Banned Books Week 2011 - Affiliate Events

CONNECTICUT | LOUISIANA | MICHIGAN | MONTANA | NEVADA | NEW YORK | OHIO | OREGON | PENNSYLVANIA | RHODE ISLAND | TEXAS | VERMONT

CONNECTICUT
Hartford
Banned Books Week Readout
Monday, Sept., 26, light refreshments at 6 p.m., program begins at 6:30 p.m.
Hartford Public Library
500 Main St, Hartford
FREE
Notable Connecticut figures will read and discuss selected passages from banned and threatened books in a presentation by the Hartford Public Library and the ACLU of Connecticut. Admission is free and light refreshments will be serviced. WNPR radio host Colin McEnroe will serve as moderator. For more information call 860-695-6295 or email: rfrieder@hplct.org or jleblanc@acluct.org.

LOUISIANA
New Orleans
Banned Books 2011
Sunday, October 2, 5:30 p.m.
Ralph’s on the Park
900 City Park Avenue, New Orleans
FREE
This event is free and open to the public, and will include a cash bar, menu, door prizes, and banned book trivia! For further info, contact Julie at julie@laaclu.org.

MICHIGAN
Kalamazoo
ACLU of MI SW Branch Banned Books Read-Out and Art Contest Awards
Friday, October 7, 5:30 p.m.
Kalamazoo Public Library
315 S. Rose Street, Kalamazoo
FREE
Join the ACLU of Michigan Southwestern Branch and the Kalamazoo Public Library to celebrate free speech at our annual Banned Books Read-Out and Art Contest Awards. Each year we invite local celebrities and officials to read frequently challenged and censored books aloud in celebration of Banned Books Week, as well has sponsoring an art exhibit of works based around the selected books. For more information and to RSVP, visit our website.

MONTANA
Great Falls
Too Dangerous for the Big Sky?
Monday, September 26, noon
Montana State University, Heritage Hall
2100 16th Ave. South, Great Falls
FREE

Helena
Too Dangerous for the Big Sky?
Monday, Sept. 26, 6:30 p.m.
Lewis and Clark County Library
120 S. Last Chance Gulch, Helena
FREE
Almost since Montana’s beginnings, people have tried to control what you read. From mining’s heyday in Butte, through the Sedition Act of World War I and on to modern challenges in schools and public libraries, books have been targeted for being too violent, too insulting, too sexy or just plain dangerous. Explore the history of book banning in the United States and Montana, and find out what’s being done to protect your intellectual freedom. All attendees will be given a free copy of the “Too Dangerous for the Big Sky?” poster. Call 406-459-1114 for more information.

NEVADA
Las Vegas
Uncensored Voices: Celebrating Literary Freedom
Tuesday, September 27, 7 – 9 p.m.
Clark County Library Theater
1401 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas
FREE
Moderated by Black Mountain Institute Executive Director and UNLV President Emerita Dr. Carol Harter, the evening will feature readings and performances from a variety of community figures, including:

• Charles Bock, Author of Beautiful Children
• Bob Brown, Publisher, Las Vegas Review-Journal
• Maile Chapman, Author of Your Presence is Requested at Suvanto
• Jeanne Goodrich, Executive Director, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District
• Jane Heenan, Director, Equality Nevada of Las Vegas
• Laura Henkel, Owner, Sin City Gallery
• Andrew Kiraly, Editor, Desert Companion and Author of Crit
• Steve Sebelius, Political Columnist
• And a special appearance by the Nevada Repertory Dance Theater

NEW YORK
Schenectady
Banned Books Readings
Sunday, September 25, 2 p.m.
Schenectady County Public Library, 99 Clinton Street, Schenectady
FREE
Albany
Banned Books Readings
Thursday, September 29, 6 p.m.
University Club, 141 Washington Avenue, Albany
FREE
At each event, local notables (authors, artists and elected officials) will read excerpts from their favorite banned book. For more information contact Melanie Trimble 518-436-8594.

OHIO
Cleveland
Word Warriors: The Banned Brilliance of African American Authors
Tuesday, September 27, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., reception to follow
Karamu House, Inc. 2355 E. 89th St., Cleveland, Ohio 44106
FREE
Join the ACLU of Ohio and Karamu House, Inc. for Word Warriors: Banned Brilliance of African American Authors, a celebration of Banned Books Week.
Books by African American authors that highlight inequality have been banned or challenged in many libraries, classrooms, and communities, often because of concerns that they will “inspire racial tensions.” Community leaders, artists and activists will read from select works by these treasured African American writers.
Free and open to the public. Free parking is available. For more information or to RSVP, please call (216) 472-2220 or email contact@acluohio.org.

Columbus
Word Warriors: The Banned Brilliance of African American Authors
Tuesday, September 27, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., reception to follow
Columbus Urban League, 788 Mt. Vernon Ave., Columbus
FREE
Join the ACLU of Ohio for Word Warriors: Banned Brilliance of African American Authors, a celebration of Banned Books Week.
Books by African American authors that highlight inequality have been banned or challenged in many libraries, classrooms, and communities, often because of concerns that they will “inspire racial tensions.” Community leaders, artists and activists will read from select works by these treasured African American writers.
Free and open to the public. Free parking is available. For more information or to RSVP, please call (216) 472-2220 or email contact@acluohio.org.

