'A Resounding Success': New Rochelle Public Library's Wild Summer

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The was no "summer slump" in the "Queen City on the Sound" — summer 2023 in New Rochelle was a season of reading and fun.

The New Rochelle Public Library's summer of 2023 was declared to be a resounding success, both at the main branch and at the Huguenot Children's Library. Both locations were buzzing with excitement and learning, with thousands of patrons participating in a wide variety of enriching activities, according to the library.

The Children's Room in the main branch welcomed more than 4,200 participants to daily programs that both entertained and educated. Highlights included:

• Mad Science where young scientists discovered the wonders of the natural world through fun and interactive experiments
• Build Together with Arch for Kids where children had a chance to hone their architectural skills in very creative ways
• Wild Wednesday animal visits which exposed children to a captivating array of cute critters
• Mexican Dance Workshops with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company which introduced participants to the rich culture of Mexico through movement and rhythm

The Huguenot Children's Library had over 3,400 visitors participate in diverse programs, including:

• Rock Your World Kids with Armelle, providing children with an energetic and creative exploration of music and movement
• Splashdown Water Play, which provided a refreshing way to beat the summer heat
• Move & Groove with Joy & Wiggle and Giggle with Dawny Dew, two favorite programs that had kids grooving to the beat
• Yoga Tots, a gentle yoga and mindfulness program that nurtured young minds and bodies.

Over 800 children and teens also participated in the 2023 Summer Reading Challenge.

The library once again transformed into a cultural epicenter this past summer, with the annual International Music and Dance Festival, an enriching and diverse showcase of music and dance from around the world. Almost 600 people of all ages and backgrounds attended the six-week festival, celebrating the beauty and diversity of global traditions, according to the library.

The library says that for over twenty years, the festival has been a beloved staple of the New Rochelle Public Library's summer lineup, celebrating world cultures through music and dance. This year's festival featured a mesmerizing variety of performances, for audience members of all ages, including:

• Bokandeye African American Dance Theater
• Calpulli Mexican Dance
• Aszmara & Transition: Middle-Eastern Ensemble
• Israeli Dance with Leng
• Natyamudra School of Indian Dance
• The Japanese Folk Dance Institute of NY

The library also hosted its summer Sing Your Heart Out Concert and the Village Light Opera Group.

"We are overjoyed with the incredible turnout and the positive impact these programs have had on our community," Tom Geoffino, Director of NRPL, said. "Our library is not only a place for books; it's a dynamic center for learning, exposure to diverse cultures, creativity, and fun. We look forward to continuing to inspire and educate patrons of all ages in the coming months through our robust schedule of fall programs."

Find out more about the The New Rochelle Public Library on their website.