Who Performed?

It wouldn’t be a Summer Reading Program without our performers. The Friends of the Oak Ridge Library sponsor these magicians, musicians, scientists, and puppeteers who visit the library and entertain us. This year, we reached out to many of our already scheduled acts and asked if they could adapt their programs to an online platform. Many of them were able to do just that!
Our virtual performances came to us in a variety of ways—we had pre-recorded shows, Zoom webinars, and streaming events on Facebook. Though the live performances are over, we have recordings to all of our programs so that you can continue imagining your story.

Below are descriptions and links to performances we had this summer!

Mr. Bond’s Science Guys
Tuesday, June 2nd @ 10:30

This summer Mr. Bond’s Science Guys are imagining science! They’ll be exploring tall tales and myths to determine if the miraculous stories are physics or just fantasy. This pre-recorded show is full of fun science experiments everyone is sure to enjoy!

Watch the program here!

Animalogy
Tuesday, June 9th @10:30

How did some of our animal friends inspire many of our favorite stories from modern fantasy to classic mythology? Join our friends at Animalogy for this webinar that will help answer that question and many more. Bob Tarter, his family, and staff welcome you to Animalogy headquarters for an educational and insightful program.

Did you miss the webinar? Watch a recording here!

Tom Mason & The Blue Buccaneers
Tuesday, June 16th @ 10:30

Ahoy there, landlubber! There be pirates coming! While he can’t sail here in person, Captain Tom Mason and his first mate Sage O’Silver will still be singing sea shanties and telling pirate tales in this pre-recorded program. Dress in your favorite pirate garb and join Captain Tom’s crew to sing along!

Watch the program here!

Mizz KT and Friendz
CANCELLED

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Mizz KT and Friendz has had to cancel. We look forward to seeing them in person next summer.

Barry Mitchell
Monday, July 6th @ 10:30

Sam the Turtle (along with his magical friend Barry Mitchell) are taking over the library Facebook page! They’ll fire up your imagination with humor, magic, storytelling, and a talking turtle—what’s not to love!

Watch the program here!

Sean Gaskell
Tuesday, July 7th @ 10:30

Have you ever heard of an instrument called the kora? The West African kora is a 21 string harp that is native to the Mandinka people of Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Guinea and Guinea Bissau. It dates back 300 years, although some of the music comes from the middle 13th century around the founding of the Mandinka empire. Musician Sean Gaskell has studied with master kora players Malamini Jobarteh and Moriba Kuyateh from the Gambia over the course of multiple visits. This recording of Sean demonstrating his musical skills was made just for our library families.

Watch the program here!

Runaway Puppet Theater
Monday, July 13th @ 10:30

The stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table have inspired readers for generations. These aren't those stories.
Sure, you've heard of Sir Lancelot, Merlin, and Sir Galahad, but have you ever heard of Sir Dagonet, the court jester? Or how about Sir Gaheris who's left arm was shorter than his right? Or Sir Ywain who was often mistaken for his brother, also named Ywain.
No, we're not making this up.
Runaway Puppet Theater re-tells some of the classic Arthurian tales with their off the wall sense of humor, as well as stories about some of the lesser known Knights of the Round Table in their production Knights, Knaves, and Knuckleheads!

Watch the program here!