Storytelling Tours

St. Mary Parish PK Tour Day 1 – Monday, March 14, 2011

by Dianne on March 14, 2011

3-14-11 Dianne and some sweet teachers from Raintree Elementary

Friends:

Today was the first day of my author visit tour in St. Mary Parish, visiting PK and K classes throughout the parish. My first school was Raintree Elementary and the school greeted me with such hospitality! Ms. Vee hooked me up with water, a microphone, and anything else I needed. I was ready to go! I had two shows. The first show was for PK students. They were shy at first but I finally warmed them up and we had a grand time.

3-14-11 PK Students from Raintree Elementary help with Mama's Bayou

My second show was for kindergarten and they were such a lively, participatory group. I had fun riffing with them and making jokes.

3-14-11 Kindergarten students from Raintree help with Mama's Bayou

We had a terrific time with all my stories: Mama’s Bayou, illustrated by Holly Stone-Barker, The Cajun Cornbread Boy, and The Gigantic Sweet Potato, both illustrated by Marita Gentry. Afterward, I had lunch from a local eatery called Chick’s. Talk about delicious!

3-14-11 Hot sausage po-boy from Chick's. Mmmm!

My second school was LaGrange Elementary. Again, the hospitality was superb! Everyone was so helpful and accommodating, providing me with water, an easel, a table, a microphone, and even a Diet Coke! Boy, did I have a fun group of PK and K students!

3-14-11 Greetings from LaGrange Elementary!

My first story was Mama’s Bayou and members of the audience helped with the story, including Alecia, who filled in for a faulty easel by becoming a human easel! :)

3-14-11 Dianne's hostess, Alecia Rabalais from St. Mary Parish Schools Title 1 Department

My second story was The Cajun Cornbread Boy. The students loved the story and were so responsive and participatory in the refrain, “Run, cher, run, as fast as you can. You can’t catch me, I’m full of cayenne!”

3-14-11 Dianne plays a fierce fox in The Cajun Cornbread Boy at LaGrange Elementary

My final story was The Gigantic Sweet Potato and I had a blast performing this story. The teacher who played the part of Itty Bitty Lily Mouse was ADORABLE!

3-14-11 Performing The Gigantic Sweet Potato at LaGrange Elementary

A special thank you to Mr. Michael Moncriffe, Supervisor of Federal Programs, who came to observe the last show. I am honored to be in St. Mary Parish working with the Pre-K and K cuties. They are so much fun! Another GIGANTIC thank you to Alecia Rabalais, my hostess, who is as sweet as potato pie!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Missouri Summer Reading Workshop Tour – St. Louis, Friday, March 4, 2011

by Dianne on March 4, 2011

3-4-11 Oh, baby! These librarians are truly stars!

Friends:

Oh my goodness! What a FANTABULOUS day!! I had the best time at St. Louis County Library on the fifth and final day of my Summer Reading Workshop Tour. I worked with such a fun, spirited group of librarians and boy, did we laugh full belly laughs!

3-4-11 St. Louis County Library participant creates a self-portrait from items in her purse

After opening with a creativity exercise in which workshop participants had to create a self-portrait using items from her purse, we began with draw and tell tales. First, I showed the St. Louis librarians how to do the story, “The Emperor’s Dragon” from Handmade Tales. Cool!

3-4-11 Jeanie draws The Emperor's Dragon from Handmade Tales

Next, I showed them a scroll story from Japan, paper Russian nesting dolls, towel folding, and a story called “Papa’s Teepee” that uses a coffee filter to create a snowflake. I never get tired of creating the “blizzard!” LOL

3-4-11 It's a snow blizzard of coffee filter snow flakes!

After a refreshment break, we worked on the story, “Bandana Man.” Look at how cute Mary-Carol is as the little old lady in the story!

3-4-11 Mary-Carol is a fine old lady in the story of Bandana Man from Handmade Tales

They learned a string story, “The Stubborn Turnip” and even mastered the string figures!

3-4-11 Youthful librarians create a string figure bowl and saucer in the story, The Stubborn Turnip, from Handmade Tales

They had lots of fun and even learned how to create a magic star with a single snip of the scissors!

3-4-11 Those St. Louis Librarians sure do reach for the stars!

During lunch, I was inspired by the lunch box that my food came in. I created a mini shadow puppet theater. Yes, I am so going to use this idea in the future!

