PORT ANGELES — It might get loud — and downright exuberant — at the library tonight (Friday).
During the monthly “Art Blast” from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m., community members can enjoy two exercise demonstrations, refreshments and art displays by five local artists.
Maureen “Moe” Pfaff, teacher of the aerobic-dance classes known as Zumba, will give a free demonstration and class starting at 7 p.m. at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.
“I spent about half my childhood in the library and never would have dared to make noise. Now, they’re paying me to come and be loud,” marveled Pfaff, who grew up in Port Angeles.
“You’re welcome to just watch, of course, but I recommend wearing comfortable shoes and clothes you can move in, just in case you find the pull of the music too much to resist,” she added.
“We’ll be doing dances inspired by salsa, cumbia, reggaeton, flamenco, merengue and other exotic rhythms.”
After the hourlong Zumba session, patrons are invited to stay for another demonstration.
Then Margaret Jakubcin, assistant director of the North Olympic Library System, along with her teenage son, Torrey Jakubcin, and Port Angeles’ Thin Ice poi troupe, will show patrons poi play, an active game inspired by the Maori toy called poi.
Starting at 8 p.m., the troupe will perform for about 20 minutes, then offer tips on how to take up the game.
Making your own poi is easy, Margaret added: “You take a knee sock and put some rice in the toe.”
Friday’s event is also the September reception for the library’s featured artists: Judy de Chantal, June Echternkamp, Anna Nichols, Bob Thompson and Monica Gutierrez-Quarto.
Patrons are invited to meet them, discuss their art — which ranges from potato-bead jewelry to large-scale wood block prints — and enjoy snacks from 6:30 p.m. until 7 p.m.
For more details about this and other library events, phone 360-417-8500 or visit the North Olympic Library System website, www.NOLS.org.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3550 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
