Meet in. Think out.

This July, The Denver Public Library's Office of Arts, Letters and Adult Education, Fresh City Life, will invite children and adults of the city of Denver to tell the world who they are during this historic election year by asking them to finish the sentence "I am" and record these responses on videotape. Inspired by Jesse Jackson's famous call and response oratory, I Am - Somebody, the final cinematic draft of this project entitled I Am - The Library will feature the faces and voices of the people of the city of Denver, the voice of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, original music by composer and multi-instrumentalist David Amram and video and photographic images by the Denver based production company Lockerpartners and photographer Ashley Vaughan. The responses will also be used for the lyrics of a new children's chorus and jazz chamber orchestra, I Am, composed by David Amram. Both will premiere on the eve of the 2008 Democratic National Convention at Outside of Convention, a special event featuring Jackson, Amram, political writer John Nichols, musicians and singers from the city of Denver and special surprise guests, co-sponsored by The Nation and Rocky Mountain PBS.

Attend one of the following events below and stop by our Fresh City Life booth to share and record your response to the phrase "I am…" or contact Dr. Audrey Sprenger at asprenger@denverlibrary.org for more information on how to lend your face and voice to this diary. Deadline for participation is July 30.

Rocky Mountain PBS Kids Fun Fest - July 19, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., 1089 Bannock St.

OR

Special Presentation: The Wizard of Oz, 1939 - July 20, 2 - 4 p.m., Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

Go to the I Am page for more details.

Saturday, July 26, 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

Emma Rose and Tran Wills of Denver's newest cupcakerie
The Shoppe share their cupcake making and decorating secrets with you in this special summer do-it-yourself baking demonstration for adults and children accompanied by adults.  Recipes, instructions and samples included.

Tuesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 6:30 - 9 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center
Hosted by film critic Walter Chaw.

The Thin Blue Line - July 1

The Gleaners and I - July 8

The Fog of War - July 15

Salesman - July 22

Capturing the Friedmans - July 29

Go to the Film Series page for more details.

Sorry, this workshop is full.

Friday, July 18, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Peaberry Coffee
3453 W. 32nd Ave. Denver, CO 80211

In response to the enormous popularity of our March political button-making workshop, Fresh City Life is proud to offer a second workshop on making vintage, rock-band and fashion buttons led by Denver’s queen of the cool girl set, Tran Wills of The Fabric Lab. All supplies will be provided, however participants are encouraged to bring along any old magazines, comic books or artwork they might want to use in transforming images in to buttons. Sorry, this workshop is full.

Tuesdays, July 8, 15, 22 and 29, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge

There is a long history of Americans creating knitted items for our soldiers to keep them warm and remind them that they are supported back home. For this four-part class, join other knitters and make a knitted item for one of our “Sammies” overseas. Learn a simple, handsome hat pattern that a soldier can use to keep warm under his helmet in cold weather. If you choose to donate your finished hat, it will be delivered to the Rocky Mountain USO and become part of a care package for one of our dedicated soldiers on active duty. Intermediate knitting skills required: knit and purl stitch, casting on, binding off. Class size is limited; please register online or call 720-865-1205. 

Sunday, July 13, 2 - 4:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

William Golding’s The Lord of the Flies (1954) is a favorite high school and college reading list staple on the social mechanics of community building. Re-read them this July and then join us for the third session of our Stories That Could Be True Reading Club. Our meeting will start with a discussion of the book, followed by a screening of the 1990 cinematic version of this novel, as well as a brief introduction to our October selection, Ellen Emerson White’s The President’s Daughter.

Previous Reading Club selections.

To purchase a limited edition signed print by Ed Adler from our May art exhibit Wilde, Horses and Cowboys, please contact Dr. Audrey Sprenger at asprenger@denverlibrary.org or 720-865-1206.

Partnering with Denver Open Media, and sponsored by Westword and Westwood College, Fresh City Life launches its newest interactive, community venture. Submit films now through February 16, 2009. EyeBelieve Independent Filmmakers Festival will be held Spring 2009 (date to be announced). Check out believe.denveropenmedia.org for details. 

Check out these great classes hosted by our partner, Denver Open Media, to get you started making a standout short film.   

View the EyeBelieve Photo Gallery as seen in Westword.

View the complete Fresh City Life July schedule (PDF).

Join Fresh City Friends to support the 2008 Fresh City Life classes and events.

In appreciation for your gift, you'll receive:

• Special recognition in the Fresh City Life brochures
• Invitations to VIP events
• Acknowledgment in the Annual Report

Fabulous Fresh City Friends $1,000+
Fresh City Friends $500+

Thank you to our first Fabulous Fresh City Friends, Steve Savageau and Reba Lee!

For membership information, contact Laurie Romer, Denver Public Library Friends Foundation, at LRomer@denverlibrary.org or call 720-865-2050.

For information about Corporate Sponsorship, contact Brenda Cook at 720-865-2046 or bcook@denverlibrary.org.