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One of the city’s most prestigious and, simply, best talk and reading series returns for another brilliant season. LIVE from the NYPL, the New York Public Library’s flagship event series, has never disappointed since its launch in 2005, under the leadership of curator and host Paul Holdengräber. Every season, Holdengräber and his team welcome luminaries from literature, the arts and beyond, like beloved author and memoirist Joan Didion, music phenomenon Jay-Z and notorious filmmaker John Waters (and many of these past conversations are available online; go crazy)
The 2015 Spring Season continues LIVE’s respected tradition of welcoming diverse voices and tastemakers from many fields and cultures. Here’s the full line-up—and get your tickets early because this series is no secret. All events are $25, or $15 for Friends of the Library, seniors and students.
David Blaine with Paul Holdengräber; Monday March 16, 7pm
The magician who continually tests the boundaries of reality and surprises even the most staunch skeptics talks about his feats.
RuPaul with Paul Holdengräber; Friday March 20, 7pm
The Queen of Manhattan shares insight into his diverse work, from his books to his hit TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Jeffrey Deitch with Massimiliano Gioni; Wednesday March 25, 7pm
New York’s one-time art king (who currently lives in L.A.) returns to discuss his gorgeous new retrospective book, Live the Art, with the artistic director of The New Museum.
Stephen Kotkin with Slavoj Zizek; Tuesday March 31, 7pm
Philosopher and author Zizek and historian Kotkin combine their knowledge for an evening devoted to the discussion of Joseph Stalin and his unfortunate legacy.
Azar Nafisi with Paul Holdengräber; Wednesday April 1, 7pm
The best-selling author of Reading Lolita in Tehran celebrates her latest nonfiction achievement, The Republic of Imagination: America in Three Books.
Sarah Bakewell; Monday April 6, 7pm
Currently serving as writer-in-residence at the New York Institute for the Humanities, Bakewell talks about her award-winning biography of Montaigne and her work-in-progress about existentialism.
Per Petterson; Friday April 24, 7pm
The author of one of the most successful and adored books of the last decade, Out Stealing Horses, Petterson discusses his new fiction, I Refuse, and much more.
Diane von Furstenberg with Rhonda Garelick; Wednesday May 6, 7pm
The fashion icon sits down with arts writer Garelick to shed light on her recent memoir, The Woman I Wanted to Be, her reality show House of DVF, and her undeniable influence.
Suzanne Farrell with Paul Holdengräber; Tuesday May 12, 7pm
George Balanchine’s muse, who supports his legacy as founder of the Balanchine Preservation Initiative, reflects on the choreographer and her role in the evolution of dance.
Matthew Weiner; Wednesday May 20, 7pm
Just days after Mad Men comes to an end, creator, writer and executive director Weiner opens up about the show and what’s next.
Elizabeth Alexander with Hilton Als; Tuesday June 9, 7pm
The poet, renowned for reading an original poem at President Obama’s inauguration, celebrates her poignant new memoir, The Light of the World, alongside The New Yorker’s Hilton Als.