What’s Happening?
Big Events for a ‘Big Read’ Cars, dances, jazz, lectures and—of course— one great book are at the center of this year’s Great Read events.
The Topeka Shawnee County Public Library brings the glitz and glamour of the 1920s to town for this year’s Big Read. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is the center of a community effort to encourage reading, a habit on the decline. “We’re trying to turn around that trend and raise awareness that reading is a good leisure time activity,” explains Lisa Coble-Krings from the library’s media office.
At a slim 200 pages, the book is short and widely appealing. It deals with the super-rich dabbling in dreams of glamour and money. Since there are a lot of adult themes in the book, younger readers are encouraged to pick up the title Wonderstruck, also set in the Roaring ’20s. The library will host a variety of nonreading events and discussion groups to get people excited about the book. Events start February 1 and go through March 2; a full listing of events will be posted at the library and through the library’s websites, but here is a sampling from the Gatsby-filled month.
Art and Culture: A self-guided tour of art and ABOVE Randy Austin will participate in a classic cars display that is part of this year’s Great Read program on The Great Gatsby.
Story by Karen Ridder
Photography by Bill Stephens
She writes for a variety of publications, including the state’s official travel blog, www.travelks.com.
architecture gives readers an excuse to get out and about. It features Art Deco architecture from the Gilded Era in Topeka and Shawnee County. Car lovers will also enjoy a display of classic cars from the 1920s on display at the Fairlawn Plaza Mall throughout the month. Also featured at the mall is 1920s-themed art
work from local artists.
Music: Three big music events feature local and regional jazz musicians. KC vocalist Angela Hagenbach performs with her own book club in costume February 24 at the library. Local high school jazz bands and dance teams rule over a dance party at the Great Overland Station on March 1, and on the following day the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site will feature a live performance by Kansas City Jazz performer Queen Bey.
Talk: The keynote speaker for this year’s Big Read is Kirk Curnutt. The expert on Fitzgerald’s life and works will talk at 1 p.m. February 17 in the library’s Marvin Auditorium about American culture during the time of The Great Gatsby. Several other discussion groups will be hosted during the month at bars and restaurants throughout the county.
TOPEKAMAGAZINE
Winter ’ 12
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