Library’s Noir @ the Bar backtracks 1970s’ retro

Michael Guillebeau will be featured author at Noir @ the Bar, a fundraiser at Blue Pants Brewery to benefit Madison Public Library. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Unpack the bell bottoms and stack heels and get ready to boogie. Blue Pants Brewery will host “Noir @ the Bar: The 1970s Edition” to benefit Madison Public Library.

Madison Public Library and Blue Pants Brewery at 500 Lanier Road are teaming up again this year to present Noir @ the Bar, a celebration of mystery novels and novelists, on July 27 at 6:30 p.m. The combination of noir mystique from the 1840s and the funky music of the 1970s will give guests a good reason to party for a cause.

Librarian Anne Wood with Madison Public Library is managing the program. “I’m excited about Noir @ the Bar because it’s changing the community’s perception of the library,” Wood said. “We aren’t only about ‘shushing’ and research and events for kids.”

“Reading can and should be fun at all ages. Noir @ the Bar mixes supporting local authors with supporting a local brewery and, of course, supporting your local library,” Wood said.

The event will feature Madison’s own Michael Guillebeau, author of “Play Nice,” “A Study in Detail” and the Falchion Award finalist, “Josh Whoever.” “We started our Noir @ the Bar events as a mash-up between authors and readers, the library and beer,” Guillebeau said.

Noir @ the Bar has “turned into one of the most fun excuses I know to come out and be silly. Find your best Noir/1970s outfit and come join the fun.”

The inaugural Noir @ the Bar launched in July 2015 at Blue Pants. That event was so successful that Guillebeau and the library decided to repeat the event last fall with a Halloween theme.

Organizers encourage guests to wear costumes, but masquerading is not required. Books will be available for sale and signing. A portion of all food and beverage sales will benefit the Madison Public Library.

Huntsville-Madison County Public Library (HMCPL) is a nonprofit 12-branch system that serves all of Madison County. For more information, contact Wood at 256-774-8339, email awood@hmcpl.org or visit hmcpl.org or Facebook/HMCPL.