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NEA Big Read: Heart of Virginia: Event Narratives

All events for the NEA Big Read are free and open to the public.  Some events are more appropriate for adult age audiences and are indicated in the event narrative.  

Event

When

Where

Information

NEA Big Read: Heart of Virginia Kickoff

April 6
11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Farmville Community Marketplace

Join us as we kick off our month of events for the NEA Big Read: Heart of Virginia!  This event will feature mascots from area schools, food trucks, music, local artisans, and more.  Free copies of Burning Bright will be distributed 

Sponsored by Real Living Cornerstone Navona Hart.

Poetry Contest Begins April 8
 
Farmville Branch Library

Calling all poets ages 15 and older.  Enter the NEA Big Read: Heart of Virginia poetry contest!

All poems must be submitted to the Farmville Library (1303 W. Third St. Farmville, VA 23901) or to the Buckingham Library (1140 Main St. Dillwyn, VA 23936) in order to be entered into the contest.  Each poem should be printed on a separate page, and no more than two poems per person.  Total submission not to exceed two pages.  Poems must be appropriate for public distribution.   Judging of the poems will take place between Saturday, April 20th and Wednesday, April 24th.

The Friends of the Barbara Rose Johns Farmville/Prince Edward Community Library donated money for prizes:
1st Place: $100 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble
2nd Place: $50 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble
3rd Place: $25 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble
 

Winners announced April 25th, 2019.  Only one prize per entrant.

Book Discussion: Burning Bright & Cocktails

April 9
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

 

Hotel Weyanoke

Campagna

Grab a copy of Burning Bright and join us for a discussion.  Discussion topics will vary.

A tapas menu and signature cocktails will be available for purchase.

Book Discussion

April 10
12:15 pm - 1:00 pm

WFLO 

Live on air, 870 AM

Join us for an on-air book discussion.  Listeners who want to participate in the conversation should call 434-392-8881 or toll-free 1-800-825-5356.  Or participate through Twitter, using #HOVReads

 

Book Discussion

April 11
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Hampden-Sydney Library

Grab a copy of Burning Bright and join us for a discussion.  Discussion topics will vary.

Book Discussion 

April 11

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm 

WMLU: Keeping it Blunt Join us for an on-air book discussion.  Participate through Twitter, using #HOVReads

Film Screening:

World Made Straight 

April 12
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm 

Hampden-Sydney

Brown Student Center, 208

A rebellious young man (Jeremy Irvine) struggles to escape from the violent legacy of an Appalachian community still haunted by a Civil War massacre.  This film is appropriate for adult audiences.
Family Event: Jack Tales Storytellers

April 13
3:00 pm 

Farmville Branch Library 

The Jack Tale Storytellers, R. Rex Stephenson, Jody D. Brown, and Kristina Stump, employ time-honored storytelling techniques intermixed with creative dramatic practices to involve the audience in this important element of American culture.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Barbara Rose Johns Farmville/Prince Edward Community Library.

Book Discussion

April 15
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm 

Moton Museum Grab a copy of Burning Bright and join us for a discussion.  Discussion topics will vary.
Book Discussion

April 16
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Longwood University Bookstore Grab a copy of Burning Bright and join us for a discussion.  Discussion topics will vary.
Book Discussion

April 16
3:30 pm -4:30 pm 

Longwood University Upchurch 100D, Cabaret Lounge Grab a copy of Burning Bright and join us for a discussion.  Discussion topics will vary.
Book Discussion

April 17
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm 

Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce Grab a copy of Burning Bright and join us for a discussion.  Discussion topics will vary.
Book Discussion

April 17
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm 

The Law Office of Terri Atkins Wilson Grab a copy of Burning Bright and join us for a discussion.  Discussion topics will vary.
Book Discussion

April 18

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Brookview Assisted Living

Second Floor Gathering Room. Enter at the Watson Memory Care Entrance

Grab a copy of Burning Bright and join us for a discussion.  Discussion topics will vary.
Book Discussion: Books & Brews 

April 18
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Third Street Brewing Grab a copy of Burning Bright and join us for a discussion.  Discussion topics will vary.  Beer token door prizes!
Deadline for Poetry Submissions

April 19
by 5:00 pm

Farmville Branch Library  Sponsored by the Friends of the Barbara Rose Johns Farmville/Prince Edward Community Library.
Writing Your Story and Why It Matters, with Mary Carroll-Hackett

April 20
10:00 am - 11:30 am

Longwood University  Upchurch 302: House Room

A brief Introduction to the craft of writing fiction and creative nonfiction, including writing prompts, exercises, and takeaways to get you started on the story you want or need to tell. 

Registration Required and limited: https://longwood.libcal.com/event/5158542

NEA Big Read: Heart of Virginia Keynote, with Ron Rash

Reception to follow

 

April 23
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

 

Reception 8:00-9:00 pm 

Longwood University 

Keynote - Jarman Auditorium

Reception & Book Signing - Ruffner Rotunda

The author of Burning Bright, Ron Rash, will discuss his book and the greater cultural impact of the included stories. Join us for discussion, reception, and book signing. 

