New Canaan Library is pleased to present a special speaking engagement with Matthew Desmond, acclaimed sociologist and Pulitzer Prize winning author of Evicted. Mr. Desmond will introduce his latest book, Poverty, by America, the #1 nonfiction book on the New York Times Nonfiction Bestseller list. Noted as one of the most anticipated books of 2023 by The Washington Post, Time, Esquire, Newsweek, and Minneapolis Star Tribune, among others, Poverty, by America makes a “provocative and compelling” (NPR) argument about why…

New Canaan Library is pleased and honored to announce this year’s William Attwood Memorial Lecture will be delivered by Marie Yovanovitch, Former United States Ambassador to Ukraine. The event takes place on Thursday, May 11 at 7 PM in the Library’s Jim & Dede Bartlett Auditorium, preceded by a light reception at 6:30 PM. Ambassador Yovanovitch will discuss her book Lessons from the Edge: A Memoir, an inspiring and urgent memoir by a pioneering diplomat who spent her career advancing…

What happens when a lifestyle expert, author and celebrated "caterer to the stars" (and incessant people pleaser) begins to REALLY ponder "what's it all about?" She writes another book! Mary Giuliani promises a lively evening as she presents her latest book, How to Lose Friends and Influence No One. In her compelling book, Mary Giuliani deconstructs her ever-evolving existential internal conversation in this new collection of essays, beginning when all the world (and all the stars) are ordered to stay…

Please join New Canaan CARES for the Home Tour Patron Party! We all know the kitchen is the Heart of the Home and what better way to celebrate this year’s 30th Annual Home Tour than to be in the heart of the new Library, the prep kitchen. With your Patron level ticket, you will enjoy a beautiful evening with a cooking demonstration by local celebrity chef, Anna Gass and celebrate our sponsors. The Home Tour is our major fundraiser and…

Following the incredible success of Chez Panisse, chef, author, and activist Alice Waters founded the Edible Schoolyard Project (ESY) in 1995 — combining her perspectives as a trained Montessori teacher, fervent political activist, gifted chef, and champion of sustainable agriculture.  New Canaan Library is pleased to offer a unique event, featuring changemakers behind the mission/work to “edibly educate” the next generation of regenerative growers of local, organic food. Culinary Director of the Alice Waters Institute, Jennifer Sherman, in conversation with…

The Glass House and New Canaan Library present a lecture by curator Evangelos Kotsioris on Architecture Now: New York, New Publics, an exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art that showcases 12 projects for public-facing spaces across New York City’s five boroughs. In contrast to the violent nature of urban renewal and other disruptive metropolitan initiatives of the past century, recent design approaches in this exhibition propose subtler, nimbler interventions. Considering the city as an ecosystem, these inventive approaches envision…

New Canaan Library welcomes thriller novelist Wendy Walker, in conversation with author Deborah Goodrich Royce. Walker will present her latest book, What Remains - a chill-inducing novel about Detective Elsie Sutton who is drawn into a game of cat and mouse with a person she just saved from death. The event takes place on Monday, June 12 at 6 PM. Please register at newcanaanlibrary.org to attend. Wendy Walker is the author of 5 psychological suspense novels that have been translated…

Presented by Master Gardener and composter Alice Ely, this program will explain how to save water, reduce pollution, and improve your landscape by turning garden waste and food scraps into “black gold” at home. Different approaches work for different people; from composting newbies to those who want to improve their composting skills, Alice Ely will have the answers. Information on how to use the New Canaan transfer station annual paid pass in one’s composting efforts will also be discussed. This…

New Canaan Library will welcome renowned biographer Sally Bedell-Smith, presenting her latest book, George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy. Granted special access by Queen Elizabeth II to her parents’ letters and diaries and to the papers of their close friends and family, Sally Bedell Smith brings the love story of this iconic royal couple to vibrant life. This heavily researched and revealing book shows how a loving and devoted marriage helped the King and Queen meet…

New Canaan Library invites you to immerse yourself in the beauty and drama of Argentine music when guitarist Carlos Pavan performs familiar classical themes, creatively mixed with Argentine tango, folk dances, and jazz harmonies. Using classic and modern forms and techniques, Pavan elicits beats and tones that are familiar, yet new and amplified by the expertly engineered acoustics of the Jim and Dede Bartlett Auditorium. Argentina born/Brooklyn based composer and guitarist Carlos Pavan arrived in New York in 2000 to…

Boost your energy and spirit with this therapeutic movement class, specifically designed for those in wheelchairs, walkers, or with other mobility challenges. Guaranteed to make you smile, Claudia’s upbeat attitude and specially designed exercise routine makes this dance-based class a complete body/mind experience; allowing you to move at your own pace while increasing flexibility. Claudia DeVita founded the Allegra Dance Studio in Greenwich, CT in 1972. A graduate of Hartford Conservatory of Music and Dance, she shares her passion for…

