The Florida Center for the Literary Arts and the Miami-Dade Public Library System join forces to host the fourth consecutive Big Read, a national reading initiative created to restore reading to the center of American culture. 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.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

From February through March 2008, the Center invites everyone to read Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God. Considered the first African-American feminist novel, it set the tone for a new generation of women writers in search of their black identity in the 1960s.

Set in Florida, Their Eyes Were Watching God is the story of Janie Mae Crawford, who tries to break free from the roles assigned to the women of her generation and prove her worth. Take part in discussions and other events that explore this classic’s themes, including oppression and empowerment, and women’s dependence and autonomy during the early part of the 20th century.

Event Highlights:

Bus Trip to Eatonville
Saturday, February 2, 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.
The buses will leave from and arrive at Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. Second Ave., Downtown Miami (in front of Building 1)

Jump onboard The Big Read bus to Eatonville and take part in the Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities, featuring local and national performers, including Peabo Bryson. Or explore the Jump at the Sun exhibit at the Museum of the Arts, highlighting Hurston’s Eatonville roots. The trip will conclude with a visit to the Fort Pierce cemetery for a reading of Alice Walker’s essay, “In Search of Zora,” at Hurston’s grave. Participants are encouraged to bring
a lantern for the visit to the cemetery.

A fee of $30 includes transportation and entry to the ZORA! Festival in Eatonville. Meals are not included. Registration deadline: January 20, 2008. Download registration form here (PDF 114K).

Celebrating the Spunk of Zora Neale Hurston
with dramatic readings from Their Eyes Were Watching God
Monday, February 4
10 a.m. – MDC North Campus, William & Joan Lehman Theatre, 11380 NW 27th Ave., Miami
Watch LIVE from MDC'S North Campus - www.mdc.edu/north/live
10 a.m. – MDC Wolfson Campus, Rm. 2106, 300 N.E. 2nd Ave., Miami
11 a.m. – MDC Hialeah Campus, Rm. 1119, 1780 W. 49th St., Hialeah
11 a.m. – MDC West Campus, 3800 N.W. 115th Ave., Doral

Tuesday, February 5
11:30 a.m. – MDC Inter-American Campus, Rm. 401, 627 S.W. 27th Ave., Miami
12 noon – MDC Medical Center Campus, 950 N.W. 20th St., Miami

Writing After Zora
Friday, February 22, 5 p.m.
Miami-Dade County Main Library, 101 W. Flagler St., Miami

A public conversation with author Edwidge Danticat and Carla Kaplan, author of Zora Neale Hurston: A Life in Letters, and other special guests, on how the newest generation of African-American writers relate to, nurture, respect and cultivate Zora Neale Hurtson’s contribution to the African-American identity.

Renaissance in Harlem
Thursday, March 13, 7:30 p.m.
Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, Room 2106
300 N.E. Second Ave., Downtown Miami

Friday, March 14, 7 p.m.
North Dade Regional Library, 2455 N.W. 183rd St., Miami

A musical performance that recreates the cultural flamboyance of Harlem in the 1930s, with a reading of Zora Neale Hurston’s works. With the participation of Mike Di Liddo, Kitty Oliver and Ed Reardon.

Book Discussions
Book discussions and readings of Their Eyes Were Watching God will take place at all campuses of Miami Dade College, as well as at other locations throughout the city, including at most of the Miami-Dade Public Library branches.

Thursday, February 7
11 a.m. - Golden Glades Branch, 100 N.E. 166th St.

Saturday, February 9
11 a.m. - Coral Reef Branch, 9211 Coral Reef Drive
3 p.m. - W. Kendall Regional, 10201 Hammocks Blvd.

Tuesday, February 12
1:30 p.m. - Homestead Branch, 700 N. Homestead Blvd.Wednesday, February 13
3:30 p.m. - Edison Branch, 531 N.W. 62nd St.
7 p.m. - South Miami Branch, 6000 Sunset Drive

Tuesday, February 19
7 p.m. - Key Biscayne Branch, 299 Crandon Blvd.

Wednesday, February 20
11 a.m. - Naranja Branch, 27050-60 S. Dixie Hwy.
5:30 p.m. - South Shore Branch, 131 Alton Road

Wednesday, February 27
6 p.m. - North Dade Regional, 2455 N.W. 183rd Street

Sponsored by: