PASA's Big Read Acadiana Project
Big Read Acadiana: Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God
March-April 2008
Big Read Acadiana is an initiative of the National Endowment of the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment.
This project includes the commissioning of a full length original play by playwright John Patrick Bray inspired by Zora Neale Hurston's works and other artistic contributions of the Harlem Renaissance, 22 book discussions spread through five of the eight parishes that make up Acadiana, six movie showings of the Emmy Nominated Film, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and four art exhibits inspired by Hurston's works and the Harlem Renaissance featuring elementary through college age students' work.
Lucy Hurston, autobiographer and niece of author Zora Neale Hurston, will be part of project activities as a guest lecturer at Iberia Parish Library and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Current Activity Locations include: Acadiana Center for the Arts, University of Louisiana, Prarie Elementary School, Evangeline Elementary School, Milton Elementary School, Cite des Arts, Barnes and Noble,Allen Parish Library, St. Mary Public Library, Lafayette Public Library, Iberia Public Library, Opelousas Senior High School, and Northside High School, Sophia's Circle. South Louisiana Community College, and VITA.
Partners in the project include: The Acadiana Arts Council, Lafayette Public Libraries, The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Cite des Arts, and Barnes and Noble Booksellers.
Big Read Acadiana thankfully acknowledges the support of its sponsors: Evangeline Downs, The Pinhook Family Foundation, Fugro Chance and The Daily Advertiser.
Visual Art Exhibit
Artists and Architecture Gallery
200 Jefferson Street
Lafayette, La
Freshman students from U.L's Architecture and Design departments will display 3-D portraits they have created of Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God" main character Janie.The portraits were created after students read selected passages from the novel.
02/27/2008 - Wednesday
6:30 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Lafayette Public Library Meeting Room, Lafayette, La 70501
Book discussion and presentation of "Their Eyes Were Watching God" led by U.L. Professor Mary Ann Wilson
03/19/2008 - Wednesday
Acadiana Big Read Kick-Off
Location: Acadiana Center for the Arts, Lafayette, La
"The Big Read" comes to southwest Louisiana! Join PASA in kicking off a multiparish literacy celebration. One book, one community, all of Acadiana!
01/16/2008 – 05/09/2008
Book Immersion
Location: The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, La 70504
The U.L. English, History and Visual Arts colleges will be incorporating "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and other Zora Neale Hurston Works into their spring 2008 courses. Students will study the novel and participate in class and community discussions. Visual art students will create original art/sculpture that will be made available later this spring for public display
01/07/2008 – 5/9/2008
Book Immersion
Location: Opelousas Senior High School, Opelousas, La 70571
Opelousas High School is incorporating "Their Eyes Were Watching God" into their English Curriculum. The Art department will be creating original art inspired by the novel and the Harlem Renaissance.
01/07/2008 – 5/9/2008
Book Immersion
Location: Northside High School, Lafayette, La 70501
Northside High English Department will immerse "Their Eyes Were Watching God" into their curriculum as part of Big Read activities.
01/21/2008 - -5/9/2008
Musical Compositions Immersion Program
Location: Milton Elementary, Evangeline Elementary, Prairie Elementary Schools, Lafayette, Milton, La 70507,70558
Teachers and artists participating in the Musical Compositions program begin teaching students using inspired art and literature of Zora Neale Hurston and the Harlem Renaissance.
VITA reads Hurston's works
VITA Offices
905 Jefferson Street Suite 404
Volunteer Instructors Teaching Adults (VITA) students are taking part in the community wide discussion of the works of Zora Neale Hurston, Harlem Renaissance writer who is the focus of The Big Read project. Their discussion will include a timeline of the author's life and career, They will also read and listen to the short story, "Drenched in the Light" and view a video of the novel, "Their Eyes Were Watching God". For more information please call, 234-4600.
02/27/2008-Wednesday
6:30 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Lafayette Public Library Meeting Room, Lafayette, La 70501
"Hearing Black Women's Voices in Their Eyes Were Watching God"-a lecture by Mary Ann Wilson, Professor of English, UL Lafayette. Co-sponsored by the Lafayette Chapter of A.A.U.W
02/27/2008-Wednesday
2:00 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Greenhouse Senior Center, Lafayette, La 70501
This discussion is geared towards senior citizens age 55+. Participants will discuss Zora Neale Hurston's, "Their Eyes Were Watching God".
03/18/2008-Tuesday
2:00 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Greenhouse Senior Center, Lafayette, La 70501
This discussion is geared towards senior citizens age 55+. Participants will discuss Zora Neale Hurston's, "Their Eyes Were Watching God".
