Maplewood Library’s Ideas Festival celebrates the talent and creativity of our community. All programs are free and open to the public. More information  about the events may be found on our IDEAS FESTIVAL PAGE.     
Here are this week's programs.

THE ACLU
AND AMERICAN LIFE

Monday, April 24 7 pm at Maplewood Town Hall
The ACLU has had an enormous impact on American society over the last 103 years of its existence. This discussion will survey the history of the ACLU, its successes, and the impact the ACLU of New Jersey has made in communities like Maplewood, across the state, and the country.

The panel includes:Amol Sinha, Executive Director of the ACLU of New Jersey
Alexander Shalom, ACLUNJ Senior Supervising Attorney and Director of Supreme Court Advocacy
Maplewoodian Rhea Beck, NJACLU Director of People and Culture
Maplewoodian Alexis Karteron, Professor of Law at Rutgers Law School
The panel will be moderated by Robert Marchman, Senior Policy Advisor on Diversity and Inclusion at the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission.

ELIZA MINOT: MAPLEWOOD LITERARY AWARD

Tuesday, April 25
7 pm at Maplewood Town Hall

Eliza Minot is the author of the critically acclaimed novels The Tiny One and The Brambles, Her third novel, In The Orchard, will be released on the day of the program.
Her work has appeared in magazines and anthologies, and her books have been named to various lists, including The New York Times Notable, Booksense 76, Nancy Pearl's, and Oprah's Top Ten Summer Picks.
Eliza will be in conversation with her sister, Susan Minot, award-winning novelist, short-story writer, poet, playwright and screenwriter.

Copies of Eliza's books will be available for sale and signing.

JAZZ VS ROCK
WITH SETH ABRAMSON AND TODD ABRAMSON

Wednesday, April 26
7 pm at Maplewood Town Hall

Brothers Seth Abramson and Todd Abramson will discuss their life's work in these genres, and about helping to launch the careers of many well known artists.

Seth Abramson, Grammy Award-winning producer, is the President and founder of Rabbit Moon Productions, Inc. a full-service, live music presentation and production company. He has recently been appointed Director of Jazz Awards for The Gilmore, where he also advises on jazz artist programming.

Todd Abramson has been booking concerts since the mid-80s. His career includes Folk City in Greenwich Village and the iconic Hoboken venue, Maxwell's. He is the head talent buyer for White Eagle Hall, and for over eight years he has hosted a weekly Saturday afternoon radio show on WFMU as "Todd-O-Phonic Todd".

MICHELLE MILLER: CONVERSATIONS WITH COOKIE
Real Talk on Life, Loss, Longing and Belonging

Saturday, April 29
1 pm at Maplewood Town Hall

Michelle Miller is an Emmy, Gracie, DuPont, and Murrow award-winning journalist who co-hosts CBS Saturday Morning. Her work is also regularly featured on CBS This Morning, CBS Sunday Morning and CBS Evening News, and she has appeared as a correspondent on 48 Hours.

Belonging: A Daughter’s Search for Identity Through Loss and Love is Michelle Miller’s candid memoir of her search for the Chicana mother who deserted her at birth and her subsequent struggle to make sense of who she was and was meant to be.

Carolyn “Cookie” Minick Mason is a media host philanthropist, and activist. Her mission is to provide children with access to arts education and culture, to honor the influence of African American artists, and advance creative voices.

Copies of Belonging will be available for sale and signing.