Big Read Program Means Big Events In March, April

By Carole Goldberg, The Hartford Courant, Conn.

Mar. 2–Though a classic American novel is at its heart, the Big Read is about more than reading.

To spur interest among Hartford area residents in this spring’s Big Read choice, “The Maltese Falcon” by Dashiell Hammett, there will be 170 free events held in the Capital Region at 48 locations in March and April, presented by the Hartford Public Library with the help of 20 libraries and the support of the National Endowment for the Arts, which runs Big Read programs nationwide. The Big Read aims to foster reading by focusing on a classic American novel.

Hammett’s 1929 noir mystery, which became a film in 1941 directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart as the iconic private eye, Sam Spade, has long been hailed as a model of the “hardboiled detective” novel. To add to the pleasure of reading it, The Big Read will present talks by authors, books discussions and writing workshops; an art exhibit; a noir film festival; dance, theater and music programs; and many programs aimed at kids and teens.

Here is a selection of the Big Read events. All are free and most will be held at the Downtown Library, 500 Main St., Hartford, except as noted below. For complete information on programs for adults, children and teens, call 860-695-6295 or visit www.hplct.org/bigread.

ART:

–The Big Read begins today with a reception at 1 p.m. for the photography exhibit, “In the Shadows of Hartford,” which features black-and-white images inspired by the book. The exhibit ends May 31.

TALKS AND WORKSHOPS:

–Author Phillip Margolin, who has written a dozen New York Times best-sellers, will discuss how he gets his ideas and what he likes about “The Maltese Falcon” on March 14 at 7 p.m.

–Margolin tells “How To Write Thrillers in your Spare Time for Fun and Profit” on March 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Register online at www.hplct.org/calendar or call 860-695-6324.

–Steven Torres, author of the “Precinct Puerto Rico” mystery series and “The Concrete Maze,” talks about his writing process and career on March 29 at p.m.

–Grace Edwards of the Harlem Writers Guild, author of the Harlem-based Mali Anderson Mystery series, explains how to construct believable characters and engrossing plots at a workshop Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Albany Branch Library, 1250 Albany Ave. Register online at www.hplct.org/calendar or call 860-695-6324.

–Book reviewer and mystery writer Hallie Ephron teaches effective ways of using description, movement and dialogue on March 22 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Register online at www.hplct.org/calendar or call 860-695-6324.

–Three mystery series writers from Connecticut — Chris Knopf, Karen Olson and Mary-Ann Tirone Smith — speak at a panel led by Virginia Hale on March 26 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

–Discussions of “The Maltese Falcon” will be held at the downtown and neighborhood branches during March. For the full schedule, call your local branch or the downtown library or visit www.hplct.org.

FILM NOIR FESTIVAL: Jeanine Basinger, film historian and professor of film studies at Wesleyan University, will explain how noir films use cinematic form and narrative structure. She speaks March 29 at 1 p.m.

–Six noir films will be shown: Saturday , 2 p.m.: “Double Indemnity” (1944) with Barbara Stanwyck. Wadsworth Atheneum Aetna Theater, 600 Main St., Hartford.

March 9, 1:30 p.m.: “The Maltese Falcon.” (1941) Real Art Ways, 30 Arbor St., Hartford.

March 12, 6:30 p.m.: “Laura” (1944).

March 19, 6:30 p.m.: “The Big Sleep” (1946), with Humphrey Bogart.

March 22, 1 p.m.: “Out of the Past” (1947) with Robert Mitchum, Kirk Douglas and Jane Greer. Park Branch Library, 744 Park St., Hartford.

April 3, 5:30 p.m.: “Nightmare Alley” (1947) with Tyrone Power. Camp Field Branch Library, 30 Campfield Ave., Hartford.

TREASURE HUNT:

–The Big Read Treasure Hunt on March 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will use clues from Hartford’s history as players go from one historic treasure to another in downtown Hartford to find the falcon. “Hunt for the Maltese Falcon” playing guides are available at Hartford Public Library or online at www.hplct.org/hhc. Turn in completed playing guides to the Hartford History Center at the downtown library by March 28 to be in a drawing March 29 for a prize. Information, 860-695-6347.

TRIVIA CONTEST:

–Join Hartford Public Library staff for the Big Read Mystery Trivia Contest at the Half Door Pub, 270 Sisson Ave., Hartford, March 12, 7:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded.

DANCE:

–Learn Big Band Era dances such as the Lindy hop and jitterbug in a five-week course on Thursdays at 6 p.m. from March 6 to April 4. It ends April 6 with a dance party with live music by Fred Smith. Register online at www.hplct.org/calendar or call 860-695-6295.

BABY GRAND JAZZ:

–Piano music concerts from 3 to 4 p.m.

Today: Craig Hartley; March 9: Adrian Untermyer; March 16: Chris Bakriges; March 30; Bruce Barth; April 6: Fred Smith and the Masters of Swing Theater –The Freestyle Repertory Theatre improvisational troupe of classically trained actors use teamwork, audience suggestions and volunteers to create scenes and a surprise ending. Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

–”The Maltese Falcon: A Skylight Production” is a readers’ theater performance co-sponsored by HartBeat Ensemble on March 27 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.. Register online at www.hplct.org/calendar or call 860-695-6337.

–Programs for children and teens will include discussions of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries at library branches and a program at the downtown library for ages 9 and up and accompanying adults on April 26 at 2 p.m. with Marilyn Greenwald, author of “Secret of the Hardy Boys, Leslie Mcfarlane & the Stratemeyer Syndicate,” and Norah Perez, daughter of McFarlane and author of young adult novels. Enjoy pizza first at 1 p.m.

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