Akhil Amar, the Southmayd Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University, will speak on constitutional law and history tonight at 7:30 in the continuing series, The United States Constitution—A Living Legacy; The Founding. A Q&A session follows the talk along with a book signing. The lecture will be simulcast in the Rimer Room for waitlisted and walk-in attendees. The scholarly speaker series is sponsored by Wilton Historical Society and Wilton Library. The next two dates in the series will be held at the Wilton Historical Society. They are March 16 The Constitution as Amended in the Nineteenth Century – a panel discussion with Mark Graber, professor of law and government at the University of Maryland School of Law and Owen Williams, Raoul Berger Fellow at Harvard Law, graduate of Yale Law and PhD candidate at Yale University, 2 p.m.; and May 1 (previously scheduled for April 24) Sandy Levinson, University of Texas/Harvard/Yale Law Schools, Interpreting the Constitution, 7:30 p.m. There is no charge for the series. Registration is strongly recommended. The series is made possible by grants from Devereaux A.Clifford and Family and The Wilton Bank. To register: wiltonlibrary.org/events/constitution.htm or call 762-3950.
Reading to SpotChildren in grades 2 and up can spend 10–15 minutes reading quietly to gentle guide dogs on Saturday, March 1, from 2–3:15 during the popular Tales to Tails program. Whether the kids are avid or reluctant readers, the dogs will sit or rest attentively while the readings take place. The children may bring books from home or choose something from the library’s collection. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is required. Space is limited. Library staff will call to confirm registrations and assign time slots. For information or to register, call Pat Bergin at 762-3950 ext. 265 or visit wiltonlibrary.org/events.
Dr. Seuss fetedIn celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday, children can enjoy cartoon movies during Reel Seuss: A Birthday Celebration on Sunday, March 2, from 2–3:30. Goldfish and lemonade will be served. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by adults; children between the ages of 8 and 12 must have adults in the building. On Monday, March 3, from 1 8, children can drop-in for Dr. Seuss crafts. There is no registration or charge for either event. For information: 762-3950.
Jazz returns to the Brubeck RoomJazz duo Michael Moore and Gene Bertoncini perform at the library’s Hot & Cool: Jazz at the Brubeck Room series on Sunday, March 2, at 4 p.m. A reception immediately follows the hour-long performance. Moore, currently playing bass with the Dave Brubeck Quartet and Bertoncini, have had a seven-year stretch performing as a duo for nearly year-round concerts at Zinno in Greenwich Village. Hot & Cool: Jazz at the Brubeck Room is funded by the William and Karen Tell Foundation with special thanks to Ed and Catherine Romer. Advance registration is strongly recommended due to the popularity of the program. Pre-registrants must arrive by 3:50 to be guaranteed seating. After 3:50 and if space is available, waitlisted and walk-in registrants will be admitted. The suggested donation for the event is $10 per person. To register: wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 762-3950.
Art lecture series beginsA new three-part lecture series on three consecutive Thursdays, features three experts on Branchville resident and renowned American artist Julian Alden Weir. The Adair Burlingham Memorial Lecture Series is named after the late wife of Charlie Burlingham, president of the Weir Farm Art Center Board of Trustees and is co-sponsored by Weir Farm and the library. The series is on March 6, 13 and 20, from 7–8:30 p.m. with an informal reception following each session. The sessions focus on Weir, his friends, his family, and his home, now the site of Connecticut’s only national park. The series dates and topics are: March 6 “J. Alden Weir and John H. Twachtman: Parallels, Convergencies and Lifelong Friendship,” with Dr. Lisa Peters, author of the John Henry Twachtman catalogue raisonné; March 13 “The Architect as Client: Stanford White at Box Hill” with Samuel White, descendant of Stanford White, of McKim Mead and White; March 20, “Memories of Weir Farm,” Charles Burlingham, Jr., grandson of Julian Alden Weir. Mr. Burlingham will play Cole Porter songs on the piano during the reception. Individual tickets for $15 or $40/for all three lectures may be purchased in advance, at the offices of the Weir Farm Art Center, Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Road in Wilton (203-761-9945, x 1, www.weirfarmartcenter.org) or the library (203-762-3950, www.wiltonlibrary.org). Tickets also will be available at the door. Proceeds benefit the Weir Farm Art Center and the library. Advance ticket purchase is recommended.
Book and movie discussionBill Ziegler hosts the series, Read the Book and See the Movie: Barchester Towers Chronicles on Thursday, March 6, from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. with the screening of the first two installments of the multi-episode BBC production. He will then lead the discussion of the book, Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope, on Thursday, March 13, at 10:30 a.m. On Thursday, March 20, from 10:30-12:30 installments 3 & 4 will be screened, and on Thursday, March 27, from 10:30-1:30 the last three installments will be seen. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. To register: wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 762-3950.