James Blackstone Memorial Library

Enjoy engaging conversation and explore your creativity at
our adult coloring group! Coloring is a great way to keep the brain
engaged and the body relaxed–plus it’s a great place to make new
friends. All materials provided, but feel free to bring your own
supplies too.
Registration is not required to attend this in person event.

Local Event: Color & Conversation

Branford

Connecticut

Color & Conversation

Monday May 20, 2024: Enjoy engaging conversation and explore your creativity at
our adult coloring group! Coloring is a great way to keep...

Communication is more than just talking and listening--it's also about sending and receiving messages through attitude, tone of voice, facial expressions and body language. As people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia progress in their journey, family members and friends need new ways to connect. Join Alzheimer's Association Volunteer Maria Tomasetti to explore how communication takes place when someone has Alzheimer's or another type of progressive dementia, learn to decode the verbal and behavioral messages delivered by someone with dementia, and identify strategies to help you connect and communicate at each stage of the disease--early, middle and late.
About Maria Tomasetti Maria Tomasetti is currently an Alzheimer's Association CT Chapter community educator. She recently retired from the Alzheimer's Association after 17 years, working for two years as a Helpline Specialist and for 15 years as the South Central CT Regional Director. She was also the primary caregiver for both of her parents with Alzheimer's disease.
<a href="https://events.blackstonelibrary.org/event/alzheimers-association-effective-communication-strategies-10773" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event.</a>

Local Event: Alzheimer's Association Effective Communication Strategies

Alzheimer's Association Effective Communication...

Wednesday May 22, 2024: Communication is more than just talking and listening--it's also about sending and receiving messages through...

Alzheimer's Association Effective Communication Strategies

A monthly weeknight diversion for guitar and music enthusiasts! Connect with others who share your passion for classical guitar by participating in a variety of activities. Performances, instruction, discussions, guest performers, and more! Led by local guitarist and teacher Neal Fitzpatrick.
The focus of this month's program will be Chamber Music for Guitar. The guitar has a significant place in the world of chamber music. While the guitar is usually thought of as a solo instrument it also a partner with a wide variety of other instruments , often with the flute. Since the inception of the modern guitar in the 18th century there has been a large body of music written not only for solo guitar for guitar centered chamber music as well. For tonight’s program Neal will be joined by his long time flute and guitar partner, flutist Elaine Thoma. Elaine and Neal will play selections from the flute and guitar repertoire.
Neal Fitzpatrick, a Connecticut native, received his BM degree from the Hartt School University of Hartford and his Masters degree from the Yale School of Music. He is an active soloist and chamber musician, and has performed at diverse venues such as Yale Art Gallery, Woolsey Hall with the New Haven Symphony, and 92nd St. Y in New York City. He teaches out of his studio in Branford,CT where he teaches all styles and levels of guitar. He also teaches banjo, mandolin, bass guitar and pretty much anything with strings and frets. When taking a break from music Neal can be found reading about American and world history or watching auto sports and the New York Rangers.
<a href="https://events.blackstonelibrary.org/event/evening-guitar-blackstone-6" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Registration is encouraged to attend this in person event.</a>

Local Event: An Evening of Classical Guitar

An Evening of Classical Guitar

Thursday May 23, 2024: A monthly weeknight diversion for guitar and music enthusiasts! Connect with others who share your passion for...

Movie magic, now at Blackstone! Join us for Saturday Cinema and see a highly anticipated new release on our big screen in the auditorium. Showings are the last Saturday of the month at 2:00pm.
This month we’re watching <a href="https://br.catalog.lionlibraries.org/Record/.b27612156?searchId=30318822&amp;recordIndex=3&amp;page=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Color Purple (2023, PG-13)</a>. A woman faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.
Want to explore this movie's rating in depth? <a href="https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-color-purple-0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Check out its page on Common Sense Media.</a>
<a href="https://events.blackstonelibrary.org/event/saturday-cinema-7238" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event.</a>
Sponsored by the Friends of the Blackstone Library

Local Event: Saturday Cinema: The Color Purple (2023)

Saturday Cinema: The Color Purple (2023)

Saturday May 25, 2024: Movie magic, now at Blackstone! Join us for Saturday Cinema and see a highly anticipated new release on our big...

