Main Street News

It’s an eclectic month of April at the Stanford Free Library. Let’s take a look at a couple programs, one ongoing and another one-timer.

For those interested in such things as disease prevention, improving physical and mental health, and creating a sense of balance, the answer to your quest could very well receive a kickstart with Qi Gong with Therese, scheduled to meet Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Other potential benefits to practicing Qi Gong, Therese patiently explained, include strengthening will power, making your body and mind more supple, and helping acquire peace and happiness.

Its common principle is balance, relaxation, healthy breathing and good posture.

But what exactly is Qi Gong, or life energy work? “It originated in China about 7000 years ago,” wrote Therese via email. “During its primitive era it was practiced by Shaman priests. It is based on the philosophical tradition of Confucianism, Taoism, traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts.”

“What is Qi? Qi is life energy — it is the animate power that permeates the Universe and all living things. It is an invisible subtle force, the basis for traditional Chinese medicine. Gong is often translated as cultivation or work.”

“Qi Gong,” she continued, “is a healing art, a way to cultivate physical, emotions, and spiritual health. To bring balance into one’s life. The benefits are acquired through perseverance in practice. We may have good days and bad days, [but] when we practice Qi Gong regularly, every day can be a good day. Qi Gong is working with life energy, within yourself and within your environment. It is learning how to control the flow and distribution on energy to improve health and create harmony within body and mind.”

Bottom line, noted Therese, Qi Gong is a healing art, a way to cultivate physical, emotions, and spiritual health to bring balance into one’s life. “The world may not be peaceful, but we learn the ability to create peace within. The practice includes postures, movements, self-massage, breathing technics and meditation. Anyone can practice Qi Gong at any age and for every physical conditions.”

If you are of a more classic vintage, or even if you’re not, on Friday, April 17, at 7 p.m., comes Setting the Record Straight: The Music and Careers of Recording Artists from the 1950s and 1960s, hosted by Anthony Musso.

This program, presented by the Stanford Historical Society, is based on Musso’s personal interviews with 100 solo artists and founding vocal group members. He plans to share artists’ stories about their music and careers, while simultaneously dispelling accounts and myth that have carried through the years. The ‘50s and ‘60s were a turbulent time in the music industry, a time when record companies, managers, and other industry leaders funneled royalty payments intended for artists into their bank accounts.

Registration is required and can be accomplished on the library website.

Last but not least, Free Beginner Forró Dance Classes are planned for April 3, 10, 24 and May 1. According to nextstopbrazil.com, Forró is a popular music genre and dance style from the northeastern region of Brazil. Known for its infectious syncopated rhythms, accordion-driven melodies, and deep cultural ties to rural Brazilian traditions.

Registration is also required on the library website.

Pine Plains Free Library

Who at times couldn’t use a hand with making your new phone, tablet, or laptop behave in the manner you expected when you forked over your hard-earned cash? Or, how to deploy the new features that suddenly seem to have emerged on that new device?

For that, the Pine Plains Free Library offers Tech Time with Alex, on Mondays from noon to 3 p.m. and Tech Time with Annie on Fridays from noon to 6 p.m. The two programs are open to all, although availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.

On Wednesdays from 6:30-7 p.m., the library offers a free introduction to Argentine tango with the Free Beginner Tango Class. No previous experience is needed and no partner is necessary. All are welcome.

This class will be taught by Ellen Chrystal and assisted by Sebastian Serrano and Audrey Jurukta.