Brooklyn Public Library Announces Free February Events

Come celebrate the rich culture of the African American diaspora. February is Black History Month and Brooklyn Public Library has free fun that the entire family will enjoy. All programs are free and open to the public. Please be advised that programs are subject to change, therefore we suggest calling ahead.

Black History Month Featured Events

(For Adults)

Classic Films from Africa: The Gods Must Be Crazy
Xi and his tribe of Sho, who live off the land of the Kalahari Desert, set off on a journey to rid themselves of undesirable aspects of Western civilization that they encounter, such as a cola bottle. This was filmed in South Africa and directed by Jamie Uys.
Tuesday, Feb 9, 6:30 PM
Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Classic Films from Africa: Touki Bouki (Journey of the Hyena)
Senegalese director Djibril Diop Mambéty's story of two young lovers, alienated from their own society in Dakar, who long to escape to Paris.

Tuesday, Feb 16, 6:30 PM
Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Classic Films from Africa: Karmen Geï
This film, the first African Carmen, is about the conflict between desire for freedom and the laws and conventions that constrain that desire, featuring indigenous Senegalese music and choreography.
Tuesday, Feb 23, 6:30 PM
Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Black Butterfly: A Tribute to Nina Simone
Singer Chanda Rule performs original arrangements of her favorite Nina Simone tunes, featuring Gernot Bernroider's music ensemble Oulipians and a video by Astrid Steiner.
Saturday, Feb 27, 4 PM
Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Through a Lens Darkly: Digital Diaspora Family Reunion
Award-winning filmmaker Thomas Allen Harris discusses his new media platform, which taps into a vast network of black photographic archives to bring a fresh look at African American history and community, and his new film on black photography entitled Through a Lens Darkly.
Sunday, Feb 28, 1:30 PM
Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

(For Kids)

Asante's African Safari
Asante, accompanied by a percussionist, explores the African folk tradition with tales and dances for the whole family, featuring indigenous attire and traditional music.
Saturday, Feb 6, 1 PM

Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Black History Month Reading Circle
Read your favorite African American poem, play, speech or novel, or share your own work with the group.
Tuesday, Feb 16, 4 PM
Spring Creek Library, 5108 4th Avenue, 718.567.2806

Celebrate African American Heritage

Storyteller Tammy Hall takes you on a magical journey with songs and stories from Africa, America and the Caribbean.
Saturday, Feb 20, 1 PM

Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

February Events

FOR ADULTS

Computer Basics Class
Learn basic skills. No experience necessary.
Monday, Feb 1, 11 AM
Gerritsen Beach Library, 2808 Gerritsen Avenue, 718.748.6919
Mondays, 10:30 AM
Eastern Parkway Library, 1044 Eastern Parkway, 718.953.4225
Tuesdays, 12 PM

Registration required
Mill Basin Library, 2385 Ralph Avenue, 718.241.3973

Computer Basics Class
Learn basic skills. No experience necessary.
Tuesday, Feb 2, 1:30 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159
Wednesday, Feb 10, 10:30 AM
Crown Heights Library, 560 New York Avenue, 718.773.1180
Thursdays, Feb 11 & 25, 11 AM
Walt Whitman Library, 93 Saint Edwards Street, 718.935.0244

Wednesdays, 11 AM
Borough Park Library, 1265 43rd Street, 718.437.4085
Thursdays, 1:30 PM
Windsor Terrace Library, 160 East Fifth Street, 718.686.9707

Romance Book Group
Discuss your favorite romance authors and books.
Tuesday, Feb 2, 6 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159

Library Databases Class
Learn to find information online using library databases.
Thursdays, Feb 4 & 18, 1:30 PM
Walt Whitman Library, 93 Saint Edwards Street, 718.935.0244

Microsoft Word Class
Learn to create documents. Basic computer knowledge required.
Tuesday, Feb 9, 1:30 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159

Poetry Fun
Practice poetry writing techniques.
Wednesday, Feb 10, 2:15 PM
Gerritsen Beach Library, 2808 Gerritsen Avenue, 718.748.6919

