Submitted by Paul Mark:
"Novel Destinations: There's the Door?," a dramatic stage presentation starring storytellers Neal Milner, Dann Seki, Nyla Fujii-Babb and musician "Gentleman" Jeffry Stephen Babb, will be a featured event for the 2011 HSPLS Teens and Adult Summer Reading Programs at six selected public libraries on Molokai and Oahu from June 7 – July 10. Admission is free.
"Novel Destinations: There's the Door?" is a humorous and poignant examination of the struggle to answer life's big questions through original stories: "Who am I?", " Why am I?", "Where am I?", and "How did I get here?" This presentation is based on the style of the storytellers' earlier Kumu Kahua shows "Growing Up Hyphened in America," and "Life Staged."
In addition to being a storyteller, Milner is an actor, playwright, and author. He has performed locally in various Shakespeare's productions. As a storyteller, Milner has performed for libraries, professional organizations, and community groups.
Storyteller Seki is also a stage and screen actor. He has appeared in numerous plays on the stages of most of the theaters in Honolulu, in many movies and television shows, and in several local commercials.
In addition to being one of Hawaii's premier storytellers, Fujii-Babb has been an actress, voice-over talent, and producer for more than 30 years. Noted for her collaborative work with other artists, she has combined storytelling with dance, theatre, music, and the visual arts.
Jeffry Stephen Babb, a wandering blues singer and balladeer, was a lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and harmonica player for several blues bands. He will be the opening act and lead the audience in a sing-along of "oldies but goodies.
" See "Novel Destinations: There's the Door?" at these libraries:
Oahu – .
July 10, 1 p.m. – Pearl City Public Library (Adult program-1138 Waimano Home Rd.; 453-6566)
June 7, 5 p.m. – Wahiawa Public Library (Adult program-820 California Ave.; telephone: 622-6345) .
June 21, 5:30 p.m. – Kaimuki Public Library (Teen program-1041 Koko Head Ave.; 733-8422) .
July 6, 6:30 p.m. – Mililani Public Library (Teen program-95-450 Makaimoimo St.; 627-7470) .
July 9, 11:30 a.m. – Hawaii State Library (Adult program-478 South King St.; 586-3499) .
Molokai – .
June 28, 3 p.m. – Molokai Public Library (Teen program-15 Ala Malama Ave.; 553-1765)
The program schedule is subject to change. Performances by featured artists from the Statewide Cultural Extension Program (SCEP) are co-sponsored by the University of Hawaii's Outreach College, Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
If a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation is needed, contact the hosting library two weeks in advance on Oahu, or three weeks in advance for Neighbor Island libraries.
The 2011 HSPLS Summer Reading Programs have a record number of sponsors this year, including the Friends of the Library of Hawaii, Marriott Resorts Hawaii, Ko Olina Resort & Marina, Meadow Gold Dairies, HMS Host, Hansen Distribution Group, ING Foundation, Armstrong Produce, Bowman Connectivity Solutions, Inc., Girard's Dressing, Roberts Hawaii Tours, Toshiba Business Solutions, DFS Hawaii, NFL Charities, First Hawaiian Bank, Aloha United Way, and The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.
Corporate and other sponsors include McDonald's Restaurants of Hawaii, Hawaii Pizza Hut, Frito-Lay of Hawaii, Diamond Bakery Ltd., First Insurance Company of Hawaii, American Chemical Society, Mutual Publishing, The Islander Group, and local Chapter Friends.
For more information, please call the hosting library.
Paul H. Mark Information Specialist III
Hawaii State Public Library System
Library Development Services
3225 Salt Lake Boulevard, Suite 205 Honolulu, HI 96818-2115
(808) 831-6877 / fax (808) 831-6882
Email: [email protected] Web: www.librarieshawaii.org
Photo courtesy of the Hawaii State Public Library
Neal Milner; storyteller, actor, playwright, and author.
Photo courtesy of the Hawaii State Public Library
Dann Seki; storyteller, stage and screen actor.
Photo courtesy of the Hawaii State Public Library
Nyla Fujii-Babb; actress, voice-over talent, and producer for more than 30 years.
Photo courtesy of the Hawaii State Public Library
Jeffry Stephen Babb; blues singer and balladeer, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and harmonica player.