Westminster Libraries has an exciting programme of online events to start 2021. We have the amazing Heather Morris talk to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day, Tate curator Alice Linsley discussing theart of suggestion in Aubrey Beardsley work, and many more talks including a series delving into film history.
Online author event with Heather Morris, The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Wednesday 27 January
8pm to 9.30pm
Join us for this special event to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day 2021. Church Street Library is thrilled to invite you to a live event with Heather Morris, bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka's Journey.
Love poetry? Looking for a book club? Join us, once a month, for a light and insightful discussion on some of the most celebrated works of poetry as well as brand new releases.
Pimlico Library book group virtual meeting Tuesday 26 January
3pm to 4pm
Pimlico Library book group meets online on the last Tuesday of the month. New people are welcome to join and our book for January is Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin.
The Book of The Week Every Friday
2.45pm to 3.45pm
Every Monday on our social media channels, we will let you know which book we will be discussing the following Friday. You do not need to have read the book to join the discussion, but be prepared, you may hear some spoilers!
Aubrey Beardsley and the Art of Suggestion Wednesday 13 January
7pm to 8:30pm
Join us for the latest in Westminster Reference Library's Artist of London Series. Alice Linsley, co-curator of the Tate's Beardsley exhibition, explores the extraordinary work of the controversial artist who shocked London. In addition to the talk and a Q+A, each event will include a spotlight on a special item from the Library's collection - in this case, an original copy of the infamous Yellow Book
Burt Lancaster: More than just muscles and teeth Wednesday 13 January
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Hear about Burt Lancaster's journey from circus performer to Hollywood star from film historian José Arroyo. In this lavishly illustrated talk, José Arroyo will touch on various aspects of his life and career and demonstrate why Lancaster continues to matter and deserves to be better remembered: as an archetypal noir hero of the postwar.
Discover the Japanese art of paper folding in this fun workshop with Kim Ong. Learn how to fold Origami following Kim’s simple instructions. You will be able to learn how to create basic shapes (heart or ninja star) or slightly more complicated ones (water bomb, jumping frog, crane, butterfly and many others). All levels welcome!
'Weren’t Born a Man' with Dana Gillespie Monday 18 Janurary
6.30pm to 7.30pm
The award-winning first lady of the Blues, Dana Gillespie, presents her new autobiography 'Weren't Born a Man'. Dana will be recounting stories from her memoir and give an illustrated talk featuring many never-before-seen photographs from her personal archive.
Alfred Hitchcock and Cary Grant Wednesday 20 January
6.30pm to 7.30pm
Drawing on the personal papers of both the star and the director, Mark Glancy gives an illustrated talk explores the remarkable personal and professional relationship that endured for decades.
Prose and Politics with Julie Anderson Monday 25 January
6.30pm to 7.30pm
Come along to this talk about how politics and prose intermingle! Our guest, the author Julie Anderson, discusses the future of the 'political novel' and the 'novel about politics' (which are not, of course, necessarily the same thing) in the twenty first century.
Mediaeval Building Myths: Secret passages and spiral staircases Tuesday 26 January
6.30pm to 7.30pm
Stories romanticised and elaborated certain mysterious features in mediaeval buildings such as secret passages, ship timbers and swordsmen fighting on spiral staircases. In this talk award-winning buildings archaeologist, James Wright, will outline the legends, look at the origins of the stories and reveal the underlying truths behind the tales.
Into the London Fog: An eerie tour through the weird city Tuesday 28 January
6.30pm to 7.30pm
Join Dr Elizabeth Dearnley on this mysterious tour of London, a city hidden by fog and darkness. This talk explores some of the strange tales - fact and fiction - that have emerged from the smoky, fog-prone capital, anthologised in Elizabeth Dearnley's recent book Into the London Fog.
Max Steiner: The creation of the Hollywood sound Friday 29 January
6.30pm to 7.30pm
Hear the story of the pioneering composer whose scores for Bogart, Bette Davis and others paved the way for modern film music. The talk will delivered by Steven C. Smith, an award-winning documentary producer, author, and speaker who specializes in Hollywood history and profiles of contemporary filmmakers.
Drama for Elders (aged 60+) via Zoom Every Wednesday
4pm to 6.30pm
FREE online weekly workshop exploring drama, improvisation, storytelling and creative writing. In every session the participants will check in talking about their feelings and recent experiences, if they wish to do so; warm-up using basic Yoga and Feldenkraiss technique; play drama games and explore improvisation, storytelling techniques and creative writing.
Moving Ethos Wednesday 13 January
11.30am to 12.30pm
A creative dance and improvisation session. Move, stretch and improve your body awareness. Join us to activate your creative potential! Moving Ethos is a creative dance and improvisation event for adults by Lerna Babikyan. This is an open space for feeling, sensing, playing and meditating by movement.
Mind Your Head: Dancing in a Bubble Wednesday 13 January
11.30am to 12.30pm
Mind Your Head is a series of engaging live online events from Charing Cross Library. Find out how dancing has helped Aitor and Magda cope with the pressures of isolation. Meet people who have been trying to keep practising the hobbies that they love under the restrictions on movement during the present pandemic.
French language and culture monthly conversation group Wednesday 6 January
6.15pm to 7pm
French language and culture monthly conversation group. Language level is intermediate to advanced and native speakers are welcome. Participants will be emailed a Zoom link a couple of days before the meeting.
Virtual Knitting Meetup Wednesday
4.00am to 5.30pm
Want to learn to knit or crochet? Have you a mountain of unfinished objects (those infamous UFOs!!) - I know I have! Why not join us for an informal session? Try new techniques and ask questions. Gillian, our resident knitting expert will do her very best to help and with special appearance from Momo the knitting group mascot!
Digital Accounting: A masterclass for SME owner-managers Tuesday 19 January
10.30am to 11.30am
Get up to speed with HMRC’s new digital record keeping and VAT filing obligations. Hosted by Raj Grover, Xero Accredited Advisor and senior lecturer at London School of Accountancy. This practical masterclass will demonstrate how digital accounting software such as Xero can be used by owner-managed businesses, accountants and bookkeepers in order to comply with HMRC’s MTD (Making Tax Digital) requirements.
Looking for fun filled activities? Then get creative with weekly art and craft sessions for children. Watch out for crafty creations by Claire Flynn from Pimlico library for South West Fest.
Sing along to fantastic rhymes that babies and toddlers love! Help your child develop their concentration, co-ordination and comprehension skills with songs, finger rhymes and nursery rhymes.
Calling all Lego masters. Can you make a story come alive with Lego? Be inspired by library staff creations based on their favourite stories. Remember to share your wondrous Lego creations with us!
eBook highlight Walking Dickens’ London
By Jackson, Lee
One of the most famous accounts of living under the Nazi regime comes from the diary of a thirteen-year-old Jewish girl, Anne Frank. Edited by her father Otto H. Frank and German novelist Mirjam Pressler, this is a true story to be rediscovered by each new generation. Available for free at Westminster's Cloudlibrary.
Delve into the most authoritative collection of British biographies. Explore over 60,000 biographies, 72 million words, 11,000 portraits of significant, influential or notorious figures who shaped British history
Manufacture of Liberty Fabrics at the Merton Print Works
This film shows the fabric printing processes at Merton Print Works in 1972. By this date the old craft of hand blocking had moved on to hand screen printing but the skills involved were a continuing tradition.
