Happy Birthday, Providence Athenaeum! and All Hail, Athena!

Friday, July 11th 2008 7pm

An Olympian celebration of the Athenaeum's 170th birthday at 251 Benefit Street, Providence Rhode Island!

Poet Brett Rutherford, along with other votaries, will present a lyrical introduction and tribute in poetry and music to our patron goddess, Athena, as we prepare to install our new bust of her in the library. Come help us welcome the goddess of wisdom to her spiritual and intellectual home!

Nectar and ambrosia - or earthly equivalents - will be served.

The event is free and open to the public, befitting these words spoken by Francis Wayland at the dedication of the Athenaeum on July 11, 1838:

"Let us all cheerfully unite, fellow-citizens, in every reasonable effort to elevate the standard of social and intellectual character among us… Let us abandon, forever, and forget that they ever existed, all local and petty distinctions. Let us not labor for the east side or for the west side, but for the city of Providence ."

He then added the following:

"In every useful and public-spirited object , let every hand beat time, all our hearts be in unison; and if money be needed to accomplish it, let our wealth flow out like water."

Which is just to say that gifts of tribute, while not expected, will neither be refused!

Procession

Poetry by Brett Rutherford

Text of "ATHENA AND MEDUSA"

The Aurea Ensemble presents From the Bard to the Beats

The Aurea Ensemble presents From the Bard to the Beats, an evening of poetry, improvisation, and chamber music connecting the inspirational threads of David Amram, celebrated American composer, jazz musician, writer, educator, and first composer-in-residence for the NY Philharmonic. Amram, closely identified with Kerouac and the Beat poets of the ‘50s and ‘60s, was also honored recently at Lincoln Center for his early musical collaborations with Joseph Papp’s first Shakespearean productions at NYC’s Public Theatre. Author of 3 books, at 77 he is one of the most highly sought-after American composers. From April 14 – 20 a week-long celebration of Amram’s work will take place during his Fitts Residency at Brown, with Aurea as participants. Join Aurea members Consuelo Sherba, Nigel Gore, and Chris Turner for this sneak preview of the events, plus a look into the working process of Aurea and their inimitable, intuitive, and inventive combining of words and music.

For Athenaeum members and their guests.
Sponsor: Antiques & Interiors

Consuelo Sherba and Chris Turner

A Wee Dram of Scotland

A Birthday Celebration of Robert Burns. Brighten the long winter with an evening of light, warmth, music, poetry, spirits, camaraderie, and a rare glimpse at some rare editions of Burns. Join us for readings by actors Thomas McDonald Oakes and Alyn Carlson, Scottish folk music by Cathy Clasper-Torch and Mike Fischman, a tasting and discussion of single malt Scotches thanks to Campus Fine Wines, and a display of the finest items from the Athenaeum's rarely exhibited Burns Collection, consisting of over 450 volumes of Burns's works from the 18th and 19th centuries, assembled by Athenaeum member Charles Bradley during his 19th century lifetime and donated by his widow in 1924. Thanks to Sally Strachan for envisioning this program and bringing it to life!

Cathy Clasper-Torch and Mike Fischman

Alyn Carlson

Thomas McDonald Oakes