OREGON
Portland
Banned Books reading at Powell’s Books
Sunday, September 25, 7:30 p.m.
Powell’s City of Books
1005 W Burnside, Portland
FREE
Powell’s Books and the ACLU of Oregon present an evening of readings, including Courtenay Hameister – host of OPB’s Live Wire! radio show; illustrator Jonathan Hill and his graphic novel about censorship, Americus; B. Frayn Masters co-creator of Back Fence PDX, a Portland storytelling production; and others. Andi Zeisler, co-founder of Bitch Magazine, will emcee.

UNCENSORED Celebration
Saturday, October 1, 8 p.m. – midnight
Someday Lounge
125 NW 5th Ave, Portland
$7 donation
Celebrate freedom of expression in style at the ACLU of Oregon’s Uncensored Celebration. Featuring performances by Burlesquire, Portland’s favorite ‘boy-lesque’ dance group, the party music of Purple & Green, and more. You don’t want to miss our annual party for freedom! Plus, we’ll be giving away fabulous door prizes courtesy of Laurelhurst Market; Clyde Common; Crema; Zanana Spa; Murder by the Book; and Luna Hair Studios.

ACLU President Susan Herman at Powell’s Books
Monday, October 3, 7:30 p.m.
Powell’s City of Books
1005 W Burnside, Portland
FREE
ACLU of Oregon and Powell’s Books are proud to welcome Susan Herman, ACLU national board president, to talk about her new book Taking Liberties: The War on Terror and the Erosion of Democracy. In this eye-opening work, Herman takes a hard look at the human and social costs of the War on Terror. This book is a wake-up call for all Americans, who remain largely unaware of the post-9/11 surveillance regime’s insidious and continuing growth.

Lane County
Eugene Banned Book Read-Out!
Sunday, September 25, Noon – 2 p.m.
Eugene Public Library
100 W 10th Ave, Eugene
FREE
The Lane County ACLU chapter is proud to organize this Eugene event to celebrate freedom of speech, intellectual freedom, and freedom from censorship! Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy will kick-off the readings.

Springfield Banned Book Read-Out!
Saturday, October 1, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Springfield Public Library
225 5th Street, Springfield
FREE
The Lane County ACLU chapter is proud to organize this Springfield event to celebrate freedom of speech, intellectual freedom, and freedom from censorship! Springfield Mayor Christine Lundberg will kick-off the readings.

PENNSYLVANIA
Pittsburgh
FREADom: A Celebration of the Right to Read
Monday, September 26, 7:00 p.m.
Frick Fine Arts Building, Schenley Plaza
Oakland, Pittsburgh, (across from the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall)
Map (on University of Pittsburgh web site)
FREE
This year’s featured readers:

• Jasiri X- rap artist and social activist
• LUPEC (Ladies United For The Preservation of Endangered Cocktails)
• Richard Rauh, actor, teacher, philanthropist
• MORE TO COME!

RHODE ISLAND
Providence
Banned Books
Friday, September 23, 5 – 7 p.m.
The Providence Athenaeum
251 Benefit Street, Providence
FREE
Refreshments will be served. Readers include: Indigo Bethea, Tina Cane, Michael S. Harper, Jane Lancaster, and Max Winter. This event is co-sponsored by the Rhode Island ACLU and the Providence Athenaeum. For more info call 401-831-7171 or visit www.riaclu.org.

TEXAS
Corpus Christi
3rd Annual Banned: Free People, Read Freely
Saturday, October 1, 4 – 6 p.m.
Half Price Books
5425 S. Padre Island Dr., Corpus Christi, TX
FREE
This event will consist of 8 noteworthy speakers, including Reverend Phil Douglas of Pastor Unitarian Church, reading passages they have selected from books that have been banned or challenged. For more information, email ccaclu@prodigy.net.
San Antonio
A Chat with William Faulkner
Saturday, October 1, 10 – 11 a.m.
Parman Library at Stone Oak
20735 Wilderness Oak, San Antonio
Dr. John D. Anderson, associate professor at Boston’s Emerson College, will become legendary American author William Faulkner to help celebrate Banned Books Week. Anderson will present a one-man show that consists of a monologue in character. While still in character he will field questions from the audience. Afterward he drops the character and takes further questions as a scholar. For more information, call (210) 207-2703.

VERMONT
Waitsfield
An Evening Without: Giving Voice to the Silenced
Sunday, Sept. 25, 7:00 pm
Big Picture Theater
Waitsfield, VT
Admission by donation.
Vermont writers read from works that have been challenged, censored, or banned. This event is held during Banned Books Week (September 24-October 1) in celebration of the First Amendment. Featured readers are Lisa Alther, Philip Baruth, Emily Bernard, Rusty DeWees, David Goodman, Tanya Lee Stone, and Eric Zencey; emcee is Allen Gilbert, ACLU-VT executive director. For more information, go to www.acluvt.org.