03/19/2008-Wednesday
5:30 pm
Big Read Kick Off Event
Acadiana Center for the Arts
"The Big Read" comes to southwest Louisiana! Join PASA in kicking off a multiparish literacy celebration. One book, one community, all of Acadiana!
03/25/2008 - Tuesday
10:30 am
Story time with Sherry Broussard
Location: Lafayette Public Library North Regional Branch, Lafayette, La 70501
Local storyteller Sherry Broussard will entertain ages 7 and up with "When Zora was a Girl" an imaginative storytelling program
Sophia's Circle
Location: 108 W. Congress Street
Sophia's Circle an organization dedicated to the personal and spirtual growth of women will showcase a book discussion on the master literary work of Zora Neale Hurston's, "Their Eyes Were Watching God." This discussion will be facilitated by Melanie Lewis, Director of Community Development for the city of Lafayette.
03/26/2008 - Wednesday
10:30 am
Storytime with Sherry Broussard
Location: Lafayette Public Library-main, Lafayette, La 70501
Storyteller Sherry T. Broussard will entertain ages 7 and up with "When Zora Was a Girl" an imaginative storytelling program.
6:30 p.m.
The Downtown Book of the Month Club
Location: Lafayette Public Library-main branch, Lafayette, La 70501
The local downtown book of the month club will discuss "Their Eyes Were Watching God."
03/27/2008-Tuesday
5:00 pm
Patterson Book Club Meeting
Location: St. Mary Parish Library, Patterson, La 70393
Patterson Book Club meeting. Discussion of “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston. This discussion will be led by Nicholls State University professor Dr. Robert Alexander.
03/27/2008-Tuesday
6:00 pm
Book Discussion
Allen Parish Library-Kinder Branch
Join the Allen Parish Library in Kinder for their discussion of Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God." Dr. Delma Porter from McNeese State University will lead the discussion.
03/27/2008-Tuesday
5:30 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Barnes and Noble Booksellers, Lafayette, La 70508
Book Discussion of "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston.
6:00 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Barnes and Noble Bookstore, Lafayette, La 70508
Book Discussion of "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston.
04/01/2008-Tuesday
2:00 pm
Book Discussion
The Greenhouse Book Club
Location: Greenhouse Senior Center, Lafayette, La 70501
The Greenhouse Book Club will discuss "Their Eyes Were Watching God." Open to persons 55 and older. To pre-register, call 261-5789
04/01/2008-Tuesday
Visual Art Fashion Show
Acadiana Center for the Arts
101 E. Vermilion Street
Lafayette, La
First year design students from U.L's Architecture and Design departments will model orginal fashion pieces they created after reading selected passages from Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God." This is part of the Festival of the Arts kick-off event, please go to www.arts.louisana.edu for more information about this festival.
6:00 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Allen Parish Library-Oberlin Branch, Oberlin, La
Join the Allen Parish Library in Oberlin for their discussion of Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God. "Dr. Delma Porter from McNeese State University will lead the discussion.
04/02/2008 - Wednesday
5:30 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Iberia Parish Library-Main, New Iberia, La 70560
Book Discussion of "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston.
04/03/2008 - Thursday
10:30 am
Teacakes and Talk
Location: Lafayette Public Library-North Regional, Carencro, La 70520
"Teacakes and Talk": a moderated book discussion. For more information, call 896-6323.
04/08/2008 – Tuesday
4:00 pm
Novel-T Book Club Discussion
Location: Lafayette Public Library Meeting Room, Lafayette, La 70501
Novel-T Book Club which is a book club for teens will be holding a discussion of the 1928 essay by Zora Neale Hurston titled "How it feels to be Colored me." For more information call 261-5787.
04/08/2008 – Tuesday
6:30 pm
Film Discussion
Location: Lafayette Public Library -North Regional, Lafayette, La 70501
View the movie, "Their Eyes Were Watching God, starring Halle Berry. Rated TV-14
6:00 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Iberia Parish Library-main, New Iberia, La 70560
Book Discussion of "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston. This discussion will be led by South Louisiana Community College's Dr. Danny Smith.
04/09/2008 - Wednesday
5:00 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Iberia Parish Library-main, New Iberia, La 70560
Book Discussion of "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston.
04/09/2008 - Wednesday
6:30 pm
The Women’s Reading Group Book Discussion
Location: Lafayette Public Library-main, Lafayette, La 70501
The Women's Reading Group will discuss "Their Eyes Were Watching God." For more info, call 261-5789.
