2018 Washtenaw Reads events will be added as information becomes available. Keep checking this site for updates!
Institute for the Humanities
Homegoing: A Conversation with Yaa Gyasi
The 2018 Institute for the Humanities Jill S. Harris Memorial Lecture and 2018 Washtenaw Reads Author Event
Tuesday, February 6th, from 7:00-8:30 pm
Rackham Auditorium
915 E Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI
Hear Yaa Gyasi discuss Homegoing. This event includes a book signing and copies of the book will be for sale.
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Chelsea District Library
Born with Africa In Them
Tuesday, January 9th, from 7:00-8:30 pm
McKune Room
221 S Main St, Chelsea, MI
Mark Fancher of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan will explore the historical and present day tensions and cultural dissonances between African and European descended communities in the U.S. This program is offered in partnership with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Michigan.
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Northfield Township Area Library
Novel-Tea Book Club: A Discussion of Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing
Wednesday, January 10th, at 6:30 pm
125 Barker Rd, Whitmore Lake, MI
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Dexter District Library
World Slavery: The Haitian Revolution and the Rise of American Music
Monday, January 22nd at 6:30 pm
Lower Level Meeting Room
3255 Alpine St., Dexter, MI
Join Ray Kamalay for a lecture and concert as he puts African American and American music in the context of world history with story and song. Backed by a vivid PowerPoint presentation, Kamalay will charm you with his top-notch musical skills and leave you with a new understanding of the meaning of the blues.
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Chelsea District Library
Kuungana Drum & Dance
Wednesday, January 24th, from 6:30-8:00pm
McKune Room
221 S Main St, Chelsea, MI
Join us for Baba Kevin Collins and the Kuungana Drum and Dance Company as the present on the history and tradition of West African music, including a live drum demonstration.
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Dexter District Library
Beautifully Wrapped: The Global Art of Headwrapping
Saturday, January 27th at 2:00 pm
Lower Level Meeting Room
3255 Alpine St., Dexter, MI
Fold, place, whip around, tuck, pull and pin. Headwraps are a beautiful way to accessorize, protect your hair and show a bit of style. Participants learn to tie their own headwraps as well as the unique history of wrapping across the globe. Bring a piece of cloth or use one of ours and by the end of our time together, you will be able to create a piece of art. Zarinah El-Amin Naeem, master wrapper, is an anthropologist and the founder of Beautifully Wrapped, an international interfaith corporation that uses the global art of headwrapping to build love and understanding.
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Ann Arbor District Library
Book Discussion: Homegoing
Tuesday January 30th, from 7:00-8:00 pm
Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room
343 South Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor, MI
Join AADL staff and other community members for a discussion of the 2018 Washtenaw Read, Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi.
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Ypsilanti District Library
Homegoing Book Discussion
Thursday, February 1st at 10:30am
5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti, MI
Discuss Yaa Gyasi’s book in advance of her visit at a special session of the Thursday Morning Book Group.
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Ann Arbor District Library
Fabulous Folktales: A Storytime for Kids Celebrating the 2018 Washtenaw Read!
Saturday February 3rd, from 2:00-2:30 pm
Downtown Library, Youth Story Corner
343 South Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor, MI
Join AADL storyteller Elizabeth as she shares folktales from West Africa in a special storytime for kids, created in conjunction with this year's Washtenaw Reads. This event is intended for preschool-grade 3.
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Ten Thousand Villages
Book Discussion
Saturday,February 3rd at 11am
Ten Thousand Villages Ann Arbor
303 South Main Street
Open informal discussion of Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing, Led by Kathleen Giesting, Ten Thousand Villages Board of Directors. Special Guest, Professor of Social Work, Dr. Brenda McGadney-Douglass who has travelled and worked extensively in Ghana. Fair trade coffee and chocolate sampling.
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Dexter District Library
Journey to Freedom: The Underground Railroad in Washtenaw County
Thursday, February 8th at 7:00 pm
Lower Level Meeting Room
3255 Alpine St., Dexter, MI
The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes, hidden places, determined citizens and self-liberated people of color seeking freedom. Two essential routes to Detroit, and ultimately Canada, crossed in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Discover the role Washtenaw County played in this dangerous journey to freedom. Presented by Deborah Meadows, Board Vice-Chair of the African American Cultural & Historical Museum of Washtenaw.
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Ann Arbor District Library
Book Discussion: Homegoing
Sunday February 11th, from 2:00-3:00 pm
2359 Oak Valley Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Join AADL staff and other community members for a discussion of the 2018 Washtenaw Read, Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi.
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Northfield Township Area Library
Brown Bag Book Club: A Discussion of Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing
Tuesday, February 13th, at 12:00 pm
125 Barker Rd, Whitmore Lake, MI
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Saline District Library
Book Discussion of Homegoing
Wednesday, February 14th at 7:00 pm
555 N. Maple Rd, Saline MI
The public is invited for a lively discussion and refreshments.
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Ann Arbor District Library
West African Music and Art in Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing
Tuesday, February 20th, from 7:00-8:30 pm
Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room
343 South Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor, MI
Attend an interactive workshop for music and art lovers with discussion of Homegoing. Drawing from the African American Cultural Humanities curriculum, Ms. Shields examine the social and historical contexts presented in Homegoing using music and pieces from the Detroit Institute of Art Collection. Participants will leave with a better understanding of the influence of West Africa on American music styles.
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Dexter District Library
Exotic Flavors and Cuisine of Ethiopia
Wednesday, February 21st at 6:00 pm Lower Level Meeting Room
3255 Alpine St., Dexter, MI
Join Ann Arbor native Brad Durr, executive chef at Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Club and Consulting Chef for The Blue Nile Restaurant for this lecture and cooking presentation on Ethiopian Cuisine.
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Greenhills School
Book Discussion
Thursday, February 22nd from 7-8:30pm
Greenhills Library
850 Greenhills Drive, Ann Arbor, MI
The Greenhills Library and the Office of Diversity are cosponsoring a book discussion of Homegoing. This is open to the community as well as Greenhills students and their families.
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Hosting your own event? Email the details to Emily Howard (howarde at aadl.org) to be added to the list.