The Associates of the Boston Public Library is pleased to invite you to the 29th Annual Literary Lights awards dinner.
Join the BPL on Sunday, April 23, 2017, at the Boston Park Plaza for a spectacular black tie (optional) evening honoring distinguished authors from the Northeast for their contributions to literature and the written word. The evening begins with a reception at 6:00 PM, followed by dinner and the awards program at 7:00 PM.
The Associates of the Boston Public Library are honored to recognize the following authors as their 2017 Literary Lights:
Presented by: Hentry Louis Gates, Jr.
Appiah is a philosopher, novelist, professor and cultural theorist. He grew up in Ghana and earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy at Cambridge University in London. Professor Appiah has lectured around the world and taught at Princeton, Yale, Cornell, Duke and Harvard Universities before moving to New York University where he now teaches in the Department of Philosophy. In 2009 Forbes Magazine named him one of the world’s most powerful thinkers, in 2010 he was on the list of Foreign Policy Magazine’s top global thinkers, and he was awarded the National Humanitarian Medal at a White House ceremony in 2012. Appiah, the author of numerous books and articles, has traveled around the world giving lectures on multiculturalism, global citizenship, courage, identity, and religion. One of his early books, In My Father’s House, which explores the role of African American intellectuals in shaping contemporary African life, won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award and the Herskovits Award for the most important scholarly work on African studies published in English. Appiah is well known for his columns and podcasts as the Ethicist for the New York Times.
Presented by: Christopher Lydon
Faludi is a journalist and author who has written extensively on gender issues. In 1991 she was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism for a piece on the leverage buyout of Safeway Stores, focusing on the “human cost of high finance.” After graduating from Harvard University, where she wrote for The Harvard Crimson, she was a contributor to the New Yorker, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Nation, as well as many other publications. In the 1980s Faludi wrote several pieces on the feminist movement and the resistance to it, resulting in her 1991 book, Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women, for which she won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction. She went on to write Stiffed: The Betrayal of the American Man, The Terror Dream, and, most recently, The Darkroom, which was inspired by her father’s transsexuality. She was a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies in the 2008-2009 academic year and a 2013-2014 Tallman Scholar in the Gender and Women’s Studies Program at Bowdoin College.
Presented by: Andre Dubus III
Lamb is the best-selling author of She’s Come Undone, I know This Much is True, The Hour I First Believed, and Wishin’ and Hopin’. His first two books were selected for Oprah’s Book Club, were New York Times best-sellers, New York Times Notable Books of the Year and, between them, have been translated into 18 languages. His latest novel is We Are Water. Lamb has also edited two volumes of essays: Couldn’t Keep it to Myself and I’ll Fly Away, written by students in his writing workshops at a women’s prison in Connecticut. He has taught creative writing in the English department at the University of Connecticut, was founder and director of the Writing Center at Norwich Free Academy, has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and Connecticut Commission for the Arts, and was honored with the Connecticut Center for the Book’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Presented by: Gregory Maguire
Selznick graduated from RISD where he studied illustration and, while there, took classes in set design at Brown University. After graduation, he worked at a children’s book store in New York City while writing his debut book, The Houdini Box. In 2008 he won the Caldecott Medal from the American Library Association, for The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the first such award for a book this long; 533 pages with 284 illustrations. The book was adapted into a 2011 film, Hugo, directed by Martin Scorsese. He has also been awarded a 2002 Caldecott Honor for his illustrations of Barbara Kerley’s The Dinosaurs of Waterhorse Hawkins. In addition, Mr. Selznick has received the Texas Bluebonnet Award, the Rhode Island Children’s Book Award and the Christopher Award, given to media which “affirm the highest values of the human spirit.”
Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall (Keynote Speaker)
Presented by: David Leonard
Marshall was born in South Africa where, as a student, she led the National Union of South African Students, working to end oppressive minority rule and achieve equality for all South Africans. Marshall first came to the US as a high school exchange student in Wilmington, DL in 1962, as the civil rights battles were beginning to boil over, and later returned to the US for graduate school, where she became involved with the anti-war and the women’s movements. After Yale Law School, she entered private practice, became President of the Boston Bar Association, Vice President & General Counsel for Harvard University, and then went on to the State’s Supreme Court, where she became the first female Chief Justice of the oldest continuously serving appellate court in the Western Hemisphere. Though she has had many accomplishments, Justice Marshall is most renowned for her 2003 opinion which led Massachusetts to become the first state in the nation to outlaw the ban on same-sex marriage. Although she loved her time on the bench, Justice Marshall stepped down in 2010. She now mentors young lawyers at her former law firm, Choate Hall & Stewart, and teaches at Harvard University.
In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of these outstanding writers, proceeds from Literary Lights support the David McCullough Conservation Fund, William O. Taylor Art Preservation Fund, Associates Endowment Fund, and the Associates of the Boston Public Library’s operations. The Associates created the McCullough Fund in 2001 to provide a consistent source of funding for the conservation and preservation of books, manuscripts, works of art and historic documents in the BPL’s Special Collections.
If you would prefer to receive a mailed invitation or for more information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Associates office at associates@bpl.org or (617) 536-3886. Thank you.
Celebrate the 4th 52 Stories Up
Sky-High Fourth of July kicks off at 6:00pm with a one-hour welcome reception with an open bar and passed hors d’oeuvres, followed by a five course seated dinner. Live music will be provided by The Liz Tobias Trio until the simulcast of the Boston Pops performance from the Hatch Shell. Guests will also have a perfect view of the fireworks over the Charles River, beginning at approximately 10:30 (weather permitting).
MENU
PASSED HORS D’OEUVRES
Crab Meat Cucumber Cup with Citrus Aioli;
Beef Carpaccio Crostini with Lemon Peppercorn Sauce;
Honeydew & Mint Gazpacho;
Smoked Salmon Canape with Caviar & Chive Crème Fraiche
PLUS DISPLAY STATIONS
Jumbo Cocktail Shrimp; Crab Claws; Cape Cod Oysters
New England Cheese Board; Nuts & Fruit Preparations;
Grilled, Roasted & Raw Summer Vegetables; Assorted Dips;
House Made Hummus & Baba Gannoush; Grilled Pita Bread;
and more.
Dinner
Appetizer Sampler
Alaskan King Crab Legs with Sriracha Aioli
Seared Tuna Crudo with Pineapple Chili Salsa
House Made Bread Stick with Truffle Butter, Prosciutto di Parma
Chicken Liver Pate with Grilled Peach Relish
Lobster, Grilled Corn, Tomato & Watermelon Salad
Thai Chili Vinaigrette
Lemon Ricotta Caramelle Pasta
English Pea Puree, Summer Tomatoes, Corn Shoots
Slow Roasted Sliced Beef Tenderloin
Grilled Miso Rubbed Jumbo Shrimp
Boursin and Scallion Potato Cake, Summer Vegetables,
Bearnaise Sauce
Blueberry Cheesecake, Red Currant Mousse
White Godiva Chocolate Sauce
Discover All That the Center Has to Offer
C’est la rentrée! The French Cultural Center invites all French speakers, Francophiles and French-at-heart to join us for our annual Open House. Get a taste of their exciting offerings and take a sneak peek at the fall season. Sip on French wine and savor tasty treats while listening to live music. Come in, mingle, and discover a little piece of France right in the heart of Boston!
This event is free. No prior experience with French is necessary. An RSVP is requested but walk-ins are welcome.
About this Event
IN THE LIBRARY
Check out the latest arrivals, learn more about upcoming library programs and discover Culturethèque, the online platform available for free to members that contains hundreds of magazines, eBooks, comic books, and children’s picture books.
IN THE EDUCATION CORNER
Take a placement test and register for a fall class. Attendees will enjoy discounts on French courses if they register during the Open House. Interested in getting a taste for a class before registering? They’ll be offering 30 minute crash courses for B1 Coffee talk at 6pm and for A1 Beginner French Core Language at 6:30pm as well as a 45 minute crash course for B1/B2 Let’s Cook in French at 6pm.
Please RSVP at education@frenchculturalcenter.org if you want to attend a crash course. There is a limit of 10 students per class so act fast!
