Concord ‘Soccer Grannies’ and ‘Chomsky and Me’ - a chat with two authors

On June 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Gibson’s Bookstore, two debut authors older than 60 join Gibson’s Bookstore to talk about their books, their time as writing workshop pals, and what it’s like to have a first book out at their stage in life! Jean Duffy is the author of the narrative nonfiction, Soccer Grannies: The South African Women Who Inspire the World, which tells the story of a team of 40 to 80-year-old women in rural South Africa who defy social convention to play soccer for the companionship and the health benefits it provides. Their strength and resiliency help them face life’s challenges with dignity, humor, and hope. They teach the rest of us that age, gender, and expectations cannot define an athlete. Bev Stohl is the author of Chomsky and Me: A Memoir. Bev ran the MIT office of the renowned linguist and social critic Noam Chomsky for nearly two and a half decades. This is her account of those years, working next to a man described by the New York Times as “arguably the most important intellectual alive today.” Published with the approval of its subject and written with affection, insight and a gentle sense of humor, Chomsky and Me describes a relationship between two quite different people who, through the happenstance of work, form a bond that is both surprising and reciprocally rich. Bev’s memoir has been described as profound, poignant, quirky, funny, and educational (in a sneaky way). No registration required.

Andover Kala Farnham at the CoffeeHouse

Armed with a voice, entourage of instruments, and faith in the power of story, songstress Kala Farnham set out into the world with one vision: To inspire through the transformative power of musical storytelling. Farnham has garnered numerous awards and recognition, including 2019 Rose Garden Performing Songwriter Contest winner and alumni of the Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project. Farnham’s recent album, a heartfelt account of adventure and homecoming titled “Samadhi: Home Is Where You Are,” was nominated for RI’s Motif Music Awards “Best Americana Album”, and hailed by Bill Copeland Music News as “soulful Americana” in “one of New England’s best voices in one of this year’s best written and best recorded works.” Drawing from a classical education and professional career in musical theater, Kala presents hallmark reinvention of the folk tradition; Her passion for fairytales, ancient history, and vivid storytelling draws her audience into imaginative re-creations of the familiar world. Doors open at 6 p.m. for light dinner and refreshments provided by the Andover Congregational Church at Highland Lake Grange Hall on the corner of Rte 11 & Chase Hill Road, in East Andover. The show runs from 7:00PM until 9:30 p.m., and admission is free. For more info contact Larry Chase at 735-5135 or lbchase@aol.com

Warner Green Heron and summer music

The Green Heron, old-time, folk, bluegrass, country, Irish and blues music representation brings the back porch to the stage, on Thursday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jim Mitchell Community Park, 16 East Main St., in Warner. Featuring Betsy Heron on fiddle, banjo and vocals, and Scott Heron on guitar, banjo and vocals, the duo has been sharing New England stages together since 2017. The two songwriters weave the contemporary with the traditional and deliver high energy performances. The performance is free to the public with donations appreciated for the performers. For more information, visit mainstreetwarnerinc.org

]]>