MuseFlashes

Published on September 28, 2007

Rare books expert to speak at UMass Sunday

It's time to dig out those rare tomes inherited from great-uncle Festus for a free appraisal this Sunday at UMass.

Kenneth Gloss, proprietor of the Brattle Book Shop in Boston and an appraiser on PBS' "Antiques Roadshow," will give a talk titled "Treasures in Your Attic: Old and Rare Books" as part of The Friends of the UMass Libraries annual Donor Appreciation Reception. The reception, which is free and open to the public, takes place Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. in Memorial Hall on the UMass campus. The talk begins at 3 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session and free verbal appraisals of books.

Gloss will bring to the lecture several examples of rare books, magazines and ephemera from the Brattle's private collection, including a 1912 World Series scorecard, a sales brochure for the Titanic and examples of old Life magazines from his complete set. For more information call Emily Silverman at 545-0995 or visit the Brattle's Web site at www.brattlebookshop.com.

Walter Chesnut honored in service and concert

The late Walter Chesnut, a virtuoso trumpet player and longtime professor of music at the University of Massachusetts, will be remembered on Saturday, Oct. 6, with a memorial service at 11 a.m., followed by a reception at noon at Grace Episcopal Church at 14 Boltwood Walk on the Amherst Town Common. Chesnut died in May.

At 2 p.m., a concert in his memory at Bowker Auditorium in Stockbridge Hall will include performances and tributes by family, faculty and alumni.

"He was one of this campus' iconic figures, an individual whose dedication to the institution and his commitment to providing the best for students, faculty, parents and friends was legendary," said former Chancellor John V. Lombardi in a prepared statement. "Of course, most knew him for his virtuoso fanfares with his herald's trumpet, which made every ceremonial event come alive."

Among Chesnut's honors are the Distinguished Teaching Award, the Chancellor's Medal and the Lowell Mason Award from the Massachusetts Music Educator's Association. In 1975 he was guest soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra under longtime Pops conductor Arthur Fiedler for the opening of the UMass Fine Arts Center and in Boston's Symphony Hall.

Authors, illustrators appear at Eric Carle

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art offers a behind-the-scenes tour of "Dinotopia" Saturday at 1 p.m. when author and illustrator James Gurney makes a stop to speak about the creation of his series and introduce the latest book, "Journey to Chandara."

Dinotopia is a lost island where humans and dinosaurs live in peacefel interdependence. Gurney introduced the series of illustrated books about the fantastical land in 1992. The books, including the New York Times bestseller "Dinotopia: A Land Apart From Time" and "Dinotopia: The World Beneath," are based on the journals of explorer Arthur Denison, who was shipwrecked on the island in 1862. Dinotopia also appeared as a TV miniseries in 2002, winning an Emmy Award for best visual effects.

Following Gurney's talk he will sign copies of the new "Journey to Chandara," in which professor Denison and his dino pal Bix set out on a perilous journey to the log-forgotten empire of Chandara.

The early fall lineup of special events

at the Carle also includes:

Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m. - "A Conversation with Allen Say," held at 115 Fayerweather Hall at Amherst College.

Oct. 7, 12:30 p.m. - Allen Say speaks and signs books at the museum.

Oct, 13, 1 p.m. - "Books OutLoud" with award-winning author and illustrator Rosemary Wells.

Oct. 14, 1 p.m. - Dianne Clouet shares the storytelling technique of Japanese kamishibai.

Oct. 20, 1 p.m. - Master cellist Gideon Freudmann performs.

Oct. 27, 2 and 3 p.m. - Picture Book Theater, directed by Therese Donohue, presents "Tico and the Golden Wings." Tickets are $3.50. Museum admission is extra.

Oct. 28, 2 p.m. - Special Halloween storytime with author and illustrator David Costello; costumes de rigueur.

Except where noted, all events are free with museum admission, which is $7 adults, $5 seniors, youth under 18, students and teachers, free for members and children under 1.The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is located at 125West Bay Road in Amherst. For more information, call 658-1139, or visit the Web site at www.picturebookart.org.

Jeffery Amherst hosts author appearances

A new book by prize-winning poet, children's book author and gallery owner Richard Michelson of Amherst takes the long view of America through the tale of one family that has stayed connected through the centuries by a love of family and one big red barn.

"Tuttle's Red Barn," with woodcut illustrations by Caldecott medalist Mary Azarian, salutes 12 generations of the Tuttle family of Dover, N.H., operators of the longest continuously running family farm in the country.

Michelson and Azarian will read from and sign copies of the book Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. at the Jeffery Amherst Bookshop in Amherst. The store's series of fall readings also includes:

Oct. 13, 1 p.m. - Erica Verillo signs copies of her classic and often humorous fantasy adventure "Elissa's Quest.

Oct. 20, 1 p.m. - Tom Monte, co-author of "Taking Woodstock," discusses the famous '60s rock concert.

Oct. 27, 1 p.m. - Bruce Watson signs copies of his new book "Sacco and Vanzetti." The readings and signings are free and open to the public at the bookshop at 55 S. Pleasant St. in Amherst. For more information, call the store at 253-3381.

Amherst photographer exhibits in Brattleboro

An exhibition of photographs by Gene Butera of Amherst, on view through Sept. 30 at the Vermont Center for Photography, celebrates the everyday sights that most people overlook.

The exhibit "Extra-Ordinary: Random Notes on Passing Sights in No Particular Order" is organized by four themes, including abstract images of graffiti found in Florence, Italy; images drawn from details of rundown army aircraft; patterns from city sidewalks, as well as a black and white series of random sights that have caught Butera's eye.

In addition to 35 pieces displayed on the gallery walls, 99 more images are presented in a continuous loop on a TV screen at the gallery in Brattleboro, Vt.

"Most often I photograph those subjects that usually escape notice," Butera said in his artist statement. "My intention is to showcase the mundane and commonplace object or occurrence in an interesting composition."

In addition to his abstract pieces, Butera is also showing portraits of Utah artists and shopkeepers of Siena and Florence.

"My experience in Florence and Siena was that people are more willing to let you take their picture [than people in the U.S.]," he said. "They are more relaxed."

Over the years Butera has shown his work at several Utah galleries, at the Fitchburg Art Museum and locally at the A.P.E gallery in Northampton and Gallery A3 in Amherst. He said that "Extra-Ordinary," combining several themes, is his most ambitious show yet.

"Extra-Ordinary" will be on view through the end of the month at the gallery at 49 Flat St. in Brattleboro. For more information, or to preview some of the images, go to www.vcphoto.org.

- JENNA SPATARO

Immigration is topic of Food For Thought talk

Award-winning journalist Deepa Fernandes, host of the morning radio show "Wakeup Call" on WBAI in New York City, will speak about her book "Targeted: National Security and the business of immigration" Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. at Food For Thought Books in Amherst.

Fernandes, herself an immigrant well acquainted with U.S. immigration procedures, takes the reader on a harrowing journey inside the new immigrant experience, a journey marked by militarized border zones, racist profiling, detention and deportation. "Targeted," the result of four years of research, collecting narratives from immigrants as well as human rights groups, community organizers and lawyers, weaves together history, political analysis and first-person stories.

The talk is free and open to the public at the bookstore at 106 North Pleasant St. in Amherst.