KENTON COUTNY, Ky. – Northern Kentucky residents are encouraged to start reading “The Jazz Bird” by Craig Holden as part of One Book One Community.
One Book One Community is a reading program built around the shared experience of people reading and talking about the same book.
The compelling story about the lengths people will go to for love, sex and money actually has a local tie.
In the Prohibition-era, Cincinnati bootlegger George Remus had it all – a lucrative business, beautiful wife and lavish parties. Once it all caught up with him and George was in jail, he said it was his wife’s behavior that drove him to do it.
People are encouraged to read the book, participate in book discussions and come together by attending events. All three branches of the Kenton County Public Library are offering programs centered on the book.
What: Over-the-Rhine’s Brewery History
When: Thursday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m.
Where: Erlanger Branch – 401 Kenton-Lands Road
Learn about Cincinnati’s beer brewing history including the historic brewery buildings still located in Over-the-Rhine.
What: Mah Jongg
When: Sept. 25, Oct. 9 and 30, and Nov. 13 and 27, at 1 p.m.
Where: Durr Branch Library – 1992 Walton-Nicholson Road, Independence
Learn this ancient Chinese game that came to the United States in the 1920s.
What: Laurel and Hardy Who?
When: Friday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m.
Where: Durr Branch Library – 1992 Walton-Nicholson Road, Independence
Hear a brief history of “The Boys” with Gene Sorkin of Oasis #279 and watch a classic short film.
What: The Cincinnati Tafts
When: Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m.
Where: Erlanger Branch – 401 Kenton-Lands Road
Learn about the famous Taft family from the William Howard Taft National Historic Site.
What: Senior Movie Day: “The Roaring 20s”
When: Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 1 p.m.
Where: Erlanger Branch – 401 Kenton-Lands Road
Watch and discuss the musical “The Roaring 20s” starring James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart.
What: A Night with the Gangsters
When: Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m.
Where: Erlanger Branch – 401 Kenton-Lands Road
Join the founders of Newport Walking Tours for an in-depth look at prohibition, bootlegging and how it affected our local history.
What: Murder, Bootlegging and Jazz: Cincinnati’s Roaring Twenties Brought to Life
When: Thursday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m.
Where: Chez Nora – Main Street, Covington
Experience the music and mayhem of 1920s Cincinnati in a special evening of music and theater brought to you by the Library at Chez Nora in Covington.
What: Contradictions of the Jazz Age
When: Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m.
Where: Erlanger Branch – 401 Kenton-Lands Road
NKU History Professor Jeffrey Williams provides the historical context for “The Jazz Bird” by sketching in the contradictory directions American society was taking in the 1920s.
What: Exhibit: King of the Bootleggers: The Real Remus
When: Oct. 14-28
Where: Erlanger Branch – 401 Kenton-Lands Road
View reproductions of photographs and newspaper articles that tell the true story of Imogene and George Remus during the heyday of bootlegging.
What: Roaring 20s Dance
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m.
Where: Erlanger Branch – 401 Kenton-Lands Road
Experience what it might have been like at a 1920’s dance party as dances from that time are brought to life by dancers with the Flying Cloud Academy of Vintage Dance.
What: A Night with the Gangsters
When: Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m.
Where: Durr Branch Library – 1992 Walton-Nicholson Road, Independence
Join the founders of Newport Walking Tours for an in-depth look at prohibition, bootlegging and how it affected our local history.
What: The Bible & Prohibition
When: Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m.
Where: Durr Branch Library – 1992 Walton-Nicholson Road, Independence
Join NKU’s Phil Resnick for a subjective look at the great America experiment that went wrong.
What: Jazz with the Tim Watson Trio
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m.
Where: Mary Ann Mongan Library – 502 Scott Boulevard, Covington
Tim Watson and Friends, a Jazz Trio from Cincinnati, play 20’s and 30’s Jazz music with explanations of the music’s origins, importance and impact.
What: Who Was That Flapper Anyway?
When: Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m.
Where: Erlanger Branch – 401 Kenton-Lands Road
Join NKU History Professor Jeffrey Williams as he presents how traditional roles and behaviors persisted for most women, even while a few flappers made all the headlines.
What: Northern Kentucky in the 1920s
When: Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m.
Where: Durr Branch Library – 1992 Walton-Nicholson Road, Independence
Join Kentucky History Services Coordinator Elaine Kuhn for an in-depth presentation to discover what Northern Kentucky life was like in the Roaring Twenties.
What: Flappers and Bootleggers: Fashion in the Jazz Age
When: Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m.
Where: Erlanger Branch – 401 Kenton-Lands Road
Join us for an illustrated talk with Nancy Huth, Curator of Education at the Taft Museum of Art, as she discusses the clothing that would have been worn by characters in “The Jazz Bird.”
What: Meet the Author Visit & Lecture
When: Saturday, Nov. 14, at 3 p.m.
Where: Erlanger Branch – 401 Kenton-Lands Road
Craig Holden will talk about his work and the writing of “The Jazz Bird.” A signing will follow.
What: Writing Workshop with Craig Holden
When: Sunday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m.
Where: Durr Branch Library – 1992 Walton-Nicholson Road, Independence
Calling all writers of all skill levels and in all genres. Join us for a writing workshop with Craig Holden, author of “The Jazz Bird.”
The “Jazz Bird” Book Discussions will be held:
Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. at the Durr Branch
Monday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. at Erlanger
Monday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m. at Erlanger
Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. at Erlanger
Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. at Erlanger
Monday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. at the Mary Ann Mongan Library
Several of the programs do require registration. Visit www.kentonlibrary.org/events to register or get directions.
