NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The main New Rochelle Public Library is presenting a great variety of programs for children during the February school vacation week. These free activities are made possible by the Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library.
On Tuesday February 19, the library will celebrate Chinese New Year, in conjunction with the BID Family Days Go Global for New Rochelle’s 325th Anniversary series. Chinese New Year, which is known as Spring Festival in China, heralds the lunar New Year. All of China, and enclaves in other parts of the world, observe the holiday by meeting and feasting, hanging red paper signs and lanterns, and setting off fireworks. NRPL’s festivities for the Year of the Snake are in two parts:
From 10:30 am to 12:00 noon, children in Pre-K through Grade 5 are invited to drop-in to make dragon puppet, and traditional red Chinese lantern.
From 2:00 – 2:45 pm, a free live Performance by the New York Chinese Cultural Center will take place in the Ossie Davis Theater, and is appropriate for all ages. The extraordinary, costumed dancers will perform the Lion Dance, a Monkey King Demonstration from Peking Opera, the Handkerchief Dance, the Mongolian Dance, and the Ribbon Dance. This program is made possible by the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) in conjunction with the Library, City School District and Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Friends of NRPL.
Wednesday, February 20th is Family Film Day in the library’s Ossie Davis Theater, and the theme is “Mice & Ice”. The shows begin with a cartoon “short” of Mighty Mouse, who was born in New Rochelle, followed by The Great Mouse Detective. The 74-minute film features the escapades of the private eye of Baker Street. He is determined to track down evil Professor Ratigan, who has kidnapped London’s mater toymakers and is set on becoming the supreme ruler of Mousedom. Rated G; appropriate for ages 3 & up.
At 2:00 pm Ice Age: The Continental Drift will be shown. In the fourth installment in Fox’s popular prehistoric animal series, the heroes return for another outrageously funny and entertaining Ice Age adventure. When Scrat’s acorn antics cause a cataclysmic crack-up, Manny (Ray Romano), Sid (John Leguizamo) and Diego (Denis Leary) go where no herd has gone before – on a high-seas quest aboard a floating iceberg; but a menagerie of misfit pirates are determined to shiver their timbers and capsize their journey home. Rated PG; appropriate for children ages 5 & up. 88 minutes.
Children in Pre-K through Grade 5 have the opportunity to drop-in for Crafts from Favorite Books About Winter, on Thursday Feb 21, from 10:30 am – 12:00 noon. Friendly guidance and materials will be provided for mitten-shaped books to fill with animals and cotton ball snowmen. First-come, first-served to the capacity of the Meeting Room.
Singer, songwriter & entertainer Zev Haber will perform a concert of favorite and original songs that get everybody dancing, jumping, and moving, on Friday, February 22 at 11:00 am. The performance is for children ages 3 – 7 years and parents or caregivers, on a first-come, first-served basis, to the capacity of the 140-seat Ossie Davis Theater.
The New Rochelle Public Library and the Huguenot Children’s Library will be closed on Sunday, February 17th and Monday, February 18th in observance of Presidents Day. Normal operating hours will resume on Tuesday, February 19th.