Chris Brubeck takes a different turn at the library this Saturday with Inside the Music: Evolution of a Commission from 10:30 a.m.-noon. In this second part of a three-part series, Brubeck, an award-winning composer and musician, discusses his compositional process, focusing mainly on the development of a piece commissioned by The Boston Pops for national broadcast entitled Interplay for Three Violins and Orchestra. The task was to write a concerto for three superstar violinists from three different fields: Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, classical virtuoso; Regina Carter, best-selling jazz violinist; and Eileen Ivers, Irish fiddle champion of Riverdance fame. The session will be punctuated with a showing of the award-winning broadcast. The last date in the series is May 19 with John Mucci with The Rise and Fall of Verismo Opera. There is no charge for the program series. Advance registration is suggested. Register online or call 762-3950.
Mother's Day crafts and gardening for kidsChildren ages 5-8 can enjoy Daryl Beyers, assistant editor of Fine Gardening magazine, when he talks to kids about gardening on Saturday, May 12, in Gardening for Children--A Plant for Mother from 2-3 p.m. After the talk, the children will plant seeds and decorate pots for Mother's Day gifts. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is required by logging on to www.wiltonlibrary.org/events or calling 762-3950. The program is made possible by the Coyle Fund. Kids of all ages can create their own Mother's Day creations on Sunday, May 13 when they come to the library from 1-5 for Drop-in Mother's Day Craft. The supplies are on hand in the Children's Library craft room. There is no charge and reservations are not required.
Book and movie discussionsOn Thursday, May 17, from noon to 1:30, favorite literature discussion leaders Joanna Ecke and Jean Brey return to the library to discuss William Makepeace Thackeray's novel, Vanity Fair. Long considered a masterpiece of classic literature, Vanity Fair is a timeless story about unbridled ambition and a skewering of upper class society. As movie lovers, the pair also will discuss and show excerpts from the 2004 Mira Nair version of the movie featuring Reese Witherspoon as Becky Sharp. Dr. Ecke was an English teacher and instructional leader at Wilton High School before her retirement. She writes the "On Second Thought" column that appears regularly in the Wilton Bulletin. Ms. Brey currently is an English teacher at Wilton High School. The two literature aficionados will continue their look at the classics on Thursday, May 31 when they discuss The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton and show excerpts from the movie. There is no charge for either program. Advance registration is suggested. Register online or call 762-3950.
Chamber series continuesOn Sunday, May 20, the library hosts the Fontenay Chamber Players at 4 p.m. The Fontenay Chamber Players was formed in 2003 to bring together some of the area's top chamber players in an exceptional combination of instruments. The repertoire will feature Maurice Ravel's luminous Introduction and Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet, and strings among other pieces to be performed. The players for this performance are flutist Maryly Culpepper; clarinetist Kathryn Taylor; harpist Wendy Kerner Lucas; violinists Maria Conti and Leona Nadj; violist Renate Falkner; and cellist Arthur Cook. The concert is sponsored by the Suzanne La Follette Culley Charitable Trust. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. Pre-registrants must arrive by 4 p.m. to be guaranteed seating. After 4 p.m. and if space is available, waitlisted and walk-in registrants will be admitted. Register online or call 762-3950. Prior to the concert, at 3 p.m., a Volunteer Appreciation Tea will be held to honor those who have dedicated their time, energy and efforts in helping the library with book sales, mailings and countless tasks. Tea attendees are invited to join the chamber concert at 4.
Gardening discussionWith May flowers in full bloom, popular garden author and lecturer, Sydney Eddison, gives a slide show presentation providing insights from her book, The Gardener's Palette- Creating Color in the Garden. on Monday, May 21, from 11 to noon. She teaches gardening at the New York Botanical Garden and lectures widely. The Rainbow Contained with Sydney Eddison is co-sponsored by the library and the Wilton Garden Club. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. Register online or call 762-3950.