Get carried away with historical fiction

Us Conductors by Sean Michaels

A couple of months ago Clara Rockmore was featured as the Google Doodle and it got me thinking about this book and how easy it is to get so swept up in historical fiction that you either A) forget that it's fiction, or B) forget that the characters in the fictional account were actually real, or perhaps some combination of A and B resulting in completely losing your grip on reality and slipping through the looking glass. Hasn't that happened to you? Anyway, historical fiction can be powerful stuff, approach with caution.

Winner of the 2014 Scotiabank Giller Prize, Us Conductors is the captivating fictional account of real Russian scientist, spy, and inventor of the theremin, Lev Termen (Leon Theremin) and his muse, electronic music pioneer Clara Rockmore. The story, told through correspondence and flashbacks, speculates about Termen's unrequieted love for Rockmore, and the circumstances surrounding his return to the Soviet Union. Once I finished this beautiful book I couldn't let the story go,  so I immersed myself in YouTube videos and audio recordings of Lev and Clara playing the theremin. Clara Rockmore was a classical violin prodigy from Lithuania. Suffering from tendonitis she was forced to give up her beloved instrument, but was later introduced by Termen to his invention: an electronic musical instrument controlled by gesture. She helped refine the instrument, and defined it as an art form, becoming its most prominent performer. I've included a couple of the videos to pique your curiosity.

The Anchoress 
by Robyn Cadwallader

The Anchoress is the fictional account of a (probably fictional) anchoress in 1255 named Sarah. What's an anchoress? Good question! Until a patron recommended this book to me, I admit that I didn't have a clue. Then I did some googling. In Medieval Europe, an anchorite was a religious recluse, someone who would lock themselves away, denying themselves all but the very minimum required for survival. They felt that through complete solitude and denial of all earthly pleasures they were "hanging on the cross with Christ". They would be enclosed for the rest of their lives in a tiny cell adjoined to a church and were a symbol of piety and a source of comfort for their communities, living out their days in contemplative prayer. Author Robyn Cadwallader takes the reader into Sarah's time and culture, her tiny cell, and delves deep into her mind and motivations.

An anchorites' cell in England

In an interview in the Sydney Morning Herald the author describes a point in her PhD research into the life of Saint Margaret: "I came across this word 'anchoress', wondered what it was, started to read a bit more and was absolutely horrified, fascinated, really thought it was just a terrible, terrible thing," she says. "I just kept reading and in a way, it wasn't essential to the thesis, but I was so fascinated by it that I just kept reading." That's what I'm talking about.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/interview-robyn-cadwallader-author-of-the-anchoress-20150207-1342fx.html#ixzz47EGOu3XA

Looking for more? Check out Thomas Mallon's recent, well-reviewed Finale: A Novel of The Reagan Years, or The Revenant by Michael Punke (I could go on all day). You'll enjoy exploring the real people or events behind these marvelous fictional tales as much as the tales themselves.

The Sound of Buster Keaton

If you’re looking for a movie this weekend, why not try something a little older? Like, really old. Like, a silent film. Because the fun thing about silent films is that they needn’t be silent, and the choice of how they should come to audible life is entirely up to you.

Many silent films on DVD come with a few options for the soundtrack, usually something closer to the organ music you might have heard in the 20s but then sometimes something a bit more unusual. But why limit yourself to the DVD menu? If you can bring down the volume on your TV then you can bring up the volume on something else. Here are some ideas for killing two birds with one stone: watching a great movie, listening to some great music.

Buster Keaton’s 1924 comedy Sherlock, Jr. is a movie about movies. In it, Buster, a young projectionist, falls asleep on the job and dreams he can literally step into the films he screens. The movie, while hilarious, is also downright experimental. Try pairing this with something equally searching, say a Thelonious Monk album. You’ll notice that there are moments when the music and the picture synthesize into something whole, new, and unexpected, as if those moments had always been planned. At other times the music and the picture will drift apart, allowing your attention to follow one or the other.

College (1927) gives Keaton the perfect vehicle for his athleticism: he plays a young man attempting to become an athlete. Given all the scenes of long-jumping and pole-vaulting, some more muscular music might fit, like a selection of rockabilly tunes. They would capture the movie’s teenage longing and soda-fountain awkwardness, and also perfectly underscore that great scene at the end when the young man flings himself about the room, unleashing the full force of his hidden athleticism when rescuing his one true love.

