RENEW your commitment to make reading an essential part of your life.
PARTICIPATE in The Big Read: Pittsburgh 2008
READ Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
The August Wilson Center is encouraging everyone to read Their Eyes Were Watching God. The first 100 pledges to read will receive a FREE copy of novel!
Call 412.258.2665 or e-mail bmguni@augustwilsoncenter.org to receive your pledge card.
The Big Read is designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. 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.
The Big Read: Pittsburgh 2008 reads Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston is brought to you by the August Wilson Center, the United Black Book Clubs of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny County Library Association. The media partner is Well Woman Radio Retreat airing on Saturday mornings, from 10 to 11 am on AM 860.
What is The Big Read?
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The August Wilson Center for African American Culture, The United Black Book Clubs of Pittsburgh and The Allegheny County Library Association are working together to inspire the Pittsburgh region to read Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston through exciting programs and events surrounding this seminal novel and to educate the community about the life and times of Zora Neale Hurston. Join us for exciting Big Read programs and events from now until June.
Why Participate in The Big Read?
Because reading changes lives!
This Read For Life Campaign is a community challenge to inspire new, reluctant, and lapsed readers to make a commitment to ensure that reading becomes an essential part of their lives. Asserting that a love of reading improves the quality of one's life, we encourage people of all ages to visit their local libraries, educational resource centers and book stores to pick up a book and READ! More than half of adults in the U.S. do not read literature and according to the Literacy Campaign, a quarter of the adult workforce reads below the fourth grade level. Reading enables people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to lead healthy, well-rounded and enjoyable lives. Are you ready to read?
Ways You Can Get Involved
- Sip and Chat Series
Let's get together and talk about where you're at in Their Eyes Were Watching God over a FREE cup of delicious java or tea and a tasty treat at your neighborhood coffee shop. We'll have a special guest join us and answer some of those questions about culture, language and Zora Neale Hurston while we chat. Meet you at the next one!
Call or e-mail to sign up to let us know you're coming--we'd love to have you read with us. For more information call Bekezela Mguni, Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator at 412.258.2665 or e-mail bmguni@augustwilsoncenter.org
- Brown Bag Lunch Discussions
Support The Big Read: Pittsburgh 2008 by hosting a Big Read Brown Bag Lunch Discussion at your library or community center.
We'd love to co-host a brown bag lunch discussion at your library or community center featuring a noted scholar, storyteller, poet or cultural interpreter to fuel an engaging discussion surrounding themes within the novel.
If you're interested in co-hosting a brown bag lunch discussion with us please contact Bekezela Mguni, Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator at 412.258.2665 or e-mail bmguni@augustwilsoncenter.org
About Their Eyes Were Watching God
Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God is one of 16 classic novels - all modern American classics - selected by the National Endowment for the Arts for promotion nationally in various communities through June.
Hurston (1891-1960) is considered one of the pre-eminent writers of twentieth-century African American literature. Hurston was closely associated with the Harlem Renaissance and has influenced such writers as Ralph Ellison, Toni Morrison, Gayl Jones, Alice Walker and Toni Cade Bambara.
Their Eyes Were Watching God is arguably the best-known and perhaps the most controversial of Hurston's fiction works. It is about Janie Crawford, the fair and long-legged, independent and articulate woman who sets out to be her own person -- no mean feat for a black woman living in the black town of Eaton, Fla. in the 1930s. Janie's quest for identity takes her through three marriages and into a journey back to her roots.
Upcoming Big Read Events
Join us for these exciting Big Read programs and events from now until June!
APRIL
Friday, April 4
2 pm
Free Film Screening
Location: The William E. Anderson Library of Penn Hills, 1037 Stotler Road, Penn Hills, Pittsburgh, PA 15235
Join us for a free film screening of the 2005 Harpo Productions movie starring Halle Berry and Ruben Santiago-Hudson based on Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. Each screening features a post-film discussion on themes in the film. Rated TV-14 (S).
