Big Read
Ventura Big Read - October, 2008
The City of Ventura Cultural Affairs Division in partnership with the Ventura County Library were selected by the National Endowment for the Arts to take part in the Big Read, a community-wide reading initiative designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. To promote reading, a book is selected and the entire community is encouraged to read the book at the same time and participate in discussion groups on the book's themes.
This year's book Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, is a classic coming-of-age tale. Besides winning the Premio Quinto Sol national Chicano literary award, this novel of a young boy in New Mexico in the 1940s has sold more than 300,000 copies in paperback since its 1973 debut. For more information on the book, see (http://www.neabigread.org/ books/blessmeultima/anaya02_ intro.php)
To be held during the month of October, the Ventura Big Read will encompass a series of events including a kick-off party, youth mural project, discussion groups and other special events targeting all segments of the community.
Join us for the Ventura Big Read Kick-off Celebration on Wed. October 1 from 4:30 - 6:30 PM at the Bell Arts Factory (432 N. Ventura Ave.)! Food, music and free copies of the book "Bless Me, Ultima" to the first 50 attendees.
Schedule of Events
10/01/08 (Weds.) 4:30pm-6:30pm: BIG READ KICK-OFF
Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave / (805) 643-1960
10/01/08 (Weds.) 3:30pm-4:30pm: Rudolfo Anaya story time for kids
H.P. Wright Library, 57 Day Road / (805) 642-0336
10/02/08 (Thurs.) 3:00pm-4:00pm: Book Discussion Group
Bank of Books, 748 E. Main St. / (805) 643-3154
10/02/08 (Thurs.) 6:30pm-8:00pm: Lecture by Dr. Roberto Vargas, "Days of the Dead: A Tradition for Healing"
Topping Room at E.P. Foster Library, 651 E. Main St. / (805) 648-2715
10/04/08 (Sat.) 10:00am-1:00pm: Book-Making Workshop for kids (6-12)
Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave / (805) 643-1960
10/04/08 (Sat.) 2:00pm-3:30pm: Lecture by Tere Romo, "Transforming Spirit: Contemporary Expressions of Dia de los Muertos"
City Hall, Community Meeting Room, 501 Poli Street, 2nd floor / (805) 641-1876 x303
RECEPTION TO FOLLOW from 3:30pm-4:30pm at Ventura County Museum, 89 S. Calif. St.
10/07/08 (Tues.) 6:30pm-7:30pm : Bless Me Ultima/Bendiceme Ultima en espanol by Teatro de las Americas group
Café on A in Oxnard, 438 South A Street / (805) 485-5445
10/08/08 (Weds.) 11:00am-12:00pm: Book Discussion Group (Literazzi)
Simi Valley Library, 2969 Tapo Canyon Rd. / (805) 526-1735
10/08/08 (Weds.) 12:00pm-1:30pm: Book Discussion Group
CSUCI Campus, Broome Library, Room 1710, 50 University Drive / (805) 437-8561
10/08/08 (Weds.) 3:30pm-4:30pm: Prehispanic Musical Program with Martin Espino: Ancient Sounds and Percussion Instruments
H.P. Wright Library, 57 Day Road / (805) 642-0336
10/08/08 (Weds.) 6:30pm-8:00pm: Presentation: "An Evening with Alice McGrath"
Topping Room at E.P. Foster Library, 651 E. Main St. / (805) 648-2715
10/08/08 (Weds.) 7:00pm-8:00pm: Book Discussion Group
Bank of Books, 748 E. Main St. / (805) 643-3154
10/09/08 (Thurs.) 6:30pm-9:00pm: Book Discussion Group
Coffeeboy, 358 Central Avenue in Fillmore / (805) 524-0572
10/11/08 (Sat.) 11:00am-12:00pm: Budhi Harlow music: "A Family Program of Native American Music and Chants"
Topping Room at E.P. Foster Library, 651 E. Main St. / (805) 648-2715
