AfterWords is the next stage of the Berkeley Public Library Foundation's successful event series, originally created as part of our annual Authors Dinner. Honored authors at the Dinner wanted to do more in support of our public libraries, and our guests wanted to spend more time with them!

Sunday, April 12

3:00 pm -5:00 pm

$100

"Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah!"

In the earlier part of the twentieth century, entertainment was all about assimilation, integration and Americanism. Then came Allan Sherman. In his 1962 comedy album, My Son, The Folk Singer, Sherman took familiar folk songs and substituted hilarious new lyrics with a suburban, Jewish sensibility.  

It promises to be an entertaining afternoon, taking place in the 100-year-old Mark Daniels house, one of Berkeley's most dramatic properties and home of L. John Harris, a former BPLF author. The afternoon is punctuated with authentic Jewish and Eastern European food provided by Saul's, one of the Bay Area's top delicatessens.

Meyer Sound's Pearson Theater

Sunday, April 19

3:00pm 5:00pm

$35

Meet filmmaker Judy Irving for a screening of her documentary, Pelican Dreams. Pelican Dreams features a young brown pelican who mistakenly lands-tired, hungry, and confused-on the roadway of the Golden Gate Bridge, creating a spectacular traffic jam and re-igniting Judy's enduring fascination with these ancient, endangered birds.

Probably best known for The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, Judy Irving is an Emmy-and-Sundance-award-winning filmmaker. Her latest film (rated G) focuses on the California brown pelican, a species known and loved by all. She follows one particular bird nicknamed Gigi as she moves through human hands and back to the wild.

Judy Irving will be on hand at the screening to talk about her lifelong interest in our environment and about the making of this film. Bring the whole family to this captivating film. Treats will be served.