Art, Kung Fu, Dim Sum and Immigration: Patriot Number One

Our Community Reads Upcoming Schedule

Friends of Aptos Library announce events for “Patriot Number One, the book by Lauren Hilgers chosen for Our Community Reads.

This true tale of a couple who emigrate from China to New York City lends itself to examination of the U.S. immigration process, the difficulties of assimilation and the political situation in China that leads this couple on their journey.

February 20: 6:30 p.m. Art & Poetry Night with Aptos and Soquel High students at United Methodist Church, 221 Thunderbird Drive, Aptos. Students will present original artwork and poetry in a competition. “Audience Choice” awards will be presented.

February 27: 7 p.m. Author talk sponsored by the Friends of the Capitola Library at Cabrillo College Samper Hall, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Journalist Lauren Hilger will present the story of working on “Patriot Number One” and discuss her time as a political reporter in Shanghai.

March 1: 1-3 p.m. celebration of Chinese arts and culture, Aptos Grange, 2555 Mar Vista Drive, Aptos. Experience the magic of Chinese brush painting, the excitement of kung fu, tasty dim sum and more at this interactive display of all things Chinese.

March 5: 7 p.m. Panel discussion, “The Migrant Experience, Past and Present,” at Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos. UC Santa Cruz professors Grace Pena Delgado, history, and Nancy N. Chen, anthropology, will discuss the historical and cultural contexts or migration and the exclusionary policies that shaped the experiences of Chinese migrants living in the U.S. Moderator is doctoral candidate Bristol Cave-LaCoste. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Learn more about the “Our Community Reads” 2020 schedule at friendsofaptoslibrary.org