This last idea is a bit of a cheat, but if you’re up for it, try watching Keaton’s Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) silently, that is, without any pre-planned soundtrack at all. It will definitely be awkward at first, just staring at the screen, but everything in this movie is so perfectly timed you will start to pick up on the rhythm of the film itself. The film, without music, will offer the effect of listening to music. Also, you’ll start to notice all the sounds that are already around you. Steamboat Bill, Jr. is a film largely about the rain and wind. Watch it on a stormy night and the elements outside your window will collaborate with Buster Keaton.

A Perfect Partnership: Girls Rock! RVA + Richmond Public Library

This past August, the Main branch of the Richmond Public Library hosted the GR!RVA showcase performance outside in Library Park - and it was a smashing success.  The weather was warm but not hot, there was a live DJ from WRIR, some free refreshments and snacks, and Pedal Pops RVA provided discounted (just $1!) healthy frozen fruit treats to audience members.  The performances were stellar, and the library was so happy to have so many Richmonders spend their Saturday afternoon in our back yard.

I could not be more excited to announce the beginning of year-round programming from Girls Rock! RVA at the Richmond Public Library this October.  Programs will be available for girls ages 8-17.  

This partnership is thrilling for a number of reasons:

• Girls Rock! RVA programming will utilize the library for one of its primary purposes: being a free community space accessible to all.
• Both organizations are committed to free access.  The library provides free access to information, free classes, free skill-building and training workshops, and more, to all citizens.  GR!RVA is committed to keeping the camp free of charge, so that girls of any background are eligible to attend.  Year-round programming for GR!RVA would not be possible at this stage in the organization's development without the free space provided by the public library.
• Girls Rock! RVA programming will be in line with the public library's motto: "Inform - Enrich - Empower."  In fact, the empowerment of girls is the main focus of GR!  Continuing to engage campers and other girls year round through free programming will exponentially increase opportunities for enrichment and learning.
• Community engagement is a major goal of both the Richmond Public Library and GR!RVA.  Both organizations provide services to the community, but that service only counts if people can be reached.  It is the responsibility of both the library and GR! to inform the public of our purpose, mission, and services.  Both organizations rely heavily on grassroots support networks, newsletters, and social media to reach out to the community, and by partnering for year-round programming we hope to increase the visibility of both the library and GR! in the Richmond community.
•  Both organizations actively seek to combat discrimination and oppression in our community through free access to learning opportunities.
• Providing a safe and secure space for the expression of ideas is also a shared priority.
• Providing volunteer opportunities to interested adults, promoting community service.  
• Oh yeah - MUSIC!!!  The library has vast collections of sheet music, vinyl records, DVDs, CDs, books about music, music theory, and musicians and other formatted resources of all types and genres.  From James Brown to Vivaldi, it's here!  Girls Rock! engages young girls with music and promotes the idea that anyone can play, and anyone can appreciate music.  Rock camp isn't just about rock, it's about history, music appreciation, dancing, visual art, overcoming stage fright, questioning gender norms, confronting oppression, understanding simple time signatures (yes - math!!!), and the library houses resources to support these varied modes of learning and instruction.

Keep an eye out for our newsletter or pick up a Check It Out! brochure at your library branch to view upcoming programs.  You can also visit Richmond Public Library or Girls Rock! RVA on Facebook to get updates, or feel free to call us at (804) 646-7223!

Full disclosure:  I work for both the Richmond Public Library and Girls Rock! RVA.  Maybe you figured that out already.  Also, I am excited!

Saturday Events@ Main

If you are out and about this weekend and looking for something to do, the Main Library is the perfect place to be. Come join us for these programs.

The Chamber Music for the River City will be having a free concert, Legends, in the Gellman Room at 12 noon. The concert will be depicting watery tales of beauty and mystery told through the music of Debussy, Szymanowski and Richard Strauss.









As part of the event series, Why Children's Books, Anita Silvey, author of Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Children's Book, will be here Saturday at 2 pm. This will be the last program for the event.


