A standing-room-only crowd filled the Guilderland Public Library’s Helderberg Room on Friday, May 4, to be part of The Big Read’s kick-off event, an Afternoon Tea with author Lucy Anne Hurston.

Ms. Hurston is the niece of Harlem Renaissance writer Zora Neale Hurston, author of Their Eyes Were Watching God, the featured title in the Capital District’s Big Read events. Guilderland is one of the many libraries in the area that is presenting special programs, book discussions, file screening and storytimes during May, all centered around this novel, the story of a proud and independent black woman’s quest for identity.

Lucy Anne Hurston spoke for over an hour, talking about her aunt’s life and answering questions from the audience. She transfixed attendees with the story of how she came to discover her aunt’s writings, and how this discovery transformed her own life. She captivated her listeners with insights into how she writes and how her aunt is in many ways her muse.

Another key event in the series is a special concert -- “A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald” – on Saturday, May 19, 2 pm – at the Library. The very popular Sonny & Perley Quartet, featuring pianist Sonny Daye, vocalist Perley Rousseau, drummer Ted MacKensie, and bass player Tom Charlap, will perform songs of Ella Fitzgerald, one of the great pioneers of the jazz vocal tradition and the “Harlem Renaissance’s Lady of Song.”

Other upcoming Big Read events at the Guilderland Public Library include:

Drop-in Storytime: Thursday, May 10, 1 pm – “Jazzy Stories and Tall Tales.”
Lies and Other Tall Tales, collected by Zora Neale Hurston with stories on jazz and Duke Ellington.

Drop-in Storytime: Friday, May 11, 10:30 am – “There Stands a Bluebird.” Traditional African-American folksongs, games, and rhythms and the beauty of spring come together for a storytime filled with joy.

Adult Book Discussion: Monday, May 14, 7:30 pm – Discussion of Their Eyes Were Watching God

Adult Book Discussion: Monday, May 21, 2 pm – Discussion of Their Eyes Were Watching God

Film Screening: “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” starring Halle Berry, Tuesday, May 29, 6:30 pm

Notice Date:
May 7, 2007

Contact:
Mark Curiale, Public Information Specialist, at 456-2400 x 12. Cell 908-295-1461
Guilderland Public Library
curialem@uhls.lib.ny.us