Join the Bronx Council of the Arts (BCA) for their kick-off celebration of The Big Read in the Bronx 2012 on Wednesday, April 25, from 6:00-7:00pm, at BCA’s future Westchester Square headquarters at 2700 East Tremont Avenue on the corner of St. Raymond’s Avenue. It is easily accessible by the #6 train and the BX 8, 31, 40, and 42 buses. Click here for directions.
Join author Dahlma Llanos-Figeroa (Big Read 2012 Ambassador) and actress Dalia Davi, along with members and leaders of the community, Bronx celebrities, and elected officials as we read excerpts from Julia Alvarez’s novel In The Time of Butterflies. Admission is free, all are welcome and free copies of the book will be given to all.
In the Time of the Butterflies is Julia Alvarez’s historical novel about the four Mirabal sisters who made a political commitment to overthrow the political regime of dictator Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic.
All Big Read in the Bronx 2012 events are free and open to the public. Tentatively scheduled events include:
Wednesday, April 25th (6:00-7:30pm): Kick-off for the Big Read in the Bronx celebrating Julia Alvarez’s In the Time of the Butterflies. Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa, Molly Rokasy, Dahlia Davi and other public figures get the reading of In the Time of the Butterflies started. Free books provided.
Location: Bronx Council on the Arts at Westchester Square, 2700 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461 (718-931-9500 x21).
Thursday, April 26th (12:30-1:30pm): Poetry Performance: Poem in Your Pocket on the Bronx Council on the Arts’ Facebook, Twitter and website. Read poetry by Julia Alvarez and submit your own “instant” poetry.
Location: Hutchinson Metro Center, 1200 Waters Place, Bronx, NY 10461 (718-518-8600).
Saturday, April 28th (10:00am-5:00pm): The Big Read at BRIO Café Saturday: Artists participate in open mic story-telling and cleansing of the Trujillo-era spirit.
Location: Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street, Bronx, NY 10451 (718-518-6728).
Saturday, April 28th (2:00-3:00pm): Read Aloud of books for kids inspired by the work of Julia Alvarez.
Location: Westchester Square Branch of the New York Public Library, 2521 Glebe Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461 (718-863-0436).
Wednesday, May 2nd (5:30-7:00pm): Butterfly Making at the Longwood Art Gallery. Fran Marino will lead a hands-on workshop on paper-based butterfly making. Book Giveaway: Trolley riders will be entered in an instant raffle for copies of In the Time of the Butterflies.
Location: Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street, Bronx, NY 10451 (718-518-6728).
Friday, May 4th (3:30-5:30pm): Butterfly Making Workshop with Fran Marino. Make and take a paper butterfly pin. Suitable for all ages.
Location: Westchester Square Branch of the New York Public Library, 2521 Glebe Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461 (718-863-0436).
Saturday, May 5th (12:00-5:00pm): New York State Senator Ruth Hassel Thompson and Electric Company actor Dominic Colon lead a Read Aloud of picture books inspired by the work of Julia Alvarez. Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa leads a writing workshop.
Location: Barnes & Noble at Bay Plaza, 290 Baychester Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475 (718-862-3945).
Saturday, May 5th (1:00-3:00pm): Free Movie Screening and discussion of Love in the Time of Cholera as a film adaptation of a beloved book.
Location: Westchester Square Branch of the New York Public Library, 2521 Glebe Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461 (718-863-0436).
Sunday, May 6th (3:00-5:00pm): WordForward at No Longer Empty: The audience votes for the winner of this competition of wordsmiths. Writers, poets and storytellers write and perform on the spot, vying for the prize of WordForward Champion. The Bronx Writers Center, a program of the Bronx Council on the Arts, hosts this entertaining event, as part of its Big Read in the Bronx.
Location: No Longer Empty in the Andrew Freedman Home, 1125 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10452 (718-293-8100).
Wednesday, May 9th (5:00-7:00pm): Poetry Showcase: Dominic Colon hosts this showcase of the poetry and creative work of the youth involved in the Bronx Writers Center after-school workshops.
Location: Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, 928 Simpson Street, Bronx NY 10459 (718-589-2230).
Saturday, May 12th (11:00am-12:30pm): BRIO Writing Series with Derek Lively: “Screenwriting: Film Adaptation.” Part one of a two-part hands-on writing workshop for all writers led by BRIO winner Derek Lively.
Location: Westchester Square Branch of the New York Public Library, 2521 Glebe Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461 (718-863-0436).
Saturday, May 12th (1:00-3:00pm): Film Screening and discussion of The Kite Runner.
Location: Westchester Square Branch of the New York Public Library, 2521 Glebe Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461 (718-863-0436).
Tuesday, May 15th (6:00-8:00pm): Professor Carlos Decena, Associate Professor at Rutgers University, speaks on the role of women in contemporary and Trujillo-era Dominican Republic.
Location: Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street, Bronx, NY 10451 (718-518-6728).
Thursday, May 17th (5:00-7:00pm): Teen Poetry Slam showcasing the talents of teen poets from the Bronx Writers Corps programs and partners.
Location: TBA.
Saturday, May 19th (11:00am-12:30pm): BRIO Writing Series with Derek Lively: “Screenwriting: Film Adaptation.” Part two of a two-part hands-on writing workshop for all writers led by BRIO winner Derek Lively.
Location: Westchester Square Branch of the New York Public Library, 2521 Glebe Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461 (718-863-0436).
Saturday, May 19th (1:00-3:30pm): Film Screening and discussion of In the Time of the Butterflies.
Location: Westchester Square Branch of the New York Public Library, 2521 Glebe Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461 (718-863-0436).
Tuesday, May 22nd (6:00-8:00pm): BRIO Writing Series with poet/performer Urayoan Noel. Poetry winner Urayoan Noel leads a hands-on poetry writing workshop for emerging Bronx poetic voices.
Location: Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street, Bronx, NY 10451 (718-518-6728).
For more information about The Big Read in the Bronx: Contact Maria Romano at 718-931-9500 x21 or maria@bronxarts.org, or visit www.bronxarts.org and click on The Big Read.
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. For more information, visit www.neabigread.org. Additional support for this program is provided by the Scherman Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation, the NYS Council on the Arts, the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, the NYC Department of Small Business Services and Council Member James Vacca.
Phil Cardone, Information Manager
Bronx Council on the Arts
1738 Hone Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461
718-931-9500 x33