Middleburgh Library Notes for Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Jay Unger and Molly Mason will perform at the Middleburgh Library on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 4 p.m.

He was a Bronx kid. She grew up in Washington State. He was raised on pop music of the 1940s and ’50s. She had a fondness for traditional fiddle music and ’30s and ’40s popular tunes.

He hung out in Greenwich Village coffeehouses and roamed North Carolina and Tennessee in search of traditional players. She played clubs and colleges on the West Coast and took a liking to the jazzy sound of the Swing Era.

Since joining forces — both artistically and romantically; the two married in 1991 — Jay Ungar and Molly Mason have become one of the most celebrated duos on the American acoustic music scene.

In 1984, Fiddle Fever band members Matt Glaser and Russ Barenberg were working with a young filmmaker on a documentary called “The Brooklyn Bridge.” They gave Ken Burns a copy of Fiddle Fever’s second LP, Waltz of the Wind, which included Jay’s “Ashokan Farewell.”

 Burns was so taken with the evocative and haunting melody, he used it in his next film, “Huey,” about Louisiana Governor Huey Long, and he wound up inviting Jay and Molly to provide music for many of his projects.

The high point to date of this long relationship was the selection of “Ashokan Farewell” as the main theme of Burns’ landmark PBS documentary, “The Civil War.” 

This event is made possible in part with public funds from the Decentralization Program and the New York State Council on the Arts, administered through the Community Arts Grants Program by the Greene County Council on the Arts. 

Tickets are available at the door.  A $10 donation is suggested. Please use the library’s back entrance.

Storytime

On Oct. 1 at 10:45 a.m. join us for Drop-in Storytime. This fun and interactive program is meant for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers, although older siblings are always welcome! We read books, sing songs, play games, dance and watch a short movie based on a weekly theme. No registration is required! 

Mahjong Mania 

On Oct.1 from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons at 1 p.m. a spirited group of people get together in the Community Room to play Mahjong. Don't know how to play? No problem! They will teach you how. No registration is required.  

Qi Gong

Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 from  4:15 to 5:15 p.m. join us for Qi Gong a Chinese healing practice, incorporating breath and gentle movement to create a free flow of energy throughout the body. Wear loose clothing.

Insight Meditation 

On Oct. 1 at 5:15 p.m. join us for Insight Meditation. What do you want most deeply? Seeing your life calmly and clearly helps answer this. Insight Meditation is a simple way to steady your mind, stop wandering in day-dreams, and end the suffering of troubling thoughts. Our group is a place to sit quietly in safety, supported by others; to allow understanding and compassion to arise; to encourage loving-kindness and patience. We welcome those with no experience to advanced meditators, teens to seniors. Give it a try. No registration is required. There is no fee. All are welcome.  

Movie

On Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. our Wednesday Matinee will be a showing of "Tolkien"  rated PG-13. The movie explores the formative years of the renowned author's life as he finds friendship, courage, and inspiration among a fellow group of writers and artists at school.  

Not all of programs have been scheduled at time of printing. Please check our Calendar on our website at  HYPERLINK "http://www.middleburghlibrary.info" www.middleburghlibrary.info. for future programs.