Allen Public Library

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 jumpstart their excitement about learning music! Featured programming will include a new work entitled A Family for Baby Grand, the story of a Baby Grand piano who leaves home to join an orchestra. The Allen Philharmonic is excited to partner with the Allen High School Theater program for this performance. Arranged by Brad Ross, the story is written by Sharon Dennis Wyeth. Pre-Concert activities will feature the Instrument Petting Zoo in the Meeting Room. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.

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 be recognized and there is always a surprise or two for these special people. Featured will be themes from “Movies and Musicals” that have been suggested by members of the Band and area Educators. Selections include a medley of George Gershwin’s music, Fiddler on the Roof, Star Wars themes by John Williams, Chicago, and other hits from stage and screen. Sponsored by the Allen Public Library, the concert is free. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.

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 the Hartstone-Rose Comparative Anatomy and Functional Morphology Research Lab at North Carolina State University. He and his team investigate the relationship between anatomy and behavior, especially in diet and chewing. Dr. Hartstone-Rose says, “I study the fossil carnivores that lived alongside our evolving ancestors, including Australopithecus sediba. Did these carnivores consume our ancestors? Did they also provide scavengable remains that hominins consumed?” Using the findings from his research on ancient and contemporary animals, he creates photorealistic reconstructions of past environments. His murals of southern African environments 2 million years ago and 300,000 years ago can currently be seen in the Origins: Fossils from the Cradle of Humankind exhibit at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Dr. Hartstone-Rose earned his BA and PhD at Duke University and got his start in paleoanthropology at the American Museum of Natural History when he was 12 years old. Sponsored by the Allen Public Library and The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the program and the exhibit are free. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.

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 numerous films. Anderson garnered gold and platinum albums for his work on Blue Streak, Dr. Doolittle, Boys on the Side, and Austin Powers. He also spent six years as musical director for soul music legends “The Impressions,” and later formed the Grammy-winning gospel group New Breed with Israel Houghton. Guest stars for this afternoon are Charles Walter "Chuck" Rainey III and Cat Garner. Rainey is an American bass guitarist who has performed and recorded with many well-known acts. He toured and/or recorded with King Curtis, Sam Cooke, Etta James, the original Coasters, Jackie Wilson, Harry Bellefonte, the Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack and Quincy Jones. Of special note—as a member of ‘The King Curtis All Stars’, Chuck was on the second Beatle Tour of the U.S. Cat Garner, a singer, songwriter, and recording artist with a sultry and sophisticated performance style, wrote Compromise in 2009 and recorded it in 2010 with music producer Connor Conrad. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Sponsored by the Allen Public Library, this concert is free. Call 214-509-4911 for more information.

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 is a regular at The Frogg Coffee shop at Waters Creek, The Union Gospel Mission Dallas and Senior Centers. Sponsored by the Allen Public Library, the concert is free. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911.

Listen to Dallas icon and Texas legend Rose Mary Rumbley discuss a vintage Christmas at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 at the Allen Public Library. In addition to author and speaker, you will find stage and screen acting credits on her resume. At the Dallas Music Hall, she played opposite such famous actors as John Davidson and Ginger Rogers. and then to the big screen where she appeared as Aunt Billie in “Paper Moon” with Ryan and Tatum O’Neal. Also, she appeared with Roy Rogers during his last film, Mackintosh and T.J. Her second book, “The Unauthorized History of Dallas,” was published in 1991. On her next book, “Dallas, Too,” the dust jacket reads, “Stories I’m telling again because I want to hear them myself.” At a recent program at the Highland Park Methodist Church, Rose Mary reviewed Susan Orlean’s bestseller, The Library Book and received a standing ovation. Sponsored by Allen Public Library, the program is free. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911.

