Holiday Mountain Dulcimer Concerts
The public is invited to listen to the sweet songs of the mountain dulcimer during two holiday concert performances. Learn a little bit about the history of the mountain dulcimer and the local 11th Street Mountain Dulcimer group that practices at the Bay County Public Library. The holiday concert includes well-known favorites and some traditional British Folk Christmas Carols that might be new to you!
The performances will take place at the following locations and times:
• Panama City Beach Library (12500 Hutchison Blvd, Panama City Beach) Wednesday, December 13 at 10 a.m. CST
• Bay County Public Library (898 W. 11th St., Panama City) Friday, December 15 at 2 p.m. CST
Mountain dulcimers are available in the Northwest Regional Library System Collection for checkout if you are interested in seeing if you’d like to take up the instrument. Library cards are free to Bay, Gulf and Liberty County residents. If not a resident, a library card is $20 for a year!
Holiday Book Launch with Author Michael Lister
The Bay County Public Library is hosting an author event with Michael Lister on Wednesday, December 13 at 5:30 p.m. in the Bay County Public Library Meeting Room. The program is free to attend and open to the public.
Learn all about Michael Lister’s newest John Jordan mystery, A Rush of Blood (Release Date: December 19) and his writing process. Michael Lister will have a variety of his books available for purchase and book signing, perfect for the holiday season. There will also be live music performed by Michael Lister and Lucky Mud. In addition, Santa will be in attendance and Michael Lister will give away books as part of his annual holiday book giveaway.
New York Times bestselling and award-winning novelist Michael Lister is a native Floridian best known for his acclaimed John Jordan “Blood” mystery thriller series. Captivated by story since childhood, Michael has a love for language and narrative inspired by the Southern storytelling tradition. A Rush of Blood is Book 30 in the John Jordan series. Ten years ago, a second grader disappeared from his school’s fall festival. The Sheriff’s office is finally ready to make an arrest when another child vanishes. John Jordan must race the clock to solve the case or be responsible for the death of not one, but two children.
The Bay County Public Library is located at 898 W. 11th Street, Panama City. For more information about the Bay County Writers Fest or other library programming, call (850) 522-2100 or visit www.nwrls.com.
Sean Gaskell Brings the West African Kora to the Library this January
Listen and learn about a beautiful instrument, the West African Kora. Sean Gaskell will share the history of this instrument and his experiences learning his craft.
The performances will take place at the following locations and times:
• Panama City Beach Library (12500 Hutchison Blvd, Panama City Beach) Wednesday, 1/10/2024 at 10 a.m. CST
• Bay County Public Library (898 W. 11th St., Panama City) Wednesday, 1/10/2024 at 3 p.m. CST
Sean Gaskell features songs on the kora, a 21-stringed West African harp. As a student of the instrument, he studied under the instruction of two musicians at their home in Brikama, Gambia, over multiple extensive visits. The kora is traditionally played by oral historians known as Griots. Many songs featured on the kora preserve an 800-year history dating back to the founding of the Mande empire. Gaskell has presented adult, youth and family programs at over 350 libraries and a multitude of k-12 schools, colleges, universities and assisted living facilities throughout the United States and Canada.
Website www.seangaskell.com.
