Free programs bring the sounds of Australia as part of Summer Reading Program
The sounds and history of Australia will cover the Shenandoah Valley next week as Massanutten Regional Library’s annual Summer Reading Program brings six free Didgeridoo Down Under concerts to the following locations and times:
- 7/13 @ 11AM - Grottoes Branch Library, 601 Dogwood Ave.
- 7/13 @ 6:30PM - Elkton Area Community Center, 20593 Blue and Gold Dr.
- 7/14 @ 11AM - Generations Park, Bridgewater, 412 N. Main St.
- 7/14 @ 3PM - Page Public Library, Luray, 100 Zerkel St.
- 7/15 @ 10PM - Heritage Park, Broadway, 145 Turner Ave.
- 7/15 @ 6:30PM - Valley Mall Belk Court, Harrisonburg, 1925 E. Market St.
All concerts are free and open to the public and appropriate for attendees of all ages. Media is invited and encouraged to attend, interview performers and attendees, and photograph or film the event.
Didgeridoo Down Under (DDU) is an energetic program of Australian music, culture, comedy, character building, storytelling, and audience participation. The didgeridoo has been played by Aboriginal Australians for at least 1,500 years and is known for its distinctive otherworldly sound. The DDU experience is much more than music, however. It's interactive, educational, motivational, and fun for all ages. Participants will learn about Australian sea creatures, the Great Barrier Reef and more, all while experiencing the pulsing rhythms of the didgeridoo.
DDU is brought to the Valley as part of MRL’s “Oceans of Possibilities” free Summer Reading Program. This year’s Summer Reading Program (SRP) began June 6, 2022, and runs through July 31, 2022. MRL offers the SRP annually and invites participation from all ages – from infants being read to by their caregivers up through senior citizens – all are encouraged to read and track their reading alongside MRL each summer.
Initially designed to combat the learning and reading skills loss (often referred to as the “summer slide”) experienced by many children during the summer school holidays, MRL’s SRP now focuses on encouraging both children and adults to read all summer long as part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Participants may sign up for free at www.mrlib.org/srp and log their reading through READsquared, an online tracking program which also includes a free app. Once registered, participants are eligible for prize rewards and drawings and are invited to attend special events for all ages throughout the summer, thanks to generous support from local business partners.
Participation for the 2022 SRP has nearly doubled the 2021 participation, with 2,860 children (birth to age 17) and 1,356 adults (age 18+) currently enrolled. MRL’s Summer Reading Program receives prizes, special event offerings, and incentive support from dozens of local businesses and organizations, and is made financially possible through generous support from the following sponsors: Kiwanis Club of Harrisonburg, F&M Bank, Summit Community Bank, Rockingham Insurance, LD&B Insurance and Financial Services, BotkinRose PLC, and DuPont Community Credit Union. Complete details on Summer Reading Program can be found at www.mrlib.org/srp.
