DIETRICH: In the German language: the name for a key that opens all locks. Not a magic key. A very real object, necessitating great skill in the making. (from Marlene Dietrich’s ABC)

In 1961 a book titled Marlene Dietrich’s ABC was published. Written by the great screen legend, it is an alphabetical list of non-sequiturs, bizarre musings, recipes and strong opinions. Though still photogenic, Dietrich’s career in film was nearly over in 1961, and she was well on her way to becoming one of the top concert artists in the world with her one-woman show. And she was always looking for new ways to connect with her audience while always maintaining a sense of mystery. Films allowed this – as did her cabaret performances. And in the book Marlene Dietrich’s ABC, we se e glimmers of the real Marlene, but always through a veil (of words, quotes, recipes). Like any good sphinx, Marlene knew what to reveal and what to guard – and it’s kept us wondering, thinking, dreaming about her for nearly a century. This November and December we pay tribute to Marlene Dietrich with a series of events that include her films, some stylish DIY workshops, and even a writing workshop so that you can tap into your own Zeitgeist.

Want to know more about Marlene Dietrich?  Here are some resources:
Marlene Dietrich's ABC by Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich by Maria Riva
Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song (DVD)
Sisterhood of Spies: The Women of the OSS
by Elizabeth P. McIntosh
Blue Angel: The Life of Marlene Dietrich by Donald Spoto
IMDB.com: Marlene Dietrich

Mondays, November 3 & 10, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level 5 Gates Conference Room
This class is full, registration is closed.

Denver’s fast-rising poetry and writing organization, Art from Ashes, teaches this prose/poetry workshop based on Marlene Dietrich’s ABC.  Learn to harness your own non-sequiturs and musings about life and turn them into something beautiful. This 2-part writing workshop focuses on using right-brain creativity to achieve a deeper understanding of the writer/communicator in each of us.  All levels of writers (even those who think they are not) are welcome and will benefit.  For more info about Art from Ashes and its community work with at-risk youth, go to artfromashes.org. This class is full, registration is closed.

American film legend Marlene Dietrich was eine echte deutsche Hausfrau (a genuine German housewife) at heart; she loved nothing better than cooking hearty and traditional food for her family. KitchenCUE’s star Chef Shellie Kark pays tribute to Marlene’s desire to communicate through cuisine with four wonderful, technique-savvy cooking demos. Recipes and samples included. Get your apron on and learn some new recipes for cool-weather cooking!

A is for Apple – Caramelized Apple Tart with Wilted Spinach and Gruyere Cheese.
Saturday, November 15, 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon

F is for Farm – Zuppa alla Frantoiana (Soup in the Style of the Olive Presser), Tuscan fall vegetable and bean soup.
Saturday, November 22, 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon

B is for Bistro – Classic Coq au Vin (Chicken braised in red wine).
Saturday, December 6, 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon

K is for Kitchen – Cookies for the holidays: Mexican Wedding Cookies and Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheels.  
Saturday, December 13, 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon

All cooking presentations will be held in the Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

KitchenCUE is an interactive DVD series that shows you how to be a better cook not just how to follow a recipe. Distilling techniques down into easy steps gives you the ability to create hundreds of dishes using a simple process. Visit Chef Kark and learn more at www.kitchencue.com.

Thanks to our sponsor for these cooking demos, Whole Foods Market.

For more information on the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket,
click on the Whole Foods logo.

Go to the Film Series page for more details.

Stage Fright - Tuesday, November 18, 6:30 - 9 p.m.

Destry Rides Again - Tuesday, November 25, 6:30 - 9 p.m.

Marlene - Tuesday, December 2, 6:30 - 9 p.m.

Blonde Venus - Tuesday, December 9, 6:30 - 9 p.m.

Scarlet Empress - Tuesday, December 16, 6:30 - 9 p.m.

All films will be shown in the Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center.

Go to the Knitting Nite School page for details.

Après Ski Headband - Monday, November 3, 6 - 7:30 p.m. - This class is full, registration is closed.

Johnny’s Fingerless Gloves - Monday, November 10, 6 - 7:30 p.m. - This class is full, registration is closed.

Coffeehouse Cowl - Monday, November 17, 6 - 7:30 p.m. - This class is full, registration is closed.

Handy Little Washcloths - Monday, November 24, 6 - 7:30 p.m. - This class is full, registration is closed.

All knitting classes will be held in the Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge.

Tuesday, November 4, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge

Brand New for 2008! Bring your knitting or any favored handwork and watch a great movie with us. This month it’s The Man Who Came to Dinner – the George S. Kaufman-Moss Hart stage play turned into a smash hit comedy for Bette Davis. The film includes sparkling performances from Ann Sheridan, Monty Wooley, Jimmy Durante and Billie Burke as the beleaguered hostess. KnitFlix is a relaxed film presentation – like watching a film at a friend’s house – so film buffs beware: there will be occasional talking, munching, sipping and laughing during this event. 112 minutes. Unrated.

