WESTFIELD — The month of June at the Westfield Memorial Library is brimming with diversified programs for adults and teens featuring music, a book club, Tai Chi, a Makerspace and craft classes. The library is located at 550 East Broad Street.
On Saturday, June 6 at 2:00p.m., Navesink Brass, a professional brass quintet, presents “250 Years ofAmerican Music and Culture.” A musical tribute to D-Day andAmerica’s 250th birthday, the concert begins with an arrangement of Revolutionary War tunes and continues with music from American culture including Jazz, popular, Broadway, television, and cinema. It ends with audience participation during a salute to the armed forces including the Army, Navy, Marines,Air Force, and Coast Guard.
The Westfield Mental Health Council, in partnership with the Westfield Memorial Library, will hold a mental health–themed book discussion group on Wednesday, June 10 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. to discuss Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life by Christie Tate. Copies of the book are available to check out, in advance, at the library.
On Thursday, June 11 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., adults will be able to learn how to make a laser cut acrylic bookmark in the new Makerspace. Using the new Glowforge Laser Printer, participants will learn how to design a digital for the laser printer and create an engraved acrylic bookmark. This is a beginner-friendly class, and all materials will be provided.
On Thursday, June 11, the monthslong series of the Fundamentals of Tai Chi with Gang Huang continues from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Each class must be registered for individually, and each builds upon skills learned in the previous week.
Tai Chi, an ancient practice that originated in China, is proven to boost both mental and physical health. It’s also proven to promote balance and prevent falls; relieve depression, Parkinson’s disease, dementia; and reverse disease progression in osteoarthritis.
Tai Chi helps with insomnia, hypertension, and fibromyalgia and is often referred to as “Meditation in Motion.” Huang leads a hands-on session to work on Tai Chi fundamentals such as joint health, standing meditation, weight shifting and balance, and Tai Chi walking.
He is one of the formal disciples of Master Yang Jun, who is the direct descendent (sixth-generation) ofYang Cheng Fu and of Yang Lu Chan, the creator of Yang Style Tai Chi. Huang is an authorized instructor of Yang Family Tai Chi Association and is currently teaching Tai Chi classes in Bridgewater.
On Saturday, June 13 and 27, DreamMakers, a handcrafting community, will meet in the Local History Room from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. As part of its (Re)Imagining Westfield initiative, MLK Westfield and the Westfield Memorial Library have started a multigenerational handcrafting group to meet on alternate Saturday afternoons. They provide a place for experienced and inexperienced knitters, crocheters, quilters, cross-stitchers, etc., to come together and work on their handcraft and to help others who are interested in learning. Everyone and all types of handcraft are welcome.
Teens will have a double chance to express themselves on Friday, June 5 between 3:00 and 4:30 p.m. They can stop by the Teen Zone to take the supplies and instructions needed to make an adjustable rainbow bead bracelet to celebrate PRIDE month. There will also be chalk available outside so teens can use their creativity and Chalk the Walk.
Aspiring robotics engineers in grades K- 12 ( and parents/ caregivers) are invited to the library’s main meeting room for a new Robotics Club on Wednesday, June 6 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to learn (or teach) robotics and programming with Westfield neighbors.
Free pizza will be available for program attendees and registration is required. Atendees should register the total number of people attending the event, including parents, guardians, and siblings for an accurate headcount for the pizza.
Visit the library’s website at https:/ /wmlnj.org/ to register for events, sign up for a library card or learn more about library programs and resources. The library is located at 550 East Broad Street and hours are Monday – Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday 1:00-5:00 p.m.
