Tompkins County Public Library invites young adults to celebrate
the end of 2014 Roaring Twenties style with an evening of murder, mystery and
mayhem, December 29 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.
Participants of “Murder, Molls and Mobsters: A Caper at
Ella’s Jazz Club,” written and presented by local author EA Cunningham, will
join Ella McBride at her Chicago night club on New Year’s Eve, 1928 for an
evening of fun, but someone at the party won’t be around to usher in 1929.
“Murder, Molls and Mobsters” tells the story of McBride, who
started her club with little more than her own gumption and a small settlement
from her divorce. She has a reputation as a fair and honest businesswoman with a
good ear for music and an eye for talent. When prohibition hit, Ella was
determined to succeed and obey the law. At first it seemed like she’d be
alright, but as more clubs in the area became speakeasies, her clientele
started drifting away.
Ella found herself in need of cash, and fast. Banks didn’t want to
loan to her, so she turned to Daytona Dailey, a well-known bookie and loan
shark, for help. She loaned Ella the money she needed and insisted on becoming
part owner of the club as well. Ella agreed, under the condition she would get
back full ownership when the loan was repaid. She was having trouble making the
payments, but after this New Year’s Eve bash she should have enough money to
pay off the loan. After all, Ella would just die if the club ended up in
someone else’s hands.
This program is free and open to the public. Twenties-era
costumes are encouraged but not required.
To register or for more information, contact Young Adult Services
Librarian Regina DeMauro at (607) 272-4557 extension 274 or rdemauro@tcpl.org.
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