Come see Sarah, Pamela and Randy Copus at the Allen Public Library Theatre for the Celtic Christmas Show on December 20th, Friday, starting at 7:30 pm. This is a FREE show, so come early to get a seat. Sarah Copus is an award-winning and billboard charting singer/songwriter. She has had some extraordinary success: two albums that hit the Billboard charts and feature her as a lead singer with radio airplay across hundreds of stations worldwide, and she won two Best Vocal Album awards from the Zone Music Reporter Awards Show in 2015 and 2019. Sarah's 2017 album “Moorland Winds” was accepted into the first-round voting for the 60th GRAMMY Awards. She has performed with Emmet Cahill of Celtic Thunder and with Irish musical sensations, Téada as an opening act for their Irish Christmas in America tour. She has been featured as a soloist at concerts of major touring artists like Celtic Woman and The Irish Tenors. She is joined by her father Randy Copus, who sings and plays piano, electric cello, guitar, bass, and keyboards, and her mother, Pamela Copus who also sings and plays flutes, harp, keyboards, and a wind instrument called a WX5. Other performers will join Sarah with Matthew Cook on bouzouki, Nathan Kennedy on fiddle. Irish dancers will be in the line-up with Kendall Thomas and Colin Troy. The show will open with a bagpipe processional by Jimmy Mitchell, then followed by Shaun Young of the KelticDead who will explain how the Celtic Grim Reaper became what we know as "Santa Claus" and play the only "real" Celtic Yule Tide tune known. The Allen Public Library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for additional information

Christmas on the Prairie Bring your entire family and join the Allen Heritage Guild at 2:00-4 p.m. Sunday, December 15 at the Allen Heritage Village, 450 E. St. Mary Dr. for old fashion festivities. Step back in time to savor the historic buildings decorated in vintage Christmas accessories. The Wetsel, Bolin and Lynge Houses will be open for viewing. All buildings and the property will be dressed in holiday decorations--matching their historic time period. Drop by the Village to see "Jesus as the Good Shepherd" stained glass window and participate in craft activities. The Village includes various architectural styles from different eras in Allen’s history. Take a photo of your family adjacent to a period building for your Christmas card! Enjoy gingerbread and cider and create new memories. Sponsored by the Allen Heritage Guild, this is a free event, but donations are welcomed. Call 972-740-8017 for more information.

It’s time for the 2019 Allen Community Band Christmas Concert! The concert begins at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, December 15, at the Allen Public Library Auditorium. Free! Early arrivals will enjoy one of the woodwind ensembles performing holiday selections in the Foyer. The ACB Jazz Band kicks off the concert with jazz and swing arrangements of holiday music. Comprised of members of the parent organization, the Allen Community Jazz Band brings a unique perspective to many of the traditional holiday songs, including Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree and an enjoyable selection entitled Trombones Under the Tree. Arranged by Mark Woodward, the Saxophone Section will perform How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Under the leadership of Craig Logan, the Allen Community Band will perform medleys of popular Christmas songs that begin with A Christmas Fanfare, followed by Strike Up The Band! With its quick, upbeat tempo, it is one of George and Ira Gershwin’s most famous pieces. More classical selections include Alfred Reed’s arrangement of Greensleeves, which dates from circa 1360, and is better known today as What Child Is This? The Liberty Bell by John Phillip Sousa brings the ensemble back to the traditional Band idiom. This is one of Sousa’s most famous and recognizable marches. The concert will conclude with Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride. Sponsored by the Allen Public Library and the Allen Community Band, the concert is free. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for additional information,

Watch the delightful film Toy Story 4 at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Allen Public Library. Arrive early and meet Allen Police Officers as they distribute popcorn and greet guests. Santa Claus makes a surprise appearance at 3:30 p.m. but departs for the North pole at 4:30 p.m.to continue packing toys on the sleigh. Directed by Josh Cooley, voices include Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts When a new toy called "Forky" joins Woody and the gang, a road trip alongside old and new friends reveals how big the world can be for a toy. Sponsored by the Allen Police Department, this is a free event. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911.