04/10/2008 - Thursday
10:30 am
Film Discussion
Location: Lafayette Public Library -North Regional, Lafayette, La 70501
View the movie, "Their Eyes Were Watching God, starring Halle Berry. Rated TV-14
04/15/2008 - Tuesday
9:00 am
"Their Eyes Were Watching God" Northside High School project discussion
Location: Bayou Bijou-U.L. Lafayette, Lafayette, La 70504
High school students from Northside High will be on the U.L. campus discussing the Big Read novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston and learning about how the Big Read project connects art, theatre and literature to create a truly unique experience in Acadiana.
11:00 am
Brown Bag @ The Library
Location: Lafayette Public Library Meeting Room, Lafayette, La
Bring a brown bag lunch and join your friends at the Lafayette Public Library in watching the film "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston.
2:00 pm
The Greenhouse Book Club
Location: Greenhouse Senior Center, Lafayette, La 70501
The Greenhouse Book Club will discuss "Their Eyes Were Watching God." Open to persons 55 and older. To pre-register, call 261-5789
5:30 p.m
Africa Diaspora Heritage Committe.
Barnes and Noble Booksellers
"Images of the Diaspora in Their Eyes Were Watching God." by Zora Neale Hurston. A panel discussion featuring local high school students. This event is part of the Africa Diaspora Heritage Celebration.
04/16/2008 - Wednesday
6:30 pm
Author talk by Lucy Anne Hurston
Location: Iberia Parish Library-St. Peter street branch, New Iberia, La 70560
Author Lucy Anne Hurston, niece of Zora Neale Hurston will be discussing Zora's life and work as an author, and folklorist.
7 p.m.
Film Showing
Bayou Bijou Theater
Location: U.L. Student Union, Lafayette, La 70504
Film showing of the Emmy nominated Film "Their Eyes Were Watching God." Starring Academy Award Winner Halle Berry. Rated TV-14.
04/17/2008 - Tuesday
5:00 pm
Film Discussion
Location: St. Mary Parish Library, Franklin, La 70514
Film showing of the movie Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. Dr. Robert Alexander of Nicholls University will lead a post film discussion.
04/17/2008 - Thursday
11:00 am
Brown Bag @ The Library
Location: Lafayette Public Library Meeting Room, Lafayette, La
Bring a brown bag lunch and join your friends at the Lafayette Public Library in watching the film "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston
04/17/2008 - Thursday
2:30 pm
Author talk by Lucy Anne Hurston
Location: University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, La 70504
Author Lucy Anne Hurston, niece and biographer of Zora Neale Hurston will be doing a lecture about Zora's life and work as an author, and folklorist. She will also be a featured panelist in a discussion immediately following her lecture.
04/17/2008 – 04/26/2008
7:30 pm
"The Renaissance of Zora, the collective" A play
Location: Cite' des Arts, Lafayette, La 70501
A new play from local playwright John Patrick Bray. The Zora Neale Collective: Works Inspired by the Life and Myth of Zora Neale Hurston, featuring a new play by John Patrick Bray which will take audiences on a journey through theater poetry art and dance.
4/18/2008 - Friday
8:00 a.m.
Africa Diaspora Heritage Committe
Location: Southern Development Foundation 1006 Surrey Street, Lafayette
"Swapping Tales: A Discussion of South Louisiana Folk Tradition and Zora Neale Hurston's fieldwork with Lucy Anne Hurston". The discussion will involve an exploration of the perceptions, myths, and realities of African Americans in this region. Community members will explore Zora Neale Hurston's interest in African American folk traditions and beliefs and their present status in Acadiana. Lucy Anne Hurston will have the opportunity to dialogue with a diverse cross section of the community regarding her interest in and her aunt's fieldwork on the unique cultural traditions of this region. This event is part of the Africa Diaspora Heritage Celebration Week.
04/30/2008 - Wednesday
6:30 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Lafayette Public Library-main, Lafayette 70501
The Downtown Book of the Month Club will discuss "Their Eyes Were Watching God"
Visual Art Exhibit
April 26, 2008-August 31, 2008
Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum
710 E. St. Mary Blvd
Lafayette, La
Freshman students from U.L's Architecture and Design departments will exhibit 3-D portraits they have created of Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God" main character Janie. The portraits were created after students read selected passages from the novel. Please call 337.482.2278 for more information.
Special thanks to the National Endowment for the Arts, the Pinhook Foundation, Fugro Chance, and Evangeline Downs for their support of this project.