Senior Citizen

Read The Hound of the Baskervilles and join us in discussing the novel.

Library Director Richard MacDonald will cover the influence of Edgar Allen Poe on Conan Doyle, and Doyle’s influence on the development of the mystery genre.  We'll also discuss how Sherlock has continued to appear in literature over the years.

Copies of the book will be available on the second floor of the library.

No registration necessary.

A door prize will be given away!

Icons & Iconoclasts: Fashion of the Sixties   Presenter—Holly Easland

The Decade that began with modest tailored silhouettes worn by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy soon exploded into a wild expression that became known as a “youthquake,” ushering in defiant silhouettes, psychedelic prints and showering vibrant clashing color everywhere. Fashion, art and music were as one, and the rebels who shook up the era helped to bring forth an underlying freedom of dressing that has become intrinsic and still resounds in our choices today.

Music of the 1960s: Context and Characters   Presenter – Kyle Johnson

Power and Protest in the 1960s: the Vietnam War and Reactions Around the World  Presenter – Dr. Vaneesa Cook

Documentary film maker, Craig Dudnick, will introduce his film, “Alice’s Ordinary People,” which is about the work of civil rights activist, Alice Tregay, of the Chicago Freedom Movement, which spanned several decades.

The film will be followed by a question and answer period with Mr. Dudnick.

Refreshments provided.

Singers from Four Seasons Theatre explore the art of lyric writing through the work of a master lyricist: Stephen Sondheim. Join us as we use Sondheim’s own words and performances of his songs to learn about the lyricist’s craft.

This program is free and open to the public.

Cell phones aren't the only small devices connecting people these days. Ukuleles are transcending borders, genres, and generations. Madison's thriving ukulele culture includes a 700-member club called Madison Area Ukulele Initiative (MAUI) www.MAUImadison.com.  MAUI director Andrew Wilke will be available to help beginners learn to play in this free, 2-hour workshop and sing-along. 

Bring a ukulele or try one of the instruments available at the event.  No prior musical experience required.

Play Club is part book club, part performance experience.  This program presents the opportunity to explore a play in depth through guided discussion, performance of scenes by actors, and discussion with director and actors. Participants will gain a new perspective on what makes a play work and how it is brought to life on stage.

Join three Madison-area African American writers - poet Fabu, novelist Sherry Lucille, and playwright and novelist Catrina Sparkman - as they discuss their poetry and prose in relation to the work of three African American literary giants who also lived and worked in the Madison area during the 20^th century: novelist Jean Toomer, playwright Lorraine Hansberry, and poet Sarah Webster Fabio.

Forward Theater Company has been performing monologues in the libraries since 2010, and audiences continue to ask for more! Every other year, Forward puts out a call for original monologues based on a common theme. The best twelve are chosen and performed by professional actors in a weekend of shows at Overture Center. And those same actors (and monologues) are available to perform at your library.