Everyone has a story to tell – and we’d all secretly like to write the next great American movie script. Fresh City Life is proud to present a series of workshops taught by talented screenwriter and teacher, Darren Foster.

Selling Your Story and Yourself: An 8 Point Plan
Tuesday, June 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level 5 Gates Meeting Room
Registration Required

Okay, you've written the perfect screenplay. Now what? Where do you go from here? How do you get it in the right hands? In this class we'll learn about log lines, query letters, contests, festivals, networking, and of course, pitching. What is a pitch? Where can you pitch? How do you make your pitch sizzle? In the end, we'll even workshop a few of your own log lines and pitches in class. If you want to learn how to market your screenplay, this is the class for you. Registration is required. Please register online or call 720-865-1206.

Darren Foster has over ten years experience as a screenwriting instructor and has traveled the country teaching at various film festivals and conferences. Over the past five years he has been a faculty member at both the University of Colorado, Denver and the Colorado Film School in addition to Director of the Vail Film Festival's Screenplay Competition. He has written over 100 screenplays, several of which have been written under contract or sold as specs. His most recent productions include "Serotonin Rising" (writer & producer) which premiered at the Vail Film Festival in 2011 to sold-out screenings and is now available on DVD; "Nephilim" (co-writer), which starts production Spring 2012 in Bangladesh, India; and "The World's Most Romantic Movie" (writer & director) which is scheduled to start production in Spring 2013. Darren splits his time between L.A., Denver and Estes Park, Colorado.

Helen Gillet: Jazz-Driven Cello
Saturday, May 19, 2-3 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Schlessman Hall

Whether she’s performing solo, in intimate new ‘chamber music’ settings, or going full throttle with various jazz-driven ensembles, Helen Gillet has been described as having “a Mingus-like passion both as a player and as a band leader, often coaxing energy and lifting the spirits into dynamic and dazzling displays of artistry.” -- Michael Dominici, WWOZ Radio New Orleans. Fresh City Life is proud to present this very special, free concert with international cellist Helen Gillet.

Helen Gillet grew up in Belgium, Singapore, Chicago and Wisconsin. She has forged a path for the cello in the New Orleans music scene since her arrival in 2002 and has performed extensively across the United States and Western Europe. Beginning cello lessons at the age of nine, Gillet has taken her classical education all the way to a Master’s Degree (Beloit College ’00, Loyola University New Orleans ’04). Her training as an improviser began with North Indian Hindustani vocal ragas in 1998, which launched her into the worlds of free improvisation, jazz, funk, rock and French chansons. Gillet recently performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Voodoo Festival, Copenhagen Jazz Festival and Hindsgavl Festival in Denmark, Mirano Oltre Festival in Italy and at the Kennedy Center Center in Washington D.C.

Fall in love with Doris Day – for the first time or all over again. This film series curated by Janet, our resident Doris Day aficionada, hits all the high marks and presents four films that are the cornerstones of Day’s film career. Janet will be on hand to share behind-the-scenes stories of Day’s career and life, as well as to guide after-film discussion.

Calamity Jane (1953)
Tuesday, June 5, 6-9 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

Directed by David Butler. Starring Doris Day, Howard Keel.
“Many films use the ‘eternal love triangle’ theme; in this case, it’s a rectangle. Calamity (Day) dresses, talks and shoots like a man, but is smitten with Lt. Danny Gilmartin (Philip Carey); her close friend, Wild Bill (Howard Keel, TV’s “Dallas”) has a similar crush on singer/actress Katie Brown (Allyn Ann McLerie); but Danny and Katie are interested in each other. Could be trouble a-brewin’ there.” – Brett Willis, CSE Reviews. There is a lot to recommend Calamity Jane, from a great musical score, an affable crew of actors and even the fact that Calamity Jane teeters on the edge of cult film status for its Wild West gender bending. 101 minutes. Unrated.

Love Me or Leave Me (1955)
Tuesday, June 12, 6-9 p.m.
*This film will be shown in the Central Library, Level 7 Meeting Room

Special Opening Event with Cabaret Singer Cora Vette!
5:30 p.m. in the Central Library, Level 7 Vida Ellison Gallery
Cora Vette will be opening this event with a concert dedicated to the music of Ruth Etting and Doris Day.

Directed by Charles Vidor. Starring Doris Day, James Cagney.
In this engrossing biopic about prohibition-era torch singer Ruth Etting, Doris Day’s performance was so compelling that James Cagney offered to take second billing on the screen credits, something he had not done since his own star ascended in Hollywood twenty-five years before. “Day and Cagney work wonders with their roles, and share a number of hard-hitting scenes together. Cagney turns in an especially powerful performance as a “gimpy” gangster accustomed to getting his way at every turn, while Day effectively taps into Etting’s emotional core as she struggles to stay loyal to the man she knows she owes her career to despite feeling more and more disgusted by him. Meanwhile, Cameron Mitchell is nicely cast (against type) as Etting’s enduring love interest, waiting patiently behind the wings. Most importantly, however, Day fans will enjoy her fine renditions of a number of Etting’s most noteworthy songs — including “I’ll Never Stop Loving You,” “Shaking the Blues Away,” and the title song. Love Me or Leave Me is essential viewing for any fans of Doris Day.” – filmfanatic.org. 122 minutes. Unrated.

