This retrospective on Ray purports to offer a fresh look at the maestro’s range and depth.  While it features his famous and indispensable “Apu Trilogy,” that earned him the moniker or a “humanist” filmmaker, it intends to show a glimpse of his creativity that went far beyond its limitations that have unfortunately remained largely unknown outside of Bengal.  It will also feature some of his urban and period films as well as rarely seen films about him, such as a very prescient one made for a New York TV channel in 1968 and one made in 1984 for the now defunct London Central Telev

“Immigration and Popular Culture” looks at the ways the media and popular culture have historically taught newcomers how to “be American,” and how the rich contributions of different immigrant groups have transformed American culture and art.

The Search for General Tso will be screened, followed by a discussion moderated by Professor Frances Kai-Hwa Wang.

For more information about the Becoming American Documentary Film & Discussion Series and related programming, visit aadl.org/becomingamerican.

High School 9-1-1 chronicles a year in the life of the only ambulance service in Darien, Connecticut that just happens to be run by high school teenagers?! This one-of-a-kind organization services 20,000 residents 365 days a year, 24/7 and responds to over 1500 emergency calls annually.

Join us for a fun afternoon watching the classic A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (followed by the rarely seen The Mayflower Voyagers). Snack on a delicious, and traditional Charlie Brown Thanksgiving meal of jelly beans, popcorn, toast, pretzels and a special ice cream sundae from Go! Ice Cream! 

Dress in your Peanuts or favorite character's finest for a chance to win a gift card! 

In 2013, an op-ed piece appeared in the New York Times about a woman's choice to have preventative surgery and reduce her risk of hereditary breast cancer.  Although Angelina Jolie's journey drew attention to BRCA mutation, the stories of men such as director Alan M. Blassberg remained unspoken. 

“Family and Community” explores how family ties and community institutions have played an essential role in successful migration and adaptation to American life.

My American Girls will be screened, followed by a discussion moderated by Dr. Jesse Hoffnung-Garskof.

“Between Two Worlds: Identity and Acculturation” looks at how immigrants react and adjust to living in a new country and culture, and how they bridge the divide between the traditions and values of their native countries.

The New Americans will be screened, followed by a discussion moderated by Dr. Silvia Pedraza.

For more information about the Becoming American Documentary Film & Discussion Series and related programming, visit aadl.org/becomingamerican.

Immigration has been an ongoing and central component of American history, with identifiable peak periods. Between 1820 and 1924, forty million immigrants were added to the population of the United States and in the process made immigration a major and defining aspect of American life. Industrial expansion, the need for inexpensive labor, and mass migrations of peoples from Europe and around the world fueled unprecedented waves of immigration that changed the make-up, culture and social institutions of America and helped transform 

Join us for the launch of Phase V of the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County's Living Oral History project. The Ann Arbor District Library is a proud partner in this community project, now in its fifth year, to interview black residents about their experiences growing up, living, and working in the Ann Arbor area. Come and meet this year's interviewees Gwendolyn Calvert Baker, Premail Freeman, Larry Hunter, Essie Helton and Joetta Mial, watch a highlight reel from the interviews, and enjoy refreshments.

Learn about the immigration experience from the perspective of Indian people who became citizens of the United States in the 21st century.

This screening will include a Q & A with the film's co-producer, Dr. Arifa Javed.