On Tuesday, August 12, the library will show two documentaries of little known, often forgotten performers as part of the Nancy Norman Lassalle Dance Series. “Ten Times Better” (30 min 2024), directed by Jennifer Lin, tells the story of George Lee, a Chinese-born ballet dancer who was probably the first Asian to perform at New York City Ballet when he danced in George Balanchine’s original production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” as the Chinese Tea, in 1954.  Mr. Lee, who immigrated to the United States in 1951, was studying at the School of American Ballet, City Ballet’s affiliated school, when Balanchine asked him to demonstrate his talent. The second film, “The Nicholas Brothers: We Sing and We Dance”, (52 min.) tells the story of Fayard and Harold Nicholas.  The brothers were best known for their unique interpretation of a highly acrobatic dance technique known at the time as Flash Dancing. They were also considered by many to be the greatest tap dancers of their era, if not all time. Their virtuoso performance in the musical number “Jumping’ Jive” (with Cab Calloway and his orchestra) featured in the 1943 movie “Stormy Weather” has been praised as one of the greatest dance routines ever captured on film. It is fitting that we recognize these artists for their excellence and make sure they are no longer forgotten in the future.  This is a free event. The doors open at 6:45 p.m. for a 7 p.m. start and there is parking at the library and the Woods Hole Historical Museum.  Please join us! Ever wondered what it would be like to explore the moon? Dr. Jim Thorne is a space scientist, musician, and YouTube performer who knows all about the space program. Thorne will perform Space Quest, a show full of space facts, original songs, and opportunities for audience participation. Thousands of elementary students around the country have enjoyed Dr. Jim’s science presentations at schools and on his YouTube channel, “Space Quest with Dr. Jim.” Meet Dr. Jim and enjoy an afternoon of science fun at Woods Hole Library on August 16. The show starts at 3pm. The presentation is free and open to all ages. Limited parking is available at the library or the adjoining Woods Hole Historical Museum. The library will host a free screening of the award-winning documentary film Hollow Tree on Saturday, August 16, at 7 PM. Following the screening, a conversation and Q&A will be held with director Kira Akerman and Ana Keilson, co-director and co-founder of the Gull Island Institute. Released in 2022, Hollow Tree follows three teenagers coming of age in their sinking homeland of Louisiana. For the first time, they notice the Mississippi River’s engineering, stumps of cypress trees, and billowing smokestacks. Their different perspectives — as Indigenous, white, and Angolan young women — shape their story of the climate crisis. Ken Burns describes the film as “an extraordinary film that asks all of us to think differently about the communities in which we live and the environments that we must respect.” The Gull Island Institute, an immersive liberal arts program located on Penikese and Cuttyhunk Islands, is a local example of education that is rooted in inquiries about where we live and how we deal with the effects of climate change. The documentary screening is free and open to the public, and will be held in the Library’s lower level Community Room.