Allen Public Library

Join live virtual community conversations with Allen Police Chief Brian Harvey at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Oct 14 at https://allentx.swagit.com/live/ Questions can be submitted during the panel, Oct, 14 at liveonstage@cityofallen.org. Shahmeen Khan will moderate a panel discussion with Chief Harvey and panelists John Gain and Jeff Willie on “How to be comfortable with being uncomfortable; modeling meaningful dialogue” After this presentation, citizens can interact with the panel by submitting questions, expressing concerns, and making suggestions. This program was developed by

Allen author Jenny Bhatt’s debut collection ‘Each of Us Killers’ reveals a world of challenges Jenny Bhatt will discuss her inaugural book in a live virtual event at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 at https://allentx.swagit.com/live/ Questions can be submitted to Ms. Bhatt until 8:30 p.m., Oct. 22, at liveonstage@cityofallen.org. Two of her stories are Pushcart Prize nominees and another was nominated for Best Short Story in 2017. Each of Us Killers is a story collection that is woven at the intersection of work and intense human emotions-fear, guilt, anger, and anxiety. At the work pl

Ghost Tale Author at Library Mitchel Whitington, the author of “Ghosts of North Texas” and “Ghosts of East Texas and the Pineywoods,” is appearing at the Allen Public Library for a live virtual event. Featured on PBS, A&E, and William Shatner's "Weird or What," Mitchel is the owner of The Grove in Jefferson, Texas. The author will appear at 7:30 p.m. Thursday Oct. 29 at allentx.swagit.com/live. Email questions can be submitted to her until 8:30 p.m. the day of the event at liveonstage@cityofallen.org. The Grove (also known as the Stilley–Young House), is an 186

Experience a free live virtual musical tribute to the late Townes Van Zandt with the Nick Brumley band at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25. at https://allentx.swagit.com/live Townes Van Zandt was an influential, enigmatic, and atmospheric song writer who sang cowboy and backwoods songs with memorable images that were painted with words. His albums include "Townes Van Zandt", "Our Mother the Mountain" and "Delta Momma Blues". Known for writing the songs "If I Needed You" and “For The Sake Of The Song", in 1983, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard took "Pancho and Lefty" to the top of the country

The Honorable Bob Whistler, congressional representative for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, will discuss the rich heritage and history of his tribe at a live virtual event 7:30 p.m., Thursday, October 8, at https://allentx.swagit.com/live/ . Submit questions until 8:30 p.m. that evening through liveonstage@cityofallen.org The Citizen Potawatomi Nation is headquartered in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The Pottawatomi are an Algonguian Native American people of the Great Plains, upper Mississippi River, and western Great Lakes region. Beginning in August 1838, they were forced to leave their lands

Learn about the fascinating discovery of a baby dinosaur jawbone in northern Alaska with Perot Museum curator Dr. Anthony Fiorollo at a live virtual event at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 at https://allentx.swagit.com/live/ . Submit questions until 8:30 p.m. that evening through liveonstage@cityofallen.org For 22 years, Dr. Fiorillo has traveled to Alaska, including his field site at Alaska’s Prince Creek Formation. Using inflatable boats, Dr. Fiorollo traveled up and down the Colville River examining nearly vertical cliffs for fossils. While occasionally dodging falling rocks, this res

Combining art with ornithology, John James Audubon inspired generations of artists and photographers to capture images of wildlife. Sharing Audubon’s passion about nature and wildlife, Randall Patterson has traveled across America to photograph birds. A six-time winner of The Best of The Universe of Colour Photography and featured at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Randall will present breath taking images and discuss the mechanics of bird photography at a live virtual program at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 17 at https://allentx.swagit.com/live/ Audience can submit questions unti

Dr. Mark Louden will discuss Amish history at a live virtual program at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 10 at https://allentx.swagit.com/live/ Questions can be submitted until 8:30 p.m., Sept. 10 at liveonstage@cityofallen.org Dr. Mark Louden received his graduate training in Germanic linguistics at Cornell University. A fluent speaker of Pennsylvania Dutch, he has written extensively on the history and contemporary situation of the language and its speakers. He is the author of Pennsylvania Dutch: The Story of an American Language, published by the Johns Hopkins University Press.

