The Literary Friends of the DC Public Libraries are working with Friends organizations across the city to hold events for “The Big Read” in branch libraries. Below is a listing the events planned to date:
Northeast/Southeast
The Richness of Zora Neale Hurston’s Imagination and Language
Wednesday April 25, 6:30 pm
Location: Northeast Library, 330 7th St. NE, at Maryland Ave., 202/698-3320
Pontheola Mack Abernathy performs readings. Tips for starting & sustaining reading groups. Refreshments provided by Southeast & Northeast Library Friends.
Woodridge
Why I Love the book Their Eyes Were Watching God followed by viewing of the film version starring Halle Berry
Wednesday May 2, 6 pm
Location: Woodridge Library, 1801 Hamlin St. NE, at 18th & Rhode Island Ave, 202/541-6226
Actress-playwright Joy Jones explains her Hurston devotion. Refreshments provided by Woodridge Library Friends.
Cleveland Park
Zora Neale Hurston in Context
Saturday May 5, 3:00 pm
Location: Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave., NW, at Macomb St., 202/282-3080
Deborah Macanic, Exhibit Developer at Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, explores Hurston’s era. Tips for starting & sustaining reading groups. Refreshments provided by Cleveland Park Library Friends.
Petworth
Dramatic Readings from Their Eyes Were Watching God
Sunday May 6, 2 pm
Location: Petworth Library, 4200 Kansas Ave, NW, at Georgia & Upshur St., 202/541-6300
Readings and discussion. Tips for starting and sustaining reading groups. Refreshments provided by Petworth Library Friends.
Mt Pleasant
Why We Love Their Eyes Were Watching God
Monday May 7, 6:30 pm
Location: Mount Pleasant Library, 3160 16th St, NW, at Lamont St, 202/671-0200
GWU professor/authors Jennifer James and Gayle Wald explain their Hurston devotion. Tips for starting & sustaining reading groups. Refreshments provided by Mt. Pleasant Library Friends.
Georgetown
Why We Love Their Eyes Were Watching God
Wednesday May 9, 6:30 pm
Location: Georgetown Library, 3260 R St. NW, at Wisconsin Ave, 202/282-0220
GWU professor/authors Jennifer James and Gayle Wald explain their Hurston devotion. Tips for starting and sustaining reading groups. Refreshments provided by Georgetown Library Friends.
West End
Readings and Book Club Discussion/Their Eyes were Watching God
Wednesday May 23, 6 pm
Location: West End Library, 2nd Fl Mtg Rm, 1101 24th St. NW, at L St. NW, 202/724-8707
The West End Library hosts its own and other book clubs for selected readings by actor Lynn-Jane Foreman, and a discussion by educators on African-American studies. Also, tips for starting & sustaining reading groups. Refreshments provided by West End Library Friends.
These events are part of The Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.