James Baldwin’s America: A Community Conversation

White Branch Library 763 Butternut St., Syracuse, NY, United States

James Baldwin's America is a community conversation that uses literature to explore our human experience. Facilitated by R. Deborah Davis of SUNY Oswego and Joseph Marusa (ret.) of Syracuse City School District, this program begins at 5 p.m. with a light dinner provided by the sponsors, followed by the discussion that begins promptly at 5:30. A reading packet will be provided at the first session. Participation is free, but registration is requested. Call (315) 399-4100. This program is supported by a grant from Humanities NY.

Free

May the Fourth Be with You: A Star Wars Celebration

Hazard Branch Library 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY, United States

To celebrate Star Wars Day, Hazard Library will be making Star Wars-themed crafts, playing its LEGO Star Wars video game on Xbox One, and having a few galactic snacks. Open to ages 6 to 12.

Free

Popcorn Fridays

Central Library 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse, NY, United States

Join the Central Library for popcorn and games in the TeenSpace every Friday. For teens ages 12 to 18. No registration required.

Free

South Side Collective Photo Exhibit

South Side Communication Center 2331 S. Salina St. , Syracuse , NY, United States

The newly formed South Side Collective, which provides community children with tools to communicate visually through photography, will host a photo exhibit from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 5, at the South Side Communication Center.

Free

Celebrate Urban Birds Festival

Southside Academy Charter School 2200 Onondaga Creek Blvd., Syracuse, NY, United States

Celebrate Urban Birds Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at Southside Academy Charter School. The event will feature a bird-art activity for younger children, and the school's science teacher will take a group outside on a bird walk to collect observation data for Cornell. Pizza and refreshments will be sold during lunch as a fundraiser for the school's athletic teams.

Free

Poetry and Art in the Bus – Winner Selection

Betts Branch Library 4862 S. Salina St., Syracuse, NY, United States

Join Betts Branch to help select the winners of "Poetry and Art in the Bus." The final selection of winners will be decided by the general public. Workshop providers: Martin Willitts Jr. (poetry) and Michael Sickler (drawings). This project was made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a re-grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by CNY Arts.

Comic Jam

Central Library 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse, NY, United States

May 6 marks the nationwide Free Comic Book Day, and the Central Library will celebrate by helping others to create comics. In this workshop, participants will learn how to write stories, sketch thumbnails and develop your own characters. Open to ages 12 and up. No registration necessary.

Free

SUN Meeting

Brady Faith Center 404 South Ave. , Syracuse, NY, United States

A meeting of Syracuse United Neighbors will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, at the Brady Faith Center. Special Guest Bill Simmons, director of Syracuse Housing Authority, will discuss what will happen to tenants concerning the I-81 Viaduct plans.

Tech Challenge – Wind Turbine

Mundy Branch Library 1204 S. Geddes St. , Syracuse, NY, United States

May is National Inventor’s Month, and Hazard Library is celebrating by experimenting with wind power. Participants will build a model wind turbine, then explore and test common materials to identify modifications that will improve it. Will wind power our future? That’s up to you. Open to ages 8 to 12.

Free

James Baldwin’s America: A Community Conversation

White Branch Library 763 Butternut St., Syracuse, NY, United States

James Baldwin's America is a community conversation that uses literature to explore our human experience. Facilitated by R. Deborah Davis of SUNY Oswego and Joseph Marusa (ret.) of Syracuse City School District, this program begins at 5 p.m. with a light dinner provided by the sponsors, followed by the discussion that begins promptly at 5:30. A reading packet will be provided at the first session. Participation is free, but registration is requested. Call (315) 399-4100. This program is supported by a grant from Humanities NY.

Free