With the adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920 American women secured their inalienable right to vote. Celebrate the centennial anniversary of this momentous historical occasion by hearing Elizabeth Ellis share the stories of the women who fought to achieve this milestone. Presented by an internationally-loved storyteller, this live virtual concert will be 7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 20, at https://allentx.swagit.com/live/ . Audience members can submit questions until 8:30 p.m. that evening through liveonstage@cityofallen.org An award-winning storyteller and author, Eliz

Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower, will discuss her latest book How Ike Led at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 24, at https://allentx.swagit.com/live/ Questions can be submitted to Ms. Eisenhower until 8:30 p.m., Sept. 24, at liveonstage@cityofallen.org. A five-star general and 34th president of the United States, Dwight Eisenhower was born in nearby Denison, Texas. He was affectionately known as the first Texan to become a president. Few people have made decisions as momentous as Eisenhower, nor has one person had to make such a varied range of t

Presented by Allen Public Library, learn the story about a female spy who worked for the CIA and FBI. Listen to a live virtual program presented by Tracy Walder at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23 at https://allentx.swagit.com/live/ . Audience can submit questions until 8:30 p.m., July 23 at liveonstage@cityofallen.org. Tracy Walder brings us her thrilling new book, The Unexpected Spy: From the CIA to the FBI, My Secret Life Taking Down Some of the World’s Most Notorious Terrorists, an audio bestseller. She has been both a counterterrorism Staff Operations Officer with the CIA and an F

Do you recall when friends and neighbors sat on the porch and entertained themselves and each other by playing tunes on their own instruments and as well as household objects such as jugs and washboards? Long to relive those days or experience music without batteries or earbuds? Treat yourself to a live virtual concert presented by the E-Flat Porch Band at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 10, at https://allentx.swagit.com/live/ —it’s sure to boost your spirits and energize the start of your weekend. Rudy Littrell and Duane Brown’s “porch music” is played on acoustic instruments and pays homage

A doctor, financial counselor and a psychologist discuss what it means to live with intent at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 25 at Facebook (@allenpubliclibrary) or AllenCityTV’s https://allentx.swagit.com/live/. Presented by Dr. Shahan Chowdhury, Board Certified Physician, Heena Khan, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Shahmeen Khan, Certified Financial Coach. Recommended for ages 18 and up. No registration required to participate. Recommended for ages 18 and up. Call 214-509-4905 for additional information.

Blackland Prairie Raptor Join us for a live virtual up-close experience with the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 17. This program will be broadcast on the Allen Public Library’s Facebook page (@allenpubliclibrary) and AllenCityTV’s https://allentx.swagit.com/live/. Learn more about birds of prey, including owls, hawks and falcons. This delightful raptor show is especially for families with elementary age children. Submit your questions to be answered by the presenters to us via email at liveonstage@cityofallen.org or through our the Library’s Facebo

This year marks the 400th anniversary of Mayflower's sailing to America and the resulting founding of Plymouth Colony by the Pilgrims. Many of the stories of this great adventure stay with us today. One of the best-known passengers on the Mayflower was Miles Standish, commander of the colony’s militia immortalized in the fictional The Courtship of Miles Standish by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Another popular tale recounts the Pilgrims’ shock when an Indian sachem fearlessly strolled into their fledgling campsite and declared the now famous words, “Welcome, Englishmen.” Listen

Live but virtual program presented by former Associated Press reporter Rusty Williams at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 21 at https://allentx.swagit.com/live/ Audience can submit questions until 8:30 p.m., May 21 at liveonstage@cityofallen.org. Fifty years ago the world held its breath as three American astronauts drifted through space in a crippled command module. With depleted oxygen tanks and only a trickle of electric power, only gravity, precise navigation, and a miracle of engineering could save them from a dark and lingering death in deep space. The dramatic story of Apollo 13 ha

POSTPONED Daily Life in the Scottish Highlands Colorful kilts. Skirling bagpipes. Brooding castles in the mist. Learn much more about the Scottish Highlands with Sharon Hudgins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26 at the Allen Public Library! This illustrated lecture by Sharon Hudgins looks beyond the stereotypes about Scotland to show how people have lived in the Highlands from the Stone Age to the present. She also shares her own personal stories about daily life in an old stone cottage on the remote and rugged north coast of Scotland. Sharon Hudgins is an award-winning author and

