You never know who’s going to show up at the Maplewood Ideas Festival.
Meryl Streep and Ann Roth at Maplewood Ideas Festival. Credit Joy Yagid
Last year, none other than Meryl Streep made a surprise appearance, at a lecture being given by acclaimed costume designer Ann Roth.
Only in its third season, this free, weeks-long arts and culture festival hosted by the Maplewood Memorial Library has already become a don’t-miss annual event. Featuring lectures, performances, conversations and more with some of town’s most talented artists and creative professionals — including Tony, Oscar and Pulitzer prize winners — the Ideas Festival drew more than 1,300 attendees last year.
Read more about last year’s festival here.
This year, acclaimed Maplewood author Dan Barry will receive the 3rd Annual Maplewood Literary Award. Also on tap will be actor Norbert Leo Butz, and a special appearance by world-class fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, who is about to make history at the summer Olympics.
Here is more information from the Maplewood Memorial Library:
Maplewood Ideas Festival Maplewood Library celebrates the talent and creativity of our community with the 2016 Ideas Festival. All programs are free and open to the public. As part of the festival, the 3rd Annual Maplewood Literary Award will be presented to Maplewood author Dan Barry. The list of programs follows. More information can be found at https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/maplewood-ideas-festival-2016-2/
Belle and Books
Meet cast members of Columbia High School’s production of Beauty and The Beast as they read stories and perform musical numbers from the play! Watch as a makeup artist transforms a cast member into The Beast. There will be a Q and A session afterwards. Tuesday, March 15 4 pm at Main Library
NJ Makers Day Saturday, March 19 10 am to 1 pm at Hilton Branch
Norbert Leo ButzTony-award-winning Broadway, film and television actor and singer. Butz recently starred in Bloodlines and Mercy Street. Monday, March 21 7 pm at Main Library
Secrets Skeletons TellDiscover how scientists and detectives gather evidence and clues to figure out what happened in the past. Facilitated by Author Marc Aronson, with New York Times science writer Jon Gertner, science teacher John Mead and Detective Raith of the Maplewood Police Department. Tuesday, March 29 4 pm at Main Library
Rebecca Blumentstein and Ilena Silverman In ConversationRebecca Blumenstein is Deputy Editor in Chief of The Wall Street Journal. Ilena Silverman is the Features Editor at the New York Times Magazine. The conversation will be moderated by Brooke Lefferts, the U.S. entertainment video editor for The Associated Press. Saturday, March 26 2 pm at Main Library
Art & Music Reception: Bisa ButlerAn after-hours wine and cheese reception for our Ideas Festival artist, Bisa Butler, quilt artist and Columbia High School art teacher. Tuesday, March 29 at 7 pm
Tim SquyresOscar-nominated movie, music video and television editor. Tim Squyres has edited 23 feature films, including 13 for director Ang Lee. Thursday, March 31 at 7 pm
Maplewood Literary Award: Dan BarryThe 2016 Maplewood Literary Award recipient is Dan Barry, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and reporter for The New York Times and the author of four books, including the forthcoming The Boys in the Bunkhouse: Servitude and Salvation in the Heartland, set to be released in May 2016. Books will be available for sale and signing. Saturday, April 2 at 2 pm
Sheldon Harnick with Fiddler on the Roof Actors Adam Dannheisser and Mitch GreenbergSheldon Harnick currently has two shows on Broadway: Fiddler on the Roof and She Love Me. Actor/Director/Writer Adam Dannheisser is currently starring as Lazar Wolfe in Fiddler, and Mitch Greenberg plays the roles of Nachem and Yussel. Monday, April 4 7 pm at The Woodland
Ibtihaj MuhammadA community celebration for Ibtihaj Muhammad, a member of the 2016 United States Olympic Fencing Team competing in Rio de Janiero this summer. Wednesday, April 6 7 pm at The Woodland
