George "Jazzbeaux" Spencer blew his trumpet, leading the Junius Courtney Big Band in the book stacks at the Berkeley Public Library on Saturday night.

The band played for almost 200 people near the international language section of the library. Later during the night, local jazz singer Denise Perrier sang several numbers along with the band.

The crowd sat on rows of seats that spread into the next room, but by the second song, half a dozen couples ventured onto the dance floor.

"We filled up the chairs-people will have to dance," said Jane Scantlebury, supervising librarian of the art and music department.

The performance was the library's contribution to the first annual Downtown Berkeley MusicFest, a four-day event featuring musical styles from jazz to blues to soul poetry.

Angela Avery and her husband Shane Promtet traveled 30 miles from Newark, Calif. to perform the Lindy Hop-a historic version of swing dancing­-to a live band.

The two have been doing the Lindy Hop for a few years, but they usually dance at more traditional venues.

"I've never danced in a library before," she said.

This is not the first time the Berkeley Public Library has offered free music and dance opportunities to the general public.

In April, the Berkeley Public Library held a free merengue lesson from a professional dance teacher during the Bay Area National Dance Week, according to librarian Marti Morec.

"We see ourselves more as offering programs for the communities," Scantlebury said. "Libraries bring people together."

-Rebecca Wallace

Tags: MUSIC FESTIVAL, DANCING, BERKELEY PUBLIC LIBRARY