Coffee House Concert, Writer's Night in York Village this week
YORK VILLAGE - Whether it's a foray into fiction or a memorable melody you're craving, you need go no further than the York Public Library to find what you're looking for this week.
Two noted authors, Katherine Davis and Cheryl Drake Harris, both of whom have strong ties to Maine, will present another in the ongoing Writers' Night series at 7 p.m. this Thursday, May 17. Their program, entitled "The Art of Writing a Novel and the Spirit That Defines It," is designed to appeal to both writers and readers.
Davis began writing 10 years ago after raising a family, teaching French and serving as a docent at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Born in New Jersey and raised in Switzerland, she studied French literature in college and later enrolled in the Johns Hopkins Program in Creative Writing. Her first novel, "Capturing Paris," was chosen by Real Simple Magazine as the recommended book to read when traveling to Paris. Davis is a summer resident of York Harbor.
Also a Maine resident, Harris has a Master's of Fine Arts degree in writing from Vermont College, and was an associate professor at Southern Maine Community College for 11 years. She has also taught fiction workshops at the University of Southern Maine, the Stonecoast Writers' Conference and the Maine Writers' and Publishers' Alliance. She lived in Danang, Vietnam, and taught English and fiction workshops at Duy Tan University in 2004. Her first novel, "Lily's Ghost," is about a woman's struggle to deal with post-traumatic stress after serving as a doctor during the Vietnam War.
Organizers promise this program is sure to deepen your understanding and appreciation of the writing process, and both novels are available at the library.
Later this week, six celebrated Seacoast musicians will grace the stage in this first of this year's York Public Library Coffee House Concert series on Sunday, May 20.
On tap for Sunday's evening of music are Stephen Bracciotti, Doug Bennett, Curt Bessette, Neal Zweig, Woody Allen and Bruce Derr. The performance will be held from 4 to 6 p.m.
Bracciotti, who is a guitarist and songwriter, will open the program with his own brand of heartfelt music in a special mix of styles including jazz, contemporary harmony and rhythms, finger-style guitar and classical.
Next up will be award-winning York Beach songwriter and guitarist Curt Bessette, who has performed in concerts, festivals and clubs throughout the country, and is presently recording his fourth CD of original songs. A guitar instructor for over 20 years, Bessette also teaches songwriting for York Adult and Community Education.
Bessette will be performing with Zweig, one of the most respected lead guitarists and session musicians in the Seacoast area. The two have recently founded a school and concert program of World War II-era songs and stories.
The concert's third and final act will feature the Al Derben Trio, with Bennett on guitar and vocals, Allen on guitar and Derr on pedal steel. These three well-known Seacoast musicians create a fresh take on swing era jazz. They play with an easy command of their music and a real sense of fun.
As usual with library events, the public is invited and admission is free. For more information on either of these programs, call at 363-2818.
