BPL presents literature, music, film at Grand Army Plaza

April 3, 2014 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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The following are listings of book, music, film and spoken-word events this month at the Brooklyn Public Library’s main branch at Grand Army Plaza.

Silent Film Series: ‘It’

Brooklyn-born Clara Bow plays a working girl in a comic Cinderella tale that finds her taking charge, calling the shots and winning the prince. With live piano accompaniment; curated and hosted by Ken Gordon.

Sunday, April 6, at 1 p.m.

16th Annual Urban Word NYC Teen Poetry Slam Semifinals @ Brooklyn Open

NYC’s hottest teen poets compete for a chance to advance to the Grand Slam Finals on Saturday, April 12, at Harlem’s world-famous Apollo Theater. This event will be packed, so get there early to support the voices of our city as they slam for a slot in the finals, and to represent New York City at the Brave New Voices National Teen Poetry Slam in Philadelphia.

Monday, April 7, at 5 p.m.

Gotham: Writers in the City: Lydia Davis

Davis discusses her new story collection, “Can’t and Won’t.” Her powerful, compact stories reveal the mysterious, the alienating and the pleasurable within the patterns of daily life. The event is curated and hosted by Rob Spillman.

Saturday, April 12, 4 p.m.

Brooklyn by the Book: Katherine Boo

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Boo discusses “Behind the Beautiful Forevers,” a portrait of a makeshift settlement in the shadow of luxury hotels near the Mumbai airport. To register, please visit brooklynbythebook.com.

Sunday, April 13, 1 p.m.

dweck-lec’-tic: Alash Ensemble

Alash are masters of Tuvan throat singing, a remarkable technique for singing multiple pitches at the same time.

Thursday, April 17, 7 p.m.

Film Screening: Doin’ It in the Park

In New York City, pick-up basketball is not just a sport: it is a way of life. This documentary features playground legends, NBA athletes and the ballplayers calling “next game” at their local schoolyard. Director Bobbito García will introduce the film.

Thursday, April 24, 7 p.m.

Brooklyn’s Sweetest Songs: A Traditional Song Sampler

This concert opens Brooklyn Arts Council’s “The Sweetest Song Festival,” a month-long focus on Brooklyn’s traditional singers and song styles.

Saturday, April 26, 4 p.m.

dweck-lec’-tic: Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi Present Jews, Jazz & Pastrami

Join us to celebrate the sounds of the 1920s to ’50s, when jazz and klezmer happily intermarried. Tunes and songs from Cab Calloway to Dave Tarras will be presented with a tasty dose of improvisation on the side.

Thursday, May 1, 7 p.m.

Silent Film Series: City Lights

We celebrate the 100th anniversary of Charlie Chaplin’s iconic Tramp character with his most perfect blending of comedy and pathos: The homeless Tramp falls in love with a blind flower girl, who mistakenly believes that he is a rich man. Curated and hosted by Ken Gordon.

Sunday, May 4, 1 p.m.

PEN World Voices Festival: An Afternoon with Grigory Chkhartishvili & Keith Gessen

Chkhartishvili (aka Boris Akunin) discusses his life and work, including his latest novel Aristonomia, with author and editor Gessen.

Sunday, May 4, 4 p.m.