Tuesday, April 8
Sip and Chat
Location: Shadow Lounge - Blue Room
5972 Baum Blvd., East Liberty
Let's get together and talk about where you're at in Their Eyes Were Watching God over a FREE cup of delicious java or tea and a tasty treat at your neighborhood coffee shop. We'll discuss culture, language and Zora Neale Hurston while we chat. Conversation will be in the Shadow Lounge's Blue Room.
Wednesday, April 9
Noon
Free Brown Bag Lunch Discussion
Location: The William E. Anderson Library of Penn Hills, 1037 Stotler Road, Penn Hills, Pittsburgh, PA 15235
Visit this local library for a brown bag book discussion about Their Eyes Were Watching God. This free dialogue will feature a noted scholar, storyteller, poet or cultural interpreter to fuel an engaging discussion surrounding themes within the novel.
Friday, April 11
8pm
Sip and Chat: Kiln - N - Time Pottery Studio
Kiln - N - Time
3801 Penn Avenue, Lawrenceville
Let's get together and talk about where you're at in Their Eyes Were Watching God over a FREE cup of delicious java or tea and a tasty treat at your neighborhood coffee shop. We'll discuss culture, language and Zora Neale Hurston while we chat. Paint a piece of pottery for free while you discuss Janie and Tea Cake!
Saturday, April 12
10-11 am
Well Woman Radio Retreat: Valerie Boyd
WAMO AM 860
The Big Read: Pittsburgh 2008 will be featured during the Well Read Segment of the Well Woman Radio show. Host LaVerne Baker Hotep will be interviewing Valerie Boyd, author of the award-winning biography, Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston.
Saturday, April 12
Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston
Valerie Boyd Reading and Book-signing
Location: Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 2705 East Carson Street, South Side, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Come celebrate the life of Zora Neale Hurston at this free afternoon of reading and conversation. Author Valerie Boyd has created the most compelling and thoughtful biography of Hurston to date, and will share her knowledge of Hurston with us! Join us as Boyd reads from her book, Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston, answers your questions on Hurston's life, and signs copies of her book. Copies of Wrapped in Rainbows will be available for purchase.
Thursday, April 17
9 pm
Olive or Twist
140th 6th Street
Downtown Pittsburgh
Catalyst: A Shop and Mingle Party
Visit The Big Read: Pittsburgh 2008's table at this evening of fashion, music, shopping and partying. $10 admission.
Saturday, April 19
1 pm
Free Brown Bag Book Discussion
Location: Carnegie Library of Homestead, 510 East 10th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15120
Visit this local library for a brown bag book discussion about Their Eyes Were Watching God. This free dialogue will feature a noted scholar, storyteller, poet or cultural interpreter to fuel an engaging discussion surrounding themes within the novel.
Wednesday, April 23
2 pm
Free Film Screening
Location: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Homewood Branch, 7101 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Join us for a free film screening of the 2005 Harpo Productions movie starring Halle Berry and Ruben Santiago-Hudson based on Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. Each screening features a post-film discussion on themes in the film. Rated TV-14 (S).
Thursday, April 24
Noon
Free Brown Bag Book Discussion
Location: Wilkinsburg Public Library, 605 Ross Avenue, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221
Visit this local library for a brown bag book discussion about Their Eyes Were Watching God. This free dialogue will feature a noted scholar, storyteller, poet or cultural interpreter to fuel an engaging discussion surrounding themes within the novel.
MAY
Saturday, May 3
1 pm
Free Brown Bag Book Discussion
Location: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Homewood Branch, 7101 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Visit this local library for a brown bag book discussion about Their Eyes Were Watching God. This free dialogue will feature a noted scholar, storyteller, poet or cultural interpreter to fuel an engaging discussion surrounding themes within the novel.
