HYP Book Club is keeping it thematic for February, with “Modern Romance” by Aziz Ansari. It’s exactly what the title implies, a discussion of the ups and downs of looking for love in the modern age, by a very thoughtful and comedic mind. We’ll meet at the Midtown Scholar at 2:00 in the upstairs lounge; if it’s not available, then downstairs at a table. Please contact Joe Foner at joefoner1@gmail.com to RSVP or for questions. Hope to see you there, and happy reading!

Time for one last movie before the Oscars!

The Oscar-nominated documentary “I Am Not Your Negro” is a visioning of James Baldwin’s unfinished book, “Remember This House.” In it, director Raoul Peck uses only the author’s words (narrated by Samuel L. Jackson) and archival footage to talk about race in America. It’s interwoven with an examination of the lives of three of Baldwin’s friends and important civil rights figures: Martin Luther King Jr., Medgar Evers and Malcolm X. This is important, must-see cinema, served up as only the Midtown Cinema can.

We’ll be meeting in the lobby about 7, as movies are typically around 7:30 – be sure to look for screen times on the midtown cinema website. If the movie ends up being scheduled at a much different time, look for updates on the Facebook event page. RSVP and questions to Joe Foner at joefoner1@gmail.com.

Join us at the Midtown Cinema for a movie that’s sure to be included in the awards season discussion – “Jackie.” It’s the aftermath of the JFK assassination, and and Jacqueline Kennedy’s world has been torn apart. She must simultaneously be a mother, a widow, and a public figure, all the while balancing an ongoing adjustment to American culture and negotiating life in Washington, DC. The film stars Natalie Portman in the title role and played at both the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals. We’ll be meeting in the lobby about 7, as movies are typically around 7:30 – be sure to look for screen times on the midtown cinema website: www.midtowncinema.com. If the movie ends up being scheduled at a much different time, look for updates on the Facebook event page. RSVP and questions to Joe Foner at joefoner1@gmail.com.

Book Club is starting the new year with something new – a graphic novel. Join us as we read “The Watchmen” by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, the epic story of humanity, truth, justice, and an exploration of heroism and superheroism. It’s also the award-winning, list-making, highly-regarded genre-defining must-read for anyone into graphic novels, comics, and good writing. And it’s every bit as layered and complex as a classic novel. We meet in the upstairs lounge of the Midtown Scholar at 2:00 PM, reservations encouraged, but not required (we like to know who’s coming so we know when to get started). Please contact Joe Foner at joefoner1@gmail.com to RSVP or for questions. See you there, and happy reading!

Join us for the 2^nd class in our Curious Coffee Connoisseur Series! This time around we’re focusing on coffee and chocolate pairings. A hands-on portion will be led by Greg Loring-Albright of Little Amps, and get the low-down on coffee and chocolate pairings from local chocolatier Nathan Miller, whose delectable confections are available at Little Amps locations.

This is the perfect class for a Valentine’s date, and we’re offering a special price for couples!

Book today; registration is required and is limited to 20 attendees.

Participants each receive a travel mug, Little Amps coffee sample and chocolate sample to take home with them!