Spring 2017 Friday Afternoon Author Series

January 11th, 2017 - 12:23pm

Book cover with blue background and an illustration of Jesus   Altamont book cover   The Art of Pilgrimage book cover

Emeritus Students College of Marin (ESCOM) and Book Passage kick off the spring 2017 Friday Afternoon Author Series on February 10 with NPR’s Michael Krasny discussing his book Let There Be Laughter: A Treasury of Jewish Humor and What It All Means. With his background as a scholar and public-radio host, Krasny explores the themes, topics, and forms of Jewish humor. His book is both an enlightening and hilarious collection of Jewish humor passed down from generation to generation with explanations that provide cultural context, expressions, and anxieties behind the laughs.

ESCOM and Book Passage have once again partnered to bring a series of interesting authors to the community as part of the Haddie Mini-Lecture Series. Admission to each lecture is free, thanks to generous sponsorship by the Haddie Fund. Books are available for purchase at all events and signings will follow each lecture.

On March 24, celebrated rock journalist Joel Selvin tells the definitive history of the Rolling Stones’ infamous Altamont concert in San Francisco. This disastrous, historic event ended up marking the end of the idealistic ‘60s. Selvin’s book Altamont: The Rolling Stones, the Hells Angels, and the Inside Story of Rock’s Darkest Day is the product of 20 years of research and dozens of interviews with many of the key players present during rock's formative and most turbulent decade.

The spring series closes April 28 with award-winning writer and filmmaker Phil Cousineau, host of the Global Spirits series seen on PBS and Link TB. Cousineau weaves stories, myths, parables, and quotes from famous travelers with practical suggestions and accounts of modern-day pilgrims in his book The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker’s Guide to Making Travel Sacred. He artfully connects the voices of travelers into a series of meditations suggesting different ways to see with one’s heart.

All lectures are free and open to the public. Unless otherwise noted, events will be held in the library’s William Keith Room, located on the second floor of the Learning Resources Center. More information about the authors and their books is available online at http://libguides.marin.edu/events.

Michael Krasny – Let There Be Laughter

Friday, February 10
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Academic Center, room 255
Kentfield Campus

Joel Selvin – Altamont: The Rolling Stones, the Hells Angels, and the Inside Story of Rock's Darkest Day

Friday, March 24
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
William Keith Room
Kentfield Campus Library

Phil Cousineau – The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker's Guide to Making Travel Sacred

Friday, April 28
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
William Keith Room
Kentfield Campus Library