Staff Writer
MONSON - Libraries are known for being a quiet place to visit, but on Dec. 28, children at the Monson Free Library were able to sing and dance the afternoon away as award-winning minstrel Mary Jo Maichack, of Holyoke, performed Sun, Moon, Stars, Shine!"
There are many different holidays celebrated during the winter season such as Kwanzaa and Winter Solstice, which many children may not know much about, and it is for this reason Maichack has put together her program. Using ancient cultural stories, Maichack told children about the celebration of the gift of light.
Among some of the stories and songs Maichack performed were a Tlingit (Native American) tale of Raven's Gift of Light, a Vietnamese called "Why the Rooster Crows at Sunrise," and "Sun, Moon, Stars, Shine!," an original song by Maichack.
Monson Free Library Youth Services Librarian Frances Rourke said maichack's program is fun and interactive.
"She's a dynamic storyteller and singer," said Rourke. "She adapts her program to the audience (and) there's a lot of audience participation."
Rourke has seen Maichack's performance before and said children of all ages enjoy the show.
"I try to get kids to participate in different ways," said Maichack. "There are stories all over the world (and) this is the perfect time of year to do it. Light is a metaphor that runs through a lot of faiths. I'm really interested in ways people can appreciate each other."
Maichack said older listeners appreciate the subtleties amongst the story characters while the younger children are often engaged with the story lines.
Maichack has been involved with storytelling and folklore for 11 years and has traveled throughout schools and libraries in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Born and raised in Pittsfield, Mass, Maichack always carried with her the love for music and storytelling.
Maichack said she enjoys storytelling because audience reactions allow her to make changes and ad lib as she goes along."
"It's not a movie, it's not television," said Maichack. "It's a live performance. When a story is new, I learn it by heart and tell it in my own words as if it happened to myself just two days ago."
Maichack is a 1999 winner of the National Association of Parenting Publications Gold Award for her audiotape "Books are Celebrations."
"She's extremely vivacious and talented," said Rourke. "She introduces (new) kinds of celebrations to those who primarily know about the Christian or Judaic celebrations. I'm very impressed with performance; she's a true professional."
Learn more about Mary Jo Maichack and her shows at her web site www.MaryJoMaichack.com.
Turley Publications photo by CARLA SAMSON
(From left) Playing the parts of "duck" and "bluebird" respectively, Abbey Burson, 5, and Daniel Lee, 6, both of Monson, show off their acting skills at the Monson Free Library Dec. 28. Burson and Lee volunteered to be live story characters in a performance by award-winning minstrel Mary Jo Maichack.