THE BIG READ

March 2012

THE BIG READ* is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to revitalize the role of literary reading in American popular culture. JMRL has received a grant from the NEA to provide a BIG READ throughout central Virginia during March 2012.

Creating a Nation of Readers

The Library's goal is to encourage all residents of Central Virginia to read and discuss Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya during this time. There will be many programs discussing the book and the time period.

Check the catalog for Library sources and other books by the author. You can also check the database, WilsonBiographiesPlus, for more information about Rudolfo Anaya.

Rudolfo Anaya's Bless Me, Ultima is about pride and assimilation, faith and doubt. The summer before Antonio Juan Márez y Luna turns seven years old, an old woman comes to live with his family in Guadalupe, New Mexico. This woman-called La Grande or Ultima-is a curandera, a traditional healer feared by many and mysterious to all. With her knowledge of medicinal plants and adoration for the llano (open plains), she uses her magic to aid the community.

Because she served as his midwife, Ultima has a special connection to Antonio. As she teaches him, their bond deepens. Antonio witnesses several tragic events that profoundly shake his understanding of his history and his future. After the murder of Lupito, a soldier recently returned from World War II, Antonio begins to consider sin, death, and the afterlife in earnest.

There is something magical and mystical about Anaya's coming-of-age story in post-World War II New Mexico. The novel presents a world where everyday life is still full of dreams, legends, prayers, and folkways. learn more

CONTESTS

Submit a video to YouTube about THE BIG READ and Bless Me, Ultima. Judges’ choice prize is a $250 gift certificate, viewers’ choice prize is a $100 gift certificate. Submission deadline: Sunday, March 25. Vote for the viewers’ choice prize on facebook.com/jmrlbigread through March 30. Contest rules and further details (PDF).

CHILE PEPPER COOK-OFF
Sat, March 3, 3:00pm
Central Library
Since BLESS ME, ULTIMA takes place in New Mexico and southwestern cooking is a big part of Antonio's family, having a CHILE PEPPER COOK-OFF seems like a fun event to be held as part of THE BIG READ. Share your green or red chile salsa with the JMRL community in this delicious contest. The top three entries will receive gift certificates to Foods of all Nations. To enter, please email bigread@jmrl.org Contest rules and further details(PDF).

ONLINE DISCUSSION

Participate in an online discussion of BLESS ME, ULTIMA using the NowComment website Whenever it's convenient for you, share your thoughts and questions with fellow readers to create a rich community conversation.

FAMILY PROGRAMS

Gordon Avenue Library: Sat, Mar 10, 2pm
SPANISH IN MOTION
Ali Sullivan and Ralph, The Dog from "Hey Kids, Let’s Speak Spanish" will be here to share some stories, songs, and fun. Maybe along the way you can help Ralph learn some words in Spanish. For ages 2 and up.
Northside Library: Sat, Mar 17, 10:30am
FAMILY FUN
Join us for 45 minutes of stories, crafts and a bilingual puppet show based on the children's books by Rudolfo Anaya. Call 434.973.7893 to register starting March 1.
Gordon Avenue Library: Tues, Mar 20, 4pm CANCELED
TORTILLA TALK
We will share Rudolfo Anaya’s picture book The First Tortilla and some other tortilla poems, tales, and activities. Registration is required; please call Gordon Avenue Library at 434.296.5544 starting March 6 to sign up. For ages 6 and up.
Louisa Library: Sat, Mar 31, 2pm
STORYTELLER RON JONES
Come see Ron Jones tell Native-American and Hispanic folklore tales from the region of Bless Me, Ultima. If we are lucky he may bring his guitar. For all ages.

EXHIBIT

FIRST FRIDAYS ART EXHIBIT
Fri, March 2 - 5:00-7:00pm
Central Library: 3rd floor
The "Beyond the Bars Art Exhibit" had to be cancelled. There will now be an exhibit of 'Firsts" painted by the late local folk artist Frances Brand. This is part of Celebrate!250. The "Firsts" are portraits of local personages from every walk of life. Some were indeed "firsts" -- first Black mayor of Charlottesville, first woman to be admitted to the University, first woman priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. Others were the first in their family, neighborhood or community to accomplish an academic or career goal that, while perhaps not monumental in the Grand Sweep of Things, were nonetheless important milestones for the people involved. On March 2 Nancy O'Brien and Virginia Daugherty will give a presentation about the collection. more information This exhibit will be up until the end of March.

MEDIA EVENTS

FROM CURANDERA TO CHUPACABRA
Sunday, March 25, 4:30 pm
"From Curandera to Chupacabra: The Stories of Rudolfo Anaya," the excellent documentary produced by New Mexico's PBS station KNME. Runtime 26 minutes. Available for viewing online

WINA: LIVE INTERVIEW WITH RUDOLFO ANAYA
Tune into WINA AM 1070 live to hear an interview with Rudolfo Anaya in March, or check the WINA website to listen to a podcast of the conversation at your convenience.

INSIDE NONPROFITS with ANDREA COPELAND
Andrea interviews John Halliday, JMRL director, about the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library. She also talks to Sarah Hamfeldt, Young Adult Librarian at the Northside Library about the importance of THE BIG READ.

For questions or if you would like to participate in some way please contact: bigread@jmrl.org

The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.
THE BIG READ is supported by the Art and Jane Hess Fund of the Library Endowment