The Capital Region has no shortage of talented musicians, and Bethlehem Public Library been very lucky to feature many in the popular winter concert series, A Little Sunday Music, which resumes Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. with The Bleecker Consort, a local ensemble specializing in Medieval and Renaissance music.
The Bleecker Consort formed in 1988, and its members come from a variety of professional backgrounds, including medicine, music, academia, library sciences, astronomy, biology and Spanish. They play a diverse set of instruments, from early strings such as mandolin, lute, harp and hurdy-gurdy, to recorders, reeds and a variety of percussion.
The group, made up of Beth Gurzler, Jack Ishman, Allen Lescak, Michael Murphy, Janie Schwab, Deborah Segel and Ann Githler, has performed at the Troy Music Hall, the Albany Medieval Fair, and venues throughout the region and abroad. In 2018, it released “Bleecker Consort Live at St. Paul’s,” which was recorded during two “Music at Noon” concerts at St. Paul’s Church in Troy.
A Little Sunday Music wraps up the 2018-19 series on Sunday, March 10, with a vocal recital by Irina Tikhonenko, who will perform British and Russian classical art songs.
Concerts are free and open to the public. All ages are welcome. A Little Sunday Music is sponsored by the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library.
Be a part of the story
We’re kicking off winter break on Monday, Feb. 18, with storytellers Bells & Motley, who will share two performances of “Bawshou and the Water Dragon,” a traditional Chinese tale of wonder and adventure told through costume, dance and music performed on authentic Chinese instruments.
Even better, children in grades 2-8 can sign up to be part of the story by taking part in workshops prior to each performance where they learn how to play the instruments and manipulate props. Workshops take place at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. and are limited to 15 participants. Performances are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. To sign up, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org and click on the “Calendar” tab. This is an Ann Seegal Memorial Storytelling event.
A trivia night for film fanatics
Is the upcoming Oscars ceremony your idea of must-see TV? Do you know not only the Best Actor and Best Actress Academy Award winners from past years, but also who took home the statues for Best Cinematography and Foreign Language Film? Yes? Then we have a movie-themed trivia night coming up that’s just for you!
On Wednesday, Feb. 13, the library is hosting a special Academy Awards trivia challenge. The fun starts at 7 p.m., and winners get bragging rights, as well as some cool prizes donated by the Friends of the Library.
There’s still time to take a video editing class
There are two more Adobe Premiere Elements training sessions scheduled before the opening of the library’s Studio Makerspace in mid-March. Learn how to edit videos, create titles, insert transitions, add special effects, adjust audio and more to create a professional looking video suitable for a variety of media. Two-hour training sessions take place Monday, Feb. 11, from 10 a.m. to noon or Thursday, Feb. 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Please sign up for only one.
We’ll also be holding a special Video Editing for Teens session on Friday, Feb. 8 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. This program for teens in grades 6-12 is less instructional and more of an informal test drive of the Adobe Premiere Elements software. Participants must sign up.
Register online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org (click on the “Calendar” tab) or call 518-439-9314.
Storm and ice warning
In the event of inclement weather, the library’s telephone system will provide information on a closing or delayed opening. Weather conditions can occasionally cause icing near the entrances that could lead to closure even when the town roadways are clear. Call ahead at 518-439-9314 if you are unsure. Information may also be available on our website at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Other upcoming events
All events are free and take place at Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call 518-439-9314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Friday, Feb. 8
Friday Cinema
Film series with titles suitable for adult audiences. See www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org for a list of titles. Shown with Subtitling for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing when possible, 2:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 11, and Thursday, Feb. 14
Daybooks
Discuss “Stay with Me” by Ayobami Adebayo, 1:30 p.m. Copies are available at the information desk. Large-print, audio and downloadable copies may be available.
Monday, Feb. 11
Library board meets
Meetings are open to the public, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 12
AfterDinner Too
Discuss “The Dry” by Jane Harper, 7 p.m. Copies are available at the information desk. Large-print audio and downloadable copies may be available.
—Kristen Roberts