Boston Public Library Foundation Director of Development Daria McLean and author Dennis Lehane at the annual Lowell Lecture Series reception. (Photo by Roger Farrington)

Best-selling author and Dorchester native Dennis Lehane presented a lecture on his latest novel, "The Given Day," as part of the annual Lowell Lecture Series at the Boston Public Library.

Set in Boston in the year 1918, the novel explores the crippling violence of a nation at war with itself. Set in an era of unprecedented uncertainty, "The Given Day" tells the story of those who learn the true consequences of demanding change, of building common good from astonishing feats of uncommon strength, and of asking not to accept the way of the world, but to remake it.

Lehane is also the author of "A Drink Before the War," which won the Shamus Award for Best First Novel; "Darkness, Take My Hand"; "Sacred"; "Gone, Baby, Gone"; "Prayers for Rain"; and the New York Times bestsellers, "Mystic River" and "Shutter Island."

For information about the Boston Public Library and its upcoming programs, visit www.bpl.org; and for information about the Library's Foundation, which sponsored the Lehane presentation, visit www.bplf.com.

Noted Designer and Author Julie Messervy to Speak at Trinity Church

On Saturday, April 18, we are invited to the first of a lecture series exploring gardens and spirituality. The 2 p.m. presentation is sponsored by The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University and Art & Architecture Programs of Trinity Church and takes place at the historic Church in Boston's Copley Square.

Julie Moir Messervy, known for her design of the award-winning Toronto Music Garden (a collaboration with cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the City of Toronto), will speak about her creative process for designing outdoor places.

Messervy's vision for composing gardens of meaningful beauty is changing the way people experience their outdoor surroundings. Julie leads a movement in landscape design as a personal journey reflecting a concept deeply rooted in archetypes, childhood imagination, and aesthetic impulses. She will show gardens that engender spirituality and reveal how spirituality can inform garden design.

Messervy's forthcoming book, "Home Outside: Creating the Landscapes You Love," will be available for purchase and signing.

For tickets and more information, call 617-536-0944, ext. 217, or visit www.trinitychurchboston.org.

South Shore Music Circus Show Tickets On Sale

The South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset announces that tickets for all shows announced to date for the 2009 summer season are now on sale.

June/July shows include: June 11 - "An Evening With Dark Star Orchestra, Continuing the Grateful Dead Experience"; June 14 - "The Indigo Girls with Matt Nathanson"; July 19 - "LeAnn Rimes"; July 24 - "An Evening with the Beach Boys"; and July 30 - "An Evening With Comedian Ron 'Tater Salad' White."

Among the August shows are: August 7 - "KC & The Sunshine Band"; August 8 - "An Evening with Comedian Bill Cosby" (two shows: 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.); August 15 - "An Evening with Tony Bennett"; and August 22 - "B.B. King," just to name a few. (All shows billed as "An Evening With..." feature two sets by the headliner with no opening act.)

Several children's morning shows are also scheduled including "Sleeping Beauty," "Snow White" and "Cinderella."

As Paula Gates tells us, "Every seat is within 50 feet of the stage. No one seats you closer to the stars!"

The Music Circus box office will open for the season on Saturday, April 18 at noon for in-person sales. The box office celebration will feature a performance by The Dave Foley Band, and an appearance by WROR's street team.

To purchase tickets online, as well as view concert updates and new shows added, visit www.themusiccircus.org. For tickets by phone through Ticketmaster, call 1-800-745-3000.

One of only two continuously operating tent theatres in the United States, the South Shore Music Circus (the other is the Cape Cod Melody Tent) has hosted world-class entertainment for nearly 60 years, serving nearly 200,000 patrons annually.

Both are operated by South Shore Playhouse Associates (SSPA), a not-for-profit organization that supports arts and education in Southeastern Massachusetts. In the past decade, the SSPA has distributed more than $2 million to other local non-profit organizations.

Enjoy!

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