BECOME A MEMBER
Join or renew your membership, and learn about the French Cultural Center’s new membership program featuring new benefits and reduced pricing!
UPCOMING CULTURAL EVENTS
Learn about their fall line-up! With a variety of lively events featuring local and international artists, creative thinkers, innovators, and performers, our monthly programs include art exhibits, film screenings, debates, hands-on workshops, cooking classes and wine tastings, social evenings and holiday celebrations.
The European Conference
On its sixth annual occasion, this student-led conference, the largest of its kind in North America, will bring together a thrilling and unique combination of policy, academic and business leaders to explore what, going forward, the “European way” might be: its challenges, opportunities, and specifics.
Now that the European crisis seems largely passed, or so it would seem, where is the European Union headed? There are many reasons to be positive about the changes happening on the continent. Not only is growth back, but populism appears on the wane, pro-European leaders are elected, pro-European coalitions are structured, and overall confidence has made its way back within the European Institutions.
Where does the EU go from here? Societal, economic, defense and constitutional questions are quick to arise. The 2018 European Conference’s panels will investigate these issues from multiple perspectives and whenever relevant, disciplines. Each panel will feature world class speakers in their field, including Thomas Greminger, Secretary-General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, DavidO’Suillivan, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States, and Professor Danuta Hubner, Member of European Parliament (Poland), Chair of the European Parliament Constitutional Affairs Committee, who contribute to shaping tomorrow’s EU and transatlantic relationships. Their kind participation is a unique opportunity to shed light on some of the prime questions facing Europe today with ways of analyzing and offering solutions that may cross-fertilize U.S. approaches.
This year’s program of events is our most diverse to date. It features a full-day negotiation simulation on Friday (sign up via this form, positions are limited), a black-tie Opening Reception on Friday at the Havard Art Museums featuring our opening Keynote Address by European Commission for Competition Margrethe Vestager, a full day of panels, and for the first time ever, the conference will conclude with a piano recital by virtuoso Simon Ghraichy.
For more information, please click here.
Migrating Colors – Opening and Cocktail Reception
Join us for an enlightening panel discussion and presentation on Haitian art and culture as we celebrate the Le Mois de la Francophonie 2018 and the opening of Migrating Colors, our March exhibit on view in our gallery.
Charlot Lucien, President of Haitian Artists Assembly of Massachusetts (HAAM), will introduce us to Haitian art, while several artists will lead a discussion regarding their origins and influences.
This panel discussion will be followed by a book signing and cocktail reception. All proceeds from the book sale benefit HAAM.
About Migrating Colors: This book is the result of 20 years of cultural advocacy and partnerships with cultural, state, city institutions, poets and storytellers throughout the New England area. It benefited from the support of professional photographers, editors and art partners from Rhodes Island to New Hampshire. The books contains foreword comments by Haitian American author Edwidge Danticat, recipient of the 2009 MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, Massachusetts State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry and Edmund Barry Gaither, Director and Curator of the National Center of Afro-American Artists (NCAAA) who has since the Haiti earthquake helped curate various exhibitions of the Assembly.
Le Mois de la Francophonie continues with an evening of literature featuring Québécoise author Marie-Josée Duquette. We will learn about her two latest books; one that explores Boston through the eyes of a foreigner, while the other chronicles the difficult story of losing the father of her child to a cruel disease. This discussion will be led en français (in French).
About Marie-Josée Duquette: Marie-Josée Duquette is a Quebecer who has been living in Boston since 2010. Holder of a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and a DESS in communication-marketing from HEC, she writes articles on a blog that tells the different facets of American life.
A Mosaïque Benefit for the French Cultural Center
Dress Code: Revolutionary Black Tie. Black attire — with a single, revolutionary accessory — strongly encouraged.
Ticket Perks
Individual Tickets*: $175 | $95 is tax-deductible
*Under 40 ticket price changes to $225 on May 1, 2018
This special ticket price is designed for ascending philanthropists (under 40 years of age) this year. Perks include complimentary open bar and hors d’œuvres throughout the evening, and buffet.
Individual Tickets: $500 | $420 is tax-deductible
Perks include complimentary open bar and hors d’œuvres throughout the evening, and exclusive access to Private Seating with private buffet dinner.