10/11/08 (Sat.) 2:00pm-3:00pm: Book Discussion Group led by Amada Irma Perez
Ventura County Museum, 89 S. Calif. St. / (805) 641-1876 x303
10/13/08 (Mon.) 10:30am-11:30am: Book Discussion Group
Bank of Books, 748 E. Main St. / (805) 643-3154
10/14/08 (Tues.) 11:00am-12:00pm: Camarillo Library Book Club, discussion group
First Floor Conf. Rm. at Camarillo Library, 4101 Las Posas Rd., Camarillo / (805) 388-5222
10/16/08 (Thurs.) 4:00pm-5:00pm: UCSB Prof.Francisco Lomeli, "Rudolfo Anaya: Exploration of Myth & History in Creating a New Ethos"
Ventura College Library Reading Room / (805) 654-6400
10/16/08 (Thurs.) 5:00pm-6:00pm: Book Discussion Group led by Paul Jablonowski, Principal at Blanche Reynolds Elementary School
Barnes and Noble Bookstore, 4820 Telephone Rd. / (805) 339-0990
10/16/08 (Thurs.) 4:30pm-5:30pm: Book Discussion Group
Bank of Books, 748 E. Main St. / (805) 643-3154
10/16/08 (Thurs.) 6:30pm-7:30pm: Book Discussion Group with Amada Irma Perez
Under the Sun Gallery at the Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave, Suite #30 / (805) 804-6433
10/16/08 (Thurs.) 6:30pm-9:00pm: Book Discussion Group
Coffeeboy, 358 Central Avenue in Fillmore / (805) 524-0572
10/17/08 (Fri.) 3:30pm-5:00pm: Reading for children and families conducted by Amada Irma Perez
Topping Room at E.P. Foster Library, 651 E. Main St. / (805) 648-2715
10/17/08 (Fri.) 4:00pm-6:00pm: Book Discussion Group - appetizers provided (sign up by 10/15)
City of Ventura Senior Recreation Center, 420 E. Santa Clara St. / (805) 648-2829
10/17/08 (Fri.) 6:30-8:00pm: Book Discussion Group (Spanish)
Under the Sun Gallery, Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave #30 / (805) 804-6433
10/21/08 (Tues.) 9:00am-12:00pm: "Land of Enchantment" workshops (folk art, exotic animals & indigenous music) for ages 7-12
Barranca Vista Center, 7050 E. Ralston / (805) 644-6452
10/21/08 (Tues.) 1:30pm-2:30pm: Book Discussion Group
Bank of Books, 748 E. Main St. / (805) 643-3154
10/23/08 (Thurs.) 6:30pm-9:00pm: Book Discussion Group
Coffeeboy, 358 Central Avenue in Fillmore / (805) 524-0572
10/25/08 (Sat.) 4:00pm-6:00pm: Wine Tasting and Book Discussion - $10 per person
Pierpont Racquet Club, 500 Sanjon Road / (805) 648-5161
10/25/08 (Sat.) 8:00pm-9:00pm: Will & Company Staged Reading - First West Coast Reading of R. Anaya's play
Ventura College Theater, 4667 Telegraph Road / (805) 654-6400
10/26/08 (Sun.) 3:00pm-4:30pm: Readers' Theater - community reading
Ray D. Prueter Library in Port Hueneme, 510 Park Avenue / (805) 486-5460
10/28/08 (Tues.) 6:30pm-8:00pm: "Writing From Literature" (Writer & Poet, Prof. Shelley Savren)
Ventura College Library - Learning Resource Center Room 205 / (805) 654-6461
10/29/08 (Weds.) 6:00pm-7:00pm: Bilingual Reading and discussion for teens and adults, plus storytime and crafts for kids
Avenue Library, 606 Ventura Ave. / (805) 643-6393
10/30/08 (Thurs.) 6:30pm-9:00pm: Book Discussion Group
Coffeeboy, 358 Central Avenue in Fillmore / (805) 524-0572
10/20 - 10/31/08 Community Collage Project "Express Yourself"(exhibition open during regular library hours)
Oak Park Library, 899 North Kanan Road, Oak Park, 91377 / (818) 889-2239
Ventura County Library
National Big Read
Bless Me, Ultima may be purchased from various local and online retailers.
To receive Big Read updates via email, register here
For more information on the Ventura Big Read, contact Eric Wallner, Cultural Affairs Supervisor at 677-3911 or ewallner@ci.ventura.ca.us