Maya Barzilai (modern Herbrew and Jewish culture) and Kathryn Babayan (Iranian history and culture) discuss Barzilai’s new book Golem: Modern Wars and Their Monsters, a monster tour of the Golem narrative across various cultural and historical landscapes.
About the book:
“In the 1910s and 1920s, a “golem cult” swept across Europe and the U.S., later surfacing in Israel. Why did this story of a powerful clay monster molded and animated by a rabbi to protect his community become so popular and pervasive? The golem has appeared in a remarkable range of popular media: from the Yiddish theater to American comic books, from German silent film to Quentin Tarantino movies. This book showcases how the golem was remolded, throughout the war-torn twentieth century, as a muscular protector, injured combatant, and even murderous avenger. This evolution of the golem narrative is made comprehensible by, and also helps us to better understand, one of the defining aspects of the last one hundred years: mass warfare and its ancillary technologies.
12 former inmates perform their new original play exploring alternatives to mass incarceration.
6:30-8 p.m., Keene Theatre, East Quad, 701 East University. Free. 647-4354.
Toastmasters is an international group devoted to helping each other grow in our abilities to give speeches. The Sweetwaters Toastmasters Club meets twice monthly. We are a fun and friendly group! Toastmasters also helps you develop leadership skills if you wish to do that. Come as many times as you want for free, and decide later if you want to join. In the meantime, come make new friends and have fun!
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea on Washington Street, 123 West Washington Street. Free. 323-286-3999. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TMSweet/
Neutral Zone literary arts director and award-winning local slam poet Molly Raynor discusses writing poetry from initial idea through final revisions. For adult and teen (grade 6 & up) fiction and nonfiction writers. Also, local short story writer Alex Kourvo and young adult novelist Bethany Neal host an open house for writers to connect with one another and/or work on their projects at 7 p.m. on Apr 16.
7-8:45 p.m., AADL Westgate. Free. 327-8301.
Apr. 3 & 17. Open mike storytelling competition sponsored by The Moth, the NYC-based nonprofit storytelling organization that also produces a weekly public radio show. Each month 10 storytellers are selected at random from among those who sign up to tell a 3-5 minute story on the monthly theme. Apr. themes: “Awards” (Apr. 3) & “Mail” (Apr. 17). The 3-person judging teams are recruited from the audience. Monthly winners compete in a semiannual Grand Slam. Space limited, so it’s smart to arrive early.
7:30-9 p.m. (doors open and sign-up begins at 6 p.m.), Greyline, 100 N. Ashley. $8. 764-5118.
Former deputy assistant Attorney General Jim Turner, who served under 7 consecutive presidents, discusses his new book about the landmark case that ended with the conviction of klansmen, despite 2 all-white juries who refused to convict.
4 p.m., 100 U-M Hatcher Grad Library Gallery, enter from the Diag. Free. 936-2314
Detroit children’s book writer Jack Cheng, author of See You in the Cosmos, discusses the art of writing and presents awards to the winners of the AADL short story contest for 3rd-5th graders.
1-2 p.m., AADL Westgate. Free. 327-4200.
Apr. 7 & 8. U-M drama lecturer Kate Mendeloff directs RC students in Tennessee Williams’ one-act play about an American ex-prizefighter who arrives in an unnamed South or Central American town and meets a variety of surreal characters from history, myth, and literature over the course of 10 hallucinatory scenes.
7 p.m., U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro. Free, but limited seating. Metered parking. 647-4354.
Nationally acclaimed local storyteller La’Ron Williams presents a program of music and stories emphasizing the importance of telling the truth. For grades K-5.
1-2 p.m., AADL Westgate. Free. 327-4200.
Apr. 7 & 8. U-M drama lecturer Kate Mendeloff directs RC students in Tennessee Williams’ one-act play about an American ex-prizefighter who arrives in an unnamed South or Central American town and meets a variety of surreal characters from history, myth, and literature over the course of 10 hallucinatory scenes.
7 p.m., U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro. Free, but limited seating. Metered parking. 647-4354.
