On November 30, Véronique Girard from Jeunesse Musicale Canada came to the Little Green Library in Huntingdon to show children how to make different rhythms and sounds using their bodies.
The types of dances she demonstrated included gumboot, flamenco, beatbox, and podorythmie, which is a Québécois for “foot rhythms.”
There were two sessions, says an eight-year-old girl who took part in the second session which included eight participants. The earlier session had around a dozen participants eager to learn the steps. “It was fun with the younger kids because the parents participated as well,” said Girard, noting the older kids were more autonomous and able to do more complex movements and sounds.
“The goal was to discover different ways to make music,” said Girard. “Even if we don’t have musical instruments at home, we can always make music with our bodies.”
Catherine Turgeon, the president of the library, was pleased with the activity. “It is an activity that is cultural, and it brings people into the library who may be discovering our services for the first time,” she said, adding it was also an activity for children that parents did not have to travel very far to attend.
The library will next be hosting a bilingual film during the Christmas break for families. More information will be available on their Facebook page.