Pop Culture & Current Events
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“Dead Air: The Night Orson Welles Terrified America” by William Elliott Hazelgrove
Based on his just-released book, Dead Air: The Night Orson Welles Terrified America, William Hazelgrove uses the actual broadcast and many media stories to detail the great Halloween hoax of 1938. That’s when 23-year-old Orson Welles broadcast to the world that Martians had landed in New Jersey and were exterminating humans with heat ray guns and poisonous gas. The coast-to-coast terror takes viewers on a wild ride through America as people run for the hills, contemplate suicide, get in accidents, run out of restaurants, theatres, and churches believing the war had ended. Includes Q&A. (Teens and adults; 50 min; $325 with permission to sell books)
References
Rachel Rezek, Fremont Public Library, (847) 918-3222, rrezek@fremontlibrary.org; Diane Gaudio, McHenry Public Library, dgaudio@mchenrylibrary.org, (815) 385-0036
Website
Contact
bhazelgrove@gmail.com, (708) 466-7601
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“The Evolution of the Vampire” by Laura Enright
Throughout time, the vampire has been both the sum of all our fears and the perfect scapegoat, yet the vampire has retained an allure carrying its popularity across centuries. Author Laura Enright examines the evolution of the vampire in myth, literature, and media and how an ancient bogeyman, by turns, has become a romantic figure, superhero, and even a teen dream. (All ages; 60-90 min; $200 with permission to sell books)
References
Leticia Goluba, Woodstock Public Library, (815) 338-0542, leticiag@woodstockil.info; Sarah Weiner, Park Forest Public Library, (708) 748-3731, sarah.weiner@pfpl.org
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Contact
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“He Had It Coming: The True Story Behind the Musical Chicago” by Nicole Evelina
Join USA Today bestselling author Nicole Evelina for a whirlwind look at the real women behind the Jazz Age controversy and the female reporter who not only brought their stories to life but wrote the play the musical is based upon. Fun fact: one of them is why women are now allowed to serve on juries. Includes handouts, Q&A. (Adults; 60 min; $250 in-person plus travel expenses with permission to sell books, $150 virtual)
References
Ginger Brickey, Jefferson County Library-Northwest, gbrickey@jeffcolib.org, (636) 671-8186; David Beaumier, Chanticleer Books and Media, dbeaumier@chantireviews.com
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Contact
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“Latino Hip Hop as a New Poetry” by Catalina Maria Johnson
Catalina Maria Johnson, music journalist and host of the radio show and podcast “Beat Latino,” shares how the musical works of Latino hip hop artists can be viewed as a unique form of new poetry appreciated and understood from Mexico to Chile to Spain. This lively, interactive presentation, which can be presented in English or Spanish, includes video examples and great music. (Teens and Adults; 60 min; $350 plus travel expenses)
References
Colleen Springer-Lopez, Carbondale Elementary School District, cspringer@ces95.org; Micaela Harris, McLean County Museum of History, mharris@mchistory.org
Website
www.linktr.ee/catalinamariajohnson
Contact
catalinamariajohnson@gmail.com, (773) 960-8531
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“Artificial Intelligence Promise & Peril” by Lance Erlick
Leading scientists have expressed concern about the risks posed by AI. After recent advances, leading voices in AI take seriously the possibility of superintelligence before 2060, with major developments by 2030. Come join a discussion of the promise of AI, myths, threats, and what we should know about changes to our world. Includes handouts. (Older teens and adults; 75 min; $240 plus travel expenses with permission to sell books)
References
Jeanne Garman, Mensa, chem1946@gmail.com; Joan Waxman, North Shore Senior Center, jwaxman@nssc.org
Website
Contact
finlee7@aol.com, (630) 946-6023
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“Evolution of the Modern Zombie” by Scott Kenemore
Join Scott Kenemore – best-selling author of Zombie-in-Chief: Eater of the Free World and Zombie Illinois – on a rollicking tour of the zombie’s origins in Haitian mysticism through its evolutions in pop culture to the ravenous zombies of today. Fun (and appropriate) for all ages! Kenemore has previously presented at numerous colleges and universities and at top fan conventions like San Diego Comic Con and Chicago Comic Con. (All Ages; 60 min; $250)
References
Brendan Riley, Columbia College, briley@curragh-labs.org, (312) 369-8817
Website
Contact
scottkenemore@hotmail.com, (773) 799-7127
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“The James Bond Phenomenon” by Raymond Benson
Everything you want to know about James Bond 007, straight from Raymond Benson, the third official continuation author – and first American – commissioned by the Ian Fleming Estate to write original Bond novels (between 1996-2002). Slideshow presentation covers the life of Ian Fleming, history of the novels and the films, and Benson’s own experience as a Bond author. (Teens and Adults; 90 min; $300 in-person plus travel expenses, $250 virtual)
References
Hanley Kanar, Love is Murder Writers Conference, hanleykanar@gmail.com, (847) 337-0603; Dann Gire, Daily Herald, danngire@gmail.com, (847) 650-4229
Website
Contact
RBinPerson@comcast.net, (847) 217-0389