The Friends of the Waterbury Library are proud to be presenting a series of four exciting, entertaining, and educational family-friendly performances to the Waterbury Community this fall, in what they hope will be the first annual of this kind of programming.
The first event on Saturday, September 17 is the No Strings Marionette Company presenting “Wasabi, A Dragon’s Tale” for a 1:00 PM matinee in the Steele Community Room in the Waterbury Municipal Center. In this modern-minded fairy tale a Princess happily contemplates her upcoming marriage to a Prince, but the Princess’s preconceptions vanish when fire-breathing Wasabi swoops from the sky, reduces the palace to ashes and carries off her betrothed! You will be delighted as the spunky Princess, with a little help from her wise fairy friends, outwits Wasabi to save the kingdom and the day.
Eleven exquisitely crafted marionettes perform amidst sumptuous story-book scenery. A transforming sprite, a fashionable knight, and a seven foot dragon star in this newfangled fable, where both your imagination and the stage have no boundaries.
The event begins with an interactive sing along where kids get to be part of the show. Following Wasabi's adventure, No Strings' Dan Baginski and Barbara Paulson host an intimate question and answer session where everyone gets a closer look at the puppeteers trade.
This show is FREE, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Revitalizing Waterbury.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 8 at 11 AM when Sean Gaskell will give a performance and educational demonstration on the kora, an ancient 21-stringed harp from West Africa. The Kora is native to the Mande peoples who live within the countries of Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea Bissau. He will feature traditional songs that are the heart and soul of the kora’s musical repertoire in addition to some of his own personal compositions.
Then on Sunday, October 23 at 2 PM, a VSO string quartet will present a special Halloween family concert at the Waterbury Congregational Church. The concert includes an introduction of the instruments and several seasonally spooky selections. The highlight of the performance is a narration with music based on the book, “A Symphony of Whales,” by Steve Schuch. It takes its inspiration from a true story about whales stranded in the Siberian Sea, and the heroic efforts by villagers and a Russian icebreaker to free them. Music plays a key role in the heartwarming rescue--and audience members get to participate in a crucial decision. Halloween costumes are encouraged for this event!
Finally, on Saturday, November 19 at 1:00 PM in the Steele Community Room, kids take center stage in “Cinderella, the Musical” performed by the Very Merry Theatre Company. A talented group of 9-14 year old drama enthusiasts will perform a humorous and adventurous original Very Merry musical adaptation of the classic story.
All performances are free, open to the public, and of course, family friendly!
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