Can reindeer really fly? Learn the answer to that question—and many more—In this illustrated lecture about the life and lore of these legendary animals, from ancient times to the present. Long before Santa hitched reindeer to his sleigh, they were ridden by people, raced for sport, and even milked for food. Speaker Sharon Hudgins will also tell stories about her personal contacts with reindeer and their herders, from Scotland to Scandinavia, from Texas to Mongolia. So get into the spirit of the season by bringing yourself, your family, and friends to this special holiday lecture at the Allen Public Library. An award-winning author and journalist, Sharon Hudgins has been a lecturer on numerous tours to Europe and Asia for National Geographic Expeditions, Smithsonian Journeys, and Viking Ocean Cruises. She also enjoys photographing reindeer around the world. DATE: Thursday, December 12, 2019 PLACE: Allen Public Library – Civic Auditorium, 300 North Allen Drive, Allen, TX 75013 TIME: 7:30 p.m. This event is open to the public and free of charge. For additional information, phone 214-509-4911. --

In Texas, football is king during the fall. So when World War II broke out and coaches enlisted in the Armed Forces, high school football was in trouble. One exception was Brownwood, Texas, where a woman agreed to coach the team. Marjorie Herrera Lewis will discuss her inspiring novel When the Men Were Gone at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 5, at the Allen Public Library. Insisting young men be offered an opportunity to play during their senior season before confronting the battledfield, Tylene Wilson was, and still is, one of the very few women in the nation to serve in such a role. When the Men Were Gone is based on Tylene’s experience coaching. An award-winning sportswriter, Marjorie Herrera Lewis was a Dallas Cowboys beat writer when she was with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She later joined the SportsDay staff of The Dallas Morning News where she covered college and professional sports, including the Texas Rangers and Dallas Mavericks, the Superbowl, Wimbledon, NCAA men’s basketball tournament and college bowl games. In addition, she teaches Media Ethics at the University of North Texas. Sponsored by the Allen Public Library, the program is free. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.

Speaking at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 14 at the Allen Public Library will be Mark Shaw, the author of 25+ books, four about the JFK and Oswald assassinations including the bestselling “The Reporter Who Knew Too Much” being produced as a motion picture, and its follow-up, “Denial of Justice.” Each chronicle not only his 12 years of research but most importantly, the life and times and mysterious death of What’s My Line? TV star and crack investigative reporter Dorothy Kilgallen and her 18-month investigation of the Dallas tragedies which included being the only reporter to interview Jack Ruby at his trial. Shaw will also speak about his controversial exposure of the most important JFK assassination documents in history, the Jack Ruby trial transcripts which prove without doubt a plot to kill the president and how these documents have been hidden from public view for five decades and counting. More about Mr. Shaw may be learned at www.markshawbooks.com and about Ms. Kilgallen at www.thedorothykilgallenstory.org. To date, more than one million people have watched Shaw’s interviews and presentations about the assassinations on YouTube. Mark Shaw is a former criminal defense attorney specializing in high profile murder cases, and the legal analyst for CNN, ABC, and ESPN for the Mike Tyson, O. J. Simpson and Kobe Bryant cases. His books include “Melvin Belli: King of the Courtroom” and “The Poison Patriarch,” each about the assassinations, as well as “Down for the Count,” “Miscarriage of Justice,” “Beneath the Mask of Holiness,” “Stations Along the Way” and the novel, “Courage in the Face of Evil.” He lives in the San Francisco area. Sponsored by the Allen Public Library, the program is free. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.

World War II flight instructor Lt. Commander J. Waymon Rose and Sgt. Eugene Pugh will share their fascinating stories from World War II and Vietnam at 7:30 pm Monday, Nov. 11, at the Allen Public Library. In addition, the Allen Community Band will perform a medley of patriotic songs for the event. Listen to a creative version of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture that will be replete with celebratory acoustics. All veterans are encouraged to participate. During the program, veterans will be invited to present the colors and stand when the theme song of their branch of service is performed. Lt. Commander Rose trained over 800 pilots during World War Two, many of whom became aces. After the war, Mr. Rose served another 19 years in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. A Green Beret, Sgt. Pugh was assigned to MACVSOG the highly classified organization during the Vietnam war, also known as the widow making unit. Sgt. Pugh is the author of Surrender Not An Option, a novel based upon his dangerous reconnaissance missions into Laos, Cambodia and North Vietnam. Hear the harrowing saga of his venture into North Vietnam to rescue POWs. General Bernardo de Galvez Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will provide refreshments after the program. Sponsored by Allen Public Library, VFW Armistice Memorial Post 2195, General Bernardo de Galvez Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and Allen Community Band, this program is free. Call 214-509-4911 for more information. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr.

