Catch a 'Wave' at the New Haven Free Public Library

NEW HAVEN – A Wave installation will be held at the New Haven Free Public Library from 1 to 3 p.m. April 26  at 133 Elm St., according to a release.

The installations also will take place at libraries in Stamford, Willimantic and New London, the release said.

The Wave "is an interactive exhibit envisioned by two Connecticut artists to raise awareness of the vital role water plays in our lives," the release said.

"The Wave’s simple design and colorful materials are intended to engage people of all ages and abilities in a contemplation of water," the release said. "Participants cut their own 'wave' out of recyclable, polycarbonate film and see it hung aloft along with hundreds of other individual shapes, to create a community wave."

 

“New Haven residents are blessed with two major waterviews: the Quinnipiac River and Long Island Sound.  The Wave installation will serve as a tangible—and  beautiful—reflection on our essential connection to water,”  said Carol Brown, the library’s programming manager, also in the release.

 

Also in the release: "Connecticut artists Susan Hoffman Fishman and Elena Kalman created The Wave two years ago in response to the 2011 tsunami that struck Japan. The Wave’s first installation in the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem (Mass,.)was so well received, Kalman said, that the artists decided to make this celebration of water a national effort. "

“There’s a limited amount of water on this planet,” Hoffman Fishman said, also in the release.  “More and more of it is being polluted, and a lot of areas in the world are now having water shortages, and we have to pay attention to that.”

 

“Sharing in the process of contributing to a local work of art that is part of a national movement connects us to an important global issue,” said Jennifer Keohane, executive director of the Connecticut Library Consortium, one of The Wave’s sponsors, in the release. “And,” she added, “The Wave certainly stands alone as a compelling work of art.”

"At each site, the artists work with public participants to build community and celebrate water. At New Haven Free Public Library, wave-shaped pieces cut by individuals will be hung from a cord that is strung and folded over the balconies in the Library’s main lobby, creating a dynamic, flowing wave in bold colors, reflecting the beauty and power of water.

Each host WAVE community was chosen because of its work to protect water. For example, in New Haven, plans are underway for a Shoreline Stabilization Project and the development of a Waterfront Park in Fair Haven."

 

A Mystic Aquarium’s aquatic touch tank that will be on site during the installation.

 

"The water theme continues at the Library on Wednesday, May 7, when  Tom Andersen discusses his book, "This Fine Piece of Water, an environmental history of Long Island Sound," at 6 p.m. For more information about these events, call the library at 203-946-8835.

 

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At the New Haven Public Library: photographer Hien Duc Tran

NEW HAVEN - New Haven Free Public Library’s Democracy Forum will present  “A Vietnamese-American Perspective,  a conversation with photographer Hien Duc Tran” from 3 to 4 p.m.  May 10 at the main Ives Main Library, 133 Elm St., according to a release.

The "New Haven Free Public Library’s Democracy Forum is a series of wide-ranging community discussions with an invited guest," the release said 

There is no charge to attend to event.

Also in the release:

   Hien Duc Tran was born in Vietnam and came to the U. S. in 1975 as a 12-year-old refugee. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Boston's American Studies Program in 1987, where he pursued photography and ethnic studies. In 1989 he returned to Vietnam as a photojournalist with a delegation of American Vietnam veterans. His exhibit “Ngoc I Was, Pearl I Am: an Exhibition of Photographs on the Amerasian Experience in Boston and Vietnam” was held at the Boston Public Library in 1990.  A collection of Hien Duc Tran’s photographs is archived at the Joiner Center of Healy Library at UMass Boston.

 For more information, call the library at 203-946-8130 x211.

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Holiday happenings at the New Haven Free Public Library

 

The New Haven Free Public Library has some holiday treats up their sleeves and here is a release (unedited) on a taste of what's to come:

Holiday specials at New Haven Public Library


 

East Haddam Stage Company presents a post-Thanksgiving live action “radio” drama on Saturday, Nov. 30, 3-4 pm.
Four actors portray seven characters, complete with sound effects and audience participation in “Sherlock Holmes and The Adventure of the Speckled Band.” This production recreates a 1930 radio show in which renowned actor William Gillette (of “castle” fame) portrayed Sherlock Holmes on the radio for the first time. EHSC Artistic Director Kadie Carle sets the stage with some historical background before introducing the show.

On Thursday, Dec. 19, 6-7 pm, actor Colin Lane and musician Becca Zaretzky reprise last year’s standing-room only dramatic reading of Dylan Thomas’ A Child's Christmas in Wales.
Originally written for radio, Dylan Thomas’poem is told from the viewpoint of a young child and celebrates Christmases past, portraying a nostalgic and simpler time. Lane’s credits include stints on and off-Broadway, as well as many regional theater roles, including at the Yale Rep and the Mark Taper Theater in Los Angeles—not to mention six seasons with Elm City Shakespeare. Zaretzky’s music provides “the secret ingredient” to the success of this production. She holds a degree from The Boston Conservatory and has appeared in a number of Boston-area and other regional theatrical productions.

