Make your kid smile with one of these.
PHOTO BY NEWTON FREE LIBRARY

The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library reminds parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all.  Library cards are free and bring you a world of opportunity.  Sign up for a card at any JMRL branch. Visit: jmrl.org

David Bosun, Gelam Nguzu Kazi – Gelam My Son, 2001 © 2008 Kubin Community Council, Mua Island

Inkspots

The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection presents a printmaking workshop for children ages 6-11. September 13, 2:30-4:30pm. Space is limited. To reserve a spot, call 244-0234.

The Old Michie Theatre holds open auditions for children and teenagers ages 6-17 for its fall production of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Two audition dates will be held: Tuesday, September 2 and Wednesday, September 3 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Additional audition times may be arranged. The 20th anniversary season of the Old Michie Theatre marks its 11th season production run of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”

The theatre is casting an assortment of characters such as Ichabod Crane, Katrina von Tassell, Brom Bones, Mefrow Van Tassel, Mefrow Van Hoot, Mefrow DeBoar, Mistress Wilhelmina, schoolchildren Jonas, Janni, Farmer Van Rensalear and Farmer Van Ripper, and various farmers, Dutch villagers, choir members and schoolchildren. Interested actors should call the theatre at (434) 977-3690 for an audition time. Each actor should come to auditions with a familiarization of the story and be prepared to recite a monologue committed to memory if they want to be considered for leading roles. For smaller ensemble roles, actors should prepare a poem, story, or speech to read aloud.

Performance dates will be on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7pm and on Sunday at 3pm from October 17 through November 2, 2008. There will be no show on Halloween night so that cast members can go trick-or-treating.

A production fee will be charged to help defray production costs and complimentary tickets are given to each actor’s family. Interested actors should call the theatre at (434) 977-3690 for an audition time. Please visit our web site at www.oldmichie.com for more information about the theatre, or email the theatre at .

The theatre is located at 221 East Water Street, directly across from the Water Street parking garage in downtown Charlottesville. Two-hour free parking is available with a validated parking stamp.

The Old Michie Theatre begins its 20th season with a fall session of drama classes for children and youth, ages 5-17, beginning Thursday, September 11, 2008. Sessions include a pre-theatre Puppetry class for ages 5-8. Junior performer instruction for ages 8-13 includes “Introduction to Play Production” and a new “From Page to Stage” class for intermediate and advanced students aged 11-16. Private instruction is also available for students aged 14-17 seeking classical training in acting and audition training. Class tuition runs between $125-$225. The theatre is located at 221 East Water Street in downtown Charlottesville. For further information and a brochure, please call (434) 977-3690, or email at .

Charlottesville radio host and autism parent Coy Barefoot not only scored an interview with presidential candidate Barack Obama a couple of days ago. He also got the Illinois senator to elevate the plight of autistic children, now estimated at one to six per 1,000 births.

“We are desperate,” said Barefoot, “for a political leader to stand up and say, ‘We have a national crisis, and we are going to help these children.’ Are you that guy?”

“I am,” Obama replied.

Last month, Barefoot, who has an autistic six-year-old son, helped push controversial autism doubter Michael Savage off WINA radio. The five-minute interview with Obama originally aired on WINA, where Barefoot hosts an afternoon drive-time show called “Charlottesville, Right Now.”

Candy Apples

Clarence the Bunny leads the Candyapolis Revue featuring skits and songs for kids of all ages. Gravity Lounge. 977-5590.

Kida ages 4-12 can make paper masks based on the animals Lewis & Clark saw on their journey at the Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center at Darden Towe Park. Reservations are suggested. Included with admission. The Center is open weekends 10am-4pm. Tour the 55-foot replica of the keelboat used on the great westward journey, and get your hands on activities like woodworking, nature drawing, and map making. 979-2425. www.lewisandclarkeast.org.