3-4-11 During lunch, I created a shadow puppet theater out of my lunch box. Nia help me illuminate it from behind with a flashlight.

We began the second half of the workshop with Tangram Tales. After teaching the librarians how to cut a Tangram set without a pattern, I held the Invent-A-Tangram contest. Julie won with her adorable puppy dog!! I mean, look how precious this pooch is!

3-4-11 Joyous Julie wins the Invent-A-Tangram contest with her cute puppy dog! Way to go, girl!

Then we created a Tangram Story Theater. It was so lively, especially with my funky story chorus creating a hip hop beat! “Ungh, ungh, ungh, ungh!”

3-4-11 St. Louis Librarians rock the Tangram Story Theater, performing Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories

Then it was on to the “Picture Book Make and Takes” portion of my workshop. First, I showed them an excerpt of The Cajun Cornbread Boy and they made the spicy little puppets.

3-4-11 The Cajun Cornbread Boy is full of cayenne!

Then, with the help of Jennifer as Monsieur Roach, and her five roach buddies, we performed Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. They were AMAZING! Look at these roaches dead on the floor! LOLOLOL

3-4-11 Roaches dead on the floor in the story, Madame Paoulet and Monsieur Roach. HILARIOUS!

I ended the workshop with There’s a Dragon in the Library and it was wonderful showing them all the activities that went with the book such as the jumbo accordion dragon.

3-4-11 Jeanie, Mary-Carol and Jennifer stretch out their dragons in There's a Dragon in the Library!

It was an awesome day and I LOVED being in St. Louis. Thank you to the fabulous hostess with the mostest, Desiree, who took care of me all day long. Desiree, you were amazing and I love your energy and enthusiasm. Thank you and a BIG HUG to Naphtali Faris and Barbara from the State Library of Missouri. I had a phenomenal week and sooo appreciate the hospitality of the librarians across the marvelous state of Missouri.

Happy Tales to You!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Missouri Summer Reading Workshop – Cape Girardeau, Thursday, March 3, 2011

by Dianne on March 3, 2011

3-3-11 The Youth Section of the library in Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Friends:

Today was Day 4 of my 5-day Summer Reading Workshop tour in the state of Missouri. Today I was in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, south of St. Louis. The workshop was hosted by the Cape Girardeau Public Library. It is a GORGEOUS library that is only about a year and a half old. I love the Youth section of the library. The entrance is pictured above.

The workshop began with a creativity exercise. Workshop participants created a self-portrait using items from their purses. I like this one!

3-3-11 Self-portrait created by a librarian with items from her purse. Love the hair!

We began with draw and tell tales. First, was “The Emperor’s Dragon” from my Handmade Tales book. Next, we did “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps.”

3-3-11 Catching a Pest in 7 Steps from Handmade Tales

After that, I taught them how to do the story, “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat.” It’s such a fun story and easy to tie into the 2011 summer reading theme, “One World, Many Stories.”

3-3-11 Joseph Had a Little Overcoat from Handmade Tales

Then I showed the librarians lots of great storytelling techniques from around the world: scroll tales from Asia, paper nesting dolls from Russia, towel folding to accompany a story from Denmark, and a cut and tell paper called “Papa’s Teepee.”

3-3-11 Librarians create a snow blizzard from coffee filter snowflakes

Then it was on to the ever popular “Bandana Man.” They had a good time folding their bandanas into babies!

3-3-11 These librarians just LOVE their bandana babies!

Teaching string stories can be challenging, especially when there is not a lot of time for instruction but these librarians did a marvelous job with the bowl and saucer from “The Stubborn Turnip,” a story from Russia in my Handmade Tales book.

3-3-11 Ah, sweet success! Bowl and saucer string figure from the story, The Stubborn Turnip in Handmade Tales

After lunch, we moved on to Tangram Tales. I taught them how to cut a Tangram without a pattern and then challenged them to Invent-a-Tangram. Here is the winner of the contest. Congratulations, Beth!

3-3-11 Beth wins the Invent-a-Tangram contest with her Dancing Girl. Too cute!

Then the librarians created a Tangram story theater with the story, “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories.” It was adorable. They really got into their roles!

3-3-11 Performing the story, Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories from Tangram Tales

The last portion of the workshop focused on “Picture Book Make and Takes.” I showed them lots of activities that they could incorporate into their story times using my books. Look at Cajun Cornbread Boy!