Confused about your new iPhone or iPad? Need help formatting a Word document? Drop in to the library between 11am &amp; 12pm to get a tech question answered. First come, first served. Sessions will be limited to 15 minutes per person.
Registration is not required to attend this IN PERSON event.

Local Event: Tech Help Tuesday

Tech Help Tuesday

Tuesday May 28, 2024: Confused about your new iPhone or iPad? Need help formatting a Word document? Drop in to the library between 11am...

Join us for our next Blackstone Banned Book Club meeting! This group meets the first Tuesday of every month to have a non-judgemental, civil discussion of various titles that are being challenged and banned, both locally and nationally. The purpose of this book club is to simultaneously discuss these titles, and to bring awareness to the rapid rise of book challenges and bans. This month we're reading <a href="https://br.catalog.lionlibraries.org/GroupedWork/c1d58dfd-b898-3662-2f85-9b48d12d0020/Home?searchId=28422762&amp;recordIndex=1&amp;page=&amp;searchSource=local" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen</a>, with a special guest appearance from the author!
<a href="https://events.blackstonelibrary.org/event/banned-book-club-7" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event.</a>
The Blackstone Library has a limited number of copies of these
titles available for book club participants. If you are interested in
obtaining a library copy, please call us at (203) 488-1441 ext. 318 or
email <a href="mailto:reference@blackstonelibrary.org">reference@blackstonelibrary.org</a>. Copies are first come, first
served.

Local Event: Banned Book Club: The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

Banned Book Club: The Magic Fish by Trung Le...

Tuesday June 4, 2024: Join us for our next Blackstone Banned Book Club meeting! This group meets the first Tuesday of every month to have a...

Banned Book Club: The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

Enjoy a great book with your neighbors! Download <a href="https://br.catalog.lionlibraries.org/GroupedWork/5f1b7d4d-1534-5c8c-c232-f25019fc30ee/Home?searchId=39196097&amp;recordIndex=1&amp;page=1&amp;searchSource=local" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton</a> on Hoopla (free with your Blackstone Library card), then meet up with us for a lively book discussion.
Attendees can join us on Zoom, or in person at the Blackstone Library.
<a href="https://events.blackstonelibrary.org/event/first-friday-book-discussion-7685" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Registration is required to receive a link to this HYBRID event.</a>

Local Event: First Friday Book Discussion: The 7 1/2  Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

First Friday Book Discussion: The 7 1/2  Deaths...

Friday June 7, 2024: Enjoy a great book with your neighbors! Download The 7 1/2  Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton on Hoopla...

First Friday Book Discussion: The 7 1/2  Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Tuesday June 11, 2024: Confused about your new iPhone or iPad? Need help formatting a Word document? Drop in to the library between 11am...

Summer is here which means it’s time for your next great beach read or bingeworthy TV and movies! Learn about all the different digital content the Blackstone provides FREE with your library card.
<a href="https://events.blackstonelibrary.org/event/lean-about-hoopla-libby-kanopy-and-palace-13564" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event.</a>

Local Event: Learn About Hoopla, Libby, Kanopy, and Palace

Learn About Hoopla, Libby, Kanopy, and Palace

Wednesday June 12, 2024: Summer is here which means it’s time for your next great beach read or bingeworthy TV and movies! Learn about all the...

(Re)discover the oldies but goodies of classic Hollywood. A monthly screening followed by discussion. Showtime is at 10:00am every third Thursday.
This month we’re watching <a href="https://br.catalog.lionlibraries.org/Record/.b19477272?searchId=40435358&amp;recordIndex=1&amp;page=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cleopatra</a> (1934), a sumptuous epic directed by Cecil B. DeMille. A retelling of the story of Cleopatra VII of Egypt, it stars Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra, Warren William as Julius Caesar, and Henry Wilcoxon as Mark Antony. It was the first DeMille film to receive a nomination for Best Picture.
Running time - 100 minutes
<a href="https://events.blackstonelibrary.org/event/third-thursday-movie-matinee-10827" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event.</a>

Local Event: Third Thursday Movie Matinee: Cleopatra (1934)

Third Thursday Movie Matinee: Cleopatra (1934)

Thursday June 20, 2024: (Re)discover the oldies but goodies of classic Hollywood. A monthly screening followed by discussion. Showtime is at...

