Tonight at 7, historian, scholar and author David Blight discusses his new book, A Slave No More: Two Men Who Escaped to Freedom, Including Their Narratives of Emancipation. This book combines two newly discovered slave narratives in a volume that recovers the lives of their authors, John Washington (1838–1918), and Wallace Turnage (1846–1916), as well as provides an incisive history of the story of emancipation. From Publishers Weekly: “These powerful memoirs reveal poignant, heroic, painful and inspiring lives.” Blight, a Yale American History professor, is considered to be one of the nation’s leading authorities on the U.S. Civil War and its legacies. He serves as director of the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance and Abolition at Yale. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is recommended. Books available for purchase and signing provided by Wilton Open Book Shop. To register: www.wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 762-3950.
One-woman play at libraryAn intriguing piece of art history is visited on Saturday, Feb. 9 in An Artist’s Hour: Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas, Impressionists in Paris—A Love Story, from 2–3 p.m. Written and performed by Westport resident Page Hedden Wilson, this one-woman play with costumes, props and lighting, presents the touching, up and down romance of these two strong, opinionated artists and the personalities that surround them in the 'world of the impressionists'. The play has been staged throughout Connecticut, the tri-state area, nationwide and even in Edinburgh, Scotland. A reception will follow the performance. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is recommended. To register: www.wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 762-3950.
Strings sing in Brubeck RoomThe Quadrivium String Quartet returns to the library for the Connecticut’s Own concert series on Sunday, Feb. 10, from 4–5 p.m. Formed in 2002 by members of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, this group brings diverse backgrounds to the collaborative art of chamber music. The performers in Sunday’s concert are Larry Shiller, violin; McNeil Johnston, violin; Christopher McCormack, viola; Richard Brown, cello. The quartet will play pieces from Beethoven and Brahms. Additional concerts for the Connecticut’s Own series are: The Prevailing Winds of Connecticut on March 16 and The Amore Trio on May 4. Advance registration is suggested and pre-registrants must arrive by 3:50 p.m. to be guaranteed seating. After 3:50 p.m. and if space is available, waitlisted and walk-in registrants will be admitted. To register: www.wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 762-3950.
Congressman discusses a clean energy economyCongressman Jay Inslee comes to the Brubeck Room on Monday, February 11, from 7–8:45 p.m., to discuss his new book Apollo’s Fire: Igniting America’s Clean Energy Economy. Congressman Inslee, representing the First District of the State of Washington, is a recognized leader in Congress on energy issues and is the prime sponsor of the New Apollo Energy Act, a comprehensive plan to build a clean energy economy in America. Inslee co-authored, along with Bracken Hendricks, Apollo's Fire: Igniting America's Clean Energy Economy (Island Press, 2007), which is, according to Helen Thomas, a Hearst Newspapers' columnist, “a brilliant, inspiring book on the need to set goals and find future solutions to achieve clean, efficient energy. It is beautifully written, exciting, and hopeful. It’s a must read for every American who wants to save the planet.” In his forward to the book, former President Clinton, states “It is innovation for the improvement of humanity…Apollo’s Fire calls us to our destiny.” Island Press is a non-profit organization that stimulates, shapes and communicates the ideas that are essential for solving today’s environmental problems—at home and around the world. The program is sponsored by the Betsy and Jesse Fink Family Foundation for Wilton Library's Environmental Initiative. There is no charge for the program. Advance reservations are strongly recommended. To register: www.wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 762-3950.
Cartoonist speaks at libraryOn Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m., Ridgefield resident Roz Chast, well-known cartoonist for the New Yorker and many other publications, and illustrator for several children's books introduces her latest work, The Alphabet from A to Y with Bonus Letter Z! The book, which is co-authored with entertainer Steve Martin, is a wonderfully illustrated children’s book that is even a delight for adults. Books will be available for purchase and signing provided by Wilton Open Book Shop. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is strongly recommended. To register: www.wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 762-3950.
Volunteers neededThe library’s outreach program, At Your Service, is in need of volunteers to deliver books to the Greens at Cannondale. The commitment is about an hour every three weeks. This small amount of time brings a huge amount of enjoyment to those who are unable to come to the library. People interested in helping may contact Karen Tatarka, circulation manager, at 762-3950, ext. 238 or ktatarka@wiltonlibrary.org.