Barely out of high school, Lucy Kaplansky took off for New York City where she found a fertile community of songwriters and performers — Suzanne Vega, John Gorka, Bill Morrissey, Cliff Eberhardt, and others — where she fit right in.  Her most recent work explores the universal themes of love, joy, loss and dreams for the future, through reflections on family.

Location: The Historic Santa Fe Depot, 200 S Jones, Norman
Admission: $20
Doors: 6:30 PM

Dashiell Hammett’s classic American private-eye novel, The Maltese Falcon, will take center stage at the historic Santa Fe Depot during the March 12 Second Friday Circuit of Art, as The Performing Arts Studio joins the Pioneer Library System in kicking off The Big Read 2010. The Depot, home to PAS, is located at 200 S. Jones Ave.

From 6 to 10 p.m., guests may pick up complimentary copies of The Maltese Falcon and enjoy light refreshments while listening to the music of Off Boyd Jazz Band. In homage to Spade’s favorite beverage, a malt scotch tasting will be offered at a cash bar. Wine also will be available for purchase, and complimentary coffee and tea will be offered as well.

Visitors are encouraged to dress in costume to get into spirit of the 1930s. Period accessories include dark lipsticks and feathered hats, or fedoras and trench coats.

Guests also may sign up to participate in library book discussions of The Maltese Falcon or check out book discussion kits to use in private book discussion settings.

Jazz and poetry will intertwine for a special Sunday evening March 14 at the historic Santa Fe Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave.

The free concert, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., is part of the “Jazz Concerts at the PAS” series, is produced and sponsored by The Performing Arts Studio and Jazz in June.

The performance will feature a combination of the poetry of noted Canadian poet Glen Sorestad with a musical trio accompaniment, and jazz repertoire played by a trio consisting of Oklahoma musicians Dennis Borycki on keyboards, Johnny Nelson on bass and Chris Hicks on sax.

During the each of the two sets, Sorestad will read for 15-20 minutes with the musical accompaniment, and the trio will play the rest of the set.