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Black is a Color cover

Summertime Fun: Art & Music

Many art and music festivals occur over the summer. Whether you're a fan, a developing artist or musician, or just curious, below are a selection of titles for your reading pleasure. Black is a Color by Elvan Zabunyan

Choral Masterworks by Michael Steinberg

A Place in the Choir

an overview of choral music

Choral singing is a very popular pastime for many Americans. According to Chorus America, a nonprofit organization representing choruses of all types (from community to professional), one out of 10 Americans sings in a chorus, choir or other vocal music ensemble. The titles profiled below offer a great introduction to choral music, the history and culture of specific choral groups, and the choral experience. 

DC locals Cigarette play on the Woodridge rooftop on July 12, 2017

Summer of Punk Reads!

History in the Making with the DC Punk Archive

After the closure of the Martin Luther King Jr. Library for renovation earlier this year, we wondered how to continue the joy and community built around the DC Punk Archive Basement shows hosted there since October 2014 to promote the DC Punk Archive collection. Why not start with our newest DC Public Library building?

Mo meta

"Allow Me to Re-Introduce Myself..."

Memoirs from the Hip Hop Community

Hip-hop has firmly rooted itself worldwide as an important part of modern day culture. Clothing, vernacular, art and literature have all been influenced by hip-hop culture. As of late, some notable rappers and hip-hop producers have thrown their hat in the literary ring, giving us the stories behind some of their greatest hits. Here are some popular memoirs written by hip-hop notables.

Shooting Women-- Behind the Camera, Around the World

Phenomenal Women

"Women hold up half the sky, but it is the heavier half." (ancient Egyptian Nut; ancient Chinese proverb) "Man is the head, but woman is the neck that turns the head." (South African Proverb) It often is said that "behind every great man, there is a great woman." That is because strong, intelligent men choose strong, intelligent women whose stories often don't get told.

Toure book

Purple Power: A Tribute to Prince

It’s been over a year since the great musical icon, Prince passed away. Check out some of these books that Prince fans and book readers are sure to love:

A Broken Hallelujah

Honoring the late Leonard Cohen

In Writing, Film, and Song

Two of the greatest experiences of my life involved seeing Leonard Cohen, the late great Canadian singer and poet, perform live. While his body has left us, his spirit lives on through his decades of writing and song. Here are some recommendations of books and films by and about him to help understand and commemorate his legacy.  

Cover for Don't Suck, Don't Die by Kristin Hersh

Don't Suck, Don't Die

Musicians Gone Too Soon

This year's Oscar winner for Best Documentary Feature, Amy, and the success of HBO's Kurt Cobain documentary Montage of Heck last year (which has a print companion worth browsing) had us thinking about some other musicians whose careers were cut tragically short, and the stories behind their struggles and successes. 

Yes Yes Y'all

Throwbacks from Way Back

Pop Culture Oral Histories

Pop culture history is all the flotsam that fills your brain, the commercial jingles you can’t shake after 20 years.  If someone's been exposed to the music, tv, and films of the times, they permeate memories to the point where moments in that history have visceral, personal meaning.  

June Library Basement Show

Librarians Love Punk Questionnaire with Governess

Learn about the reading habits of local band, Governess, performing in the Library Basement Show with Loud Boyz and Heavy Breathing on Thursday, June 2nd!  1. What is the one book you would say changed your life after you read it?

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