Around Town

SLIDESHOW: Guys, Dolls Celebrate Roaring ’20s at New Canaan Library’s Speakeasy

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Dozens of residents donned flapper dresses, boater hats and other 1920s-era garb Wednesday evening as part of New Canaan Library’s “speakeasy” in the Lamb Room. The latest in a series of One Book New Canaan events that will culminate Saturday with “The Murder and Booze Cabaret” at Powerhouse Theater, the speakeasy featured a live piano player, silent films on the screen up front and local merchants—many of them also getting into the spirit by donning Roaring Twenties costumes—lining the edges of the party, offering drinks and food to the guys and dolls who dropped in. “We are thrilled to have such a good turnout tonight at our speakeasy,” Community Engagement Coordinator said. “We’re especially pleased that all of the participants are either New Canaan residents, businesses or members of the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce. I think everybody is having a great time.”

It looked like it—see photo gallery above.

Around Town

UPDATE: With Foul Weather Coming, Library’s Speakeasy Rescheduled for March 25

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UPDATE 10:30 a.m. Wednesday: New Canaan Library has rescheduled Thursday’s planned speakeasy due to the snow and sleet that’s expected to hit the town and region overnight. The new date is Wednesday, March 25, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Original Article

New Canaan businesses are gearing up for the kickoff event for this year’s One Book New Canaan initiative: the speakeasy at New Canaan Library, set for 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday (register here). Conceived in the spirit of the library’s chosen book for this year—Bill Bryson’s nonfiction “One Summer: America 1927,” which spotlights Prohibition, as well as Charles Lindbergh’s virgin flight across the Atlantic, Babe Ruth’s 60-home run season and other cultural milestones—the speakeasy features all local businesses, library officials say. That’s an important part of this event and the larger initiative, since One Book New Canaan “is a community read,” said Community Engagement Library Jocelyn Glatthorn. “I wanted to showcase our New Canaan businesses and all the participants in this event are local businesses and institutions,” she said.