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Tuesday, June 19, 6-9 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Starring Jimmy Stewart, Doris Day.
“If Hitchcock ever got the chance to make a Bond film, it would have probably turned out something like this (or Topaz). A road trip with James Stewart and Doris Day traipsing from Morocco to London, it's two hours of red herrings and intense scenes, one of the least apologetic adventures he ever made. The story is a spy tale wherein – as usual for Hitch – the bad guys finger the wrong man and end up abducting Stewart and Day's son when Jimmy is tipped off to an impending murder. As the double agent dies in his arms, he whispers the plan into Stewart's ear, and the chase is on. From a taxidermist's place to Albert Hall, The Man Who Knew Too Much never lets up until its climactic finale.” Christopher Null, filmcritic.com. 120 minutes. Rated PG.

Pillow Talk (1959)
Tuesday, June 26, 6-9 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

Directed by Michael Gordon. Starring Doris Day, Rock Hudson, Tony Randall.
“These things happened: Tony Randall picked Rock Hudson up in a bar with the line "Need a light, cowboy?" Rock Hudson pretended to be gay to annoy Doris Day. ("You’re a fashion designer? That must be fascinating — all those fabrics and textures.") Rock went into a ladies room and signed up for an exam from an obstetrician. Rock and Tony spent two weeks alone together in a hunting lodge, and were pursued by an amorous bullmoose. Rock and Tony went to bed together. (Sample dialogue: "Your feet are cold!" "Why don’t you cut your toenails?") Rock ran around in the nude wearing nothing but a fur coat, and was mistaken for gay. Welcome to the wacky, wacky world of late 50s big-screen comedy, a world in which anything could happen, except the loss of the heroine’s virginity.” – Alan Vanneman, brightlightsfilm.com. A classic; don’t miss it on the big screen! 102 minutes. Unrated.

Like film? Try KnitFlix.

Oklahoma!
Saturday, June 9, 1:30-3 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center
Registration Encouraged

To herald the opening of Central City Opera’s summer production of Oklahoma! join Fresh City Life for a cooking demo that celebrates all the great foods of the Sooner state. Did you know that Oklahoma has a state meal? Yup, they do, voted on by the state legislature! And Oklahoma native Cissy Olderman – chef at the wildly popular local restaurant, Bang! – will be creating the Oklahoma state meal for you. And while you sample Cissy’s recipes, Central City Opera will be on hand to tell you about their production of Oklahoma! and will be giving away a couple of tickets to this production of Oklahoma! Recipes and samples included. Registration is encouraged. Please register online or call 720-865-1206.

An Ode to Pie: It Takes Crust
Saturday, June 30, 1:30-3 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center
Registration Encouraged

One of the culinary techniques that separates the real cooks from the pretenders is making a good pie crust. Lots of bakers have anxiety about creating pastry for pie crusts but our Chef Amy Hoyt will teach you how it’s done. She’s even going to let you roll up your sleeves and make your own pastry dough, if you are inclined. This demo is just in time for pie making season, so be the star of your next picnic or weekend supper with a memorable pie and delicious crust. Recipes and samples included. Registration is encouraged. Please register online or call 720-865-1206.

Behind the Cover: Tour Denver Bookbinding and Build Your Own Book Workshop
Wednesday, May 23, 10 a.m.-12 noon - Registration Required
Wednesday, June 20, 10 a.m.-12 noon - Registration Opens May 30
Denver Bookbinding Company, 2715 17th St., 80211

Denver’s oldest and most beloved bookbinding house is opening its doors for a unique, insider’s look at creating and binding books. Tour includes a workshop on making your own hardcover, single-signature book to take home. $15 materials fee (all materials and supplies included). Registration is required. Register online or call 720-865-1206 for the May event. June registration will open on Wednesday, May 30.

Beginning Crochet
Wednesdays, May 2, 9, 16, 12 noon-2 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge
Registration Required

The ultra portable, easy-to-learn cousin of knitting; our beginning crochet class is a great way to take up this retro hobby. Instructor Christa Rogers will share tips, techniques and her love of this fiber craft in this 3-part workshop. And once you have the basics down, Christa will share a handful of great patterns for you to choose from for your first project. This workshop will also be a great foundation for our advanced class coming up this summer – Hyperbolic Crochet – a fantastic approach to crochet that leads to very sculptural pieces. There is a $15 fee for Beginning Crochet; all materials provided for this workshop. Registration is required. Please register online or call 720-865-1206.

The Secret Language of Knitters: Pattern Support
Wednesdays, June 6, 13, 20, 12 noon-2 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge
Registration Required

The wording, symbols, abbreviations and charts involved in knitting patterns can be daunting. Increase your knitting pattern literacy with this workshop designed to help knitters conquer the most complex instructions. Our master teacher, Heather McKenzie leads this workshop centered around a glorious, chain link scarf that will have you bravely tackling complex patterns in no time. Materials list provided with registration confirmation. Registration is required. Please register online or call 720-865-1206.