Kern Dance Alliance, Kern County Library, and Kern Literacy Council will launch a digital version of our annual summer reading program Books in Motion®: DANCE + LITERACY. As the pandemic limited opportunities for in-person experiences, the organizations pivoted to continue to bring beloved children’s books to life through digital dance performances.
Throughout the summer, seven Books in Motion films will be released online to inspire children to read through dance! Featuring beloved children’s books like the Pied Piper and Groovy Joe’s Countdown Party, Books in Motion films will include a narrated performance of a book, as well as choreography children can learn to promote the book’s theme. Additionally, the films will feature a craft session to promote literacy goals via role playing at home. Finally, children will be able to pick up a FREE book and a craft kit from various Kern County libraries including Arvin, Beale, Delano, Kern River Valley, Ridgecrest, Taft, Tehachapi, and many more! Books in Motion is produced in conjunction with Dance Camera West, a Los Angeles based production company specializing in creating dance for film. Dance Camera West was contracted to work in Bakersfield this past spring where they filmed Books in Motion at various locations including The Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater, Kern County Museum, and The Padre Hotel. Books in Motion is directed by Kelly Hargraves, produced & edited by Amber Patee Adams, with director of photography Ethan Sigmon. The films feature seven Kern County dance organizations including the Bakersfield City Ballet, DanceNation, DAT KREW, Heather Benes and the East Kern Ragtag Revels, McLaughlin Dance Collective/Civic Dance Center, Polynesian Spice, and Spotlight Dance Academy.
Help us spread the word about Books in Motion!Download the Books in Motion information flyer by clicking the link below! Books in Motion Flyer
BOOKS IN MOTION is a FREE literacy program that encourages reading through dancing! To see a complete schedule of performance visit Kern Dance Alliance.