Magic @ Crowell Library!

“The 8th & ½ Wonder of the World” MAGICIAN BRUCE PEROVICH: Tuesday, April 5th, 7:00 p.m. Attention all adults: get ready for a big night of abracadabra! Come experience magician BRUCE PEROVICH at Crowell Public Library with all the supernatural chills, thrills and comedy that comes with truly amazing feats of thaumaturgy, conjuring and sorcery to boot. There might be a rabbit, there might be a dove, but there will definitely be awe and hilarity. And, there will be audience participation, so be prepared for hack saws and wands. No animals or humans will be harmed! Since 1981 Bruce's magic has been enjoyed by thousands of people throughout the country. His wit and charm have pleased audiences at countless corporate parties, festivals and schools -- a plethora of fascinating venues including Sears, Hilton Hotels, and Disney Studios. Bruce has performed for some amazing celebrities as well, including Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Norman Lear and Harrison Ford. For many years Bruce has been a member of the famous and exclusive Magic Castle in Hollywood where he has performed for his peers countless times. Don’t miss this magical evening of entertainment at Crowell Library – where you don’t have to buy an expensive dinner to get in!

LA Opera: Behind the Scenes!

The LA Opera Talk series continues @ Crowell Public Library SUNDAY, March 20th 2:00 p.m. Mezzo-soprano SARA CAMPBELL will give the inside scoop on exactly what goes on backstage at LA Opera before a performance when she comes to Crowell Public Library Sunday, March 20th at 2:00 p.m. in the Barth Community Room. She has firsthand knowledge on how featured performers prepare, as well as what goes on with the crew and chorus. A bustling hive of activity will come alive with her presentation. A native of Pacific Palisades, Sara received a B.A. in Latin American Studies from Smith College, taught bilingual elementary school, and then earned a second Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance/Opera at Cal State Long Beach. An exciting actress and singer, she has sung Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, Bastien in Mozart's Bastien and Bastienna, Prince Orlovsky in Strauss' Die Fledermaus and Dorabella in Mozart's Cosi fan Tutte. Besides LA Opera, she has also sung with Opera Pacific and Opera Santa Barbara. This will be the first LA Opera Talk from a performer’s perspective, so you won’t want to miss this event.

ONE BOOK ONE CITY: Music! Music! Music!

The Friends of the Crowell Public Library, invite all music lovers far and wide to a series of special performances that are part of their ONE BOOK, ONE CITY events for 2011. Thursday, March 3, 7:00 p.m. Pianist GIL GUNDERSON Thursday, March 17, 7:00 p.m. Jazz & ragtime pianist BRAD KAY Thursday, March 31, 7:00 p.m. Pianist DOUG HAISE Thursday, April 14, 7:00 p.m. CROWN CITY DIXELAND BAND All performances are free and take place in the Library’s Barth Community Room, which has great acoustics, but only seats 80, so patrons are encouraged to arrive early. A mystery set in the late 1800s in Sedalia, Missouri, The Ragtime Kid by Larry Karp weaves the story of a white teenage pianist who implicates his idol, Scott Joplin, in a crime. More details on the One Book, One City program will be announced in upcoming weeks, including a special bus trip, and author appearance, so readers and music lovers are urged to check the Crowell Public Library website frequently: http://www.CrowellPublicLibrary.org

The Legend of PANCHO BARNES

Celebrate Women’s History Month! THURSDAY, MARCH 10TH,7:00 P.M. A charismatic figure immortalized in Tom Wolfe's book The Right Stuff, FLORENCE “PANCHO” BARNES was one of the most important women in 20th Century aviation. A tough and fearless pilot, Pancho flew on Amelia Earhart's wingtip, performed as a barnstormer throughout California, and made a name for herself as Hollywood's first female stunt pilot in the 1920's and 30's. Just before WWII she opened a ranch near Edwards Air Force Base that became a famous -- some would say notorious -- hangout for test pilots and movie stars. Known as the 'Happy Bottom Riding Club,' it became the epicenter of the aviation world during the early jet age. Chuck Yeager celebrated breaking the sound barrier there in 1947, and Howard Hughes and Jimmy Doolittle caroused in the bar. Pancho has become a fascinating yet enigmatic icon whose swagger is often celebrated, but whose story is largely unknown. Until now. After the screening of the film, producer NICK SPARK will be on hand to answer questions and enhance your appreciation of this dynamic aviation pioneer named Pancho. A filmmaker and writer with a keen interest in history, Nick is a former contributing editor to Wings, a bi-monthly aviation history magazine with national circulation. His articles have appeared in Naval History, the Annals of Improbable Research, the U.S. Naval Institute’s Proceedings and Naval History. He has appeared on National Public Radio and other media outlets domestic and abroad concerning his historical research. In 2005 the American Aviation Historical Society presented him with its Author’s Award for his article, “Secrets of the Spirit.” Seats are limited and reservations are strongly urged: (626) 300-0777 ext. 579.