3-3-11 Run, cher, run, as fast as you can. You can't catch me, I'm full of cayenne!

I loved performing Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach with them. We had a ball! Just look at these roaches partying and having a great time!

3-3-11 Monsieur Roach and his Rockin' Roach Buddies dance. While the chicken's away, the roaches will play!

They loved There’s a Dragon in the Library and all the accompanying activities. Dewey, the accordion dragon, is adorable!

3-3-11 Sarah makes the accordion dragon from There's a Dragon in the Library

It was another wonderful day in the state of Missouri. My last stop is in St. Louis, sister city to New Orleans on the Mighty Mississippi. Thank you to Sharon of the Cape Girardeau Public Library, who was the most gracious hostess ever! Loved the Cajun food at lunch time! Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Missouri Summer Reading Workshops – Jefferson City, Wednesday, March 2, 2011

by Dianne on March 2, 2011

3-2-11 Yes, Librarians truly are stars in my book!

Friends:

Today was another fabulous day in Missouri! I was in Jefferson City, the capitol of the state. My summer reading workshop was held at the library downtown and I had such a wonderful, fun, and appreciative group of librarians!

3-2-11 Taking a picture with the hosting library staff in Jefferson City, Missouri. Thank you for your hospitality!

As usual, I began the day with a creativity exercise. It’s a great way to warm up a group and serves as a fun ice breaker. They had to create a self-portrait from items in their purses. Love seeing all the inventive faces!

3-2-11 A self-portrait made by a librarian with items from her purse. Think one of those keys is to a Porsche? ;)

I opened with a couple of easy draw and tell tales. First, I did “The Emperor’s Dragon” from Handmade Tales. I just love this story and it’s so easy that every succeeds.

3-2-11 The Emperor's Dragon, a draw and tell tale from Handmade Tales

Next, I taught the librarians “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps,” also from Handmade Tales. What a cool story and I love using it to teach children to count in different languages.

3-2-11 Catching a Pest in 7 Steps, a draw and tell tale from Handmade Tales

Afterward, I showed them a scroll story, how to make paper Russian nesting dolls, how to tell the story of “The Ugly Duckling” using towel folding, and how to create a snowflake from a story that uses a white coffee filter. I LOVE making the snow blizzard!

3-2-11 Creating a blizzard from snowflakes made out of coffee filters in the story, Papa's Teepee from Handmade Tales

They had a lot of fun creating Bandana Man and we made sure that everyone learned how to fold him. :)

3-2-11 Run, run, run as fast as you can! You can't catch me, I'm Bandana Man!

Then it was on to string stories and lunch. Following lunch, we worked on Tangram Tales. After learning how to create a Tangram set without a pattern, they were challenged to “Invent a Tangram.” There were a lot of creative entries, like this dinosaur…

3-2-11 A dinosaur Tangram invented by a librarian!

But the winner of the Invent-a-Tangram contest was Jeana with her bat!

3-2-11 Jeana creates a Tangram bat and wins the Invent-a-Tangram contest!

Then it was time for… Tangram Tales Story Theater! They performed “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories.” The story chorus, led by Carolee, sang, “Feel the story beat, uh uh! Feel the story beat, uh uh uh!” Woo hoo!

3-2-11 Performing the story Tiger's Tale, Anansi's stories as a Tangram story theater

After Tangram Tales, it was time for picture book make and takes. I performed an excerpt of The Cajun Cornbread Boy and they made Cajun Cornbread Boy puppets.

3-2-11 Cajun Cornbread Boy gets extra flair with ring bling! Love it!

The day was a full day, ending with activities from my new children’s picture book, There’s a Dragon in the Library.

3-2-11 There are dragons in the library!

I left Jefferson City feeling loved. These librarians sure do know how to make an author feel welcome! Thank you so much. And yes, Aletha, you CAN do crafts AND tell stories! Thank you for not running away! LOL

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Missouri Summer Reading Workshops – Springfield, Tuesday, March 1, 2011

by Dianne on March 1, 2011

3-1-11 Librarians are stars!

Friends:

Today is the first day I am blogging about my Missouri summer reading workshops because I lost my blogging camera yesterday! Talk about bad luck… I almost didn’t make it to Kansas City due to weather diverting my flight to Des Moines, Iowa. Then it was losing the camera… BUT today was a great day! I bought a new camera and here we go!