New Canaan’s own Julia Deane of Culinary Works presents the debut adult culinary program in New Canaan Library’s professional teaching kitchen. Julia will be in the Kend Family Kitchen on Monday, September 11 to demonstrate how to prepare a Late Summer One Pot dinner. Attendees can enjoy a glass of wine and snacks while Julia prepares the meal and are invited to sample the delicious result along with salad, bread and fruit compote for dessert. Recipes for this easy-to-recreate menu…

New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis visits New Canaan Library to discuss her new book, The Spectacular. She invites readers behind the shimmering gold curtain of one of the most famous stages in the world, Radio City Music Hall, as a talented young dancer in the 1950s defies society’s expectations to join the glamorous, precision-dancing troupe, the Rockettes. At the same time, a mysterious madman is terrorizing New York City by leaving explosives in some of New York City’s…

Aging is universal and inevitable – and it doesn’t have to be daunting. In partnership with Staying Put in New Canaan, New Canaan Library presents an informative, four-part series that will address important issues to help you, or a loved one, be prepared to age well. Session one address will and trusts. You can't take it with you! That old saying holds true, so you might as well put careful planning in place to make sure what you have –…

New Canaan Library presents a talk by author Fred Landman, author and owner of the magnificent Sleepy Cat Farm estate in Greenwich. Connecticut. Sleepy Cat Farm is the vision of Fred Landman, who acquired the handsome Georgian Revival house and grounds in 1994. Deeply committed to the concept of harmony between house and garden, he has dedicated himself to the landscape to create "a garden of which the house could be proud”. Sleepy Cat Farm: A Gardener's Journey is an…

Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life, but often falls under the category of health issues that warrant more discussion and explanation. Dr. Siobhan Dolan and Dr. Carol Fucigna, leaders of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Stamford Hospital, will speak about the topic at length. They are lifelong advocates for women's health and will present an overview of the many health issues women may face as they move through menopause. Using data and best practices from…

Few Broadway musicals have had as much impact as West Side Story. Accompanied by musical clips, Professor Gil Harel will explore the phenomenon of West Side Story. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, this modern tale of forbidden love was a collaboration between some of the biggest names in the genre, including Bernstein, Sondheim, Laurents, Robbins, and more. With at least eight revivals since its 1957 premier, West Side Story is as topical as ever. Professor Harel will examine the…

As one of the most common adult health complaints, back pain can seem like an inevitable fact of life - but it doesn't have to be! Whether caused by an athletic injury, or simply bending the wrong way, back pain can be treated. Spine surgeon Dr. Robert Merrill and Physical Therapist Alicia Hirscht of Orthopedic Neurosurgery Specialists (ONS) will explain the common conditions of back pain and treatment options to suit your lifestyle. Robert Merrill, MD, is a fellowship-trained orthopedic…

August 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of the birth of the musical genre of hip-hop. Fashion Killa, by music journalist and pop culture expert Sowmya Krishnamurthy, commemorates the contributions of hip-hop to music, fashion, and our culture. Krishnamurthy was recently interviewed by NPR to speak about Fashion Killa, and will be speaking at New Canaan Library. Ms. Krishnamurthy will discuss the sociopolitical forces that defined fashion and tracks the influence of music and streetwear on the most exclusive (and exclusionary)…

Author Jonathan Taplin speaks about his book The End of Reality¸ which explores and provides perceptive insight into the personal backgrounds and cultural power of four billionaires—Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Marc Andreesen (“The Four”). He shows how their tech monopolies have brought middle-class wage stagnation, the hollowing out of many American towns, a radical increase in income inequality, and unbounded public acrimony. The End of Reality is both scathing critique and reform agenda that replaces the warped…

New Canaan Library is honored to welcome celebrated journalist and author Carl Bernstein as guest speaker for the 23rd Annual Richard Salant Lecture Series. Please register at newcanaanlibrary.org to attend. Famous for breaking the Watergate Scandal in 1972, his journalism for The Washington Post, and five critically acclaimed books, including All the President’s Men, Carl Bernstein has focused much of his career on American politics and the abuse of power. After winning the Pulitzer Prize for his early Watergate reporting,…

Join author and expert taster Mandy Naglich as she discusses her book How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life and presents an array of tasty bites to cultivate one’s sensory skills. Her captivating book takes one from novice to master, transforming the reader from a person who eats to a person who tastes. Elevate your sense of taste and get to know the lingo of professional tasters as you taste, smell and sample foods during this…

