The Jumping Frog comes to Nashville Library

The Celebrated Frog of Calaveras County is the newest marionnette show at the Nashville Public Library.

Nashville Public Main Library

Children's Theatre

Friday & Saturdays

April 9 - May 22

9:30, 10:30, 11:30 am

FREE ADMISSION

This is a really funny show, based on Mark Twain's story of the same name. Children and adults will enjoy

Go here for a peek at the behind the scenes for this production.

Llama Llama Red Pajama at Nashville Library Thursday

A favorite book of my family's is being brought to life by the Dolly's Imagination Playhouse, featuring the Peguin Players from Dollywood.

The Production will be at the Nashville Main Library

Main floor Auditorium

Thursday, April 8

9:30 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am

Approximately 25 minutes long

It sounds like a great show

And it's FREE!

The Frog Prince debuts at Nashville Public Library

If you've never been to a marionnette show at the Nashville Public Library, I highly recommend it. It's not an average puppet show. It is professionally produced with lighting, special effects and sound and it has it's own theatre! My daughter loves them and is never disappointed. We are excited about the newest production starting this week. And did I mention it's FREE? That's the best part!

The Frog Prince
Fridays & Saturdays
January 22 - March 6
9:30 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am
Location: Children's Theater, Downtown Library
Running time: 35 minutes

*Please note: There will be no shows on Saturdays February 20 and February 27

Nashville Public Library New Puppet Show

The Nashville Public Library has a new puppet show called A Child's Calendar.
It is John Updike’s collection of poems for children that is transformed into a delightful musical puppet show that takes you through the seasons month by month.

Show times are Friday & Saturdays

10:30am & 11:30am

Run time is approximatly 25 minutes long

Runs through December 19, 2009

Children's Theatre at the Downtown Library

Nashville Public Library: Food for Fines is Back!

Food for Fines at the Nashville Public Library is back! And we all have an opportunity to help a hungry person in need while also making good on our library accounts.

Here is the deal:
For every 1 dollar that you owe in fines, you can bring in a can good or other acceptable food item (see list).

This program is running Monday, November 9 through Tuesday, November 24.

The acceptable food items are:
canned goods
boxed goods
bagged goods
Jar goods (NO GLASS JARS WILL BE ACCEPTED)

Food items will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank in Nashville.

They are particularly in need of:
Peanut Butter
Canned meats (tuna, beef stew)
Canned veggies and fruit
Mac and cheese
Rice and Pasta

Go here for more details.

Ferdinand the Bull at Nashville Public Library

One of my favorite childhood stories will be coming alive in the Nashville Ballet's newest children's program.

Based on The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, you will find yourself charmed by a lovable bull that would much rather sit and smell the flowers of the field than fight and fuss like all the others.

Nashville Public Library (Main Library-Downtown)

Saturday, September 26

10:30 & 11:30 am

Main auditorium on 1st floor

Cost: FREE!

Based upon my previous experiences with this productions, you should probably plan to get there 10 -15 minutes early to ensure a good seat (or a seat at all). But it's worth the trouble!

Used Book Sale at Edmondson Pike Library

The Edmondson Pike Libary will be holding a used book sale this weekend.

Saturday, Sept 19 10am - 3pm

Sunday, Sept 20 2 pm - 4:30pm

5501 Edmondson Pike

Nashville, TN 37211

615.880.3957

map it

Cinderella at Nashville Public Library

At long last, Wishing Chair Productions presents Cinderella! The brand new telling, filled with original music and magical surprises, features some of Tom Tichenor’s most beautiful puppets.
Presented in the Children’s Theater. Approximately 35 minutes long

Now through September 19

Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Times: 9:30a, 10:30 & 11:30am

Note: It's been my experience that with popular shows such as this, you should plan to get there 5 - 10 minutes early as the theatre is a first come first seat. The 9:30 show is the least crowded.

So Long Amazon, Netflix, Blockbuster!

On my journey to cut costs and become more frugal we have made drastic cuts in our entertainment budget. I've always felt we were pretty modest in our entertainment expenses (choosing usually to rent movies verses seeing them in the theatre, buying used books and music on amazon and other sites, going to local community theatre instead of the big broadway productions) But we had to really take a look at what we were spending in this area if we were going to achieve our ultimate goal of becoming debt free.

That's when I started using our local library to the fullest extent. Nashville has a GREAT library system. The main library is in a huge beautiful building downtown where they offer many programs including live puppet shows that my daughter loves. Then they have many neighborhood libraries thoughout nashville.



Our library system always has the latest books, dvd, cds, etc. You can request and put on hold up to 10 items per card. We have 2, so I usually keep 20 items on request at a time. As soon as items come in and I pick them up, I usually go online and request more. Sometimes, depending upon the popularity of the item, it may take a few weeks to get the item.
Books can be checked out for 3 weeks and DVD/VHS can be checked out for 1 week.

In addition to about 20 books for E, this week we are enjoying the following DVDs






For E

The Backyardigans (2 DVDs)
The Wonderpets
The Swan Princess


For Me and Hubs:

The Tudors - disc 2
Don't Mess with Zohan
The Secret Life of Bees
Fireproof
We also rent music CDs on a regular basis.

I estimate that we've already saved $250 this year by not paying DVD rental fees, or Netflix dues, buying new (or used) books and CDs. It's been a great alternative for entertainment expenses.

Now, if you are a movie buff or music lover who must see the latest movie out or have the latest CD released, this may not be the best plan for you. But, if you don't mind waiting for a while to read the hottest novel out, see a movie or hear the latest CD, this could be a great money saver.

Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves

The latest puppet show at the Nashville Public Library is:

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
Fridays & Saturdays April 17 - May 9 10:30 & 11:30 AM

Children's Theatre

40 Minutes

Open to all ages

“Open Sesame!” Enter the magical Cave of Wonders and behold Wishing Chair Productions' colorful adaptation from the Tales of the Arabian Nights. Classic storytelling with a cast of exotic marionettes, clever sets and props, and exciting original music are sure to enchant the entire family.

My daughter always loves these shows. They are a great activity for a cold or rainy day. And, best of all.... they're free!!

New show at the library

Nashville Public Library has a new puppet show. Anansi the Spider is a show based on an African folk tale. There will be presentations every Friday and Saturday through March 14.

Go here for more info about the Library puppet shows.

These are great little free outings for the preschool and young school aged children. Also, remember to bring in your parking garage ticket to be stamped in the front lobby and the first hour is free. After the first hour it’s .75 cents. The best parking deal I know of in downtown Nashville!

Free children's shows at the Nashville library

The Main Library (downtown) presents live Children’s shows for free. Most of these shows are puppet shows. We attended our first show today. “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” was a combination show of live actors,marionettes and shadow puppets. It lasted 30 minutes, which I think was the perfect amount of time for preschoolers, and it really held the attention of the packed audience of parents and their little kids.

Go here for all the events at the Nashville Public Libraries including dates and times for upcoming children’s shows

Food for Fines at Nashville public libraries

From January 12 thru January 22, you can donate cans of food to forgive your fines at the Library.

One can of food = $1.00 in fines. Go here for all the details and list of foods accepted.

I personally am thrilled. I had been hoping they would do this again. I have $12.50 in fines right now due to an unreturned DVD - they charge $2.00 for everyday DVD’s are late-. Since, I never pay more than a $1 for a can of food, I will come out ahead. And, I will be doing something good for the Second Harvest Food Bank, where all the food will be donated.