Myra and Gabe Gleason, the dynamic duo who have expanded their talents from traveling troubadours to owners of Fillmore Coffeehouse & Plant Cafe, will entertain for a spring tea and musicale Tuesday at the Iola Public Library.
The occasion is the Friends of Iola Public Library’s annual meeting and membership drive. Entertainment will follow a brief business meeting at 6 p.m. in the library’s meeting room; non-members may join at the door for a $5 fee.
The couple performs catchy, feel-good pop music that has led to TV appearances on “All American,” “The Good Doctor” and more, including networks such as MTV, Showtime and HBO.
Friends of the Library raises funds to help support ongoing programs, such as summer reading, purchases special items such as computer tables or prizes for kids participating in 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, and adds to the library endowment fund.
Continuing the celebration of National Poetry Month, “Poetry Live,” a program for teens and tweens is set for 6 p.m. Friday, April 21, and features performances by Iola High School students Demarco Ross, Shaun McLaughlin and Cyrus Cox. The forensics students of Regina Chriestenson will interpret pieces they took to contests this spring.
Ross and McLaughlin, both sophomores, qualified for state in oral interpretation of poetry.
Ross will perform “Who Gives a Black Man Permission to Feel?” by Preston Perry. McLaughlin will do a Dan O’Neil poem, “This Is Not Glandular.”
Cox, also a sophomore, placed fifth in Pioneer League Forensics and will perform “A Collection on Suicide” by Patrick Roche and Jared Singer.
Preceding the short performances, Jen Tarter, will demonstrate how to do blackout poetry. Snacks will be provided.
On Saturday, April 22, at 2 p.m. Tarter will host Extra Stitches, a crochet class for patrons unable to attend her regular weekly classes at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22.
“A number of patrons have indicated they would like to come, but don’t drive at night,” Tarter said. “This is for them.”
Tarter’s regular classes are at 6:30 p.m. Mondays.
Additional recurring programs are Chess Club at 6 p.m. Monday, and Library Littles Storytime, with Lesa Cole at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