The Bob Kolb Jazz Trio plays “Jazz at the Movies” on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, starting at 3 pm (snow date Jan. 11).

Tunes include “Cheek To Cheek” (Top Hat, 1935); “The Shadow of Your Smile” (The Sandpiper, 1965); “Sunrise, Sunset” (Fiddler on the Roof, 1964), and many more, in this special performance by musicians Bob Kolb (tenor sax), Dave Childs (piano) and Steve Roan (bass and guitar). Kolb has played with too many jazz greats to name, as well as backing performers like Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett and Sammy Davis, Jr. Childs currently teaches piano at Fairfield University and is the pianist at the Stratford Unitarian Church, and he performs full-time in a variety of venues. Roan has played and recorded with many jazz legends and has performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. He appeared with Julie Harris and David Childs at the Library’s Cole Porter event last summer.

Refreshments will be served at all these family events, which are hosted by the NHFPL Foundation. Tickets are $15 individual/$25 family and may be obtained by calling 203-946-7454 or emailing cmeade@nhfpl.org. Proceeds will be used to support library activities

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Deadline nears for poetry contest in New Haven

NEW HAVEN — The 5th annual New Haven Free Public Library poetry contest is under way and open to all who live, work or study in New Haven.
Poets are invited to interpret the 2013 theme, “A place of light.” Submissions will be judged by two panels of librarians and community members.
Submissions may be dropped off at any New Haven library branch or emailed to nhfpl.poetry@gmail.com by the  March 23 deadline.
During National Poetry Month, finalists will read their poems and winners will be announced at the April 27 poetry reception at Ives Main Library, 133 Elm St. 
The New Haven Free Public Library Foundation will award $100 prizes to winners in each of three age categories, as well as a $25 award to a People’s Choice winner, which will be selected at the reception.
Winning poems will be featured in the New Haven Review (www.newhavenreview.com), a bi-annual literary magazine containing essays, reviews, fiction, poetry and art.
For complete guidelines to enter the contest, visit http://nhfpl.org/programs/cultural-connections or call the library at 203-946-8835.

New Haven Libary has new hours

NEW HAVEN - The New Haven Free Public Library will be open eight more hours each week starting on Feb. 2, according to a release. 

All five branches will open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m,. the release said, at these locations:

Ives-Main Library, 133 Elm St.

Courtland Wilson Branch Library, 303 Washington Ave.

Donald Mitchell Branch Library, 37 Harrison St.

Fair Haven Branch Library, 182 Grand Ave.

Willis K. Stetson Branch Library, 200 Dixwell Ave.

For more information about the library activities and resources, visit www.nhfpl.org or call City Librarian Christopher Korenowsky at 203-507-6383.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

 

New Haven Library presents: 'A Child’s Christmas in Wales'

NEW HAVEN - Actor Colin Lane and musician Becca Zaretzky will perform a dramatic reading of Dylan Thomas’ holiday classic, "A Child’s Christmas in Wales," from 6:30-7:30 p.m, on Dec 19 at the New Haven Free Public Library.
It is a"wonderful family event," organizers said.
There is no charge but attendees are asked to please bring a non-perishable food item to donate. See more: www. childschristmas.eventbrite.com.



Also, on Dec. 15, at 1 p.m., children ages 5-12 are invited to create pop-up holiday greeting cards with "talented librarians" organizers said. Free! Details at 203-946-8129.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. 

Have new you would like to share? Email it to hbennett@newhavenregister.com. Or on Twitter @newsgirlct.

 

 

New Haven Free Public Library celebrates a big birthday and Mardi Gras

On Feb. 21, , the New Haven Free Public Library will open its Main Library doors for its annual Mardi Gras celebration "creating new headlines to mark the historic day and year" of its 125th birthday.

Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Main Library located at 133 Elm St. in downtown New Haven, according to a statement.

"Mardi Gras 2012 promises to be a grand bash kicking off a year-long celebration marking 125 years of public library service to the New Haven community," the statement said.

For the starting cost of $75 per person, "Mardi Gras sparkles with the Funky Butt Jazz Band setting the New Orleans mood, the exciting Silent Auction tempting bidders with pizzazz, cuisine from downtown New Haven restaurants whetting the revelers’ appetites and dancing well into the evening."

"Proceeds from the event go towards the purchase of a new eco-friendly, fully equipped ReadMobile and the multitude of children and youth programs, collections and initiatives," the statement said.

"The Mardi Gras fundraiser offers a variety of tax deductible giving opportunities to support and sustain the New Haven Free Public Library. There’s an opportunity to donate an item or service to the Silent Auction, purchase an ad in the Program Book, consider a sponsorship level or make an outright gift."

More information and giving opportunities can be found at: www.nhfplfoundation.org  or on facebook.com/nhfpl and twitter.com/nhfpl

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. 

In the Photo: Matt Newton, a subcontractor for Group C graphic design company,  prepares to hang a banner advertising the upcoming Mardi Gras fundraiser at the New Haven Free Public Library's main branch.   Melanie Stengel/Register