The Leonard Lopate Show
Stargazers
Friday, December 07, 2007
Christopher Plummer has appeared in over 100 films! He talks about his latest, "The Man in the Chair." Also, a look at a new series that focuses on world literature -- one country at a time. We hear about the jinxed life of jazz vocalist Jackie Paris. And on Please Explain: find out how you can be an amateur astronomer!
Writers Around the World
A new anthology series features literature from around the world – one country at a time. Edward Hirsch edits The Writer’s World; Eavan Boland is editing the volume on Irish writers, and Margaret Sayers Peden is editing the volume on Mexican writers.
Event: Edward Hirsch, Eavan Boland, and Margaret Sayers Peden will be reading
Friday, December 7 at 7 pm
New York University
Greenberg Lounge, Vanderbilt Hall
40 Washington Square South
Weigh in: Tell us if there's a country whose literature you love and that you feel is ignored here in the U.S.
Christopher Plummer: "The Man in the Chair"
Christopher Plummer has played some memorable roles in over 100 films…including Captain von Trapp in "The Sound of Music." In his latest, "The Man in the Chair," he plays a retired film gaffer who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a troubled teen. It opens today at the AMC Empire 25 at 234 W. 42nd St.
Official website for "Man in the Chair"
Jazz Vocalist Jackie Paris
The late, great be-bop jazz singer Jackie Paris fell into near-total obscurity. Director Raymond de Felitta looks into how that happened in his new documentary, "’Tis Autumn." The film opens today, Fri. Dec. 7, at Cinema Village at 22 E. 12th St.
Website for "’Tis Autumn"
More about the film from cinemavillage.com
Please Explain: How to Be an Amateur Astronomer
Anyone can learn to be an amateur astronomist - even here in New York City, where you often can't see any stars!
Richard Rosenberg, President of the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York, tells us about the best spots for stargazing in the city. Bob Thompson, author of The Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders, explains the equipment, how to read star charts, and how to locate and identify objects in the night sky.
Events:
Stargazing at Inwood Hill Park
Co-hosted by the Manhattan Park Rangers and the AAA
Saturday, December 8, 6:30 to 10 pm
Enter at 218th Street and Indian Road
Free and open to the public.
Amateur Astronomers Association Lecture with Michael Allison, Emeritus Scientist at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies
"Planet: Time and Seasons-Space Clocks and Extraterrestrial Climates"
Friday, December 7 at 6:15 pm
Kaufmann Auditorium at the American Museum of Natural History
79th Street and Central Park West
Free and open to the public
Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders is available for purchase at amazon.com
Weigh in: Is there a particular constellation you'd like to learn to identify? Do you have a favorite place in New York City to see the stars?
See what's in space right now
Amateur Astronomers Association of New York website
Slideshow: Amateur Astronomers
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