Library chases winter blahs with a party

Six-hour musical ‘porch’ event is designed to make you think of summer

KITCHENER — The library hopes to banish the winter blues by holding a six-hour musical porch party later this month.

“We want to give people a reason to celebrate January,” said Bob Egan, manager of community development at Kitchener Public Library.

“We just thought, ‘In the dead of winter, what can we do that would emulate summer, and that would bring a lot of people in to the library and create a sense of community?’”

Inspired by the enormous success and authentic vibe of the popular porch parties, the library contacted organizers of those events to get suggestions for musical acts.

On Jan. 20, the main downtown branch will set up three stages — one in the main foyer, one in the children’s area and one on the second floor — each with a succession of musical acts running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Each of the stages will be named after a different porch party. Egan hopes it becomes an annual event.

“We thought we’d pay homage to them,” Egan said. “They’re just fantastic events. You go and meet at least a dozen people you know, you hear beautiful music on every other porch, there’s food.”

The acts will be acoustic, and the lineup includes Jesse Parent, Richard Garvey, Lynn Jackson, the Caraways, Onion Honey and Ambre McLean.

The winter porch party is an extension of the idea of the library as a people place, open to all regardless of their income or background, a place where people can learn and be stimulated or inspired, Egan said.

Music is a great way for people to connect, he said. “It cuts across all barriers between humans. At the library we have expanded that definition of print literacy to include digital literacy and also musical and creative literacy. We feel very strongly that music is a universal language, and I think we see that was borne out by the runaway success of our Sun Life instrument lending library.”

Cindy Ward, who co-ordinates the Schneider Creek porch party, said the winter porch party has the same goal as the neighbourhood events.

“You can just walk down the street and listen to music. We welcome anyone and everyone. And the library has the same sort of spirit, a community, open to all, where you can meet and talk to people and share something.”

People who wander in to drop off a book might hear an act they enjoy, and decide to check out a porch party in the summer, she added.

The Hohner Avenue party is set for May 26, the Grand porch party is on June 17 and the Schneider Creek party takes place on July 28.