Even if you didn't know Clarice Wilson (music specialist at the Library from 1974-1999) the annual concerts held in her memory are worth attending. Mrs. Wilson supported gifted young artists at the beginning of their careers and this year's performance continues in that spirit by featuring a very talented young pianist, Brian Lam. A native of Hong Kong, Fung Yuen (Brian) Lam started playing the piano at age four. He is presently a scholarship piano performance major at Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music, City University of New York, where he studies with Adam Kent. In 2006, he became the youngest
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Archives for Events
Still Here Thinking of You: A Second Chance with Our Mothers
Join us on Sunday, April 14th from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. as four Westchester women do readings from their recent book, Still Here Thinking Of You: A Second Chance with Our Mothers. Authors Vicki Addesso, Susan Hodara, Joan Potter, and Lori Toppel will do a group reading from the book. A discussion will follow, covering such topics as: looking back at the mother-child relationship, the ins and outs of an enduring writing group, how writing about a significant experience can, alter one’s understanding of it and of oneself, and publishing with a small press. Tea and coffee will be served.
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April is National Poetry Month
In celebration of National Poetry Month, Professors Lee Schlesinger of Purchase College and Eleanor Ehrenkranz of Pace University will present free programs at the Library. Dr. Schlesinger returns on Sunday, April 7, from 2-4 PM, with a talk on ”The Power of Poetry and Literature in Troubled Times.” Dr. Schlesinger defends the value and meaning of poetry and literature in our stressful, technology-driven world, with examples of enduring works. Dr. Schlesinger is an Associate Professor of Literature in the School of Humanities at Purchase College where he received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. In addition to teaching,
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Hear Slam Poet Marty McConnell on April 3
Marty McConnell, one of the “greats” in the world of slam poetry, will be performing here on Wednesday, April 3, during our monthly poetry slam and open mic. McConnell has been a member of seven National Poetry Slam teams, and is the 2012 National Underground Poetry Individual Competition Champion. In 2011, she completed her first European tour and debuted her one-woman show, “vicebox.” Her work has been published in numerous anthologies, and she is a two-time recipient of the Community Arts Assistance Program grant from the City of Chicago’s Office of Tourism and Culture. No stranger to Westchester, McConnell received
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Fairy Houses – an Exhibit and a Play Workshop
An exhibit showcasing the lovely fairy houses and fairy realia of Joan Monk and Bev McAllister from the Westchester Children’s Museum: Museum Without Walls can be currently seen at the Library’s second-floor lobby and in the Trove. The display promotes the upcoming crafts program, Fairy Houses – a Play Workshop, that will be presented at the Library by staff from the Westchester Children’s Museum on Sunday, March 24th at 2 pm. Children in grades 1-6 will be creating fairy houses which will then be arranged into a village for parents and younger siblings to view at 3:30 pm. To make
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National Poetry Month Events
April is National Poetry Month! In celebration of poetry, we're offering two inspiring programs. We hope you'll join us for one or both. Professor Lee Schlesinger returns to the Library on Sunday afternoon, April 7, from 2:00-4:00 PM, with a timely talk on ”The Power of Poetry and Literature in Troubled Times.” Dr. Schlesinger defends the value and meaning of poetry and literature in our stressful, technology-driven world, with examples of enduring works that lift the spirit and illuminate the soul. (Special thanks to the Friends of White Plains Public Library for making this lecture possible.) Dr. Schlesinger is an
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Mini Golf in the Library: "Tee Off for Education"
On Saturday, March 16, experience the Library in a “hole” new way, as the Library is transformed into a miniature golf course! Kids and adults get to play in two separate events, a free family fun afternoon and an adults-only evening fundraiser “19th hole” party. Families and kids ages 3-11 can drop by anytime from 1-4:30 p.m. to play mini golf, and see the Balloon Man create amazing balloon animals. To ensure the comfort and safety of patrons, timed tickets will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning at 12:30 pm, in the Museum Gallery. Refreshments will be
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adults, all ages, children, families, Foundation, and fundraising.
Historic Firefighting Equipment on Display in The Trove
You don’t want to miss the collection of historic firefighting equipment on display in The Trove this month. Several items, on loan from the City of White Plains Local History Collection, have been incorporated into The Trove’s Black History StoryWalk®. Among the old firefighting hats on display is one worn by past White Plains Fire Chief Griffen. There’s also a wooden debris shovel which was used by Chief Griffen to clean up and scoop out after fires. If you look at the back of the shovel, you can even see the chief’s initials, H. A. G., carved into it. Be
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Campaign Finance Reform in New York State
The public is invited to a presentation, “We Need It Now! Campaign Finance Reform in New York State,” on Wednesday, March 13, 7-9 p.m., in the Auditorium. Discussion leaders Laura Ladd Bierman, Executive Director, and Barbara Bartoletti, Legislative Director, of the New York State League of Women Voters, will talk about why we lose the very core of democracy if only candidates with big money run for office. Co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters Westchester County, White Plains, and New Rochelle, and the Library.
