Mid-May 2015 eNews


A Conversation with Best-Selling Author James Patterson

June 17, 7:30 p.m.


 
Continuing The Mark Twain House & Museum's tradition of presenting some of the best-selling authors of all time (Stephen King in 2013 and Dan Brown in 2014), it's a pleasure to announce that James Patterson will be appearing in Hartford to benefit the museum.

 

James Patterson is the world's best-selling author since 2001 and has over 300 million copies of his books in print.  In January, 2010, The New York Times Magazine hailed him as having "transformed book publishing," and Time magazine has called him "The Man Who Can't Miss."

 

It's a rare on-stage appearance for Patterson, who will engage in conversation with WNPR's Ray Hardman, and a special opportunity for his many fans.This incredible event will take place right across the street from The Mark Twain House at Immanuel Congregational Church, 10 Woodland Street, Hartford. Free parking is available in the parking lots at The Mark Twain House & Museum and in the church's Woodland Street lot.

 

Ticket prices are $60 / $50 for members of The Mark Twain House & Musuem.  There will be a limited number of $175 VIP tickets available that include a pre-event reception at the Town and County Club (22 Woodland Street, Hartford--right next door to Immanuel Congregational Church) with an opportunity to meet James Patterson; premium VIP seating at the event; and a pre-signed copy of one of James Patterson's books.  Purchase tickets by calling (860) 280-3130 or click here.

 

This event is generously supported by The Hartford.

 


MAY EVENTS 
 
For more details on all our events, please visit our website. 

 

Celeste Bedford Walker's Theatrical Production of BLACK WALL STREET

Friday, May 15, and Saturday, May 16 at 8:00 p.m. each evening at the Artists Collective, 1200 Albany Avenue in Hartford.

 

Presented by the Artists Collective and The Mark Twain House & Museum, for the 2015 Jackie McLean Memorial Celebration


BLACK WALL STREET brings to life a little-known portion of American history during the early 1900s-1920s. In the heartland of America, there was a Black community paradise. In the Greenwood section of Tulsa, Oklahoma, African Americans, Native Americans, and people of Jewish descent developed a networking relationship surpassed by none in modern day history, creating more than 600 businesses.  In June 1921, an alleged incident involving a white female elevator operator and a black "shoe shine boy" ignited the simmering resentment and jealousies of neighboring white communities. In the aftermath of the worst race riot in US history, the once thriving business district of Greenwood lay, smoldering and totally destroyed.

 

The Jackie McLean Memorial Celebration production of BLACK WALL STREET, in collaboration with The Mark Twain House & Museum, is made possible with the generous support of The Edward C. & Ann T. Roberts Foundation, the Hartford Dental Group, Northend Agents, and The Urban League of Greater Hartford.

 

 

Tickets for Black Wall Street are: $25 for advanced purchase general admission; $20 advance purchase for Artists Collective and Mark Twain House & Museum members, students, seniors and GHAC Let's Go Members; and $30 at the door for all.

Tickets are available via The Mark Twain House & Museum by calling (860) 280-3130 or by clicking here or by calling the Artists Collective at (860) 527-3205. Special Group rate tickets available--call the Artists Collective for information. 

 

The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl with author Issa Rae

Sunday, May 17, 7:30 p.m.

 

Issa Rae is a writer, producer and actress. She is the creator of the YouTube workplace-comedy series Awkward Black Girl as well as the New York Times best-selling book of the same name. She has been featured on such shows as The Nightly Show, and is also the writer of numerous online series and an upcoming HBO series. Rae's book is a collection of humorous essays on what it's like to be unabashedly awkward in a world that regards introverts as hapless misfits, and black as cool.  The conversation will be moderated by William Cobb, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Institute for African American Studies at the University of Connecticut.

 

Tickets are $10 for the general public, and $5 for Mark Twain House members and students with an ID. Please call (860) 280-3130 or click here.

 

 

 

BOOK/MARK: Party Like a President with author Brian Abrams

Wednesday, May 20, 7:30 p.m.

