Fitchburg Public Library

Program Description:

HMong music is the last surviving musical language in the world—it is able to mimic HMong speech by using musical intervals, ornamentation, and chords to mimic linguistic tones, consonants, and vowels—allowing musicians to literally speak with music. However, there have not been many opportunities for this unique trait of HMong music to shine. HMong American refugees first arrived to the United States in 1975, after having supported American CIA forces in Laos during the Vietnam War.

A screening of the film Almost Sunrise: Hope is on the Horizon. Emmy Nominated in 2018 for Outstanding Current-Affairs Documentary, it follows veterans’ Tom Voss and Anthony Anderson on their 2,700-mile walk across America in an effort to confront their depression.

“The film captures an intimate portrait of two friends suffering from the unseen wounds of war as they discover an unlikely treatment: the restorative power of silence and meditation.”

A screening of the film Almost Sunrise: Hope is on the Horizon. Emmy Nominated in 2018 for Outstanding Current-Affairs Documentary, it follows veterans’ Tom Voss and Anthony Anderson on their 2,700-mile walk across America in an effort to confront their depression.

“The film captures an intimate portrait of two friends suffering from the unseen wounds of war as they discover an unlikely treatment: the restorative power of silence and meditation.”

Sean Gaskell will give a performance and educational demonstration on the kora, an ancient 21-stringed harp from West Africa. He will feature traditional songs that are the heart and soul of the kora’s musical repertoire in addition to some of his own personal compositions.

Bluegrass is an American art form that started in the hills of Appalachian hills and resonated with music lovers across the world. Madison’s own Cork ‘n Bottle will bring songs and stories of bluegrass alive for audiences at eight Dane County public libraries.

The Wonderful World of Disney Musicals explores the history of the animated features that we love and the stories that they tell. Disney animated features have always connected with audiences through clever characters, entertaining stories, and with memorable songs.

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. Those same actors (and monologues) will be performing a sampling at your library.

OUT OF THE FIRE: THE BANNED BOOKS MONOLOGUES

SYNOPSES:

Come enjoy the music of the Prairie Bayou Cajun Band.  This performance is part of the Fitchburg Library's Summer Concert Series and Summer Reading Program, “Libraries Rock!”.

From the Facebook page of Prairie Bayou Cajun Band:

"PRAIRIE BAYOU CAJUN BAND·SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018

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.

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.