 

Visit from Richmond Symphony

Next Friday, we'll have special visitors from Richmond Symphony at the Main Library. They'll be sharing anectdotes about some of the instruments you'll find in the symphony. Kids of all ages are invited to this event featuring Sarah Valentine and Michael Boudweyns, guest performers for Richmond Symphony's Lollipops Saturday Concert, The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra. The musical fun starts at 10:30 am. Groups are welcome, but must register ahead of time by calling (804) 646-4768. Bring your kids by to enjoy this delightful free program and they'll leave with a new appreciation of classical music and musical instruments.

Celebrate the holidays with us and the Richmond Boys Choir!

Join us for our fifteenth annual Gellman Room concert with the Richmond Boys Choir. It's a holiday tradition! The concert is free and the public is invited to sit with us and enjoy the beautiful music that the choir brings.
Now in its 16^th season, the Richmond Boys Choir (RBC) began as a collaborative project of Theatre IV and the Boys and Girls Club of Richmond. After citywide auditions in the fall of 1996, 25 boys were selected for membership. In 1997, the Richmond Boys Choir became an independent, non-profit 501(c)3.


Over the past 16 years, members of the Richmond Boys Choir have been provided opportunities to represent their beloved Richmond throughout the U.S. by traveling to such places as Fayetteville, Kansas City, Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and New York.


In 1999, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce deemed RBC “Richmond’s Ambassadors of Song.” In keeping with that title, the Richmond Boys Choir continues to showcase its personal, academic and musical excellence, while representing Richmond's diverse cultures through music and membership. RBC uses such opportunities to share with all who would hear the rich musical talent found right here in central Virginia. RBC welcomes members from all socio-economic, religious and cultural backgrounds. 

This wonderful event is held Saturday, December 10th at the Main Library at 2pm 

A Reason to Love Fall: The Gellman Room Concerts Begins

Summer is not yet officially over, but school is in session again and the temperatures have dropped. The days are a little shorter. Pumpkins are stacked up for sale in front of grocery stores. Autumn is definitely in the air. Whether you welcome the lower temperatures and falling leaves or mourn the loss of summer (like I do), there are lots of reasons to look forward to fall in Richmond. Pull your sweaters and scarves out of storage and get ready for the season's delights.

Even though I already miss summer's long, hot days, there are many things to love about this season. One of my favorite things about fall in Richmond is watching the leaves change on the picturesque trees along Monument Avenue. And right about now, restaurants start selling everything pumpkin--pumpkin soup, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin desserts... delicious!

Another thing to love about fall in Richmond? A brand new season of events from our lively performing arts community. Richmond Public Library contributes to this community by offering a yearly Gellman Room Concert series, featuring local musicians performing a variety of music.

Our staff has been working hard for months to prepare a new season of Gellman Room Concerts, and it's going to be a year of wonderful performances at Richmond Public Library. We'll have something to suit every musical taste. This concert series is an excellent opportunity to see some of the region's best musicians performing in an intimate space with excellent acoustics--all for free.

The first Gellman room Concert will be held on Saturday, October 8th (the concerts are always held on Saturdays at 2 pm) at the Main Branch. If you're interested in historical, traditional, or folk music, you're going to be excited about this one. The Press Gang will perform traditional Civil War music, from both the north and the south.

The Press Gang will perform Civil War Songs on Oct. 8

So add a Gellman Room Concert to one of your Saturday outings this fall. I'd recommend a lunch at one of our fabulous downtown restaurants before the concert (because surely they'll have pumpkin on the menu) and a walk down Monument Avenue afterward. If you've got a better Saturday agenda, I'd love to hear about it.

Musical Picture Books

Nothing catches and holds the attention of children of all ages like music. There are many wonderful picture books that pair songs with illustrations for a musical reading experience. In addition to being fun, singing with your children builds early literacy skills like phonemic awareness, so try it today! Some of these books are shelved in the picture book section and others are in the juvenile nonfiction section in the 780's so you can also browse the selection there. Check out some of these titles and enjoy singing and reading together with your child. Be prepared to be asked for an encore because kids like to hear these books again and again.

The library also offers children's music CD's, so while you are picking up your books you can check out something fresh, fun and family-friendly to listen to in the car on the way home.




