Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Free Harry Potter Film Festival Continues at the Library

What to do on a rainy day...

Over the last two weeks we've had a chance to show and watch the first two installments of the Harry Potter epic in our auditorium theater, which has a pull-down screen, built-in sound, and seats 300. Children AND adults have flocked to watch these excellent movies and seek out shelter from recent torrential downpours--I can't think of a better FREE way to spend a rainy day! This film festival is taking place in preparation for the big release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in mid July at local movie theaters. Library moviegoers also have the chance to participate in our free drawing to win the entire box set of Harry Potter books 1-7.

Here is the upcoming schedule of free Movie Mondays at Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, Providence:

Monday, June 29 -- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Two showings: 1:00 & 5:30pm (run time: approx. 142 min), rated PG
Harry, Ron and Hermione return to for their third year to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An escaped prisoner named Sirius Black seems to pose a threat to Harry but is he really a foe...or a friend. The answer provides a shocking revelation about what happened 12 years ago when Harry got his famous scar!

Monday, July 6 -- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Two showings: 1:00pm & 6:30pm (run time: approx. 157 min), rated PG-13
"Difficult times lay ahead, Harry." This is the warning that meets our favorite wizard in training as he heads back for his fourth year at Hogwart's School. Harry is mysteriously entered into the dangerous Tri-wizard Tournament even though he is underage. He must train for many challenging and the possible return of his nemesis, the evil Lord Voldemort.

Monday, July 13 -- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Two showings: 1:00pm & 6:30pm (run time: approx. 138 min), rated PG-13
Our hero has to battle the Ministry of Magic as they seize more power at Hogwarts and refuse to believe that the evil Voldemort has returned. Harry's overwhelming school work, changes in the Quiddich team, and the increased threat from his nemesis make for his most challenging and darkest year yet.

WHAT YOU'VE MISSED so far...
To catch you up (spoiler alert for those living under rocks): in movie number one (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) Harry finds out that he's a wizard by accident, of course, and gets delivered from his domestic muggle hell family to Hogwarts for the year by Hagrid, the only one to recognize his birthday. He realizes he's famous in the wizard world for being the only one to survive a run-in with the evil wizard Voldemort (whose power he turned against him to subdue him). Harry also becomes a "seeker" on the Quiddich team, gets his very own invisibility cloak and fancy broomstick, and learns that Professor Snape isn't all bad... after Harry saves the day.

In movie number two (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), Harry learns that he can speak parseltongue (snake language), a rare and scary talent, which raises suspicion. After a number of students, including Hermione, become petrified (literally), Harry must solve the mystery of Tom Riddle, rescue the captive Ginny Weasley, and break the Slytherin-Voldemort curse of the mighty basilisk before its killing spree of muggle-morn wizards beings. With the help of a fairly massive spider and Fawkes the Phoenix, all is well at Hogwarts once again, although the über-blond Malfoy family is miffed. You also get to see Ron barf slugs and barely manage his father's flying car in this one but, unfortunately in my opinion, you have to suffer the annoying, third-person antics of Dobby the House Elf.

Don't forget to check out Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, where Gary Oldman comes on board as Sirius Black--how cool IS he, anyway? In my book, he and Alan Rickman, take the Harry Potter prize for coolest adults in a children's series.





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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

César Santana this Thursday, June 11 at PPL

FREE Live Latino Music at the Library

Thursday, June 11, 2009
6:30 PM-7:30 PM
Providence Public Library

Lippitt Hall (1st fl)
150 Empire Street
Providence, RI 02903
Google Maps - MapQuest

César Santana brings a bohemian mix of genres and influences to his original Latino sound, which is at once contemporary and romantic. In this acoustic set, his band will invoke classic flamenco elements using traditional and modern instruments. César's strong lyrics and rich vocals are infused with nostalgia, expressing a combination of passion and joy that will make you want to raise a glass to toast the night, the moon, and even love itself! Don't miss this local favorite--slow dance at the Library and then take your sweetheart to dinner.For more information and samples of his Cesar's music, visit: http://www.myspace.com/cesarasantana

Monday, May 18, 2009

Author Max Kennedy Discusses Danger's Hour

Danger's Hour: The Story of the USS Bunker Hill and the Kamikaze Pilot who Crippled Her

Thursday, May 28, 2009
6:00-6:30pm: Book Sale and Signing
6:30-7:30pm: Introduction and Discussion with the Author

Providence Public Library
Central Library
Barnard Room, 3rd Floor
150 Empire Street
Providence, RI 02903

Author and maritime historian Max Kennedy presents Danger's Hour: The Story of the USS Bunker Hill and the Kamikaze Pilot Who Crippled Her. Opening remarks by Ted Widmer, historian, librarian, and director of the John Carter Brown Library.


Born in New York and residing in Providence, author Matthew Maxwell Taylor Kennedy is the ninth child of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel Kennedy. This, his most recent book was featured in The Daily Show and has garnered praise from filmmaker Ken Burns, journalist Tom Brokaw, and historians Walter Isaacson, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Stanley Karnow.

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is strongly recommended by emailing lmiller@provlib.org. The book will be available for sale and signing at 6:00pm by the Brown Book Store.




Wednesday, May 13, 2009

CANCELLED -- Discuss Mr. Emerson's Wife with Author Amy Belding Brown

THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL THIS FALL. WE ARE SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.






A Secret Transcendentalist Affair? Author Amy Belding Brown Visits PPL

Sunday, May 17, 2009 -- 2:00 pm
Providence Public Library
Central Library
Trustees Room, 3rd Floor
150 Empire Street
Providence, RI 02903


Author Amy Belding Brown & PPL's New England Book Club present Mr. Emerson's Wife, a work of historical fiction. In her own words, author Amy Belding Brown presents this book as a novel of "what might have been." While not a literal account of the life of Ralph Waldo or Lidian Emerson, it is a captivating story based on a rumored affair between Lidian and Henry David Thoreau that is sure to spark discussion.

Check out a review!

About the Author
Amy Belding Brown, a graduate of Bates College, received her master of fine arts degree from Vermont College. Her publication credits include Yankee, Good Housekeeping, and American Way, among others. The wife of a United Church of Christ minister and mother of four, she teaches writing at Fitchburg State College and Worcester State College in Massachusetts.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration (and reading the book beforehand) is strongly recommended: lmiller@provlib.org.



Thursday, May 7, 2009

Old House Soul & Live Music Tonight - 5/7

Live Music & Documentary Film Screening
at the Library

Presented in partnership with the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF)

Thursday, May 7, 20096:00 PM-7:30 PM
Providence Public Library's Central Library
Lippitt Hall, 1st Floor
150 Empire Street
Providence, RI 02903
Following a live musical performance by "Detroit Rebellion," a contributor to the bluesy-folk soundtrack of their documentary Old House Soul, award-winning filmmakers Don Manley and Michel Schtakleff will screen their first installment of this "work-in-progress," focusing on the preservation of Moffett Mill. They will also show a piece that documents Don Manley's restoration of his house in Foster, Rhode Island.

Old House Soul is a film about the late preservationist Steve Tyson Sr. and the tradition of architectural preservation in Rhode Island. Tyson's company, Architectural Preservation Group was established in 1978 and is responsible for preserving hundreds of historic sites, buildings, and houses across our state. Part of RIIFF's Roving Eye Documentary series, this film earned directors Don Manley and Michel Schtakleff an Emerging Eye First Time Director Award at the 2008 Rhode Island International Film Festival.For more information, visit: http://www.oldhousesoul.com/.

Watch the video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NirTJAVLrt0

This event is free and open to the public.