For Immediate Release: Insert Date

Winter Programs Bring Holiday Cheer to Oakland Libraries

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( Oakland, CA)— The Oakland Public Library will bring a series of free holiday events for kids and families to its branches in December. The Fratello Marionettes will perform their cabaret-style shows featuring one-to-three-foot tall marionettes, while artist Chelsee Robinson teaches young people how easy it is to make jewelry to give as gifts or for their own enjoyment. Families will be treated to a dramatic reading of Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory,” and little ones will hear stories and create snowflakes at a special Pajama Story Time event.

Since 1989, the Fratello Marionettes have been entertaining audiences throughout the Bay Area and the nation. Their exciting performances often include singers, dancers, trained dogs, clowns, and even a hula dancing grandma! On Tuesday, December 9, 12:30 p.m., they will perform Peter & the Wolf at the Lakeview Branch Library, 550 El Embarcadero. Children will follow Peter on his magical journey accompanied by the musical score of Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf.

The Fratello Marionettes’ rendition of the classic tale, The Frog Prince, also comes to several branch libraries. Audiences will have to wait until the end to discover whether the spoiled Princess Ofelia follows through with her promise to grant the frog (really a bewitched prince) his three wishes. These performances are scheduled as follows:

West Oakland Branch Library, 1801 Adeline St. Thursday, December 11, 1:00 p.m.
Temescal Branch Library, 5205 Telegraph Ave. Friday, December 12, 10:30 a.m.
Asian Branch Library, 388 9 th Street Friday, December 12, 1:30 p.m.
Golden Gate Branch Library, 5606 San Pablo Ave. Friday, December 12, 3:30 p.m.
Rockridge Branch Library, 5366 College Ave. Tuesday, December 16, 7:00 p.m.

Page Two, Winter Programs

Popular artist Chelsee Robinson returns to the Oakland Public Library to teach a series of Jewelry-Making Workshops at the following locations:

Main Library-Children’s Room, 125 14 th Street Wednesday, December 3, 3:30 p.m.
Montclair Branch Library, 1687 Mountain Blvd. Saturday, December 6, 1:00 p.m.
Eastmont Branch Library, Eastmont Town Center, Wednesday, December 10, 3:30 p.m.
7200 Bancroft Ave., Suite 211
Martin L. King, Jr. Branch, 6833 International Blvd. Saturday, December 13, 1:00 p.m.
Golden Gate Branch Library, 5606 San Pablo Ave. Wednesday, December 17, 3:30 p.m.
Brookfield Branch Library, 9255 Edes Ave. Thursday, December 18, 3:30 p.m.

On Monday, December 15, join us at the Piedmont Avenue Branch, 160 41 st Street, for a dramatic reading of Truman Capote's “A Christmas Memory.” Capote's short story, often praised as one of the finest short stories written in the twentieth century, is a charming memoir about the friendship between a boy and his elderly cousin, and the adventures they share while they gather ingredients for their holiday fruitcakes. The reading will be performed by actor Thomas Lynch, a local celebrity, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Come one, come all to a Cozy Pajama Story Time at the Rockridge Branch Library, 5366 College Avenue, on Tuesday, December 23, 7:00 p.m.! After hearing stories, kids will make snowflakes by the light of a Hanukkah menorah.

For more information about these and other events, please call (510) 238-3134, or see the Oakland Public Library’s Web site: www.oaklandlibrary.org. Please refrain from wearing scented products to library events. To request sign interpretation or other accommodation, please call the number above or (510) 834-7446 (TTY) at least five working days prior to the event. The Oakland Public Library is a department of the City of Oakland.

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