Even though it is supposed to be a place of quiet, the Escalon branch library was pretty noisy on Thursday.
A capacity crowd - primarily youngsters - bent the rules by applauding loudly and laughing even louder at some of the antics of magician Brian Scott, who kicked off the Summer Reading Program with a wildly entertaining show.
From turning a ripped up white dinner napkin into a colorful snakelike prop to surprising a young helper by having him help levitate a book, the roughly 45-minute show kept the crowd riveted.
Scott wove a steady stream of chatter into the show, making jokes that sometimes were aimed more at the adults in the audience but still appropriate for youngsters. He also told the kids that he learned his craft by years of study, starting in the library, where he checked out books about magic. His show, 'Access to Oddities' was the first in several weekly shows planned as part of the library's summer program and the Ekholm Room was filled for the Thursday afternoon show.
Several youngsters were able to help out by volunteering to take part in some of the magic tricks and Scott stayed after to chat with anyone interested in learning more about the craft and how to get started.
Upcoming programs are scheduled to include Rebecca Nile, the Bubble Lady, on Thursday, June 21 at 2:30 p.m. and the Puppet Art Theater on Wednesday, June 27 at 2:30 p.m.
The Bubble Lady, according to information provided by the library, "fascinates audiences" with her bubbles, utilizing big bubbles, little bubbles, spider bubbles and space blobs, with creative stories woven throughout the show.
Puppet Art Theater will present "Tommy's Space Adventures" in which Tommy meets alien Zeenon and tries to save him from an evil scientist.
In July, look for Python Ron's Reptile Kingdom, a popular annual show slated for Thursday, July 12 at 2:30 p.m., with plenty of exotic reptiles, spiders, and insects due at the library.
All the summer programs are free, sponsored by Friends of the Escalon Library.
The library is at 1540 Second St., Escalon.
A capacity crowd - primarily youngsters - bent the rules by applauding loudly and laughing even louder at some of the antics of magician Brian Scott, who kicked off the Summer Reading Program with a wildly entertaining show.
From turning a ripped up white dinner napkin into a colorful snakelike prop to surprising a young helper by having him help levitate a book, the roughly 45-minute show kept the crowd riveted.
Scott wove a steady stream of chatter into the show, making jokes that sometimes were aimed more at the adults in the audience but still appropriate for youngsters. He also told the kids that he learned his craft by years of study, starting in the library, where he checked out books about magic. His show, 'Access to Oddities' was the first in several weekly shows planned as part of the library's summer program and the Ekholm Room was filled for the Thursday afternoon show.
Several youngsters were able to help out by volunteering to take part in some of the magic tricks and Scott stayed after to chat with anyone interested in learning more about the craft and how to get started.
Upcoming programs are scheduled to include Rebecca Nile, the Bubble Lady, on Thursday, June 21 at 2:30 p.m. and the Puppet Art Theater on Wednesday, June 27 at 2:30 p.m.
The Bubble Lady, according to information provided by the library, "fascinates audiences" with her bubbles, utilizing big bubbles, little bubbles, spider bubbles and space blobs, with creative stories woven throughout the show.
Puppet Art Theater will present "Tommy's Space Adventures" in which Tommy meets alien Zeenon and tries to save him from an evil scientist.
In July, look for Python Ron's Reptile Kingdom, a popular annual show slated for Thursday, July 12 at 2:30 p.m., with plenty of exotic reptiles, spiders, and insects due at the library.
All the summer programs are free, sponsored by Friends of the Escalon Library.
The library is at 1540 Second St., Escalon.
