On Saturday, March 5, the Friends of the Claremont Library On the Same Page Committee will host a meet-and-greet with Ellen Harper beginning at 2 p.m. at the Alexander Hughes Community Center’s Padua Room.  Harper is a singer, songwriter, mother to Grammy-winning musician Ben Harper, author of “Always a Song” and proprietor of the Folk Music Center in the Claremont Village.

Harper will speak about her experiences and read from her book. In addition, Ellen [Harper] and Friends will deliver a special performance including sing-alongs for all ages. Books will be available for purchase and Harper will be offering autographs at the event.

The Friends of the Claremont Library sponsors the annual citywide reading program: Claremont: On the Same Page, which seeks to engage as many people as possible in the discussion of one book as the basis for a common experience. Local reading groups and educators are encouraged to read the book as part of their activities or curriculum. Harper’s “Always a Song” is the 2021-2022 book selection, so get your copy and join in!

“In her riveting memoir, Ellen Harper … takes readers on an intimate journey through the folk music revival and her recollections of seminal musicians such as family friend Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and others,” a news release read. “She provides candid memories of her parents, Charles and Dorothy Chase, who were fixtures of Claremont’s thriving musical scene and liberal politics. She also writes about her life in Claremont.”

The event is free and open to the public; however, attendance will be limited to the first 100 people. The Alexander Hughes Community Center is located at 1700 Danbury Road.