What's on at the Library - August 2019

There is so much on at your library in August including the inaugural Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival, Poetry Slam – Blue Mountains Heats, Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival Kids’ Events, BIG Book Sale at Blaxland Library and From Apollo 11 to Thunderstruck: A Talk at Katoomba Library.

Don’t miss the inaugural Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival  There are still limited tickets available for the first Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival in Katoomba Thursday to Sunday 22-25 August. The event is a book-lover’s dream, with renowned writers from all over the country in the Mountains to talk about reading and writing, as well as workshops, panels, and book launches. Writers include Markus Zusak, Melina Marchetta, twice Miles Franklin winner Michelle de Kretser, Tim Flannery, Benjamin Law, Chris Hammer, and many more. The Festival will be held across several venues, including Varuna house, the iconic Carrington Hotel, the Cultural Centre, Katoomba library, and cafes and galleries. For the full program and tickets visit: bluemountainswritersfestival.com.au Or if you would like to volunteer for festival contact [email protected] or phone 47825674.

Poetry Slam – Blue Mountains Heats, Katoomba Library, Thursday 22 August, Performance commences 7pm It’s Slam time again. Join Katoomba Library for the Blue Mountains Heats of the 2019 Australian Poetry Slam MCd by the talented Emily Crocker, an act not-to-be-missed. Where poetry meets performance and is fabulous entertainment for all, you can perform or simply sit back and watch the show. Performing poets are given a microphone, a live audience and just two minutes to capture the crowd with their own original work. Join Katoomba Library for a night of unpredictable fun. Sign up to perform from 6.30pm (first 20 signups only will perform). Show starts at 7.00pm. FREE no bookings required.

Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival Kids’ Events at Katoomba Library, Saturday 24 August (SOLD OUT) Kids, join in with some great entertainment of the bookish kind as part of the inaugural Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival. At 2pm laugh out loud with Oliver Phommavanh, the author of Don’t Follow Vee, Natural Born Loser, Thai-riffic!, Con-nerd, The Other Christy and more (a FREE ticketed event). Later, at 5.15pm, join the Bananas in Pyjamas Pyjama Party! Come in PJs and enjoy stories, games, craft, music and an opportunity to meet the Bananas! 

BIG Book Sale at Blaxland Library, Saturday 31 Aug, 9am to 4pm A BIG sale of books of all sizes plus DVDs, CDs and magazines! EFTPOS available. Special Offer! If you're running a Little Free Street Library and need supplies then we're here to help. Just bring in a photo of your Library and we'll give you a free box of books (staff will discuss your needs and select for you).

From Apollo 11 to Thunderstruck: A Talk at Katoomba Library, Saturday Aug 31st, 2pm to 3.30pm Hear the riveting story of how one Australian 17 year old accidentally found himself playing a small yet crucial role in the Apollo 11 landing at the Sea of Tranquillity 50 years ago in July 1969. Robert Brand is still connected with Apollo 11’s key players, including Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, and will give us first-hand insight into the mission and its astronauts as well as what lies in store for space exploration and his own business (ThunderStruck) as a space entrepreneur. Tickets to this event are FREE but bookings are essential. Book by calling or visiting any Library branch or online here.