Bring your copy, or pick one up at the reception/ Book signing.

A Staged Reading of Selected Stories from Burning Bright, with the Waterworks Players

April 24
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Prince Edward County High School Auditorium The Waterworks Players present a staged reading of selected stories from Burning Bright. This event is appropriate for adult audiences.
American Acoustic Music Series: A Chat with Che Apalache

April 24

7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Hampden-Sydney College

Crawley Forum

Che Apalache is a four-man string band based in Buenos Aires with members from Argentina, Mexico and the United States. The group’s founder is Joe Troop (fiddle), a North Carolinian multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and composer who moved to Argentina in 2010. While patiently carving out a niche in the local music scene, Joe taught bluegrass and old-time music for a living. That’s how he met Pau Barjau (banjo), Franco Martino (guitar) and Martin Bobrik (mandolin), his most dedicated students. They quickly became picking buddies and in 2013 decided to hit the stage.

Che Apalache began as a bluegrass band, but eventually incorporated Latin American styles into their repetoire. Combining instrumental prowess with tight vocal harmonies, they have created an authentic blend of genres to reflect the nature of their lives.  Presented by the Hampden-Sydney College Department of Fine Arts.

Book Discussion

April 25
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Virginia Tasting Cellar Grab a copy of Burning Bright and join us for a discussion.  Discussion topics will vary.
American Acoustic Music Series: Che Apalache in Concert

April 25

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Hampden-Sydney College

Tiger Inn 

Please join us for a concert with Che Apalache, a four-man string band based in Buenos Aires with members from Argentina, Mexico and the United States. Che Apalache began as a bluegrass band, but eventually incorporated Latin American styles into their repertoire. Combining instrumental prowess with tight vocal harmonies, they have created an authentic blend of genres to reflect the nature of their lives. The concert is free and open to the public; no tickets required.  Presented by the Hampden-Sydney College Department of Fine Arts.

A Staged Reading of Selected Stories from Burning Bright, with the Waterworks Players

April 25

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Brookview Assisted Living, Varner Hall The Waterworks Players present a staged reading of selected stories from Burning Bright. This event is appropriate for adult audiences.
Announcement of Poetry Contest Winners April 25 Farmville Branch Library  Sponsored by the Friends of the Barbara Rose Johns Farmville/Prince Edward Community Library.
A Staged Reading of Selected Stories from Burning Bright, with the Waterworks Players

April 26

7:00 - 8:00 pm

Longwood University 

Blackwell Ballroom

The Waterworks Players present a staged reading of selected stories from Burning Bright. This event is appropriate for adult audiences.
Book Discussion

April 27
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Farmville Branch Library Grab a copy of Burning Bright and join us for a discussion.  Discussion topics will vary.
Art After Dark with Eldridge Bagley

April 29
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

 

Longwood Center for the Visual Arts

Join The Longwood Center for the Visual Arts and The Greenwood Library on Monday, April 29th  at 6:00 pm at the LCVA for a discussion with Virginia folk artist Eldridge Bagley. Bagley’s nostalgic and picturesque paintings capture his own experiences of growing up as a tobacco farmer in rural Southside Virginia. This talk will explore the evolution of his artistic practice in his own words.

Refreshments will be served and this event is free and open to the public. All LCVA exhibitions and programs are made possible through the generous support of the Wells-Fargo Foundation, Walter J. Payne Foundation, Anne Carter & Walter R. Robbins, Jr. Foundation, and the E.B. Duff Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, and Helton House.

A Panel Discussion on the Opioid Epidemic

April 30
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Longwood University

Hull 132

Join us for a panel discussion on America's opioid crisis.  Panelists include Dr. Kevin Doyle, Dr. Connie Koski, Erin Cole, and Curtis Stowers.
Book Discussion

May 1
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm 

Longwood Speech, Hearing and Learning Services, Room 112 Grab a copy of Burning Bright and joins us for a discussion.  Discussion topics will vary. 
Book Discussion

May 1
7:00 pm- 8:00 pm 

Hampden-Sydney 

Tiger Inn, Brown Student Center 

Grab a copy of Burning Bright and join us for a discussion.  Discussion topics will vary.
Film Screening: Serena 

May 2
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Longwood University 

Bedford 111

In Depression-era North Carolina, the barren wife (Jennifer Lawrence) of an ambitious timber baron (Bradley Cooper) sets out to murder the woman who bore her husband an illegitimate son.  This event is appropriate for adult audiences
NEA Big Read Finale

May 4
 

Heart of Virginia Festival

Downtown Farmville

Find us at the Heart of Virginia Festival as we conclude our NEA Big Read: Heart of Virginia programming.
       

Book Discussions

There will be 16 book discussions in various community locations around the Farmville, Virginia area.  Each discussion will be approximately an hour long. 

NEA Big Read

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