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This Sunday: Brian Carter Quartet
Kicking off our 2013 jazz series is New Rochelle native Brian Carter and his renowned jazz quartet on Sunday, February 24 at 2 p.m. The quartet will play traditional and fusion jazz, a delight for all ages. You may have seen Brian Carter Quartet previously at the White Plains International Food & Jazz Festival (September 2012) or White Plains summer lunch hour concert series (August 2012) – come enjoy their music again. Coming up in the series is Ladies' Day on Sunday, March 10 and “The Incomparable Ethel Waters” featuring jazz vocalist Shirley Crabbe on Sunday, May 19. (Both sponsored
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Jazz in February: The Brian Carter Quartet
Kicking off our 2013 jazz series is New Rochelle native Brian Carter and his renowned jazz quartet on Sunday, February 24 at 2 p.m. The quartet will play traditional and fusion jazz, a delight for all ages. You may have seen Brian Carter Quartet previously at the White Plains International Food & Jazz Festival (September 2012) or White Plains summer lunch hour concert series (August 2012) – come enjoy their music again. Coming up in the series is Ladies' Day on Sunday, March 10 and “The Incomparable Ethel Waters” featuring jazz vocalist Shirley Crabbe on Sunday, May 19. (Both sponsored
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Celebrate Chinese New Year! Wednesday, February 13 at 4:30 pm
Celebrate the year of the snake with Chinese Language Development Center teachers. Hear stories, learn some calligraphy and Chinese paper cutting. This after school program is for children Kindergarten through 4th grade. Limited space – tickets distributed a half hour before program, so please arrive early.
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Meet the Instruments! with the Music Conservatory of Westchester
Come learn about the instruments of the orchestra: piano, brass, woodwinds and strings. Staff and students at the Music Conservatory of Westchester will introduce children to these instruments. For families.
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Wishful Shrinking
If your New Year's resolution to lose weight has hit a snag, join us for inspiration and motivation on Tuesday, January 22nd, at 7 p.m. for “Secrets of Weight Management”. This informative workshop will be presented by Stacey Lynn Jackson, M.S., a registered dietician from Shop Rite, White Plains. Ms. Jackson will provide tips and strategies to help you get on track and stay there. “Secrets of Weight Management” is the third program in the New Year, New You series.
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Artist Reception: Diane McCulloch – Fantasy Visions
Join us this Sunday, January 13 from 1-3 p.m. for the opening of “Fantasy Visions,” an exhibit of paintings in mixed media that are at once colorful, thought-provoking, and entertaining. Artist Diane McCulloch will be in attendance. One of her paintings, Chinese Destiny, is shown here. “Fantasy Visions” will be on display in the Museum Gallery until February 22. This show is brought to you by the Friends of White Plains Public Library.
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Film: Ahead of Time
This month we wrap up the Hadassah Film Festival, four great evenings of documentary films celebrating Jewish women who impacted the world. On Tuesday, January 8 from 6:45 – 8:45 p.m. we will show “Ahead of Time”, rescheduled from October 30. “Ahead of Time” is a documentary film celebrating the remarkable life of Ruth Gruber: journalist, writer, witness and participant in the making of 20th century history. Discussion to follow. This festival is co-sponsored by Westchester Region of Hadassah and the White Plains Public Library. For further information call Hadassah at 914.937.3151.
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New Year, New You!
Most people give up on their New Year's resolutions within the first few weeks of the new year. Be the exception to the rule by visiting the Library in January for a series of four programs to help you keep them this year. Wednesday, January 9, 7pm How to Quit Smoking for the Very Last Time! Presented by Visiting Nurse Services in Westchester, Inc. Wednesday, January 16, 7pm Have a Good Mental Health Day Everyday: The 24/7 Plan Presented by New York-Presbyterian/Westchester Division Tuesday, January 22, 7pm Secrets of Health & Weight Management Presented by Shop Rite of White Plains
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Ben Figueroa Performs at 1st Wednesday Poetry Slam
Come hear Ben “Broken English” Figueroa at our January 2 Poetry SLAM and Open Mic. Ben, the Poet Laureate of Union City, New Jersey, is a self-taught writer, poet, and stage performer. He has headlined shows at Howl Festival, The Bowery Poetry Club, Art House Productions, Louder Arts, and several New Jersey colleges and universities. Figueroa is currently the slammaster and host of Jersey City Slam, which he founded in 2009. If you’d like to take part in our open mic or slam, please sign up at 6:30 p.m. Registration closes promptly at 7 p.m., and the program starts shortly
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Ben Figueroa Performs at 1st Wednesday Poetry Slam
Come hear Ben “Broken English” Figueroa at our January 2 Poetry SLAM and Open Mic. Ben, the Poet Laureate of Union City, New Jersey, is a self-taught writer, poet, and stage performer. He has headlined shows at Howl Festival, The Bowery Poetry Club, Art House Productions, Louder Arts, and several New Jersey colleges and universities. Figueroa is currently the slammaster and host of Jersey City Slam, which he founded in 2009. If you’d like to take part in our open mic or slam, please sign up at 6:30 p.m. Registration closes promptly at 7 p.m., and the program starts shortly
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Holiday and Vacation Programs in The Trove
A week off from school! What to do with this gift of time? Come to The Trove. On Sunday, December 23, we will have ¡Feliz Navidad!, a family storytime in Spanish. The following Sunday, we will have Lionheart Puppets perform The Reluctant Dragon. Both programs are at 2 p.m. On Wednesday, December 26, Stories & Stuff for children age 4 & 5 will be at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., and the family program Pajamarama is at 7 p.m. On Thursday, December 27 at 4 p.m., there will be a special holiday Jeopardy game for children seven years and older.
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