Upcoming Lectures
Note: Not all lectures are free and open to the public. All lectures at libraries are open to the general public. For all others, please check with the sponsoring organization for details. Thank you.
Note: Not all lectures are free and open to the public. All lectures at libraries are open to the general public. For all others, please check with the sponsoring organization for details. Thank you.
Monday, May 6, 2024 11:00AM
The Wistful Voice of Jo Stafford
Peninsula Public Library, Lawrence, NY
Virtual Event
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7212073003?pwd=c1orTzlKSnY5aHpBK2JhRENJU1dDdz09
Jo Stafford was one of the best vocalists of the 20th Century. Her style, pure voice and perfect intonation were admired by many other musicians. She began singing professionally with her sisters, before becoming one of the original Pied Pipers singing with Tommy Dorsey. Stafford was nicknamed GI Jo during World War II when she became a favorite of servicemen from her frequent performances with USO. She amassed 31 top-ten hits in the 1940’s and 1950’s in a range of styles from the blues, pop, jazz, country, comedy, folk and spiritual. She also recorded popular duets with Frankie Laine and Gordon MacRae. This talk will celebrate her voice and show why Frank Sinatra said, "It was a joy to sit on the bandstand and listen to her.”
The Wistful Voice of Jo Stafford
Peninsula Public Library, Lawrence, NY
Virtual Event
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7212073003?pwd=c1orTzlKSnY5aHpBK2JhRENJU1dDdz09
Jo Stafford was one of the best vocalists of the 20th Century. Her style, pure voice and perfect intonation were admired by many other musicians. She began singing professionally with her sisters, before becoming one of the original Pied Pipers singing with Tommy Dorsey. Stafford was nicknamed GI Jo during World War II when she became a favorite of servicemen from her frequent performances with USO. She amassed 31 top-ten hits in the 1940’s and 1950’s in a range of styles from the blues, pop, jazz, country, comedy, folk and spiritual. She also recorded popular duets with Frankie Laine and Gordon MacRae. This talk will celebrate her voice and show why Frank Sinatra said, "It was a joy to sit on the bandstand and listen to her.”
Thursday, May 16, 2024 2:00PM
Chita Rivera:
A Career with Legs
Northport Public Library, Northport, NY
In-Person Event
www.nenpl.org/event/chita-rivera-career-legs-44938
Chita Rivera is a dancer, actress and singer who was been a Broadway star for over 60 years. She began humbly in the chorus, but was catapulted to stardom as Anita in West Side Story in 1957. This was followed by such memorable roles as Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie, Velma Kelly in Chicago and Spider Woman/Aurora in Kiss of the Spider Woman. She celebrated her 80th birthday performing on Broadway as Princess Puffer in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Rivera has won two Tony Awards and is the first Latina to receive the Kennedy Center Honors. The word legend is truly a fitting description of this splendid performer.
Chita Rivera:
A Career with Legs
Northport Public Library, Northport, NY
In-Person Event
www.nenpl.org/event/chita-rivera-career-legs-44938
Chita Rivera is a dancer, actress and singer who was been a Broadway star for over 60 years. She began humbly in the chorus, but was catapulted to stardom as Anita in West Side Story in 1957. This was followed by such memorable roles as Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie, Velma Kelly in Chicago and Spider Woman/Aurora in Kiss of the Spider Woman. She celebrated her 80th birthday performing on Broadway as Princess Puffer in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Rivera has won two Tony Awards and is the first Latina to receive the Kennedy Center Honors. The word legend is truly a fitting description of this splendid performer.
Friday, May 17, 2024 2:00PM
Gilda Radner: Comedy Gold
Jericho Public Library, Jericho, NY
Virtual Event
www.jericholibrary.org/event/virtual-great-performers-marc-courtade-gilda-radner-comedy-gold-63708
Gilda Radner’s career was brief, but brilliant. She is most remembered for her stint as one of the original “Not Ready for Prime Time Players” on Saturday Night Live from 1975 through 1980. Radner perfected a series of comic characters which she helped create, becoming an iconic figure in the history of American comedy; there is hardly a female sketch comic today who does not claim Radner as an inspiration for their careers. Radner past away from ovarian cancer at age 42 in 1989. Her widower Gene Wilder carried out her wish that information about her illness would be used to help other cancer victim. Her comedy remains as funny today as it was then and Radner still shines as one of the best comediennes in history.
Gilda Radner: Comedy Gold
Jericho Public Library, Jericho, NY
Virtual Event
www.jericholibrary.org/event/virtual-great-performers-marc-courtade-gilda-radner-comedy-gold-63708
Gilda Radner’s career was brief, but brilliant. She is most remembered for her stint as one of the original “Not Ready for Prime Time Players” on Saturday Night Live from 1975 through 1980. Radner perfected a series of comic characters which she helped create, becoming an iconic figure in the history of American comedy; there is hardly a female sketch comic today who does not claim Radner as an inspiration for their careers. Radner past away from ovarian cancer at age 42 in 1989. Her widower Gene Wilder carried out her wish that information about her illness would be used to help other cancer victim. Her comedy remains as funny today as it was then and Radner still shines as one of the best comediennes in history.
Monday, May 20, 2024 2:00PM
Renee Fleming: The Beautiful Voice
Bethpage Public Library, Bethpage, NY
In-Person Event
events.bethpagelibrary.info/event/10434150
Dubbed “the people’s diva”, Renee Fleming is one of the best know opera singers of the present generation. She sings a wide variety of music, from the operas of Handel, Mozart and Strauss to contemporary works including Carlysle Floyd’s Susanna and the world premiere of Andre Previn’s A Streetcar Named Desire. As a major American voice, she was called on to sing “Amazing Grace” at Ground Zero and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone” at the Obama Inauguration. This talk will celebrate her voice and career using audio and video clips showcasing her talents.
Renee Fleming: The Beautiful Voice
Bethpage Public Library, Bethpage, NY
In-Person Event
events.bethpagelibrary.info/event/10434150
Dubbed “the people’s diva”, Renee Fleming is one of the best know opera singers of the present generation. She sings a wide variety of music, from the operas of Handel, Mozart and Strauss to contemporary works including Carlysle Floyd’s Susanna and the world premiere of Andre Previn’s A Streetcar Named Desire. As a major American voice, she was called on to sing “Amazing Grace” at Ground Zero and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone” at the Obama Inauguration. This talk will celebrate her voice and career using audio and video clips showcasing her talents.