The Big Read
ArtsErie will receive a $15,470 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to host The Big Read, a program that gives communities the opportunity to come together to read, discuss and celebrate a single book that is one of 30 selections from U.S. and world literature. The grant will be used to promote and conduct community-based reading programs exploring the themes in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury in October 2009. ArtsErie will host The Big Read locally in partnership with the Erie County Public Library and the School District of the City of Erie.
The Big Read was launched nationally in 2006 by the NEA, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest, to encourage literary reading. ArtsErie is one of 269 nonprofits—including arts, culture, and science organizations; libraries; and municipalities—to receive a grant to host a Big Read project between September 2009 and June 2010. The organizations selected to participate in The Big Read will receive grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 to promote and carry out community-based programs.
Schedule
The Big Read Erie School District Kick Off
John Repp, Author and Edinboro University Professor, will lead the Kick Off event at Strong Vincent High School with an introduction to Fahrenheit 451 and an exploration of the themes in Bradbury's work. Kennedy Thompson, of the group One World Tribe, will provide the drumming for the event.
Event Location: Strong Vincent High School, 1330 W. 8th Street, Erie, PA 16507
Time: 8:30am – 12:00pm
Intergenerational Workshop & Book Discussion at Erie Center for Health & Aging
Mary Moodey, poet & writer, will lead members of the Erie Center for Health & Aging and local high school students through an introduction and workshop to Fahrenheit 451.
Event Location: 4th & Peach Street, Erie, PA 16507
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Ongoing Book Discussion on Facebook
ArtsErie will host an ongoing book discussion of Fahrenheit 451 through their Facebook page. Allison Counasse will moderate the online discussion during the month of October.
Event Location: 3 East 4th Street, Suite 10, Erie, PA 16507
The Big Read Community Kick Off
Guest Speaker John Repp will speak on 'Banned Books Week'.
Event Location: Hirt Auditorium, 160 East Front St. , Erie, PA 16507
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Lecture & Book Discussion: Burning Books and WWII, Dr. William Hunter, Edinboro University
This lecture will feature Dr. Bill Hunter of Edinboro University. Dr. Hunter will speak on Burning Books during World War II.
Event Location: Admiral Room, Blasco Library, Erie, PA 16507
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Book Discussion: Facilitated by Poet and Writer Mary Moodey
Event Location: Childrens Theater Area, Blasco Library, Erie, PA 16507
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Lecture & Book Discussion: Reality TV and the Effect of Mass Media on American Culture
Guest speaker for this event is Professor A.J. Miceli of Gannon University. Professor Miceli will speak about Reality TV and the effect of mass media on American culture.
Event Location: Childrens Theatre area, Blasco Memorial Library, Erie, PA 16507
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Book Discussion: Facilitated by Poet and Writer Mary Moodey
Join Mary Moodey to discuss Fahrenheit 451 over coffee at The Last Wordsmith!
Event Location: The Lat Wordsmith; 17 East Main Street, North East, PA 16428
Time: 11:30am – 1:30pm
Book Discussion: Facilitated by Poet and Writer Mary Moodey
Topic for this book discussion is "Experiencing Censorship"
Event Location: Admiral Room, Blasco Library, Erie, PA 16507
Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Book Discussion: Facilitated by Poet and Writer Mary Moodey
Join Mary Moodey to discuss Fahrenheit 451 over coffee at the Erie Book Store!
Event Location: Erie Book Store; 137 East 13th Street, Erie, PA 16503
Time: 11:30am – 1:30pm
POSTPONED -- Readers Theater Performance
The Readers Theater will be a matinee performance at 2:00 pm. The Erie Playhouse is located at 13 W 10th Street in downtown Erie, PA.
Event Location: The Erie Playhouse, Erie, PA 16507
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Student-led Fahrenheit 451 Event
Participating students will release their writing and poems on a raft in the Frontier Park stream as a symbolic gesture representing the loss of their personal identities and written word.
Event Location: Frontier Park; West 6th & Seminole Dr., Erie, PA 16507
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Fahrenheit 451, Movie Viewing and Book Discussion
A panel discussion with questions and answers will follow the movie.
Event Location: Hirt Auditorium, Blasco Library, Erie, PA 16507
Time: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Tim Hamilton Presentation
Tim Hamilton, author/illustrator of the graphic novel based on Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, will talk about his work and then sign books at East Senior High School (1001 Atkins St).
Event Location: East Senior High School, 1001 Atkins St., Erie, PA 16503
Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Fahrenheit 451, Movie Viewing and Book Discussion
The movie Fahrenheit 451 will be shown at the center. After the movie a panel discussion will be led by Mary Moodey and High School students.
Event Location: Erie Center for Health & Aging; 4th & Peach Street, Erie, PA 16507
Time: 12:30pm – 3:00pm
Culminating Celebration of Fahrenheit 451
Join us as we wrap up this year’s Big Read program with a Readers’ Theater Performance of Fahrenheit 451and a celebration at Hirt Auditorium, Blasco Library.
Event Location: Hirt Auditorium; Blasco Library, Erie, PA 16507
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
