What's Happening at the Library in January?

Every month the Sachem Public Library brings the community a myriad of fun, interesting and free entertainment. January brings movies, dane shows and a handful of other intriguing opportunities.

Check out some of the top events here:

Eco-Fashion: Monday, Jan. 3, 7 p.m.: Recycle, repair, revamp, re-use! Discover how to extend the life of your garments, and learn techniques to update and reinvent them. Being green in your closet means more green in your wallet. Presented by Kathryn Hunt, a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, and owner of the label iKat Gear.

The Wedding Series: Part I ... He Gave You A Ring: Wednesday, Jan. 5, 7 p.m.: You're engaged...now what? This four-part series will introduce you to experts in the industry who will share ideas, advice, and answer questions on all aspects of planning and executing the wedding of your dreams. In this session, Linda Shapiro, Director of Event Planning at Custom Catering, Claudia Gryvatz Copquin of gettingmarriedonlongisland.com, Cristie Woodard of Plan-It Productions, and others will focus on where to start: engagement parties and announcements, selecting your bridal party, bridal shower ideas, and your wedding timeline. The first 50 registrants will receive a gift bag. The series will continue with: Your Vision, February 2; This Year's Trends, March 2; Etiquette and Traditions, April 6.

Voices of September 11^th Sponsors 9/11 Living Memorial Workshops: Tuesday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Family members and friends of those lost in the attacks of September 11^th will have an opportunity to assemble digital memorials of their loved ones at workshops. The non-profit group, Voices of September 11,^th sponsors these workshops as part of their initiative, the 9/11 Living Memorial Project, a web-based archive that honors the nearly 3,000 lives lost and documents first-hand accounts of rescue workers and survivors.  The 9/11 Living Memorial already contains an extensive online collection of over 50,000 images and will be incorporated in the exhibits at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center site.  More information about Voices of September 11^th and the Living Memorial Project can be found on the website, www.voicesofseptember11.org.  Reservations to participate in the workshop can be made by contacting Voices of September 11^th at 203-966-3911.

Mark Twain: A Skeptic's Progress: Wednesday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m.: Isaac Gewirtz, curator of the exhibit Mark Twain: A Skeptic's Progress at the Morgan Library, will discuss the life and work of this iconic American author. Experience the essence of Twain's wit, humor, and philosophy, with examples of his work as a novelist, short story writer, fabulist, critic, lecturer, and travel writer. Isaac Gewirtz is Curator of the Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature at The New York Public Library.

Sunday Performances

Sister Act: Sunday, Jan. 9, 2 p.m.: Imagine having Cher, Tina Turner, The Andrew Sisters, The Supremes, Janis Joplin, and Aretha Franklin performing at your library. Through vocal impersonations and outrageous costuming, talented crooners and sisters Andrea and Celeste will take you on a multimedia musical journey through the best in American women performers.

The Polezhayevs: Sunday, Jan. 16: 2 p.m. Yelena and Vladimir Polezhayev and sons will present this new program in honor of the 200th birthday of composer Franz Liszt. The performance will include compositions by Liszt, Paganini, Chopin, Gardel, and Piazzolla.

Surf Avenue: Sunday, Jan. 23, 2 p.m.: In this sequel to his acclaimed one-man show Blue Collar Bay, Stephen Axelrod will take you on a peril-fraught journey from a tough childhood in Queens, to life in the Marine Corps, to a place on the New York Stock Exchange, and finally through his struggles as an aspiring actor. This autobiographical live production highlights Mr. Axelrod's natural gift for storytelling.

Friday Night Cabaret

Sounds for All Seasons: Friday, Jan. 14, 7 p.m.: In November 2000, ten-year old Robert Cinnante and his seven year old friend Michael Dougherty asked to perform a holiday music concert at Sachem Public Library. They auditioned, performed, and began what was to become an annual musical tradition. Now, 10 years later, Mr. Cinnante boasts studies at Juilliard and the New England Conservatory of Music and has performed with the Amato Opera. In 2006, he appeared in a master class at Long Island University-C.W. Post with Russian pianist Natasha Paremski. Mr. Dougherty has performed for the National Guild of Piano Teachers. For your entertainment, Robert and Michael return to perform a compilation of traditional favorites.

Celebrate Chinese New Year, Lion Dance: Friday, Jan. 28, 7 p.m.: The Chinese consider the lion dance to be a vehicle for dispensing all the blessings of heaven to the community. Employing ancient symbolism, the lion represents the hopes and aspirations of the Chinese people. In this presentation, members of the Shaolin Kung Fu School will perform the Lion Dance and demonstrate their skills.

Films

Film Discussion: Reel Rebels: Tuesday, Jan. 4, 6 p.m.: Mugabe and the White African: Intriguing, informative, sometimes controversial but always thought provoking, this monthly series combines the best in film and discussion. This month's selection, a riveting documentary, follows a white Zimbabwean family as they take on one of history's most ruthless dictators.

Foreign Film: Bread & Tulips: Saturday, Jan. 8, 2 p.m.: When a disillusioned housewife gets left behind by her husband during a tour of Italy, she decides to take herself on a solo vacation in Venice.

Opera & Art Film Series: Ansel Adams: Wednesday, Jan. 12, 1:30 and 7 p.m.: Written and directed by Ric Burns, this documentary portrays the life of a great photographer and ardent environmentalist for whom life and art, photography and wilderness, and creativity and communication were inextricably connected. (2002, NR-1:40)

Thursday Movies

Pirate Radio: Jan. 6, 1:30 and 6:30 p.m.: When England declared rock and roll illegal in the 1960's, one determined American DJ anchored himself in the North Sea and fought for radio freedom.

Going the Distance: Jan. 13, 1:30 and 6:30 p.m.: Despite living on opposite coasts, nay-saying friends and family, and a few unexpected temptations, Erin and Garrett might actually go the distance.

Knight and Day: Jan. 20, 1:30 and 6:30 p.m.: When June Havens is caught between a covert agent and those he claims set him up, she realizes that nothing - and no one - is what they seem.

Iron Man 2: Jan. 27, 1:30 and 6:30p.m.: Iron Man Tony Stark fights to prevent his past from haunting his present, his health from deteriorating, and new enemies from taking his life.