Greenwich Library Celebrates Black History Month with Film & Concert Series

From Greenwich Library: Black History Month, or National African American History Month, honors the achievements of black Americans and recognizes the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. To celebrate, Greenwich Library will present a series of film and music events in the Cole Auditorium.

Greenwich Library’s Peterson Concert Series is proud to host musician Bernard “Pretty” Purdie on Sunday, February 5 at 3:30 p.m. Purdie, arguably the most recorded drummer in history, will be performing with his quintet.

Purdie has played on countless recording sessions with artists such as Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway, Steely Dan, Miles Davis, Michael Bolton, B.B. King, Hall & Oates, Louis Armstrong, Paul Simon, Marvin Gaye and James Brown. Visit www.bernardpurdie.com.

The Peterson Concert Series is open to all at no charge through the support of the Greenwich Library Board of Trustees and generous donors. Doors open at 3 pm. For more informa­tion contact Peterson Music Librarian David War­ing at dwaring@greenwichlibrary.org or call (203) 622-7917.

The Friends Friday Film Series will present two films in recognition of Black History Month. On Friday, February 3, the Friends will screen the documentary The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story (2010) a portrait of the legendary music producer at Atlantic Records who worked with Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin, George Martin, the Bee Gees and more. Joe Mardin, Arif’s son and producer of the documentary, will share his insights on the creation of the film and various musicians who recorded for Atlantic Records, including Bernard “Pretty” Purdie (see above).

On Friday, February 24 at 8 p.m. the Library will show Race (2016), a drama based on black athlete Jesse Owens’s struggles to overcome racism at home and abroad in his inspiring journey to the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

The Friday Film Series is made possible by contributions to the Friends of Greenwich Library and admission is open to all at no charge. Showtime is 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:40 p.m. Call (203) 622-7910 for more information.

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Photo Courtesy of Greenwich Library