Friday, May 9
11 am
United Black Book Clubs of Pittsburgh - Celebration of Reading "Literary Healing II"
Location: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh- Homewood Branch, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Sunday, May 11
7 pm
United Black Book Clubs of Pittsburgh - Celebration of Reading "Literary Healing II"
Location: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh- Homewood Branch, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Past Big Read Events
JANUARY
January 7
7:30 am
Zora Neale Hurston Birthday Press Release
Location: City of Pittsburgh and surrounding counties
In honor of Zora Neale Hurston's birthday we announced the partnership between the August Wilson Center For African American Culture, the United Black Book Clubs of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny County Library Association to bring The Big Read to Pittsburgh we will be sending our press releases out to over 50 major media outlets and to our colleagues and patrons.
January 12
10 am
Well Woman Radio Retreat
WAMO AM 860
The Big Read: Pittsburgh 2008 will be featured during the Well Read Segment of the Well Woman Radio show. Host Laverne Baker Hotep will be interviewing Ann Tanksley. She is a Pittsburgh native and illustrator of the book "The Six Fools" by Zora Neale Hurston. "The Six Fools" will be our featured book during the 2nd Annual Harambee Read Aloud which is an event for children and families. It will take place at the Homewood Library of Pittsburgh on Feb. 20th from 5-7 pm. It is free and open to the public.
FEBRUARY
February 16
10 am
Well Woman Radio Retreat
WAMO AM 860
The Big Read: Pittsburgh 2008 will be featured during the Well Read Segment of the Well Woman Radio show. Host Laverne Baker Hotep will be interviewing Ann Tanksley. She is a Pittsburgh native and illustrator of the book "The Six Fools" by Zora Neale Hurston. "The Six Fools" will be our featured book during the 2nd Annual Harambee Read Aloud which is an event for children and families. It will take place at the Homewood Library of Pittsburgh on Feb. 20th from 5-7pm. It is free and open to the public.
February 20
5 pm
Big Read Kick Off Event! August Wilson Center for African American Culture: Harambee Read Aloud- A Celebration of Black History Month through Reading
Location: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh- Homewood Branch, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
An energetic, interactive learning experience and celebration of reading where children and their families will be engaged by a bold presentation of literary, musical and visual art that will highlight the classic African American novel Their Eyes Were Watching God.
MARCH
March 20
5:30 pm
Sip and Chat: Amani International
Amani International Coffeehouse & Café
507 Foreland Street, North Side
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Let's get together and talk about where you're at in Their Eyes Were Watching God over a FREE cup of delicious java or tea and a tasty treat at your neighborhood coffee shop. We'll discuss culture, language and Zora Neale Hurston while we chat.
March 20
7:30 pm
The Big Read's Night Out!
Location: University of Pittsburgh - Alumni Hall
4227 5th Avenue, Oakland
We will be hosting a night out in celebration of African American women writers and women in theater. Ntozake Shange has been one of the most prominent women to write about the beauty and complexities in the lives of African American Women. Representing their experiences as honestly and courageously as Zora Neale Hurston did for Ms. Janie Crawford. We will be attending this play presented by Kuntu Repertory Theatre in honor of this legacy of telling Black women's stories.
March 28
6 pm
What Would Zora Do?
African American Women Writers Reading and Celebration
Location: Shadow Lounge, 5972 Baum Blvd., East Liberty, PA 15206
Celebrate the talent and creativity of African American women writers at this free evening of creative writing and dialogue. Faith Adiele, Dessie Bey, Christiane D, Toi Derricotte and Vanessa German share their poems, stories and essays, as well as their experiences, visions and challenges as female writers of African descent.
March 29
2 pm
Free Film Screening
Location: Carnegie Library of Homestead, 510 East 10th Street, Munhall, PA 15120
Join us for a free film screening of the 2005 Harpo Productions movie starring Halle Berry and Ruben Santiago-Hudson based on Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. Each screening features a post-film discussion on themes in the film. Rated TV-14 (S).
