Video: Community Comes Together to Kick Off the Malden Reads Program

As a member of the Malden Reads planning committee, it was an absolute joy to see so many people come out last night to the kickoff event “Chamber Music, Conversation, and Community,” gathering in the richly elegant galleries of the historic section of the library. Attendees were serenaded by chamber music played by a group of talented Malden High School musicians (under the direction of band director Matthew Tavares), enjoyed a lovely spread of appetizers and desserts (generously provided by Dockside Restaurant , Brother Trucker Food Services, New England Coffee, and the Oak Grove Improvement Association).

Guests were treated to a performance which wove elements of the Malden Reads project together through music, dramatic readings, and narration. The featured performer, Anton Sviridenko, displayed his outstanding musical talent while members of the Malden High School drama group (under the direction of Sean Walsh) staged excerpts from the Malden Reads main book selection, “The Soloist.” The performance was hosted and narrated by local resident Ose Schwab, who had thoughtfully and creatively prepared the presentation to illustrate what the One City, One Book project was all about.

And, although last night’s community event was described as a “kickoff,” it was actually the third of three Malden Reads events held this past week, the first two geared for children and also held at the library. On Tuesday, a “Friendship Bracelet” craft program was held in celebration of friendship, a central theme from this year’s Malden Reads book selections. And on Thursday morning, a unique program “Violin Storytime” featured violinist Rhiannon Banerdt, from the New England Conservatory. She talked about her instrument to the group of young children and accompanied the reading of two children’s books (“The Very Quiet Cricket” by Eric Carle and “Mole Music” by David McPhail) with appropriate sound effects, rhythmic flourishes, and brief melodies that perfectly complemented the telling of the stories.

Over the next six weeks, a wide range of events and activities are scheduled, offering something for peopole of all ages, backgrounds, and areas of interest. There will be a number of book discussion groups, movie screenings, and a panel discussion on “Hunger, Homelessness, and Mental Illness in our Community.” There will be a presentation on journalism, geared primarily to high school students interested in the field, and featuring longtime Boston Globe columnist (and Malden High School alum) Kevin Cullen, joined by other local journalists.

There will be in-depth tours of the Malden Public Library’s original building, detailing its historical, architectural, and fine art treasures. Children’s programs and activities will be offered in-school, after school, and at the library, YMCA, and YWCA, all based around the themes of the book. A “Stone Soup” service project invites young people, ages 7 and up, to contribute ingredients and help make a big pot of soup to serve at a Bread of Life dinner.  

There will even be a sermon offered by Reverend David Horst from the First Parish of Malden, Universalist, reflecting on the themes from “The Soloist.” All are invited to attend this special worship service, open to people of religious backgrounds and spiritual definitions.

And finally, the program will culminate in a Community Performance, by and for community members of all ages, to be held at Malden High School’s Jenkins auditorium. Through music, song, dance, poetry, dramatic skits, multi-media, and spoken word, we invite people to creatively express the rich themes from the book selections, and celebrate the spirit of community which inspires this project.

For a full calendar of events, and details about all the activities on the schedule, please visit www.maldenreads.org.  Join us to plan, perform, contribute, and participate. We welcome everyone.

Anne D’Urso-Rose is the Assistant Director of Malden Access Television and a Malden Public Library Board of Trustee. She is a member of the Malden Reads: One City, One Book committee.

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