SPECIAL

"CELTIC TALES with PATRICK BALL," 6:30 p.m. April 15 at Kahuku Public Library, 10 a.m. at Waialua Public Library and 6:30 p.m. April 17 at Aiea Public Library; www.librarieshawaii.org.

"AFRO-CUBAN, HAITIAN AND CENTRAL AFRICAN DRUM AND DANCE WITH BADENYAA," musician Reggae McGowen will share about the cultural importance of music and dance in Central Africa; 6:30 p.m. April 15; Ewa Beach Public & School Library; free; www.librarieshawaii.org.

"TALES WITH AUNTIE BRENDA," featuring storyteller Brenda Freitas Obregon; 10:30 a.m. April 16; Wahiawa Public Library; free; www.librarieshawaii.org.

"THE BIRD GUY," featuring Bruce McGonigal; 3 p.m. April 16; Waipahu Public Library; free; www.librarieshawaii.org.

"HAWAI'I CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE," with Les Eldridge; 6 p.m. April 16; USS Bowfin Museum; free; 695-9562, imeldridge@earthlink.net.

"ISLAND WRITERS," featuring readings and a lively discussion with columnist and playwright Lee Cataluna, poet Cathy Song and short story writer Mavis Hara; 7:30 p.m. April 18; Maui Arts & Cultural Center, McCoy Studio Theater; $25; 808-242-7469, www.MauiArts.org.

"BOOK SALE," by Hawai'i publisher Bess Press; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 19; Bess Press Inc; 734-7159, www.besspress.com.

"SING ALONG WITH UNCLE WAYNE," featuring "Uncle Wayne" Watkins; 10:30 a.m. April 19; McCully-Mo'ili'ili Public Library; free; www.librarieshawaii.org.

"CELTIC RAIDERS, THE IRISH AFLOAT IN THE CIVIL WAR," with Les Eldridge; 3:30 p.m. April 19; O'Toole's Irish Pub; free; 695-9562, imeldridge@earthlink.net.

Youth Speaks Hawai'i, slam poetry workshops, hosted by Kealoha, TravisT, Melvin, Darron and Lyz; 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays; The ARTS at Marks Garage; free; 387-9664.

"Talk Story Radio," weekly radio show, hosted by Jeff Gere; 5:30 p.m. Mondays; broadcast on KTUH 90.3 FM, 7 p.m. Thursdays; www.talkstoryradio.com.

BOOK SIGNINGS

DANA FORSBERG will sign her book, "Drawn To Remember," 5:30-8 p.m. April 17; Louis Pohl Gallery; 521-1812.

FOR WRITERS

Aloha Performing Arts Company seeks new, unpublished scripts of any length and subject for its annual Original Play Festival, Aug. 13-17 at the Aloha Theatre, Kainaliu, Big Island; postmark by May 23; submission details and more information: 808-322-9924, www.apachawaii.org.

FOR KEIKI

Toddler time storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs and rhymes, for babies to toddlers up to age 3; 10-10:30 a.m. Mondays; state library; free; 586-3510.

Keiki storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs, finger plays and a simple craft, for ages 3 and older; 10-10:45 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays; Kapolei Public Library; free; 693-7050.

Toddler storytime, books, finger plays, matching games and songs, for ages 2-3; 10 a.m. Tuesdays; McCully-Mo'ili'ili Public Library; free; 973-1099.

Preschool storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs and playtime activities; 10:30-11:15 a.m. Tuesdays, through April 8; Waipahu Public Library; free; 675-0358.

Keiki storytime; 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays; Borders, Waikele; free; 676-6699.

Preschool craft & storytime; 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays; Barnes & Noble, Kahala; free; 737-3323.

Preschool craft & storytime; 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays; Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana; free; 949-7307.

Read Me a Story, books read by volunteer storytellers for 12 and younger and their parents; 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; Honolulu Academy of Arts; free for children, included with $7 admission for parents; 532-8700.

Keiki storytime, stories, songs, sing-alongs and other activities; 1010:30 a.m. Wednesdays; Kahuku Public & School Library; free; 293-8935.

Keiki storytime; 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays; Borders, Ward Centre; free; 591-8995.

Keiki storytime, stories read aloud, finger plays and occasional crafts for ages 2-5; 11 a.m. Wednesdays; Kailua Public Library; free; 266-9911.

Preschool storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs, finger plays and a simple craft, for ages 3-5; 4 p.m. Wednesdays; Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library; free; 733-8488.

Children's storytime; 3 p.m.; third Thursday of the month through May; Kalihi-Palama Public Library; free; 832-3466.

Send announcements, with contact name and phone number, to: Lit Beat, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Lit Beat" in the subject line; or fax 525-8055.