 

There's the office: President of the United States. And then there's the man in the office--prone to temptation and looking to unwind after a long day running the country. Celebrating the decidedly less distinguished side of the nation's leaders, humor writer Brian Abrams offers a compelling, hilarious, and true American history on the rocks--a Washington-to-Obama, vice-by-vice chronicle of how the presidents like to party. This book has the smart, funny feel of Mad magazine meets The Colbert Report. Plus, it includes recipes for 44 cocktails inspired by each chapter's partier-in-chief.

 

To celebrate this event, there will be liquor and spirit tastings.  Also there will be a rousing game of Presidential Trivia, and Real or Fake Laws! Plus, a few subject-specific episodes of Drunk History will be shown! 

 

This is a free BOOK/MARK event and will be followed by a book sale and signing. Reservations are highly recommended. Please call (860) 280-3130 or click here.

 

 

BOOK/MARK: The SOUND OF MUSIC Story with author Thomas Santopietro

Thursday, May 21, 7:00 p.m.

 

Tom Santopietro has written the ultimate Sound of Music fan book with all the inside dope from behind-the-scenes stories of the filming in Austria and Hollywood to new interviews with Johannes von Trapp and others. Santopietro looks back at the real life story of Maria von Trapp, goes on to chronicle the sensational success of the Broadway musical, and recounts the story of the near cancellation of the movie when the film Cleopatra bankrupted 20th Century Fox. We all know that Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer played Maria and Captain Von Trapp, but who else had been considered?

 

This is a free BOOK/MARK event and will be followed by a book sale and signing. Reservations are highly recommended. Please call (860) 280-3130 or click here.

 

 

Opening Reception for Han Dynasty Stone Rubbing Exhibition

Thursday, May 21, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

 

In collaboration with Shandong Department of Culture and Shandong Museum in China, The Mark Twain House & Museum is bringing a unique and never-before-seen collection of Han Dynasty stone rubbings to Connecticut. The exhibition will be displayed at The Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford between May 21 and August 31, 2015. The collection has great historic, cultural and academic value. The complete exhibition consists of a large number of individual rubbings of various sizes, ranging from smaller pieces up to larger ones covering entire walls, all filled with vivid detail.

 

The opening reception on May 21 is free and open to the public.  Reservations are recommended. Please call (860) 280-3130 or click here.

 

 

The Mark Twain House & Museum and Grymm Studios presents Springtime Steampunk Social: An Afternoon of Tea, Steam, Songs and Sweets

Saturday, May 30, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

 

Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction, and sometimes fantasy, that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery. It's also a whole lot of fun!  Steampunk Social features Nikki Woolfolk, author & owner of LeBeau Chocolates, the musical styling of Venus Lens Cap, tea and afternoon refreshments, plus a showing of the award winning short film 1873: the Insidious Intrigue by Chronophotograph Studios.

 

Tickets are $15/$10 MTH&M members. Please call (860) 280-3130 or click here.

 

 

 

 

 

Birdies For Charity!

 

This year, The Mark Twain House & Museum is participating in the Travelers Championship Birdies for Charity program!

 

Make a gift to The Mark Twain House & Museum through the Birdies for Charity program and we'll receive an additional 15%! 

 

You can pledge per birdie or make a flat donation: your choice. 

 

Even better--YOU can win prizes like a $1,500 cash gift card!

 

Pledge here!


 

The Mark Twain House & Museum: Summer Writing Classes 

 

Be the writer you've always wanted to be -- study at the home of America's greatest writer!

 

6-Week Classes ($265):

Self-Publishing (starts May 20)

Fiction (starts May 20)

 

4-Week Classes ($199):

Writing From Found Texts (starts May 20)

Memoir (starts May 28)

 

Summer Writing Intensives (4 consecutive DAYS) ($180)

Jump Start Your Novel (starts July 27)

Writing for the Real World (starts July 27)

Playwriting Monologues (starts August 3)

Beginning Middle End--Writing the Short Story (starts August 3)

 

Don't miss out -- for the complete schedule of classes and workshops, or to register, please visit www.marktwainhouse.org or call (860) 280-3130.

 

Questions? Email [email protected].