Celebrate Celtic Night at the Allen Public Library with Skeleton McKee at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14. Bringing the best of rock and rollicking Celtic roots/folk/rock, pub songs, and a wee bit of traditional blues and country, this band keeps your toes tapping and your hands clapping with a dose of comic relief on the side. Skeleton McKee is a popular band in the DFW music scene, with Celtic infused entertainment featuring outstanding vocal harmonies, precision instrumentation and intricate rhythms. Skeleton McKee comprises jovial, experienced musicians who combine impressively diverse backg

Enjoy a program that is written and presented by Mexican poet Jorge de la Parra del Valle at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 13 at the Allen Public Library. Adapting his poetry book When The Stars Are Aligned into theatrical monologues in the style of Alfred Tennyson and TS Elliot, he will be accompanied by Cuban born pianist Denny Robinson. An intimate and emotional connection with the audience is created with this dramatic style. Music and poetry are the lengua internácional (international language). Mr. de la Paara del Valle performed for the Mexican Ministry of Arts in Mexico City and

Award-winning author John Balaban discusses his books Empires, Locusts at the Edge of Summer: New and Selected Poems and more at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12 at the Allen Public Library. John Balaban is the author of twelve books of poetry and prose, including four volumes which together have won The Academy of American Poets' Lamont prize, a National Poetry Series Selection, and two nominations for the National Book Award. His Locusts at the Edge of Summer: New and Selected Poems garnered the prestigious 1998 William Carlos Williams Award from the Poetry Society of America. In 2005,

The Allen Philharmonic welcomes you to the spring Concerts for Young Audiences performance at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 7 at the Allen Public Library. This free concert is designed to welcome children and their families to enjoy a fun musical program designed solely for them. Special guest soloist will be Derek He, the gold medal winner of our very own Roger & Ella Jo Adams Concerto, performing the first movement of the Dvorak Cello Concerto. This will offer an opportunity for kids in the audience to view a performance by someone not much older than they are, and it’s sure to jump

Leap into 2020 with the Allen Community Band (ACB), under the direction of Mr. Craig Logan, when it presents its Midwinter Concert on Friday, February 28, 2020 at the Allen Public Library. Doors open at 7:00PM and downbeat is at 7:30PM. Patrons are encouraged to arrive early as the ACB often performs to a full house. You may have seen the bumper sticker that reads “If you can read this, thank a teacher”. This will be a good time to do just that! The ACB will honor area Educators, past and present, from all segments of the Education spectrum at this concert. Educators will

Listen to biologist and paleontologist Dr. Adam Hartstone-Rose describe how using fossils and an understanding of modern species’ anatomy can create photorealistic reconstructions of the appearances of extinct species and their environments at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 20 at the Allen Public Library. During February, The Perot Museum of Nature and Science will feature a fascinating display of fossils in the library’s gallery. The exhibit can be viewed during normal business hours. Dr. Adam Hartstone-Rose is Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and Principal Investigator of t

Enjoy the enthusiasm and inspiration of African-American Gospel music with blues and gospel artist Shake Anderson at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 16, at the Allen Public Library. Music historian Donte Ford will open the concert by giving a brief history of African-American Gospel music. Nominated for four Grammys, Shake Anderson has played with or produced for performers Curtis Mayfield, B. B. King and Aretha Franklin. Performing in Carnegie Hall, The Apollo Theatre and Radio City Music Hall, this multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and producer has also worked on numero

Ready for an unforgettable knee-slapping bluegrass experience? Then come to the Allen Public Library’s annual Bluegrass Festival that will feature Ioni Creek. The event is hosted at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 18, in the Allen Public Library auditorium. Ioni Creek is a local group of bluegrass folk, classical and country musicians, united by a passion to express their talent and musical experience to enjoy bluegrass music together. Primary band influences are Kentucky Thunder, Doyle Lawson and authentic bluegrass music from the front porches of the Arkansas Ozarks. Ioni Creek i