Make a wish! This weekend
(May 21-22) The New York Public Library celebrates a century of literary loving
in its Stephen A. Schwarzman Building—complete with family festivities. With an array of memorable readings,
live music, and storytelling, the NYPL will be the place to be (despite the
weather). —
Saturday (May 21)
Building and Stack Tours (All Day,
Astor Hall):
On Saturday, kick off the
fun with a free tour of the majestic man of the hour, the Stephen A. Schwarzman
building. Be sure to sign up for a tour of Library’s immense collection of rare
holdings, usually closed to the public.
History, Fantasy, Future: Comics Make You Think (11 am–12
noon, South
Court Auditorium):
Introduce teens to the
comic book world through a multimedia performance featuring Nick Bertozzi (Lewis & Clark), Susan Kim (City of Spies), George O’ Conner (Olympian), and Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy).
Dikki’s Wacky Magic Show (1-1:45pm, The Sue and Edgar Wachenheim
Trustees Room):
Join Dikki for a magic
show full of tricks and surprises. One lucky audience member will even get the
chance to levitate! All ages welcome.
Alice in Wonderland (2-2:45pm,
Margaret Liebman Berger Forum):
The Hampstead Stage
Company will bring Lewis Carol’s beloved children’s novel to life in this stage
adaptation. For ages 4 and older.
Dog on Fleas Family Concert (3:15-4:15pm, South
Court Auditorium):
Kids’ band, Dogs on Fleas,
will rock the library with their upbeat tunes. No reservations required.
Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups, Presented by The New Yorker (9-10:30pm,
Deborah, Jonathan F.P., Samuel Priest and Adam Raphael Rose Main Reading Room):
Actors David Hyde Pierce,
Anika Noni Rose, and Gabriel Byrne will read selections from three works of
fiction. Deborah Treisman, fiction editor of The New Yorker, will host the event. Call ahead or go online to
reserve a spot.
Sunday (May 22)
Cutting Edge Theater: Faulkner, Fitzgerald, and
Hemingway Collide (1-4 pm, Dewitt,
Wallace Periodical Room):
Elevator Repair Service,
an NYC-based theater ensemble whose pieces combine comedy with hi-tech and
lo-tech design, literary text, and discarded furniture, will collaborate with
artist Ben Rubin and statistician Mark Hansen, on a new performance installation
entitled “Shuffle”. The script is generated in real time by computer algorithms
that recombine phrases from classic works by Faulkner, Fitzgerald, and
Hemingway. No reservations required. Each performance is scheduled to last
about 30 minutes.
Children’s Storytelling Festival (1:30-4pm, Children’s Center at 42nd
St.):
The Storytelling Center of
New York City will spin tales all afternoon. Not to be missed by fans of fables
and folklore of all ages. No reservations required.
The New York Public
Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is
located at Fifth Avenue and 42nd
Street. To reserve tickets for specific
events please call 1.888.718.4253. For more
information on other scheduled events please visit here.