Comedy Writer BOB MILLS

Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 7 p.m. BOB MILLS, one of Bob Hope’s long time writers, will be presenting a program of fond memories and video clips at Crowell Public Library on Tuesday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the Barth Community Room. Author of The Laugh Makers: A Tribute to Bob Hope’s Incredible Gag Writers published in 2009, Bob’s book was named one of Leonard Maltin’s “Top 20 Year-End Picks.” Bob will show clips from the many television shows he helped write for Hope and others and deliver those behind-the-scenes stories that will have you rolling in the aisles. A native of San Francisco, Bob Mills worked on the Dinah Shore Show, the Steve Allen Show and the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts before joining Bob Hope as a staff writer in 1977. He traveled the world with Hope for the next seventeen years. From 1992 to 1996, he co-wrote a daily topical humor column for the Los Angeles Times called Laugh Lines. In 1999, he became an enrichment lecturer for Crystal Cruises and for the next five years performed shows based on his experiences with Hope.

ONE BOOK ONE CITY 2011: The Ragtime Kid

On Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 7:00 p.m., the Friends of the Crowell Public Library, led by President MARYANN SEDUSKI, announced their One Book, One City selection for 2011: The Ragtime Kid by Larry Karp. A mystery set in the late 1800s in Sedalia, Missouri, The Ragtime Kid weaves the story of a white teenage pianist who implicates his idol, Scott Joplin, in a crime. Naturally most of The Ragtime Kid related events will be musical in nature, such as Thursday night’s lively performance by the Middle School Jazz Band. Other upcoming festivities celebrating The Ragtime Kid will include: Thursday, February 24, 10:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Screening of the 1973 film, The Sting, with Robert Redford & Paul Newman. Thursday, March 3, 7:00 p.m. Pianist Gil Gunderson Thursday, March 17, 7:00 p.m. Ragtime Music II, TBA Thursday, March 31, 7:00 p.m. Pianist Doug Haise Thursday, April 14, 7:00 p.m. Crown City Dixeland Band The concept of One Book, One City originated in Seattle back in 1998 as an entertaining strategy to build community – imagining a huge book group consisting of friends and neighbors, discussing plots and characters, while promoting literacy. Past selections for San Marino’s One Book, One City event have included Iron River by T. Jefferson Parker, Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart, and Samurai’s Garden, by Gail Tsukiyama. More details on the One Book, One City program will be announced in upcoming weeks, including a special bus trip, so readers are urged to check the Crowell Public Library website frequently: http://www.CrowellPublicLibrary.org

LA Opera TALK: Turn of the Screw

SUNDAY, February 20th 2:00 p.m. – LARRY VERDUGO, one of L.A. Opera’s dynamic community educators, will present a free audio-visual presentation on Benjamin Britten’s Turn of the Screw, part of the very popular OPERA TALK series at Crowell Public Library. Background on Britten and his times will be presented, and excerpts will entice one and all into experiencing the full production at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion downtown, where Britten's mesmerizing score brings an unforgettable Henry James classic to the opera stage. This compelling production perfectly captures the work's supernatural atmosphere and features soprano Patricia Racette as the Governess, who is determined to protect two small children from menacing spirits. Tenor William Burden and mezzo-soprano Ann Murray makes their Company debuts, respectively as the ghostly Peter Quint and the housekeeper, Mrs. Grose. Whether a hardcore opera aficionado or a curious novice, attendees will be delightfully entertained and encouraged to ask questions and offer comments. Make Crowell Library your LA Opera gateway!