My first workshop was in Carrollton, Missouri and I had an awesome time with the workshop participants there. Today, I was in Springfield, Missouri with nearly 50 librarians at The Library Center.

3-1-11 Librarians do Joseph Had a Little Overcoat cut and tell story from Handmade Tales

We began the workshop with a creativity exercise in which the participants had to create a self-portrait from items in their purses, wallets or pockets. Here’s the one I liked!

3-1-11 Springfield, MO Summer Reading Workshop participant creates a self-portrait from items in her purse

Then it was time for some stories! We began with draw and tell tales. First, I did “The Emperor’s Dragon” from my book, Handmade Tales. What was really awesome is that through a grant, the State Library of Missouri gave every workshop participant a copy of my Handmade Tales book! Lucky Librarians! Next, we did the draw and tell story of “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps,” a fun story that uses the numbers 1 through 7 to create the picture in the tale.

3-1-11 Catching a Pest in 7 Steps story from Handmade Tales

Then I showed them “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat” and I had so much fun showing them how to “blow” into a handkerchief.

3-1-11 Mallory Has a Little Overcoat. Hahahaha

Then I showed them towel folding, how to create folded paper Russian nesting dolls, how to create a scroll story, and how to use a fortune teller in a fun, educational way. They even learned how to create a coffee filter snowflake in the story, “Papa’s Teepee.”

3-1-11 Creating a snow blizzard with coffee filter snowflakes from the story, Papa's Teepee

Then they learned how to make “Bandana Man” from my Handmade Tales book. Boy, did we have fun with Bandana Man!

3-1-11 Bandana Men in the Air!

They learned a string story, how to create a star with string, how to create a one-snip star, and even how to create a six page book out of a single sheet of paper. After lunch, it was on to Tangram Tales. First, they learned how to create a Tangram set without a pattern. Then I held an Invent-A-Tangram Contest. I loved this one… It goes with my book, There’s a Dragon in the Library.

3-1-11 Roxanne invents a dragon Tangram!

But Mallory ended up the winner with her “Man Reading a Book” Tangram. Talk about awesome!!

3-1-11 Mallory wins the Invent-A-Tangram contest for Man Reading a Book

Next, all the librarians in the room worked together to create a fun Tangram Tales story theater, “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories.”

3-1-11 Librarians perform the Tangram story theater, Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories

Several of the librarians helped me perform a rousing rendition of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. Woo hoo!!

We ended the day with “Picture Book Make and Takes,” creating all kinds of activities to accompany my picture books. We ended appropriately with There’s a Dragon in the Library, my picture book illustrated by Marita Gentry.

3-1-11 A librarian creates the accordion dragon from There's a Dragon in the Library

It was such a fun day and I had a blast with the librarians in the Springfield-Greene County district in lovely Missouri! Thank you so much!! A heartfelt thank you to Naphtali Faris, the Youth Services Consultant for Missouri State Library for coordinating such wonderful workshops. Thank you also to Charla, who helped so much.

I look forward to my workshop in Jefferson City, Missouri tomorrow!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Book Launch Party! There’s a Dragon in the Library, Barnes & Noble Citiplace in Baton Rouge – Friday, February 18, 2011

by Dianne on February 20, 2011

2-18-11 Dianne de Las Casas, Dewey the Dragon & Marita Gentry sign books

Friends:

This past Friday, Marita Gentry and I launched our new book, There’s a Dragon in the Library in Baton Rouge at Barnes & Noble Citiplace. We had a HUGE crowd with lots of fans and friends there! We began the evening dedicating a copy of the book to a very special boy, Brayden, Marita’s grand-nephew, who was the inspiration for the paintings of Max, the main character in the story. He was so cute!

2-18-11 Dedicating a book to Brayden, Marita Gentry's great-nephew and inspiration for the character of Max at the Baton Rouge launch of There's a Dragon in the Library

Marita began her illustration as I told the story with the help from kids in the audience. She started by drawing the head of Dewey the Dragon.

2-18-11 Illustrator Marita Gentry begins her live illustration by drawing the dragon's head

It was tons of fun having the kids participate in the story. I absolutely love the interaction with my audiences!

2-18-11 Dianne with Dewey the Dragon from There's a Dragon in the Library

Marita’s illustrations are always amazing but this time she did a live illustration in FULL color! So loving this dragon!

2-18-11 Marita Gentry's finished dragon in full color! WOW!

