From Stephanie Rohlfs’ “First Artist-in-Residence on The Moon”, Lunar Artists’ Residency Vol. 1

The Library was short and sweet and sweaty this year. We’re ending on a cool note, or with a lack of blazing sunshine anyway. Join us for a Moonlight* Paddle and Poetry Reading this Saturday, August 1, beginning at 8:30 pm.

Docked just off the tip of Silverwood’s Picnic Island, the raft will serve as a floating stage shared by three writers. Poet-in-residence Steve Healey will share some of the “floating poems” contributed by Library visitors as well as his own words; Kathryn Kysar will read from her collection Dark Lake, which graced the Library shelves and narrowly avoided drowning by being checked out, and Library volunteer, actual librarian and writer Clarence White will share his work. Come and listen from sea or from shore.

Some details, should you be curious:
Canoes, kayaks and some inflatable rafts are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis courtesy of Three Rivers Park District beginning at 8:30 pm.

The reading will begin around 9 pm.

All Silverwood boats will be adorned with lights and ropes for tying up into a flotilla for listening

All paddlers, including those bringing their own boats, will be asked to wear glow bracelets for safety.

The reading can be heard from land.

Because this event is at dusk into darkness, the Library’s collection will not be on view.

After the reading join us for a camp fire on Picnic Island.

This event is presented in collaboration with the incredible Coffee House Press and CHP In the Stacks. Many thanks to Chris Fischbach, Jay Peterson and everyone at Coffee House for their support.  (CHP wins the award for Most Staff Members Participating as Volunteer Floating Librarians, 2015)

*Technically the full moon is on Friday, but that night is the Boat Ballet on the Mississippi River with which we’d be fools to compete!  Choreographed by Patrick Scully, organized by Scully and Kalen Keir and “danced” by 99 paddlers in canoes, kayaks and paddle boards, this is a dream summer time water happening. I’m proud to say that the Library’s own Sea Clamp will provide on-water technical transport to the ballet’s musicians.  See you there too!

Kayaks paddle in a geese-like V-formation during Patrick Scully’s boat ballet on the Havel River at Potsdam, Germany in 2010. (Photo courtesy of Patrick Scully, cribbed from StarTribune.com)