What better way to spend a cold winter day or night than curled up with a good book! Summer of the Arts is proud to bring The Big Read to Johnson County. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest. Thanks to the Burford/Schwab fund at the Community Foundation of Johnson County for their support of this program as well!
Partner Organizations:
Iowa City Public Library
Coralville Public Library
Public Libraries of Johnson County
Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center
Iowa City Community School District
Kirkwood Community College
City Circle Acting Company
Oakdale Department of Corrections
www.icpl.org/the-big-read
www.neabigread.org
Our Big Read book: Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
When did science fiction first cross over from genre writing to the mainstream of American literature? Almost certainly it happened on October 19, 1953, when a young Californian named Ray Bradbury published a novel with the odd title of Fahrenheit 451. In a gripping story at once disturbing and poetic, Bradbury takes the materials of pulp fiction and transforms them into a visionary parable of a society gone awry, in which firemen burn books and the state suppresses learning. Meanwhile, the citizenry sits by in a drug-induced and media-saturated indifference. More relevant than ever a half-century later, Fahrenheit 451 has achieved the rare distinction of being both a literary classic and a perennial bestseller.
Read, View, Discuss
Pick up a free copy of the book at one of the Johnson County Libraries, or contact Summer of the Arts for a copy. Read the book, then enjoy a variety of activities and events throughout Johnson County, where you can share your thoughts with others in the community. You’ll also be able to see some classic Ray Bradbury movies while you’re at it! On February 26 at 7 p.m., enjoy a keynote presentation by Dr. Olga Petrova, Assistant Professor of English, Kirkwood Community College and see excerpts from the play performed by City Circle Acting Company! All events are open to the public.
“What have you to offer?” This line from Fahrenheit 451 boldly asks what books you know by heart which you could share with others. What stories do you have to tell? If you could only keep one book, what would it be?
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment.
Fahrenheit 451 Activities and Events
BOOK DISCUSSIONS
Tuesday, February 9 6 p.m.; Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center
Tuesday, February 9 6:30 p.m.; North Liberty Community Library
Wednesday, February 10 11 - 12 p.m.; Kirkwood Community College, Iowa City
Tuesday, February 16 7 p.m.; Iowa City Public Library
Wednesday, February 17 11 - 12 p.m.; Kirkwood Community College, Iowa City
Sunday, February 21 3 p.m.; Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center (Intergenerational Discussion)
Tuesday, February 23 2 p.m.; E. Jean Schwab Auditorium, Coralville Public Library
Wednesday, February 24 11 - 12 p.m.; Kirkwood Community College, Iowa City
Wednesday, March 3 10 a.m.; Discussion in Spanish with Senior Center Spanish Language Class
SPECIAL EVENTS
Tuesday, February 23 12-1 p.m.; Panel Discussion: Ray Bradbury and His Impact on Science Fiction, Iowa City Public Library
Wednesday, February 24 1:30 p.m.; Senior Standing Room Only (SSRO) Readers Theatre performance A Voice of My Own, Iowa City/ Johnson County Senior Center
Friday, February 26 7 p.m.; Keynote Presentation by Olga Petrova, Kirkwood Community College and performance of excerpts from the play Fahrenheit 451 by City Circle Acting Company
Friday, March 5 7 p.m.; Senior Standing Room Only (SSRO) Readers Theatre performance A Voice of My Own
FILM SCREENINGS
Thursday, February 11 2 - 4:30 p.m., Meeting Room AB, Coralville Public Library
The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms
Friday, February 12 7 p.m., Meeting Room A, Iowa City Public Library
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Friday, February 19 7 p.m., Meeting Room A, Iowa City Public Library
The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms
Click here for more information on the program and a schedule of area events.