Crocheting Circle
Work on current or new projects with others.
Thursday, Feb 11, 4 PM
Registration required

Mill Basin Library, 2385 Ralph Avenue, 718.241.3973

Email Class
Learn the basics of email. Basic computer knowledge required.
Friday, Feb 12, 11 AM
Mapleton Library, 1702 60th Street, 718.256.2117

Art Exhibition & Opening Reception: For Memory
For Memory features artwork by Eugene Tonevitski, Esfira Razin, Lana Dizhur and Bella Duvovoy.
Saturday, Feb 20, 2 PM
Kings Bay Library, 3650 Nostrand Avenue, 718.435.9431

Microsoft Excel Class
Learn to create charts and graphs. Basic computer knowledge required.
Tuesday, Feb 23, 1:30 PM
Registration required

Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159

Wednesday, Feb 24, 11 AM
Flatlands Library, 2065 Flatbush Avenue, 718.253.4409

Brooklyn Stages
Theater historian Cezar Del Valle talks about Brooklyn's three theatrical districts, unique to the borough.

Wednesday, Feb 24, 7 PM
Central Library, Trustees' Room, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2191

African-Atlantic Genealogical Society Workshops
Trace your family tree with help from the newly chartered African-Atlantic Genealogical Society.
Saturday, Feb 27, 1 PM
Macon Library, 361 Lewis Avenue, 718.573.5606

Qigong Exercise
Tuesdays, 1:15 PM
Dyker Library, 8202 13th Avenue, 718.748.6261

Computer Basics Class in Spanish
Learn basic skills. No experience necessary.
Wednesdays, 10 AM
Borough Park Library, 1265 43rd Street, 718.437.4085

Knitting Circle
Work on current or new projects with others.
Wednesdays, 5 PM
Bedford Library, 496 Franklin Avenue, 718.623.2134

Films

Russian Film Series: Russian Hollywood
Film critic Oleg Sulkin discusses Yul Brynner, one of the major Hollywood stars of Russian extraction, and plays excerpts from his movies and recordings of his gypsy songs. This event is in Russian and English.
Tuesday, Feb 2, 7 PM
Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Silent Film Series: Slapstick Soufflé
The menu includes servings of love and slapstick from distinguished chefs: The Immigrant with Charlie Chaplin, Remember When? with Harry Langdon and You're Darn Tootin' with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.
Sunday, Feb 7, 1:30 PM

Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Film Screening and Discussion: The Dhamma Brothers
This documentary follows four inmates, all convicted of murder, who enroll in a prison meditation program in Alabama that involves an emotionally and physically demanding 10 days of silent meditation.
Saturday, Feb 20, 4 PM
Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Film Screenings: American Pioneers

Two short films feature African American pioneers: Willa Beatrice Brown: An American Aviator, which documents the first African American woman to be a licensed pilot, and A Child Shall Lead Them, which recounts the story of 11 first-graders in desegregaTed Nashville public schools in 1957.
Sunday, Feb 21, 1:30 PM
Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Music, Dance & More

Brooklyn Sings, Brooklyn Swings: Barbara King
This Brooklynite has advanced the confluence of jazz and inspirational music during regular appearances at Birdland, Tavern on the Green and Lenox Lounge, among others.
Thursday, Feb 4, 7 PM
Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Broadbelt Guitar Duo
Brothers Sean and Girshwyn Broadbelt's unique style and sound is Latin classical acoustic guitar with a twist of Latin jazz, blues and Spanish jazz.
Saturday, Feb 6, 4 PM
Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Classical Interludes: Trio Sima
Trio Sima-featuring Sofya Melikyan on piano, Priscilla Lee on cello and Sami Merdinian on violin-deliver powerful and interpretations of classical and ethnic Armenian repertoire.