The “fine biography” and “compelling personal story” (The Wall Street Journal) of arguably the most influential member of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s administration, Marguerite “Missy” LeHand, FDR’s de facto chief of staff, who has been misrepresented, mischaracterized, and overlooked throughout history…until now. Listen to Kathryn Smith who authored The Gatekeeper: Missy LeHand, FDR, and the Untold Story of the Partnership That Defined a Presidency at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 7 at the Allen Public Library. Widely considered the first—and only—female presidential chief of staff, Marguerite “Missy” LeHand was the right-hand woman to Franklin Delano Roosevelt—both personally and professionally—for more than twenty years. Although her official title as personal secretary was relatively humble, her power and influence were unparalleled. Everyone in the White House knew one truth: If you wanted access to Franklin, you had to get through Missy. She was one of his most trusted advisors, affording her a unique perspective on the president that no one else could claim, and she was deeply admired and respected by Eleanor Roosevelt. With unprecedented access to Missy’s family and original source materials, journalist Kathryn Smith tells the “fascinating” (Publishers Weekly) and forgotten story of the intelligent, loyal, and clever woman who had a front-row seat to history in the making. The Gatekeeper is a thoughtful, revealing unsung-hero story about a woman ahead of her time, the true weight of her responsibility, and the tumultuous era in which she lived—and a long overdue tribute to one of the most important female figures in American histor Sponsored by the Allen Public Library, the program is free. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.

Spirit photography is the intentional use of cameras to capture ghosts or spirits around a subject. This Halloween learn more about the historical roots of spirit photography from Jack and Beverly Wilgus at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at the Allen Public Library. Photography became more accessible to the common folks after the end of the Civil War. Before beginning his career as a spirit photographer, William Mumler was employed as a jewelry engraver in Boston, practicing amateur photography as a hobby. He discovered his deceptive technique by accident, when he saw a second person in a photograph he took of himself. Using double exposure, a full-time career as a spirit photographer began. Due to the enormous death toll from the Civil War, thousands of families sought to communicate with their loved ones. An inquiring person would sit for a photograph, and the final product would be the image of that person along with an apparition assumed to be the deceased friend or family member. This “skill” proved so lucrative that other photographers soon joined the immense market for spirit photographs. Jack and Beverly Wilgus amassed over 30,000 historical spirit photographs and donated these, along with other historical photographs, to the DeGolyer Library at Southern Methodist University. Sponsored by the Allen Public Library, the program is free. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.

Flamenco music and dance are like ocean waves, bold and challenging your perceptions—it leaves you wonderstruck. With three enthralling musicians and four dancers, enjoy a free concert with Flamenco Fever at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 26, at the library. The Dallas Morning News declared, “They made a visceral connection with the audience.” Headliner Lakshmi Basile, “La Chimi,” became one of the first and only foreign artists in Spain to garner a prestigious national prize in 2011. She also won an award in another primary contest, Concurso Nacional de Arte Flamenco de Córdoba. There, she surprised critics and received great praises, “un desgarrador homenaje a los romántico de lo jondo,” (a heart wrenching to the romantic of pure flamenco). La Chimi consolidated her career in Seville, Spain, the cradle of flamenco. Performing internationally, “the only American thing she has is her passport,” observed Ángel Ojeda, former Minister of Culture of the Junta de Andaluciá. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.