Join New Canaan Library for a stimulating conversation about history, myth, and the American ideal. Biographer Jennifer Burns and journalist Will Grant will talk about their latest books, Milton Friedman: The Last Conservative and The Last Ride of the Pony Express: My 2,000-Mile Horseback Journey into the Old West, respectively, and how their books illuminate American cultural ideals of rugged individualism and free market capitalism. Milton Friedman: The Last Conservative brings to life one of the twentieth century’s most influential…

American politics certainly has a lot of controversies, and a main reason for that is the way the American Constitution is structured. Professor Jonathan O'Hara will explore the newly created Constitution of 1787, why it was thought needed, and four of the big political controversies it tackled upon its creation. These early controversies—slavery, the creation of a national bank, neutrality, and the Alien and Sedition Acts—have much to teach us about our own contemporary Constitutional struggles. This program is presented…

Chef Silvia Baldini, champion of Food Network’s Chopped series, visits New Canaan Library to present the new cookbook she’s co-authored, Les Dames d’Escoffier New York Cookbook: Stirring the Pot. Silvia Baldini will present a live cooking demonstration in the library’s Kend teaching kitchen and attendees will be treated to a taste of one of the famous recipes from the cookbook. Authors Silvia Baldini and Sharon Franke showcase family recipes and pairings by Pascaline Lepeltier, MOF. Les Dames d' Escoffier New…

Beatles fans, this is for you! Vincent Bruno, Beatles scholar and rock historian, takes you on an interactive, entertaining, and informative journey about The Beatles. From their early days as a cover band in Liverpool and Hamburg, into the excitement of Beatlemania, Bruno covers it all, including concert performances, and films. Learn about their groundbreaking studio albums (Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Peppers), the formation of Apple Corps and their remarkable final recordings at Abbey Road Studios. The post Beatles’ work…

Named by the Time 100 list as one of the most influential people in the world, painter and printmaker Kerry James Marshall is known for his stunning representations of African American life, centering Black subjects to address the Western art historical canon’s “lack in the image bank”. Though best known as a painter, Marshall has throughout his career also produced a vast graphic oeuvre that has been seldom seen and documented. New Canaan Library hosts Susan Tallman on Thursday, December…

The magic of The Nutcracker ballet comes to New Canaan Library when The New England Academy of Dance (NEAD) presents a performance featuring dancers from the company as well as professionals from New York City. Under the direction of Frances Ortiz, Ginna Ortiz, and Ted Thomas, this educational, family-friendly event includes a reading of The Nutcracker book by the Sugar Plum Fairy, followed by a performance of the ballet. Other characters from The Nutcracker, Clara and the Snow Queen, will…

Home for the holidays? New Canaan Library offers some post-holiday wintry fun for kids, grandparents, family, and friends! Special guest Chris Palmieri of Lucky Duck Puppets will charm all ages with the tale of Greg the Penguin as he tries to find his place in the world and help share holiday cheer. Afterwards enjoy a special story time with Ms. Marie, crafts, and a hot cocoa station! All ages welcome, recommended for children 2-7 yrs old. Proceeds from this event…

Let’s talk thrillers and crime! New Canaan Library hosts Kate Brody and Joanna Margaret, two new authors in the thriller genre, in conversation about Brody's recent release The Rabbit Hole. Described as a ‘twisty debut,’ The Rabbit Hole explores the dark side of true crime fandom and the blurry lines of female friendship, and guarantees a nail biting, edge-of-seat reading experience. About the Authors: Kate Brody holds an MFA from NYU, and her work has previously appeared (or is forthcoming…

Art historian and critic Prudence Peiffer has written a riveting biography that captures a time and place- Coenties Slip, NYC during the 1950s and 1060s - that created a defining movement in the art world. Coenties Slip, an obscure and small street at the tip of Manhattan overlooking the East River, was home to a group of extraordinary, then-struggling artists: Robert Indiana, Ellsworth Kelly, Agnes Martin, James Rosenquist, Delphine Seyrig, Lenore Tawney, and Jack Youngerman. For just over a decade,…

Dr. Marc Otten, neurosurgeon and Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Columbia University Medical Center, will present a fascinating overview of the brain based on scientific literature and experience in the operating room. Included in this lecture will be a summary of the most common brain conditions and treatments, along with an overview of preventative measures we can take to avoid injury and optimize our health span and happiness. About the Presenter: Dr. Marc Otten is a fellowship-trained, board-certified neurosurgeon who…

