August at the library: Open Mic Night, book club picnic, Qi Gong

July 25, 2023  |  By Judi Byron 

The library’s gardens are an event venue year-round. Courtesy photo

The Waterbury Public Library has a variety of programs and events on the calendar for August including a book sale at the Waterbury Farmers Market, an Open Mic Night, a book club picnic and Qi Gong. 

As always, check the Waterbury Public Library website, waterburypubliclibrary.com, for a complete calendar of programs for adults and children. 

Tuesdays: Open Mic Nights 

Waterbury resident Garret White emcees the Open Mic Night series on Tuesday evenings in August, 6-8 p.m., in the library’s garden (indoors in case of rain). Singers, musicians, storytellers, comics, poets -- the stage is yours. Sign up the night of the event. Slots are 2-3 minutes. All ages and abilities are welcome. Dates: Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. 

White grew up in Waterbury and he makes this town his home again. His passion is connecting and empowering people and is motivated to create spaces for “unpolished” performers to develop courage and be heard. When not curating events, Garret likes to write poetry and skits, and play music.    

Aug. 3: Book club picnic 

The No Pressure Book Club convenes for a no-pressure summer picnic in the gardens behind the library from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 3. Bring a dish to share and a recommendation for a great summer read. No pressure, no assignments, just a chance for like-minded readers to talk books.

Aug. 17: Book sale at the farmers market

Update Aug. 9: the Friends of the Waterbury Public Library will be donating proceeds from book sales through the end of the year to the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier which sustained heavy damage in the July flood.

Mystery, History, Fiction, Summer Reads, Poetry and more.  All kinds of genres and Children’s Books and Puzzles too.  Dates are July 20th and August 17th.  Pay what you can.  Cash, check or PayPal accepted.  From 4 to 7 PM.

Ongoing sale at the library as well.

August into September: Qi Gong                                                                                     

Starting in mid-August, Judi Byron leads a Qi Gong series on Tuesday mornings that will run into September. Qi Gong combines mindful movement with meditation and breath to strengthen the body, quiet the mind, and balance the emotions. 

The 8 Brocades, also referred to as Ba Duan Jin, is one of the most popular Qi Gong practices dating back nearly 1,000 years. The 8 Brocades is also known as the 8 Brocades of Silk because of the silken quality of movements practiced during this form. Ancient texts reveal that the 8 Brocades was also a form of Qi Gong designed to eliminate fatigue. 

Sign up by emailing judi@waterburypubliclibrary.com for this six-week series beginning Aug. 22 and running on consecutive Tuesdays through September. The group will meet in the library garden at 10 a.m. or indoors in the event of rain. 

Judi Byron is the Adult Program Coordinator at the Waterbury Public Library.