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Hill-Stead Museum’s renowned Sunken Garden Poetry Festival is a unique outdoor arts event that takes place on the grounds of this National Historic Landmark in the heart of Farmington. 

Festival Dates:
May 27: Irish Poetry & Music with Eamon Grennan and with David McLoghlin
June 20: Margaret Gibson & Molly Brown
July 11: US Poet Laureate, Tracy K. Smith with Chaun Ballard
July 25: The Poetry of Our World with Solmaz Sharif & Javier Zamora
August 5: Young Poets Day with Andrea Gibson and Fresh Voices Student Competition Winners
Final Baby Grand Jazz Performance! Steven Kroon
Sunday, April 29, 3 pm
Atrium

Steven Kroon is a percussionist with a high-energy electrifying Latin Jazz Sextet. Their musicality consists of Jazz with a blend of Afro Cuban and Brazilian music. . Kroon has been a professional musician for the last 35 years, working with singer Luther Vandross for two decades, and backing Diana Krall, Aretha Franklin and Ron Carter. He also performed on The Tonight Show," "The Late Show With David Letterman," and "The Grammy Awards." 

HPL will livestream all concerts and post them for later viewing on its website. Visit  www.hplct.org for more details.

This series is made possible by the  Kaman Foundation.
The Ruby McCollum Story & The #MeToo Movement
Screening & Panel Discussion
Saturday, April 28, 1:30 pm
Hartford History Center
In this season of the #MeToo movement, what effect has sexual harassment and inappropriate sexual conduct had on Black women and women of color?
 
On August 3, 1952 in Live Oak Florida, Ruby McCollum, a wealthy Black woman shot and killed Senator-elect, Clifford LeRoy Adams. The story was so explosive, newspapers refused to print it and Zora Neale Hurston was not allowed to interview Ruby McCollum.
 
Join us to view the documentary, You Belong To Me: Sex, Race, and Murder in the South, The Ruby McCollum Story, and hear from a spirited panel on the topic: Rev. Dr. Barbara E. Headley, lecturer, trainer, and Senior Pastor of Zion Community Church (Springfield, MA); Kim Newland, LCSW, Psychotherapist and Principal Owner/CEO of KNC Associates, LLC; Joelle A. Murchison, Executive, Diversity and Inclusion Champion and Founder of ExecMommy; Marcia Bonito, Former Affirmative Action Administrator for the State of CT and owner of Bonito Consulting Services, LLS, specializing in sexual harassment, diversity and inclusion training; and moderator, Wanda N. Seldon, HR Administrator for the State of CT, Windsor Art Center board member and mixed media artist. 
El Día del Niño
Saturday, April 28, 1-3 pm
Children’s, 3rd Floor, Downtown

Join us for El Día del Niño, Children’s Day, with books, crafts, entertainment and lunch. Author Pat Mora is the founder of the day which celebrates family literacy, celebrating children of all cultures. 
Upcoming
Citizenship Classes
Saturday, April 28, 10 am-12 pm

Whoever You Are:
Interactive Reading
Thursday, May 3, 4-5 pm
Book Fiesta! Dia Family Reading Celebration
Monday, April 30, 4-5 pm

Monday, April 30, 4:30-5:30 pm

Thursday, May 3, 3:30-4:30 pm

Thursday, May 3, 4-5 pm

Come celebrate Día de los Ninos, a national literacy event to promote diverse books, languages and cultures! Join us for shared read-alouds of outstanding multicultural books, crafts, and check out books from our special Día Family Bookshelf. Each family will receive a free book while supplies last.
Hartford Public Library | 860.695.6300 | hplct.org