Go to the DIY Day School page for details.

Bejeweled Winter Ornaments - Thursday, November 6, 3 - 5 p.m - This class is full, registration is closed.

Tunnel Books - Thursday, November 13, 3 - 5 p.m. - This class is full, registration is closed.

Pop up Gift Cards - Thursday, November 20, 3 - 5 p.m. - This class is full, registration is closed.

A Little Bit of Soapmaking - Thursday, December 4, 3 - 5 p.m. - This class is full, registration is closed.

Cupcake Pincushions - Thursday, December 11, 3 - 5 p.m. - This class is full, registration is closed.

All DIY classes will be held in the Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge aside from Soapmaking, which will be held in the Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center.

Monday, November 17, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

Here’s the ABCs that you didn’t learn in school – not even at those Junior High Socials (where all the boys lined up on one wall, all the girls lined up on the other). ABCs of Love: A - Appreciate their efforts, B - Be Yourself, C - Commit to keep your word.

Like so much of life, you have to know where you are going if you want to get there. Author and relationship expert Janice Hoffman (Relationship Rules: 12 Strategies for Creating a Love that Lasts) will teach participants the three necessary components to create lasting love, the ABCs of Love. For more info about Janice Hoffman, go to relationshiprules.com.

Sand-Between-the-Toes – Composition on Poems by A. A. Milne
Saturday, November 15, 2 - 3 p.m.
Central Library, Schlessman Hall

Denver Public Library welcomes composer/pianist Sheldon Sands, singer Marta Burton and Stray Dog in a performance of "Sand-Between-the-Toes" – a magical collection of A.A. Milne poems set to music by Sheldon Sands. Famous as the creator of Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner, Milne was also the author of several best selling books of verse including When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six. It is from these 2 books that Sands, over the course of over 20 years, has set to music such classics as "King John's Christmas," "Spring Morning," "At the Zoo," "Wind on the Hill" and this collection's title piece, "Sand-Between-the-Toes." It is known that Milne didn't write the Pooh stories and poems for children but instead intended them for the child within us. These songs come to you in such a spirit! Learn about the performers.

who are you, little i – e. e. cummings concert
Monday, December 1, 6 - 8 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

This is the Denver premier for who are you, little i – an operetta, written by composer David Harris, for soprano, mezzo, tenor and bass vocalists. Whole Foods Market co-sponsors this outstanding night of original music – and will host a pre-concert reception from 6-7 p.m. Composer David Harris provides introductory notes at 6:30 p.m. with the performance beginning at 7 p.m.

The music flows from 18 poems by e.e. cummings, all but one from the posthumous publication 73 Poems. So present are key themes in cumming’s work (e.g. time, beauty, love, life and distractions from all of these), that the songs throughout the operetta resonate with intention and interconnection. Subtle moments of reflection on beauty and loss mingle with outrage at life’s injustices and playful whimsy. Harris’ collaborators on the creation of the piece, Elizabeth Caswell Dyer (soprano), Marta Burton (mezzo), Lukas Graf (baritone) and Kip Kuepper (electric bass), bring a wealth of experience and ability to the project. As performers and producers, they have worked throughout the Denver area and the United States. Learn about the performers.

Keeping Our Soldiers Warm All Over the World!

Fresh City Life is partnering with the Rocky Mountain USO to create knitted items for care packages for our service men and women overseas.

It’s easy to join the project: just knit a cap or two and deliver them to the Fresh City Life office, in the Central Library (Fresh City Life is located on Level One, west entrance) and we’ll bundle them up and deliver them to the Rocky Mountain USO.  They’ll package the caps with other donated gifts and essentials for our soldiers and send them off.

Go to the Knitting for Our Troops page for more details and a pattern for a great cool weather cap.

A sign language interpreter will be provided upon request with five business days notice. Call 720-913-8484 TTY or contact Lorrie.Kosinski@ci.denver.co.us.

Join Fresh City Friends to support the 2008 Fresh City Life classes and events.

In appreciation for your gift, you'll receive:

• Special recognition in the Fresh City Life brochures
• Invitations to VIP events
• Acknowledgment in the Annual Report

Fabulous Fresh City Friends $1,000+
Fresh City Friends $500+

Thank you to our first Fabulous Fresh City Friends, Steve Savageau and Reba Lee!

For membership information, contact Laurie Romer, Denver Public Library Friends Foundation, at LRomer@denverlibrary.org or call 720-865-2050.

For information about Corporate Sponsorship, contact Brenda Cook at 720-865-2046 or bcook@denverlibrary.org.