SANTA MONICA — Santa Monica Public Library’s Citywide Reads will present “A Touch of Naomi” on Monday, Feb. 27, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica.
Mystery author Naomi Hirahara takes us on a tour of her unique vision of noir in this reading and author discussion. She is accompanied by torch songs and saxophone stylings from the Doc & Renee father-daughter jazz duo.
Hirahara is the Edgar Award-winning author of the Mas Arai mystery series (“Blood Hina,” “Summer of the Big Bachi,” “Gasa-Gasa Girl,” “Snakeskin Shamisen”), featuring a Japanese American gardener who’s also an atomic-bomb survivor. A previous editor of The Rafu Shimpo and a graduate of South Pasadena High School, she has also produced nonfiction books on horticulture and Asian American history. Her short stories are featured in “Los Angeles Noir,” “A Hell of a Woman,” and “The Darker Mask.”
Doc Anello is an acclaimed veteran singer, arranger and saxman who plays with his swing band, Doc Anello and the Swing Machine, at Disneyland. Over the years he has backed the likes of Eartha Kitt, Slim Gailard, and Johnny Mathis. He is paired with his daughter, Renee Anello-Simone, who has sung with a variety of bands, including The Lucky Dames, Summer of ’69, and Nice Kitty.
Parking is $5. This program is free to the public, but reservations are required. Call (310) 458-4904 or visit http://beachculture97-eorg.eventbrite.com/. Plan to arrive by 6:15 p.m. to retain your reservation. Late seating is not guaranteed. Docents are available to discuss the site starting at 5:15 p.m.