Sunday, Feb 7, 4 PM
Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Visions in Brooklyn Verses
Spoken word artist Bob McNeil and a musical collaborator share original works and poetry by Brooklyn writers, such as Walt Whitman and Hart Crane. Register for the open mic portion by emailing programs@brooklynpubliclibrary.org. Spaces are limited.
Thursday, Feb 11, 7 PM
Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Russian Literary Series: Yuriy Norshtein
Norshtein is an animation filmmaker best known for his shorts, Hedgehog in the Fog and Tale of Tales. This event is in Russian. Please RSVP for tickets at 718.230.2222 Limit two per person.
Saturday, Feb 13, 4 PM

Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

The History of White People
Eminent historian Nell Irvin Painter begins at the roots of Western civilization to trace the invention of the idea of a white race, often for economic, scientific and political ends.
Sunday, Feb 14, 1:30 PM
Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Classical Interludes: Jessica Lee
Violinist Lee is the first prize winner of the 2005 Concert Artists Guild International Competition.
Sunday, Feb 14, 4 PM

Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Capathia Jenkins and Louis Rosen: The Ache of Possibility
Broadway vocalist Jenkins and award-winning songwriter/guitarist and arranger Rosen perform songs of love, politics and choices.
Thursday, Feb 18, 7 PM
Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Classical Interludes: Thomas Tirino
Tirino, one of the finest interpreters of Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona, performs Lecuona's 19th-century Cuban danzas, along with some of Scott Joplin's rags.
Sunday, Feb 21, 4 PM

Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Classical Interludes: American Brass Quintet
Internationally recognized as one of the premiere chamber music ensembles of our time, this quintet consists of Kevin Cobb on trumpet, Raymond Mase on trumpet, Michael Powell on trombone, John D. Rojak on bass trombone and David Wakefield on horn.
Sunday, Feb 28, 4 PM
Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Readings & Discussions

Romance Book Discussion: Love or Something Like It
Discuss this novel by Deirdre Shaw.
Monday, Feb 1, 2 PM
Clinton Hill Library, 380 Washington Avenue, 718.398.8713

Book Discussion
Call for this session's title.
Wednesday, Feb 3, 2 PM
Sheepshead Bay Library, 2636 East 14th Street, 718.368.1815
Monday, Feb 22, 1:30 PM
Windsor Terrace Library, 160 East Fifth Street, 718.686.9707

Wednesday, Feb 24, 6 PM
Bedford Library, 496 Franklin Avenue, 718.623.2134
Saturday, Feb 27, 11 AM

Walt Whitman Library, 93 Saint Edwards Street, 718.935.0244

Philosophy Discussion Group
Discuss topics chosen by members of the group.
Fridays, Feb 12 & 26, 3:30 PM
New Utrecht Library, 1743 86th Street, 718.236.4086

True to Life: Marilyn Johnson
Marilyn Johnson is the author of The Dead Beat, about the art of obituaries and obituary writers, and This Book Is Overdue!, a celebration of librarians and archivists in the digital age.
Thursday, Feb 25, 7:00 pm
Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Exhibitions

All exhibitions run November 14 through February 21 at Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100.

Sesame Street: A Celebration of 40 Years of Life on the Street
Grand Lobby
Original Sesame Street book art from Sesame Workshop's publishing archives, featuring a range of illustrators' works in a variety of styles from the 1970s to the present.

Foyer Cases
The story of Sesame Street, from its inception to its future, told through photographs, scripts, original sheet music, celluloid animation, props, Muppets and other memorabilia from the show's 40-year history.

Youth Wing
A variety of Sesame Street stories, illustrated with photographs, show props and Muppet materials. Also, the international reach of Sesame Street is highlighted through photographs and books from around the world.

Transplanted Ornament
by Jean Shin and Brian Ripel
A site-specific collaborative installation by this artist and architect couple made of wrought iron metal "transplanted" from nearby neighborhood brownstones.
Staircase between the Second and Third Floor

FOR KIDS

Family Story Time
Saturday, Feb 6, 2:30 PM
Mill Basin Library, 2385 Ralph Avenue, 718.241.3973

Arts & Crafts
Monday, Feb 8, 3:30 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159

Valentine's Day Arts & Crafts
Tuesday, Feb 9, 4 PM
Homecrest Library, 2525 Coney Island Avenue, 718.382.5924

Computers for Kids
Don't just sit at a computer! Find out all the places it can take you.
Wednesday, Feb 10, 4 PM

Registration required
Mill Basin Library, 2385 Ralph Avenue, 718.241.3973

Sweetheart Poetry
Friday, Feb 12, 3:30 PM
Red Hook Library, 7 Wolcott Street, 718.935.0203

Chinese New Year!