After the story, all the kids who participate in the story on stage came up to take their big final bow.

2-18-11 The whole cast of There's a Dragon in the Library at Barnes & Noble Citiplace

Afterward, we had a scavenger hunt and gave away tons of prizes: book bags, a reading pillow and Marita’s illustration.

2-18-11 There's a Dragon in the Library Prize Winners (Photo by Dianne de Las Casas via iPhone)

Abby Hannie, the CRM of Barnes & Noble Citiplace is amazing. She had dragon face painting for the kids and even had little wings for them! Soooo cute!

2-18-11 Dragon Face Painting at the Barnes & Noble Citiplace book launch of There's a Dragon in the Library (Photo by Dianne de Las Casas via iPhone)

Even the staff got into the spirit of things! Thank you so much, Nick! You rock!!

2-18-11 Nick, a Barnes & Noble Citiplace staff member, gets into the spirit of There's a Dragon in the Library w his dragon face! (photo by Dianne de Las Casas via iPhone)

We also had the kids create paper bag dragon puppets and they came out soooo cute!

2-18-11 A fan makes a paper bag dragon puppet. Smokin' hot fun! (Photo by Dianne de Las Casas via iPhone)

Kid Chef Eliana got to sign books too! Yay!

2-18-11 Eliana with her book, Eliana Cooks! Recipes for Creative Kids

We had an awesome time and everyone had so much fun! Barnes & Noble Citiplace is so wonderful. Thank you so much, Abbie! I also want to thank a very special person. Alyson G., a longtime fan and friend, took all the pictures unless otherwise noted. I forgot my camera and Aly came to the rescue! Woo hoo, Aly!!

2-18-11 Alyson Guidry, our event photographer, with her baby dragon!

Thank you to everyone who came out to support me and Marita as we launched our fourth book together, There’s a Dragon in the Library! We <3 you!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Terror on the Teche Storytelling, New Iberia, LA – Saturday, October 23, 2010

by Dianne on October 26, 2010

10-23-10 Dianne is feeling very Witchy...

Friends:

On Saturday night, it was on to New Iberia, where I was the featured entertainment at Terror-on-the-Teche, an annual Halloween event sponsored by the Iberia Parish Library and Shadows-on-the-Teche. I love the atmosphere of the place. It’s on the grounds of the haunted mansion, under towering oaks draped with Spanish moss. There is a genuine cemetery when you enter the gates!! Families come and sit on benches or blankets on the grass. It’s a spooktacular site for scary stories! I love how everyone comes dressed in costume. Such spirit! (Or is it spirits?!!)

10-23-10 What a cute crowd at Shadows-on-the-Teche!

I told my new children’s book, The Gigantic Sweet Potato, “We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt,” “The Strange Visitor,” “Who Took My Money?,” “The Headless Priest: A True Ghost Story,” and closed with “A Dark, Dark Night.” I enjoyed every minute and the time flew by so quickly! My daughter, Eliana, and her longtime family friend, Rebecca, enjoyed themselves immensely.

10-23-10 Dianne poses with fans. Eliana and Rebecca are in the back.

Gail Garcia and Kristie Rose are two spectacular ladies. Gail, you are FANTASTIC and soooo cute! LOVED your Dorothy from Wizard of Oz costume! I can’t believe your mother made that for you! Thank you for inviting me again! Kristie, thank you for your vivacious attitude and gracious spirit!

10-23-10 Kristie Rose, Dianne de Las Casas and Gail Garcia. Iberia Parish Library rocks!

After our spooks and spectres in the Shadows, we went to Duffy’s Diner with Gail. It has become our tradition when we are in New Iberia. It’s an honest-to-goodness 50s diner and all the wait staff dresses in poodle skirts. There is a juke box, a radio flyer red wagon, and even Elvis and Marilyn!

10-23-10 Elvisana, thank you. Thank you very much.

Here’s Rebecca…

10-23-10 Is that Rebecca with Devilish Elvis and Angelic Marilyn?

Check out this delicious looking shake!!

10-23-10 Rebecca's Pink Cadillac float!

The next day, when I was checking out of our hotel, I saw that I made the front page!! How cool is that?!

10-24-10 Haunting Storytelling article in The Daily Iberian, New Iberia, Louisiana

Then I discovered that Eliana and Rebecca made it in the paper too!!

