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 30, 2023 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
IN PERSON AND BY ZOOM: Author Mary Soderstrom discusses her new book Against the Seas: Saving Civilizations from Rising Waters.
To REGISTER and get the Zoom link, click here.

Thursday, April 13, 2023 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
IN PERSON AND BY ZOOM: Shelley Pomerance discusses her translation into English of François Gravel’s memoir, Colonel Parkinson in Charge: A Wry Reflection on My Incurable Illness.
To REGISTER and get the Zoom link, click here.

Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
IN PERSON AND BY ZOOM: Mark Gallop gives an illustrated presentation on “The St. Lawrence Waterway Project: From Colonial Canals to the Seaway.”
To REGISTER and get the Zoom link, click here.

Thursday, May 11, 2023 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
IN PERSON AND BY ZOOM: McGill University Library’s Christopher Lyons gives an illustrated talk on “Making Black Canadian History: The Life and Collections of Montrealer Roy States (1919-1980).”
To REGISTER and get the Zoom link, click here.

Past 2023 Events

Thursday, January 12, 2023 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
Yuliia Ivaniuk, Coordinator of the Centre for Ukrainian Canadian Studies at the University of Manitoba, discusses the making of modern Ukraine and puts into context Ukrainians’ response to the war the Russians are waging.

Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
Dr. Richard Fraser, McGill University Professor of Pathology and Director of the Maude Abbott Medical Museum, gives an entertaining talk on “The Maude Abbott Medical Museum Lost and Found Department.”

Thursday, January 26, 2023 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
A presentation on Road Scholar, the not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring adults to learn, discover and travel. Find out about possibilities for fun and educational adventures.

Thursday, February 2, 2023 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
FINDING MEANING and PURPOSE in EVERYDAY LIFE – Life Purpose Coach Jackie Roberge discusses how to identify and integrate activities and behaviours into daily life to increase fulfillment and contribute to a better world. She will give examples of how to share your gifts and talents no matter what your age and stage in life.

Thursday, February 9, 2023 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
Author Marc Raboy gives a presentation on his book Looking for Alicia: The Unfinished Life of an Argentinian Rebel, winner of the Quebec Writers’ Federation’s 2022 Mavis Gallant Prize for Non-fiction.

FRIDAY, February 17, 2023 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 23, 2023 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
Author Mark Abley gives a presentation on his new book, Strange Bewildering Time: Istanbul to Kathmandu in the Last Year of the Hippie TrailWith financial assistance from the Canada Council for the Arts through The Writers’ Union of Canada.

WEDNESDAY, March 1, 2023 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
Author Amal Elsana-Alh’jooj discusses her inspiring memoir Hope is a Woman’s Name. “The book covers a journey that has taken her from a childhood herding sheep in her own Bedouin village in the Negev desert to a life of international activism for peacemaking and minority rights.” — review in Policy Magazine.

Thursday, March 9, 2023 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
IRISH MUSIC for ST. PATRICK’S DAY – Musician, ethnomusicologist, and author Craig Morrison discusses the historical context of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and the backgrounds of some traditional and popular Irish songs. Illustrated with slides and live and recorded music.

Thursday, March 16, 2023 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
IRISH CELEBRATION – Concordia University Irish Diaspora Professor Jane McGaughey profiles the podcast The Irish in Canada.

Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
Dr. Joe Schwarcz, the popular author and Director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society, gives a talk on “Science in the Movies.”

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.
Please click here to view the events list for January-June 2015.
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.
Please click here to view the events list for January-June 2013.
Please click here to view the events list for September-December 2012.
Please click here to view the events list for January-June 2012.
Please click here to view the events list for September-December 2011.
Please click here to view the events list for January-June 2011.
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.