in creating an environment that is conducive to artistic expression and collective music making. Zarour directs the Middle East Music Ensemble at the University of Chicago, co-directs the Chicago Immigrant Orchestra, and leads 'East Loop,' a septet that explores the intersections between the maqam and jazz traditions.
Born into a family of musicians, Zarour started his Western classical training on the violin at age seven at the Edward Said Conservatory of Music. A few years after that, Zarour started his training in Maqam, Middle Eastern Repertoire, the Arab violin tradition, and picked up the buzuq, a long-necked chordophone common in the Levant region. Zarour is a virtuoso on the buzuq, in addition to playing the oud, violin and percussion. The performance is free and open to all ages.
On Thursday, April 18, the library’s Toddler Playgroup continues at the Downtown Library Children’s Room. The free drop-in event is from 10 am to noon, and features a space for unstructured toddler play. Though originally intended as a winter event, the Children’s Department will continue the drop-in playgroup as long as interest continues. Other events for young children include 10:30 am Toddler storytimes on Tuesdays and Fridays at the Watts-Midtown Branch, and an 11am Toddler storytime on Wednesday at the Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road.
On Friday, April 19, fans of Taylor Swift and poetry can rejoice in a free party that marks the release of Swift’s latest album, The Tortured Poets Department. The free event, which also marks National Poetry Month, is from 3 pm to 5:30 pm at the Watts-Midtown Branch. Teens and adults alike can try blackout poetry, make friendship bracelets, enjoy music, and more. The event is free and does not require registration.
Two very different events finish up the week on Saturday, April 20. At 11 am, local author Shellie Moore Guy presents stories from her children’s book, The Family Tree, in the Watts-Midtown Branch community room auditorium. From 11:30 am to 1pm, Jackie Hauser, of Wanderings of Jackie, leads a conversation group, “Let’s Talk about Death,” in the Watts-Midtown Conference Room. The event features open, agenda-free conversations over cake and tea about topics that often aren’t discussed. The discussions include all things related to life, death, and the finality of it, and are open to all.
All Rock Island Public Library-presented events are free and open to the public.
For more information about library services and 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.