The ancient Chinese believed music could purify people's minds. Test that theory one yourself while enjoying traditional Chinese music with the Dallas Hua Yun Chinese Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 18, at the Allen Public Library. Sophia Liu will be a guest soloist. Dedicated to Sino-American cultural exchange, Dallas Hua Yun Chinese Orchestra is the most prominent Chinese music group in the DFW metroplex. Under the direction of James Wang, the band features a variety of Chinese instruments, including erhu (and its varieties gaohu, jinghu, banhu, zhonghu), pipa, guzheng, ruan series, bamboo flute, sheng, dulcimer, liuqin and others. The orchestra, which has held an annual concert at the University of Texas at Dallas since 2014, promotes Chinese traditional music education and inspires the pleasure of Chinese music with international audiences. It serves the community through many local events such as the Plano AsiaFest, Crow Museum’s Chinese Spring Festival and other venues. Born in Beijing China, the director James Wang has been performing since primary school and has been conducting orchestras since high school. Sponsored by the Allen Public Library, the concert is free. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.

Civil War Living Historians of Collin County and the Allen Heritage Guild will be hosting an encampment at the Allen Heritage Village, 550 St. Mary Dr. on Saturday and Sunday, October 19th and 20th The Living Historians will set up Union and Confederate soldiers’ camps and cook meals in the fire pit. They will stage a mock court martial, perform Bugle calls, display artifacts, conduct drills for kids, demonstrate black powder shooting and have a battle skirmish once each day. There will be blacksmiths creating iron pieces and entertainment. The Heritage Village will be open to tour. This is a great opportunity to let children step back in time. Free and open to the public. These Civil War Living Historians have participated in battlefield reenactments at Gettysburg, Shiloh and Vicksburg. They have also appeared in Wishbone, Texas and National Park Service films, and the movie Gettysburg. Call 214-479-1203.

Join Sharon and Tom Hudgins for a discussion about their new book, T-Bone Whacks & Caviar Snacks: Cooking with Two Texans in Siberia & the Russian Far East at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 17, at the Allen Public Library, 300 N. Allen Dr. Even non-cooks will enjoy the stunning photos and stories of the Asian side of Russia found in this 2018 Gourmand World Cookbook Award finalist. The first cookbook in America about the foods of this region, it is filled with fascinating food history, cultural insights, and personal stories, along with the 140 recipes. Following the program, the audience will be invited to sample Russian desserts from the cookbook. An award-winning author of five books, Sharon Hudgins has written more than 900 food-and-travel articles, including a story about her personal interview with Julia Child for Stars and Stripes. Sharon has also been a lecturer on National Geographic, Smithsonian, and Viking ocean cruises to Russia. Tom Hudgins has been teaching at Collin College since 1999 and is an accomplished cook. Both authors were professors with the University of Maryland's programs in several countries of Europe and Asia, including Russia where they lived, worked, and traveled for two years. Books will be available for signing. Sponsored by the Allen Public Library, the program is free. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.

Los Aztex Delight to the Latino Americano sound of the Grammy Award-winning Los Aztex, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 11, at the Allen Public Library. This six-piece group, lead by the husband and wife team of vocalist Sarah Fox and accordionist Joel Guzman, formed the nucleus and inspiration for RCA’s release of Los Super Seven, featuring Joe Ely, Freddy Fender, Flaco Jimenez, Ruben Ramos, Rick Trevino, and Los Lobos’s David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas. With echoes of jazz, Tejano, country, salsa, R&B and rock, Los Aztex is a new breed of Latin bands whose music incorporates roots music from Puerto Rico, Cuba and Central America. The resulting bilingual blend is a unique across-the-border sound that keeps the unusual Latino and American synthesis seamless. Joel Guzman teaches at the University of Texas and directs the Tex-Mex Conjunto Ensemble. Sarah Fox uses her versatile and expressive voice like a jazz singer; twisting melody with charm. Los Aztex has performed at the House of Blues in both Los Angeles and New Orleans and The Bowery in New York, as well as The Conan O’Brian show. Sponsored by the Allen Public Library and the Texas Commission on the Arts, the concert is free. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.