Enjoy the music of iconic jazz guitarist Pat Metheny as performed by the Shoreline Jazz Quintet.
The Shoreline Jazz Quintet or SJQ includes Mike Bimonte on drums, Deepak Cyril D’Souza on saxophones, Rich Meyers on vibraphone, Steve Roane on acoustic bass and Steve Wood on electric guitar. SJQ have been playing together in different combinations for several years, an play an eclectic repertoire including jazz standards and the music of more modern composers.
<a href="https://events.blackstonelibrary.org/event/shoreline-jazz-quintet-pat-methany-12214" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event.</a>
Sponsored by the Friends of the Blackstone Library.

Local Event: Shoreline Jazz Quintet: Celebrating the Music of Pat Metheny 

Shoreline Jazz Quintet: Celebrating the Music...

Saturday June 22, 2024: Enjoy the music of iconic jazz guitarist Pat Metheny as performed by the Shoreline Jazz Quintet.
The Shoreline Jazz...

Shoreline Jazz Quintet: Celebrating the Music of Pat Metheny 

Monday June 24, 2024: Confused about your new iPhone or iPad? Need help formatting a Word document? Drop in to the library between 11am...

Monday June 24, 2024: Enjoy engaging conversation and explore your creativity at
our adult coloring group! Coloring is a great way to keep...

Have you ever been curious about Pilates? If practiced consistently, Pilates improves flexibility, builds strength, and develops control and endurance in the entire body. It puts emphasis on alignment, breathing, developing a strong core, and improving coordination and balance. In this introductory series of classes, you’ll learn the basics of Pilates from certified instructor Cindy Kondziela. Whether you’re new to fitness or just trying to mix up your existing fitness routine, this class has something for everyone. Please bring a yoga mat to class.
Space is limited! <a href="https://events.blackstonelibrary.org/event/intro-pilates-13227" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event. </a>To get the most benefit out of this series, we encourage you to attend all 5 classes. Please plan to register for each class date you wish to attend. Registration for the next class will not open until the previous class has occurred.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Blackstone Library.

Local Event: Intro to Pilates

Intro to Pilates

Saturday June 29, 2024: Have you ever been curious about Pilates? If practiced consistently, Pilates improves flexibility, builds strength,...

This month we’re watching <a href="https://br.catalog.lionlibraries.org/GroupedWork/f17f2f9f-8ecc-7de0-5ef8-6dbd43522c5b/Home?searchId=37219093&amp;recordIndex=1&amp;page=1&amp;searchSource=local" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wonka </a>(2023, PG). With dreams of opening a shop in a city renowned for its chocolate, a young and poor Willy Wonka discovers that the industry is run by a cartel of greedy chocolatiers.
Want to explore this movie's rating in depth? <a href="https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/wonka" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Check out its page on Common Sense Media</a>.
<a href="https://events.blackstonelibrary.org/event/saturday-cinema-7239" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event.</a>
Sponsored by the Friends of the Blackstone Library

Local Event: Saturday Cinema: Wonka

Saturday Cinema: Wonka

Saturday June 29, 2024: This month we’re watching Wonka (2023, PG). With dreams of opening a shop in a city renowned for its chocolate, a...

In the Best Seller Book Club, we read and discuss newly released, highly rated books from a wide variety of genres. This month we're reading <a href="https://br.catalog.lionlibraries.org/GroupedWork/4d452acb-fbd3-649c-993e-48b335ef897b/Home?searchId=39050395&amp;recordIndex=1&amp;page=1&amp;searchSource=local" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson</a>.
<a href="https://events.blackstonelibrary.org/event/best-seller-book-club-7251" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Registration is required to receive a link to this ONLINE event.</a>
Sponsored by the Friends of the Blackstone Library
The Blackstone Library has a limited number of copies of these titles available for book club participants. If you are interested in obtaining a library copy, please call us at (203) 488-1441 ext. 318 or email <a href="mailto:programs@blackstonelibrary.org">programs@blackstonelibrary.org</a>. Copies are first come, first
served.

Local Event: Best Seller Book Club: The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson

Best Seller Book Club: The Demon of Unrest by...

Saturday June 29, 2024: In the Best Seller Book Club, we read and discuss newly released, highly rated books from a wide variety of genres....

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