Lunchtime Series

The Atwater Library Lunchtime Series features once-a-week presentations by leading writers, musicians, intellectuals, scientists, and many more people sharing their knowledge and experience with the Atwater Library community. Lunchtime Series events usually take place on Thursdays (but sometimes are on other days), from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. Admission is free though we do appreciate donations! Everyone is welcome and we serve coffee and biscuits.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
IN PERSON AND BY ZOOM: MONTREAL HISTORY – Raymond Jess, PhD, talks about the Irish Protestant community in Montreal in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Presented in collaboration with the Irish Protestant Benevolent Society of Montreal.
To REGISTER and get the Zoom link, click here.

Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
IN PERSON AND BY ZOOM: SOLAR ECLIPSE – Trevor Kjorlien of Plateau Astro gives an illustrated presentation on the total solar eclipse passing over Quebec on April 8.
To REGISTER and get the Zoom link, click here.

Thursday, April 11, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
IN PERSON AND BY ZOOM: Award-winning writer Susan Doherty discusses her new novel Monday Rent Boy with journalist Anne Lagacé Dowson.
To REGISTER and get the Zoom link, click here.

Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
IN PERSON AND BY ZOOM: To celebrate SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHDAY, Bishop’s University Professor Jessica Riddell discusses the book she co-authored, Shakespeare’s Guide to Hope, Life, and Learning.
To REGISTER and get the Zoom link, click here.

Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
IN PERSON AND BY ZOOM: EATING CONFUSION – Dr. Joe Schwarcz, the popular author and Director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society, tackles the question “Eating: Is there a solution to the confusion?”
To REGISTER and get the Zoom link, click here.

Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
IN PERSON AND BY ZOOM: FOOD in LITERATURENathalie Cooke gives an illustrated presentation on Canadian Literary Fare, the delicious 2023 book she co-wrote exploring “food voices in a wide range of Canadian fiction, drama, and poetry.”
To REGISTER and get the Zoom link, click here.

Thursday, March 7, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
READING JANE AUSTEN – On the eve of International Women’s DayElaine Bander discusses what makes Jane Austen special for readers. Elaine Bander is Past President of the Canadian division of the Jane Austen Society of North America.

Past 2024 Events

Thursday, January 11, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
Janine Rogan, CPA discusses her book The Pink Tax, which “shine[s] a spotlight on the gender wage gap and the state of female wealth.”

FRIDAY, January 19, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
Authors Andrew Stobo Sniderman and Douglas Sanderson (Amo Binashii) discuss their 2023 award-winning book Valley of the Birdtail: An Indian Reserve, a White Town, and the Road to Reconciliation.

Thursday, January 25, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
Writer and historian Justin Martin gives a talk on Frederick Law Olmsted (1822 – 1903), the landscape architect behind Montreal’s beloved Mount Royal Park and before that, New York City’s Central Park. Justin Martin’s 2011 biography of Olmsted, Genius of Place, chronicles not only his pioneering park design work but also his great influence as a social reformer, abolitionist, journalist and public administrator.

Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
Renowned lawyer Julius Grey reviews the state of Anglophone rights in Quebec and discusses legal challenges to recent legislation.

Thursday, February 8, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
Award-winning writer Taras Grescoe discusses his latest book The Lost Supper: Searching for the Future of Food in the Flavors of the Past.

Thursday, February 15, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
Rapper and historian Aly Ndiaye aka Webster traces the life of Shadrach Minkins (1814-1875), a Black man who was born into slavery in Virginia and made his way to Montreal in 1850 via the underground railroad. He made a good life in Montreal, working as an entrepreneur, marrying and raising a family. In October 2023 a plaque honouring Minkins was unveiled at his burial site in Mount Royal Cemetery.

FRIDAY, February 23, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
To celebrate BLACK HISTORY MONTH, the IMANI Gospel Singers, directed by Marcia Bailey, perform a program of spiritual music and discuss the evolution of Black gospel music.

Thursday, February 29, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
A LEAP IN THINKING on LEAP DAY – Participants in McGill University’s Building 21 give an overview of their outside-the-box scholarship and futuristic thinking.

Thursday, March 7, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
READING JANE AUSTEN – On the eve of International Women’s DayElaine Bander discusses what makes Jane Austen special for readers. Elaine Bander is Past President of the Canadian division of the Jane Austen Society of North America.

Thursday, March 14, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
ST. PATRICK’S CELEBRATION – Festival Bloomsday Montréal presents a program of Irish music and words with Kathleen McAuliffeBarbara Ennis Canella and Natalia Davidova.

Please click here to view the events list for January-December 2023.
Please click here to view the events list for January-December 2022.
Please click here to view the events list for January-December 2021.
Please click here to view the events list for January-December 2020.
Please click here to view the events list for September-December 2019.
Please click here to view the events list for January-June 2019.
Please click here to view the events list for September-December 2018.
Please click here to view the events list for January-June 2018.
Please click here to view the events list for August-December 2017.
Please click here to view the events list for January-June 2017.
Please click here to view the events list for September-December 2016.
Please click here to view the events list for January-June 2016.
Please click here to view the events list for September-December 2015.
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Please click here to view the events list for September-December 2014.
Please click here to view the events list for January-June 2014.
Please click here to view the events list for September-December 2013.
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Please click here to view the events list for September-December 2012.
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Please click here to view the events list for September-December 2011.
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Please click here to view the events list for September-December 2010.
Please click here to view the events list for January-June 2010.
Please click here to view the events list for September-December 2009.
Please click here to view the events list for January-June 2009.