Civil War diaries offer a treasure trove for historians. Providing insights into the lifestyles and challenges that confronted people, Lucy Pier Stevens’ diary is no exception. However, Lucy’s story has an ironic twist. She was a Yankee, an Ohioan stranded in Austin County, Texas, when hostilities erupted, and returning to her home was impossible. In this volume, carefully edited by Vicki Tongate, Lucy describes life in Austin County from January 1863 through her return to Ohio in May 1865. Ms. Tongate will discuss Lucy’s life in Texas at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 10, at the Allen Public Library. Twenty-one-year-old Lucy Pier Stevens came to Austin County to visit family in 1859. Her aunt and uncle, Lu Merry Pier and James Bradford Pier, had settled in Stephen Austin's colony in 1835, a year before the Republic Texas was formed. Concern for the war and loss of life permeates the dairy, but deadly outbreaks of measles, typhoid and yellow fever threaten her community. The sad incidence of infant mortality was noted, and she mourns the loss of her namesake, Sallie Lu Bell. During the last months of the war, Lucy planned her return to Ohio that proved to be an adventure requiring dauntless courage. Sponsored the Allen Public Library, the program is free and copies of the book will be available for purchase. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for additional information

This year’s Allen Folk Festival is being hosted Friday, September 27, at the Allen Public Library and features an incredible performance by Matthew Bell and the Next of Kin. The music begins at 7:30 p.m. A popular performer at diverse venues throughout North Texas such as Deep Ellum and the Frisco Rail Yard, Mathew sings straight from the heart. The beauty of folk music is its limitless ability to evolve. Matthew Bell is no exception with his eclectic style that offers a unique blend of soul music, but “maintaining the lyricism of a lot of folk songs,” observes Mathew. An original song writer, Matthew states, “The narrative became sort of the theme of my song-writing.” A band that values audience interaction, both from the stage (telling the song story) or becoming acquainted with guests after the show, bonding with guests is their goal. Combining mellow voices and a variety of instruments, Matthew Bell and the Next of Kin will deliver a mesmerizing performance that possesses a mystique and style that defy musical formula. Sponsored by the Allen Public Library, this concert is free. Call 214-509-4911 for more information.

Bobbie Wygant spent more than seven decades interviewing thousands of celebrities as Dallas/Ft. Worth’s KXAS-TV Channel 5 arts and entertainment reporter. Her diverse list of icons includes Julie Andrews, Bette Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Debbie Reynolds, Denzel Washington, and Mark Hammill. Bobbie will share stories about her experiences with luminaries and discuss her book Talking to the Stars: Bobbie Wygant’s Seventy Years in Television, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 19, at the Allen Public Library. Started in 1948 by publisher magnate Amon G. Carter, WBAP (now KXAS) was the first television station west of the Mississippi. Bobbie was there from the beginning. Like all members on that early Channel 5 staff, Bobbie assumed multiple tasks, including writing copy, performing live on-air skits, and presenting commercials. Her ability to connect with celebrities soon became apparent. Even though stars may assume extroverted roles on the screen, they can be shy in real life. Evoking insightful answers from reticent celebrities is a special gift Bobbie possesses. Don’t miss Bobbie’s account of a particularly tedious interview with Julie Christie. Bobbie will also reflect on her personal observations of television broadcasting as it emerged as a family-owned WBAP-TV and offer fascinating insights into today’s multi-billion-dollar industry. Sponsored by the Allen Public Library, the program is free. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr.

Join the Allen Heritage Guild with boot stompin’ music and delicious BBQ at 6 p.m. Saturday, September 28, at the Allen Senior Center in their efforts to save the farmhouse located in the heritage village. Buy a ticket at https://www.allenheritage.org. Entertainment will be provided by The Bodarks. Combining western swing, blue grass and roots Americana, The Bodarks offer a stunning performance. Superb fiddle playing, vocals with layered harmony, and ole fashion banjo and mandolin picking produce an unforgettable evening. Tickets are $50 each. The preservation of historic buildings is a one-way street. There is no chance to renovate or to save a historic site once it’s gone. And we can never be certain what will be valued in the future. This reality brings to light the importance of locating and saving one of Allen’s last farmhouses―because once a piece of history is destroyed, it is lost forever. The Allen Senior Center is located at 451 E. St. Mary. Call 469-342-6674 for more information.