Patron Sponsorship: $1,500 | 100% tax-deductible (less $80 per guest)
Perks include complimentary open bar and hors d’œuvres throughout the evening, and access to complimentary Private Seating with private buffet dinner. Name recognition on all Le Bal materials. As a Patron Sponsor, you and a guest are invited to join us for an exclusive pre-event cocktail party at a private residence on May 8, 2018. Details to follow.
Join the French Cultural Center for a series of cooking and wellness workshops for women.
Is living healthy at the top of your resolutions this year? Join physician and Certified Health and Wellness Coach Martine Vounatsos for a series of three cooking workshops. We will discuss ways to incorporate wellness into every aspect of a woman’s mental and physical health, from exercise and supplements to sleep habits and cooking methods.
Participants will craft and enjoy a traditional and healthy French meal with Martine in a convivial environment.
Each workshop will begin promptly at 11:10 AM. Aprons, ingredients, and will be kitchenware provided.
Please note, this event is intended for women only and in English.
About the Workshops
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Come learn about nutrients, water intake, and dietary habits, then enjoy preparing soupe de poireaux et pommes de terre avec une salade en vinaigrette (potato leek soup and salad with homemade vinaigrette).
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
In this discussion, we will learn about sleeping better and exercising—how and when? For the cooking workshop, attendees will prepare velouté d’asperges et salade de carottes râpées (asparagus soup and homemade carrot salad).
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
For our last discussion, we will learn about vitamins, supplements, and meditation. For the cooking workshop, attendees will prepare soupe et crème de champignons et salade frisée au vinaigre balsamique (mushroom soup and frisée salad with homemade balsamic vinaigrette).
Join the French Cultural Center for a series of cooking and wellness workshops for women.
Is living healthy at the top of your resolutions this year? Join physician and Certified Health and Wellness Coach Martine Vounatsos for a series of three cooking workshops. We will discuss ways to incorporate wellness into every aspect of a woman’s mental and physical health, from exercise and supplements to sleep habits and cooking methods.
Participants will craft and enjoy a traditional and healthy French meal with Martine in a convivial environment.
Each workshop will begin promptly at 11:10 AM. Aprons, ingredients, and will be kitchenware provided.
Please note, this event is intended for women only and in English.
About the Workshops
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Come learn about nutrients, water intake, and dietary habits, then enjoy preparing soupe de poireaux et pommes de terre avec une salade en vinaigrette (potato leek soup and salad with homemade vinaigrette).
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
In this discussion, we will learn about sleeping better and exercising—how and when? For the cooking workshop, attendees will prepare velouté d’asperges et salade de carottes râpées (asparagus soup and homemade carrot salad).
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
For our last discussion, we will learn about vitamins, supplements, and meditation. For the cooking workshop, attendees will prepare soupe et crème de champignons et salade frisée au vinaigre balsamique (mushroom soup and frisée salad with homemade balsamic vinaigrette).
Join the French Cultural Center for a series of cooking and wellness workshops for women.
Is living healthy at the top of your resolutions this year? Join physician and Certified Health and Wellness Coach Martine Vounatsos for a series of three cooking workshops. We will discuss ways to incorporate wellness into every aspect of a woman’s mental and physical health, from exercise and supplements to sleep habits and cooking methods.
Participants will craft and enjoy a traditional and healthy French meal with Martine in a convivial environment.
Each workshop will begin promptly at 11:10 AM. Aprons, ingredients, and will be kitchenware provided.
Please note, this event is intended for women only and in English.
About the Workshops
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Come learn about nutrients, water intake, and dietary habits, then enjoy preparing soupe de poireaux et pommes de terre avec une salade en vinaigrette (potato leek soup and salad with homemade vinaigrette).
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
In this discussion, we will learn about sleeping better and exercising—how and when? For the cooking workshop, attendees will prepare velouté d’asperges et salade de carottes râpées (asparagus soup and homemade carrot salad).
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
For our last discussion, we will learn about vitamins, supplements, and meditation. For the cooking workshop, attendees will prepare soupe et crème de champignons et salade frisée au vinaigre balsamique (mushroom soup and frisée salad with homemade balsamic vinaigrette).
