Amazement Square is kicking off a community-wide reading event this weekend.
The Big Read, which is being hosted by the museum and the Lynchburg Public Library, is an initiative designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. It provides citizens with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their communities through a series of programs.
Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451,” which is about a future world where books are burned and critical thought is outlawed, is on tap for Lynchburg. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Big Read Lynchburg Kick-Off Carnival. More events continue through Nov. 13.
“The idea behind this isn’t just to read,” Rebecca Grawl, the museum’s exhibitions and program coordinator said. “It’s to read the same book, to open up dialogue with your neighbors.”
The carnival will feature old-fashioned games like a three-legged race, hula-hoop contest, balloon toss and potato sack race, as well as a book fair, jugglers, arts and crafts, storytellers, inflatables and free “Fahrenheit 451” goodies.
The band Two of a Kind will perform at 1 and 3 p.m., and will hold a workshop at 2 p.m. for aspiring songwriters.
“The carnival is a small taste of what the programming will be like,” Grawl said in a news release.
“We’re laying the groundwork for what we hope will become a major annual community event.”
More highlights of the Big Read include:
-- A screening of the 1966 film adaptation of the novel, with a brief introduction by local film historian Jennifer Gauthier. 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at Amazement Square. Subsequent showings are scheduled for 1 and 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Lynchburg Public Library.
-- The stage adaptation, performed by Heritage High School’s Pioneer Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16-18 and 2 p.m. Oct. 19
-- “Creative Innovations,” a juried art show exploring future technology. Opening event at 6 p.m. Oct. 23 at Amazement Square
-- “Censorship in Art and Literature,” a student-moderated panel discussion hosted by the Maier Museum of Art and Randolph College. 2 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Maier.
-- Daddy Bim’s F451 Supper Club. 5 p.m. Oct. 28 and 29 at Daddy Bim’s Barbeque.
-- F451 Poetry Slam!, which will explore the poetry of Bradbury’s novel with young poets. 6 p.m. Nov. 6 at Amazement Square.
-- “A Night of Ray Bradbury,” a discussion of Bradbury’s work, led by scholar Jim Cox. A screening of the film will follow. 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at Lynchburg College.
-- A series of book discussions held all over town. For the complete listing of those locations, visit www.bigreadlynchburg.com.
“The themes of censorship and technology in the book are especially applicable in this day and age,” Grawl said. “We imagine there are going to be some lively discussions and debates.”
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