Ms. Morena will perform festive flamenco and folkloric dances, such as the Tangos, Bulerias and Sevillanas, in this interactive lecture-demonstration with explanations of how these dances reflect Spain’s rich and diverse cultural history. You will also enjoy learning elements of flamenco dance, such as escobilla (footwork), palmas (rhythmic clapping) and braceo (use of the arms and hands). The percussive instrument, castañuelas (castanets), will also be demonstrated.

Claudia Morena joined Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre in 2003, bringing experience in all forms of Spanish Dance: classical, Escuela Bolera (18th Century court dances), folkloric, and flamenco. Prior to joining Alborada, she performed for many years in community dance groups in central Jersey and New York City. Ms. Morena’s early training was with Alma Cóncepcion in Princeton, and she studied elsewhere in Washington state and Santa Fe and with Carmen Segura in Madrid, Spain. She brings great enthusiasm and talent to her performances.

Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre was founded as a non-profit organization in New Jersey in 1995 with a mission to promote an understanding of, and appreciation for, Spain’s arts and cultural traditions. The Company performs with passion and generosity throughout New Jersey and in the greater tri-state area, offering programs that go beyond flamenco dance and music to explore Spanish classical and regional folk dances and music, poetry, and drama, as well as the relationships between Spain and other world cultures.

This is a free program, sponsored by The Friends of the Edison Library, and advanced registration is required. Reserve your seat by calling 732-287-2298, ext. 1, by going online at http://www.lmxac.org/edisonlib (clicking on Programs and Displays), or by signing up at the library circulation desk.

Free refreshments will be provided by The Friends of the Edison Public Library.

A Town Hall meeting regarding the announcement was well attended by people from the Clara Barton area of Edison, many of whom were angry and upset about the closure. Edison’s Mayor Antonia Ricigliano proposed that the Library Board of Trustees meet with her to see if there was anything that could be done. That meeting was this week, as were a number of other meetings on the subject.

The Township Council have reallocated $100,000 from elsewhere in its budget so that the branch may stay open at least until the end of the year, to allow for time to explore the options. A task-force is being put together to look for ways to raise the necessary funds to keep the library open. Permission is also being sought to use around $70,000 that remains from a neighborhood preservation grant made to the area.

Friends of the Library President, Graham Gudgin, and Treasurer, Becky Gudgin were asked to speak at a community meeting held on Thursday in Clara Barton. They explained what The Friends of the Edison Public Library does and its relationship with the library. They also invited people from the area to join The Friends.

Friends of the Edison Public Library have offered our assistance to both the Library and the community group, as long as it falls within the scope of our organization.

Things are looking a little more hopeful for the branch library – we wish everyone involved much success with their efforts to keep it open.

Here are two recent local news stories on the subject:

Edison’s Clara Barton Branch Library gets a reprieve — for now – NJ.Com (Star Ledger)

Edison library branch gets reprieve from closing – MyCentralJersey.com (Home News Tribune)

At this time, Edison Public Library needs The Friends of the Edison Public Library more than ever, and The Friends need your help. We need you to support us financially and we need you to get actively involved. If you are not currently a member, please consider joining us. You’ll find forms in library branches or by clicking on the Membership link at the top of each page on our website. If you are renewing your membership, please consider joining at a higher level. Support our programs and events. When a program is sponsored by The Friends, you’ll usually find a donation jar – every little helps. There are also donation jars at all the libraries. Purchase some books from the Friends’ Bookshelf at Main Library or something from our online store; you’ll find the link at the top of each page on our website. If you can spare a little time, please come to one of our meetings (they are usually held the first Wednesday evening of every month); we need your input. Spread the word among your friends and family.

Here’s the full story about the Clara Barton Branch closure:

Edison’s Clara Barton Branch Library Will Close its Doors on June 30.

The Clara Barton Branch Library, part of the Edison Public Library system since 1980, will be closing its doors on June 30, 2010. The library, located at 141 Hoover Avenue, served the Clara Barton section of Edison Township. Judith Mansbach, Director of the Edison Public Library said “the economy and budget have played a major role in coming to this decision. The Edison Library Board took an honest and realistic approach when looking at the multiple factors which affected this decision.” The Edison Main Library, 340 Plainfield Avenue and the North Edison Branch Library, 777 Grove Avenue will absorb the additional personnel and the 2 existing libraries will continue serving the entire community.

A Town Hall meeting to discuss the closing of the Clara Barton Branch Library will be held on Tuesday, May 4 at 6:30 pm. Mayor Toni Ricigliano, Director Judith Mansbach and the members of the Edison Library Board of Trustees will be available for questions and answers. The meeting is open to the public, and will be held in the Council Chambers of the Edison Municipal Complex at 100 Municipal Boulevard, Edison, NJ.

This is not an isolated incident. In light of New Jersey’s budget cuts, libraries across the state are experiencing severe cuts in money and services. The state budget proposal for July 1, 2010 calls for a 74% cut in funding for statewide library services. Libraries in NJ will lose $3M in state aid. 250 of the state’s 302 libraries will lose access to the Internet and 124 libraries will lose their websites or access to them. These cuts, in addition to various services will start on July 1.