For Immediate Release: November 22, 2006

Craft a Gift, Catch a Show, and

Check Out the Holiday Spirit at Oakland Libraries

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(Oakland, CA)—Get into the seasonal spirit without spending a cent during a month of free holiday fun at your Oakland Public Libraries. Kids are welcome to enjoy gift-making workshops, holiday theater, family sing-alongs, seasonal storytimes, and more. And all ages are welcome to join us for piñata-making and Kwanzaa crafts, where anyone can create a little cheer making a holiday gift or decoration for the home.

Holiday Performances for Kids by Fratello Marionettes and Opera Piccola
Children of all ages won’t want to miss a holiday puppet show by the Fratello Marionettes or an interactive theater performance by Opera Piccola. The Fratello Marionettes will visit branches starting Saturday, December 2, to present two special holiday plays: Peter & The Wolf and The North Pole Review. And starting Tuesday, December 5, Opera Piccola will present two different holiday plays in four appearances at our libraries. Ages four years and up are welcome to watch the fairy tale classic, Hansel and Gretel, or the Middle Eastern tale, The Guests. The schedule for each performance follows:

Fratello Marionettes
The North Pole Review
Saturday, December 2, 2 pm, Montclair Branch, 1687 Mountain Blvd., 482-7810
Friday, December 8, 3:30 pm, Melrose Branch, 4805 Foothill Blvd., 535-5623
Tuesday, December 12, 3 pm, M. L. King, Jr. Branch, 6833 International Blvd., 615-5728
Thursday, December 14, 10:30 am, Elmhurst Branch, 1427-88th Avenue, 615-5727

Peter & The Wolf
Wed., Dec. 6, 10:30 am, Eastmont Branch, Eastmont Town Ct., 7200 Bancroft Ave., 615-5726
Wednesday, December 6, 7 pm, Main Library, Children’s Room, 125-14th St., 238-3615
Saturday, December 9, 11 am, Asian Branch, 388-9th St, Ste. 190, 238-3400
Tuesday, December 12, 1 pm, West Oakland Branch, 1801 Adeline Street, 238-7352
Monday, December 18, 7 pm, Golden Gate Branch, 5606 San Pablo Avenue, 597-5023
Tuesday, December 19, 1 pm, Lakeview Branch, 550 El Embarcadero, 238-7344

Opera Piccola
Hansel and Gretel
Tuesday, December 5, 10 am, Elmhurst Branch, 1427-88th Avenue, 615-5727
Thursday, December 21, 1 pm, Brookfield Branch, 9255 Edes Avenue, 615-5725

The Guests
Tuesday, December 12, 7 pm, Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Avenue, 597-5017
Tuesday, December 19, 10 am, Elmhurst Branch, 1427-88th Avenue, 615-5727

Holiday Craft Workshops
Kids’ crafts workshops, teen jewelry making, and all-ages piñata and Kwanzaa crafts promise to make the season more fun for everyone.

Kwanzaa Holiday Card-Making Workshop
Create your own decorative Kwanzaa cards and other items for the holiday season. Supplies provided.
Saturday, December 2, 12 noon, M. L. King, Jr. Branch, 6833 International Blvd., 615-5728

Make a Gift for the Holidays Workshops
Elementary school kids can come make a holiday gift for someone special at one of these workshops.
Wednesday, November 29, 3:30 pm, Temescal Branch, 5205 Telegraph Avenue, 597-5049
Wednesday, December 6, 3:30 pm, Golden Gate Branch, 5606 San Pablo Avenue, 597-5023
Thursday, December 7, 3:30 pm, Brookfield Branch, 9255 Edes Avenue, 615-5725
Tuesday, December 12, 3:30 pm, Lakeview Branch, 550 El Embarcadero, 238-7344
Wednesday, December 13, 3:30 pm, Melrose Branch, 4805 Foothill Blvd., 535-5623

Jewelry-Making Workshop for Teens with Chelsee
Chelsee is back to lead the TeenZone’s second annual Jewelry-Making Workshop. Teens can sign up for this free holiday workshop by calling 238-7332 or by emailing Teen Librarian Pete Villasenor at pvillasenor@oaklandlibrary.org.
Wednesday, December 6, 4 to 5:30 pm, Main Library, TeenZone, 125-14th St., 238-7332

Bilingual Piñata-Making Party for All Ages
Make and decorate fun piñatas for the holidays, with help in English and Spanish. Ages six years and up welcome.
Saturday, December 16, 2 pm, M. L. King, Jr. Branch, 6833 International Blvd., 615-5728

Holiday Crafts with Robin Goodfellow
Ages six years and older will enjoy making special little gift boxes or other holiday decorations.
Friday, December 22, 3:30 to 5 pm, Dimond Branch, 3565 Fruitvale Ave., 482-7844

Holiday Stories & Songs
Finally, the library offers preschool, toddler, and family storytimes all year round, with seasonal stories that celebrate the diversity of holidays in Oakland and around the world. Please see the full storytime schedule online at: www.oaklandlibrary.org. Also this year, join other families at a Sing-Along with Sandi Morey. Sing your favorite holiday songs and maybe learn a new one on Tuesday, December 12, 7 pm at Dimond Branch, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue, 482-7844. Bring a plate of cookies to share. Drinks will be provided.

For more information, please call the number of the branch listed above or (510) 238-3615. Or see the Library's Web site: www.oaklandlibrary.org. Please refrain from wearing scented products. To request sign interpretation, or other accommodation, 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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