New Canaan Library is pleased to welcome celebrated entrepreneur and social media sensation Melissa Ben-Ishay, the creative force behind Baked by Melissa, for a conversation, cooking demonstration, and signing of her new cookbook, “Come Hungry: Salads, Meals, and Sweets for People Who Live to Eat.” The event will be held on Friday, January 19 at 11:30 a.m. in the Library’s Kend Kitchen and Community Room. This is a ticketed event; the price includes one copy of Melissa’s new cookbook and…

Award-winning photographer Emily Kelting presents an intimate view of the "most photogenic country in the world," with photographs of the beautiful landscape and humanity that is often missed by tourists. Through the lens of a camera, Kelting takes us through her travels to Myanmar in January 2020, the heartbreaking military coup in February 2021, and the joy of the relationships she forged during her visit. Audience members will learn about Kelting's activism through art, and the importance of friendship that…

In partnership with the World Affairs Council of Connecticut, Ambassador Ted Osius, former United States Ambassador to Vietnam (2014-17), will discuss relations between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and how the current U.S.-Vietnam relationship exemplifies the power of diplomacy in ensuring peace. The conversation will be followed by a reception and book signing of Ambassador Osius’ latest book: Nothing is Impossible: America’s Reconciliation with Vietnam. In Nothing is Impossible Ted Osius, former ambassador during…

Learn from expert gemologist Kevin J. Lane about the rapidly evolving diamond landscape and the relationship between mined and lab grown diamonds. Attendees can compare natural versus lab grown diamonds up close while enjoying a glass of prosecco. Attendees who register will not only get a chance to win a beautiful pair of diamond cluster earrings, but in addition, their registration will qualify 10% of their next purchase at Manfredi New Canaan to be donated to the Library – regardless…

Celebrate Chinese New Year at the Library! Chinese New Year is a two-week celebration, and this year it begins on February 10th. Join others to usher in the Year of the Dragon with Chinese dances, traditional food, tea, and crafts. Local organizations and NCHS students will give insight into New Year’s customs such as the kitchen god, honoring ancestors, and the lantern festival. This informative and fun program is a partnership between The Organization of Chinese Americans, Fairfield County Chapter…

Maritime shipping literally makes the world go ‘round, as 90 percent of world trade arrives at its destination via the oceans. New Canaan Library welcomes Anthony Whitworth, whose recent release, The Saltwater Highway, is a narrative of his five decades in the industry, taking us through the evolution of modern maritime shipping, up to present day. Like a high stakes adventure along the seas, Whitworth’s business dealings in maritime shipping included travel to such far-flung places as the Arctic Circle,…

New Canaan Library welcomes Jeannette Walls, speaking about her latest hit novel, Hang the Moon. Brimming with drama and action, Hang the Moon is set in rural Virginia during Prohibition and tells the tale of an indomitable young woman. Jeannette Walls became a household name with the publication of her memoir, Glass Castle, which remained on the New York Times bestseller list for over eight years. Her following novels, The Silver Star, Half Broke Horses, and Hang the Moon were…

Award winning and New York Times bestselling Don Winslow comes to New Canaan Library to speak about his work, and introduce his latest and final novel, City in Ruins. Mr. Winslow will be participating in an audience Q&A and signing copies of his novel at the event. Following City on Fire and City of Dreams, City in Ruins is the explosive conclusion to Don Winslow’s epic, genre-defining crime trilogy and the final book of Winslow’s extraordinary career. Don Winslow is…

Emmy Award winning news anchor Alisyn Camerota and actress Stephanie Szostak will be in conversation about Ms. Camerota's new memoir. Combat Love is Alisyn Camerota's story of growing up, longing for stability and attachment as the foundation of her family crumbles. Set in the Jersey Shore during the pleasure-seeking 1980s, Camerota finds the belonging she craves courtesy of a local punk rock band named Shrapnel and their diehard fans. Combat Love chronicles her near-misses and misadventures at clubs like CBGB…

The Laura Anglade jazz quartet comes to New Canaan Library for a special, after-hours performance. Laura Anglade has made a mark in the vibrant music scenes of New York, Paris, Toronto, and Montreal. She will be joined by a stellar ensemble, including Ben Rosenblum on piano and accordion, Paul Sikivie on bass, and Ben Zweig on the drums. The Quartet will perform their own arrangements, drawing from the Great American Songbook as well as some French classics made famous by…

New Canaan Library welcomes two-time cancer survivor, business leader, and healthcare disruptor Kathy Giusti, in conversation with journalist Lee Woodruff for a discussion of Ms. Giusti’s informative and inspirational new book, Fatal to Fearless: 12 Steps to Beating Cancer in a Broken Medical System. An involved member of the New Canaan community, Kathy Giusti and her many contributions to the medical and business world have led to inclusion in Time magazine’s Most Influential People and Fortune Magazine’s World’s 50 Greatest…