 


Life on the Mississippi With Mark Twain Aboard

the American Queen: Round Trip from and to St. Louis--August 22-30

 

 

The Mark Twain House & Museum invites you to join in on the only overnight passenger steamboat on the Mississippi today, the 
American Queen, and to be introduced to the life and legacy of Mark Twain as we travel along his river and spend a week learning about his life and his work. Our onboard enrichment will be led by two scholars, Henry Sweets, Executive Director of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home in Hannibal, MO, and Cindy Lovell, Executive Director of the Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, CT. Lewis Hankins, performing as Mark Twain, will bring the author to life onstage with an inspiring performance. 

 

Highlights include: An Evening with Mark Twain; a full-day stop in Hannibal, MO; a cocktail reception for our group participants; enrichment talks to include topics such as the Gilded Age, Hannibal: A Portrait of a River Town, Twain's continuing relevance, and even a lightning round of Mississippi River Jeopardy!

 

The group discount is 30% for this special cruise. (To receive this discount, booking must be made through Custom Travel Concepts at 1-866-956-4440. Please call them with questions or if you need more information.)

 

 


Membership has its rewards!

 

New for 2015!

 

Each month, all new and renewing members for the previous month will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 gift certificate to The Mark Twain House Store.

 

Congratulations to April's winners: Heidi & Joe Groeger 

 

Be sure to support The Mark Twain House & Museum and purchase or renew your membership to be entered into this monthly drawing!

 

 

THE MARK TWAIN HOUSE PARTICIPATES IN THE BLUE STAR MUSEUM PROGRAM


Blue Star Museums is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America. The program runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

 

This free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty U.S. military - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps - and up to five family members.

 

There's more information here.

 

 
MEET OUR NEW STAFF MEMBERS


 
Tracy Brindle has joined the staff as Beatrice Fox Auerbach Chief Curator. She will be responsible for the historic Twain home and extensive collection of over 16,000 artifacts. Brindle is a museum professional and comes to the Twain House after seven years at the Midway Village Museum in Rockford, Illinois, an historic village with 26 preserved buildings.


  

 

Dr. James Golden has joined the staff as Director of Education. He will develop and manage the Museum's education and community outreach programs. Golden is a Hartford native and returns after a decade in the United Kingdom. He received his doctorate in Modern History from the University of Oxford in 2011.


 


 
Joey Marsocci has joined the staff as Communications & Program Associate. He will be assisting with graphic design as well as special programs and events for the Museum. Marsocci is no stranger to The Mark Twain House & Museum--in 2011, he guest-curated the award-winning Steampunk Bizarre Exhibit


 

 


JOIN The Mark Twain House & Museum!

 

Enjoy the special insider benefits of membership in The Mark Twain House & Museum. And there's the sheer joy of being part of the legacy of Mark Twain, whose wit and insight remain alive today in 2014 -- over 150 years after Sam Clemens took on his famous pen name and entered history.

 

Submit our easy-to-use, secure online membership form or simply call 860-280-3112.

 

Make a DONATION Today!

 

Your donation to The Mark Twain House & Museum has a major impact on our ability to preserve this beautiful home, provide crucial educational programs for thousands of schoolchildren, offer mind-stimulating and spine-tingling events for adults, and welcome thousands of visitors each year. 

 

 ...and make your donation count double: Find out if your employer has a Matching Gift program.

 

Donate online, call 860-280-3112, or send your donation to: The Mark Twain House & Museum, Development Department, 351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06105.

 

Join the FRIENDS!

 

The Friends of The Mark Twain House & Museum offer wonderful speaking events, social gatherings, and fun volunteer opportunities. Pony up $30 and you'll get it all, too!

 

It's the volunteer organization that has supported the museum for more than 50 years. To join, call Membership Co-Chairs Chuck Paydos, 860-242-4825, or Dee Peters, 860-233-4066.

 

 

The Mark Twain House & Museum has restored the author's Hartford, Connecticut, home, where the author and his family lived from 1874 to 1891. Twain wrote his most important works there, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. In addition to providing tours of Twain's restored home, a National Historic Landmark, the institution offers activities and educational programs that illuminate Twain's literary legacy and provide information about his life and times. The house and museum at 351 Farmington Ave. are open 7 days a week, 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 860-247-0998 or visit us online. Programs at The Mark Twain House & Museum are supported by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, and the Greater Hartford Arts Council's United Arts Campaign.

 

David Cash, Publicist and Publications Editor

The Mark Twain House & Museum