Al Bernard conjures a magical atmosphere at Kentville's Centre Square (photo: Fred Sgambati)

Magician Al Bernard was the penultimate act Sept. 4 in The Friends of the Kentville Public Library Society’s Summer Concert Series. He took charge of Centre Square in downtown Kentville and kept the audience guessing all night with his superb sleight-of-hand and showmanship skills. Bernard told the crowd he had done over 10,000 magic shows in his career and he commended the Friends’ group for its efforts to site and build a new library in the town.

Magician Al Bernard at Kentville's Centre Square (photo: Fred Sgambati)

Magician Al Bernard at Kentville's Centre Square (photo: Fred Sgambati)

Enjoy Al Bernard's timeless magic at Kentville's Centre Square this Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 PM.

This Friday’s Friends of the Kentville Public Library Summer Concert Series performer is magician Al Bernard, who will present a family-friendly show from 7-8 p.m. at Centre Square in Kentville. There is no admission and everyone is welcome.

Come on out and show your support for this fabulous performer and a great cause. See you there!

The Valley Voices performing at Kentville's Centre Square (photo: Fred Sgambati)

The Valley Voices, a ladies barbershop chorus under the direction of Teresa Weatherbee, sang their hearts out Friday, Aug. 28 at Centre Square in Kentville in support of the Friends of the Kentville Public Library Society. The group performed as part of the Society’s Summer Concert Series, which continues Friday, Sept. 4 with magician extraordinaire Al Bernard taking centre stage at Centre Square with a family-friendly show. The fun begins at 7 p.m. Don’t miss it!

Teresa Weatherbee, director of The Valley Voices, a women's barbershop chorus (photo: Fred Sgambati)

The Valley Voices, performing at Kentville's Centre Square (photo: Fred Sgambati)

Rose Folks performs to an appreciative audience at Kentville's Centre Square (photo: Fred Sgambati)

Rose Folks and the Big Deal brought a pop-rock sound to Centre Square in Kentville Friday night as part of the Friends of the Kentville Public Library Summer Concert Series. Folks and accompanist John Hayward ran through a spirited set that included old and new tunes.

Next up in the Summer Concert Series Aug. 28 is the Valley Voices ladies’ barbershop chorus based in Kentville. Showtime is 7 p.m.

Rose Folks and The Big Deal at Kentville's Centre Square, Aug. 21 (photo: Fred Sgambati)

Singer/songwriter Mike Aube showcased music from his new album Cluster Folk, which will be released Aug. 29, 8 p.m. at the Al Whittle Theatre in Wolfville, during his concert at Centre Square in Kentville Friday, Aug. 14 in support of the Friends of the Kentville Public Library Society. Aube, with bassist Rocket D’Eon, gave a spirited show that featured some covers, songs from his 2006 CD ‘Aberdeen Street’ and even a children’s tune for the young people in the audience. It was part of the Friends’ Summer Concert Series, which continues with a variety of talented performers. Showtime is 7 p.m. Friday evenings at Centre Square, Kentville.

Mike Aube performs at Kentville's Centre Square (photo: Fred Sgambati)

We have a regular monthly meeting scheduled for Monday August 17.  I have received too many regrets to carry forward with it, so I thought it made much more sense to send everyone a written recap of where we stand.  I will also post this to the website and I ask you to comment there as a way to have a discussion.

Design

The Architects have taken the information we gathered at the last design workshop on July 28 and have some concepts they are prepared to show us next Thursday.  The discussion will centre on the functionality of the plan as the librarians need it to be.   They would like to know they are on the right track before they complete this preliminary design and presentation materials.

The architects have given us a rough calculation of costs that is right in line with what we have been saying.  We won’t be able to give any more detailed costs until we have a detailed design.  We are confident we are working within the right ball park for our fundraising planning.

Site Announcement

We are scheduled to make a presentation to Town Council on August 31.  The point we will be making is that we have a design that will fit on the site; at a price that we can raise; with an anticipated long-term maintenance cost that is reasonable.

Our hope is that they will give us the go-ahead to announce the site. We need that to begin our fundraising.  We would like to launch the fundraising campaign this fall (September) and raise enough money by December to begin the final design.  We would like to raise the rest of the money by summer 2010 so we can break ground shortly after.  That would have our building complete by 2011.  This is a very tight schedule – only just doable.  We need that go-ahead in order to start.

AGM

We need to have our Annual General Meeting before the end of September.  One option would be to have it in conjunction with the Site Announcement/ Fundraising Launch.  Many groups hold a business meeting just prior to or immediately following a more public meeting.  We have added Board members so that will be on the agenda.  Please make comments on the website.  When do you want it?  Where would you like it?  What do you want it to be like?

Friday Summer Concert Series

The Summer Concert Series is going very well with terrific talent.  We seem to start with a small group and many join us as they hear the music.  This is very successful to get the news of our cause out there.

Kelly Ells, leader of the Downtown Swing Band, in Kentville

The Downtown Swing Band was in fine form Friday, July 31 at Centre Square in support of the Friends of the Kentville Public Library Society. The 16-member group, led by Kelly Ells (blowing saxophone, right) hit all the right notes and thrilled a large and appreciative crowd as part of the Friends’ Summer Concert Series. The Series continues Aug. 7 with a family-friendly show by magician Al Bernard, 7-8 p.m., at Centre Square in downtown Kentville.

The Downtown Swing Band, in Kentville's Centre Square, July 31, 2009