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Rolling out the blue carpet for ‘Pete the Cat’ ater program volunteered as “paparazzi” to take photos of sdriks@liherald.com them. The children posed for phoThe red carpet turned blue at tos with the character and took the Long Island Children’s Muse- part in a VIP-style experience um in Uniondale on Feb. 16, when ahead of the show, before heading families gathered for a star-style to “Pete’s Groovy Lounge” for premiere of “Pete the Cat,” a refreshments and food sponsored musical complete with a grand by The Gluten Free Treat Shop. “It popped into my head one entrance for the storybook charday that it would be acter. really fun to do a speBased on the popucial VIP event,” Lisa lar children’s book Rudin, artistic direcseries by Kimberly tor and co-director, and James Dean, the said, “to give kids a production follows chance to pretend to the laid-back blue cat be glamorous movie as he helps a young stars or very imporboy navigate creativitant people.” ty, confidence and Children lined up self-expression. The along the blue carmusical features live pet, some holding musicians — a signacopies of the popular ture element of book series as they LICM Theater — and MICHAel KoHN waited for their turn blends humor and in the spotlight. life lessons designed Audience member Some children invitto engage both chiled the attention of the paparazzi, dren and adults. The production uses the theme while others were slightly shy of creativity, friendship, coopera- and casually walked on through. “I like ‘Pete the Cat,’” Mateo tion and personal growth, mixed in with some emotional learning Diaz, 4, of Oceanside, said while and messaging about overcoming clutching his book. Other young attendees also fears and trying something new. The sold-out “Pete’s Blue Car- expressed that they had fun walkpet Catwalk” invited children to ing down the carpet. While waiting on line to walk walk the carpet, as students from Farmingdale High School’s theConTinueD on PaGe 20
By STACY DRIKS
I
Stacy Driks/Herald photos
Children’s Librarians Sabrina Damus and James Grzybowski; Chrissy Hirsch, head of children’s services, as Pikachu; and Travis Williams. “Professor Brittany,” Brittany Georgalas, provided the costume.
Celebrating a 30-year milestone By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
The Uniondale Public Library hosted a Pokémon-themed program last Saturday to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary, welcoming children and parents for an afternoon of games, crafts, giveaways and card trading. While fans around the world marked the anniversary on Friday, National Pokémon Day, the library held its event a day later to make it more accessible for families. Children’s Librarian James Grzybowski organized the gathering, saying he wanted to create a program that brought families together while celebrating a global phenomenon that has spanned generations.
“It’s the 30th anniversary — we had to celebrate it,” Grzybowski said. “I figured, why not do it here in the children’s section instead of our Pokémon Club? That’s a little low-key, and this is obviously a big event.” A lifelong fan, Grzybowski said his connection to Pokémon runs deep. “I’ve loved Pokémon forever,” he said. “I’m the same age as it, and even have a Pikachu tattoo on my ankle.” The turnout was larger than expected, with more than 30 children attending, which Grzybowski attributed to his outreach efforts. Every month he hosts scavenger hunts for children, and in February the theme was Pokémon. He said he hoped to bring the event back, but acknowledged that making it annuConTinueD on PaGe 10
t was entertaining — and as an adult, which is not always easy — but it was my first show here.