Grace Chang performs puppetry, miming and magic in honor of the Year of the Tiger.

Saturday, Feb 13, 1 PM

Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Sweetbeatz
Early childhood teacher and vocalist MerEdith Wright performs original songs that are sweet, soulful, edgy and energetic.
Saturday, Feb 27, 1 PM

Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Preschool Story Time
Enjoy classic books and songs with others, ages 3 to 5.
Wednesdays, 11 AM
Homecrest Library, 2525 Coney Island Avenue, 718.382.5924

Movie
Enjoy free film screenings.
Thursday, Feb 18, 4 PM
Homecrest Library, 2525 Coney Island Avenue, 718.382.5924

Chess Workshop
Learn to play chess with a professional.
Fridays, 3:30 PM
Borough Park Library, 1265 43rd Street, 718.437.4085

Fun Fridays
Hang out and enjoy books, games, music and arts and crafts.
Fridays, 3:30 PM
Red Hook Library, 7 Wolcott Street, 718.935.0203

FOR TEENS

Karaoke
Thursdays, Feb 4 & 25, 3:30 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159

Valentine's Day Arts & Crafts
Monday, Feb 8, 4 PM
Registration required

Mill Basin Library, 2385 Ralph Avenue, 718.241.3973

Thursday, Feb 11, 3:45 PM
Kensington Library, 410 Ditmas Avenue, 718.435.9431
Friday, Feb 12, 3 PM
Gerritsen Beach Library, 2808 Gerritsen Avenue, 718.748.6919

PlayStation Gaming
Join your friends and meet new ones while playing video games.
Wednesdays, Feb 10 & 24, 3:30 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159

Wednesdays, 4 PM
Clinton Hill Library, 380 Washington Avenue, 718.398.8713
Thursdays, 3:45 PM
Canarsie Library, 1580 Rockaway Parkway, 718.257.3547

Thursdays, 4 PM
Gerritsen Beach Library, 2808 Gerritsen Avenue, 718.748.6919

Thursdays, 4 PM
Sheepshead Bay Library, 2636 East 14th Street, 718.368.1815

DIY Teens
Do-it-yourself crafts for forward-thinking teens!
Friday, Feb 12, 3 PM
Pacific Library, 25 Fourth Avenue, 718.638.1531

Computers for Teens
Don't just sit at a computer! Find out all the places it can take you.
Tuesday, Feb 23, 4 PM
Homecrest Library, 2525 Coney Island Avenue, 718.382.5924

Manga Mania
Draw manga, and submit your art for a display.
Tuesday, Feb 23, 4 PM
Stone Avenue Library, 581 Mother Gaston Boulevard, 718.485.8347

Teen Time
Hang out and enjoy books, games and music.
Mondays, 3 PM
Flatlands Library, 2065 Flatbush Avenue, 718.253.4409
Tuesdays, 3:30 PM
Red Hook Library, 7 Wolcott Street, 718.935.0203
Fridays, 3:45 PM
Canarsie Library, 1580 Rockaway Parkway, 718.257.3547

Chess
Tuesdays, 4 PM
Canarsie Library, 1580 Rockaway Parkway, 718.257.3547

Tuesdays, 5:30 PM
Gravesend Library, 303 Avenue X, 718.382.5792

Wednesdays, 3:30 PM
Homecrest Library, 2525 Coney Island Avenue, 718.382.5924
Thursdays, 4 PM
Kings Bay Library, 3650 Nostrand Avenue, 718.435.9431
Fridays, 3:30 PM

Registration required
Sheepshead Bay Library, 2636 East 14th Street, 718.368.1815
Saturdays, 1 PM
Registration required

Gerritsen Beach Library, 2808 Gerritsen Avenue, 718.748.6919

Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a huge selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, job search help, literacy programs, public computers and the largest WiFi network in the borough. BPL's eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, as well as catalog information, are available to customers 24 hours a day at our website: www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org.

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