10-23-10 Haunting Storytelling article cont'd in The Daily Iberian, New Iberia, LA

What a great way to end our visit to New Iberia!! If you want to read the article in its entirety, here it is… http://www.iberianet.com/articles/2010/10/24/news/doc4cc3b0b81eaef686126386.txt

Until next time… BOO!

Warmly, Dianne

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Mama’s Bayou Book Signing at Barnes & Noble Perkins Road in Baton Rouge – Saturday, July 10, 2010

by Dianne on July 14, 2010

7-10-10 Dianne de Las Casas & Holly Stone-Barker perform Mama's Bayou at Barnes & Noble in Baton Rouge on Perkins Road

Friends:

This past Saturday, Holly Stone-Barker and I signed copies of our book, Mama’s Bayou at the new Barnes & Noble store on Perkins Road in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I performed the story with the help of the kids. The children placed the magnets on our giant story time magnet board, which replicates a page in our book.

7-10-10 The children place the animals on the Mama's Bayou story time magnet board

Then after the performance, Holly demonstrated her cut paper and collage art, creating a dragonfly. We gave the dragonflies away to the audience, along with a goody bag. Then we headed to the front of the store to sign books. Carron Fillingim, the Community Relations Manger, was so sweet and fun. I look forward to working with her again!

7-10-10 Holly demonstrates a cut paper and collage dragonfly

More book signings are coming up this Fall. The Gigantic Sweet Potato illustrated by Marita Gentry is coming in September!

Keep checking my schedule and join my Facebook Fan Page for updates. http://www.facebook.com/fanofdianne

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Aloha Tales Summer Reading Program, LaSalle Parish Libraries – July 9, 2010

by Dianne on July 14, 2010

7-9-10 Eliana and Dianne dance The Little Brown Girl at the Olla Cultural Center

Friends:

Eliana and I ended our summer tour in Lasalle Parish, another of our favorite library systems. We go there every year. Andrea Book and Donna Estis have become close friends. I adore those women! Our first show was at the Olla Cultural Center. It’s a great space because it’s made for performances and it has space to accommodate a small crowd. Of course, we had a ton of fun!

7-9-10 Audience members learn to use poi balls at the Olla Cultural Center

Our last show was at the main library in Jena, Louisiana. It was great to see fans who come to our show every year. We love coming to Lasalle Parish! Besides the great people, we also love shopping at the Caboose!

7-9-10 Everyone dances the Hukilau in the show's finale, Lasalle Parish Library in Jena, Louisiana

It was another great summer in Louisiana Libraries! Eliana and I say “Mahalo!” (Thank you) and “Aloha!” (Farewell).

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Aloha Tales Summer Reading Program, Iberville Parish Libraries – July 7-8, 2010

by Dianne on July 14, 2010

7-7-10 Audience members are Three Strong Brothers in the story, Maui Tames the Sun

Friends:

Eliana and I had a blast touring in Iberville Parish Libraries, one of our favorite library systems. Everyone there is so sweet! Our first show was at the main library in Plaquemine, Louisiana. We had a lot of kids from Kid Camp at our show and they really enjoyed the Hula! Thank you so much to Danny and Anne for inviting us back to the library every year!

7-7-10 Eliana dances Tahitian at the main library in Plaquemine

Our second show was at the branch library in White Castle, Louisiana, home of Nottoway Plantation.

7-7-10 Dianne demonstrate puilis at White Castle Branch Library

We had a nice crowd and the kids were great participants in the show. Kitty Wood, the branch manager, is always so welcoming.

7-7-10 The audience learns to dance The Hukilau at White Castle Branch Library

On our second day in Iberville Parish, we went to the East Iberville Branch Library in St. Gabriel. Eliana and I missed the ferry by 1 minute and had to wait a half hour to cross the river. Fortunately, we arrived on time and set up just in time to welcome a huge group of day camp kids.

7-8-10 East Iberville Library is packed with kids! Yay!

They enjoyed participating in the show and had a great time.

7-8-10 East Iberville Library is packed with kids! Yay!

Our last show was in Grosse Tete/Rosedale at the Lion’s Club. We had a cozy crowd who really got into the show, especially when Eliana danced her fast-moving Tahitian!

7-8-10 Eliana dances Tahitian at the Grosse Tete-Rosedale Lion Club

What a fantastic time in Iberville Parish! We can’t wait to return next year! Special thanks to Danny, Anne, Kitty, Lydia, and Brenda for your hospitality. You rock!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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