Old MacDonald had a Farm/ Penny Dann








Wheels on the Bus/Raffi










This Little Light of Mine/ Earl B. Lewis








There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly/Simms Taback









If You're Happy and You Know It!/Jane Cabrera












He's Got the Whole World in His Hands/Kadir Nelson











Hush Little Baby/Sylvia Long











Jesus Loves Me!/Tim Warnes

Do Your Ears Hang Low?/ Caroline Jayne Church

Susan Greenbaum Concert in Library Park

Susan Greenbaum, Richmond's beloved singer-songwriter, will be performing in Library Park behind the Main Library (on the Main Street side of the building) this Thursday, July 28. The free lunchtime concert starts at 12 noon, so feel free to eat your lunch while enjoying the summery weather and Susan's lively tunes. If you are unfamiliar with Susan Greenbaum's music, check out the video below. You're sure to enjoy it, and hopefully we'll see you on Thursday in Library Park!

Green Eggs and Ham Week

Next week is Green Eggs and Ham Week at Richmond Public Library! The Richmond Symphony and RPL are teaming up to bring kids a super fun introduction to orchestra.


Join Richmond Symphony Associate Conductor Erin R. Freeman on Wednesday, February 16 or Thursday, February 17th for a special Green Eggs and Ham story time. Ms. Freeman will be reading the beloved children's book on Wednesday at North Avenue Library starting at 10 am, and then on Thursday at the East End Library starting at 10:30 am.

On Friday, Richmond Symphony guest artist Michael Boudewyns will be performing serveral classic children's stories at the Main Library, including Madeline, Harold and the Purple Crayon, Good Night Moon, and more! The performance starts at 10:30 and is free, so come join the fun.

And then on Saturday, the first Lollipop Concert will be held at Center Stage. The concert will feature Michael Boudewyns in a fully orchestrated adaptation of Green Eggs and Ham. See the Lollipops Concerts website to learn more about the show and how to get tickets.

2010-2011 Gellman Room Concerts

The 37th season of Gellman Room Concerts is underway, and we are, as always, very excited about the lineup of performances this year. It's really a treat to host musicians in the Main Library's Gellman Room, a great space for live music. The series runs annually from October to April, and listening to one of the performances is a wonderful way to fill a chilly afternoon. Come downtown, grab a lunch at one of the many fabulous nearby restaurants, and then enjoy some live music. What could be better on a Saturday afternoon?

The season's next concert, taking place on Saturday, October 30th at 2 pm, will feature renowned pianist Wen-Yin Chan. She'll be performing selections from Frederic Chopin. Check out Wen-Yin's website to hear audio of her playing and to learn about her background and experiences. She's currently a doctoral candidate at the Yale School of Music and has performed all over the world, so we're thrilled to have her here at the Richmond Public Library.

There are a lot of exciting performances happening, so be sure to mark these events on your calendar! They are all free to the public and they all start at 2 pm.

• November 6, 2010– Deborah Saidel, flute, with Timothy Crawford, piano, and Jacquelin Spears, cello.
• December 4, 2010– Sigma Alpha Iota, an international fraternity for women in music, presents solo and chamber music.
• December 11, 2010– Richmond Boys Choir performs their 14th annual concert—a holiday tradition at the Richmond Public Library.
• January 22, 2011– Richmond Music Teachers Association—a concert by a variety of musicians: pianists, vocalists, and instrumentalists.
• February 12, 2011– Sonia Vlahcevic, piano, presents a Lecture-Recital of Gyorgi Ligeti’s Musica Ricercata.
• February 26, 2011– Williamsburg Chamber Players perform a varied selection of classical music for piano and strings.
• March 5, 2011– Nathan Mills performs music for the classical guitar from Spain, Latin America, and Baroque Germany.
• March 26, 2011– Belle Isle Strings performs music of Schubert and Schumann.
• April 2, 2011– The G Sharp Saxophone Quartet will move your mind from Bach to rock, ragtime to jazz and the elements of the blues.
• April 9, 2011– The Greater Richmond Children’s Treble Choir, Director Hope Armstrong Erb with The Diggity Dudes: Donny Arkins and Mike Hartsfield, guitars, Tod Ellsworth, bass, and Scott Milstead, drums.