About All Alexandria Reads
Facilitated by the Alexandria Library, this program is designed to create shared experiences through reading. Everyone is invited to read the featured title and selected books for younger readers. Join the events and discussions that relate to the themes of Big Stone Gap.
About Big Stone Gap
FROM LIBRARY JOURNAL: Ave Maria’s life in Big Stone Gap, VA, is essentially the same as it’s been for all 35 years of her life, but after her mother’s will reveals that the man Ave thought was her father isn’t, she begins to lose hold of her routine. Before long, she’s had two surprise marriage proposals, the clerk at her pharmacy has decided to quit, and her embittered aunt has decided to sue her. In between panic attacks and shouting matches, Ave tries to figure out what all these changes mean in her life.
SIMILAR “READ-ALIKE” BOOKS FOR YOUNGER READERS PICTURE BOOK Louella Mae, She’s Run Away! by Karen Beaumont Alarcón CHAPTER BOOK Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
Library Events BEATLEY CENTRAL
Storywalk
Beginning Italian
Children take a nature walk around our building to get inspiration then make their own small books in which to write their own stories (ages 8+).
5005 DUKE STREET
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, MAY 14 and 28, 7 PM Whether you have a vacation planned or have always wanted to learn, join us for beginning Italian. This is a three week series. Each week will feature a different theme.
Liz Taylor Movie Matinee FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2 PM
Taming of the Shrew (1967 © Columbia Pictures Industries Inc.) NR This movie is based on Shakespeare's comedy about courtship and marriage.
Folk Musician Bruce Hutton SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2 PM
Sing along with Old Time American Folk Musician, Bruce Hutton, as he introduces traditional music of the Southern Appalachians while playing antique and hand-crafted instruments (all ages).
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2 PM
Face Reading
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2 PM The ancient art of face reading was mentioned often in Big Stone Gap. Join Rose Rosetree, an expert on the subject and author of The New Power of Face Reading, for a presentation about reading a person's character and talents from the face.
Mother's Day Tea
SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2 PM Celebrate Mother’s Day with sweet treats and floral fun! Join us for a tea party just for mothers and their children (all ages). Please call 703-746-1751 to register.
Author Talk with Adriana Trigiani TUESDAY, MAY 12, 7 PM
Big Stone Gap author, Adriana Trigiani, joins us via Skype to discuss her book and answer questions.
"Who are the Scots-Irish?" with Bob McLaren
Robot Pigs on the Run!
Join genealogist, Bob McLaren, as he discusses the various groups of Scots in Ireland and the migrations of the Scots-Irish to North America.
In the spirit of spunky pig Louella Mae, we are building our own mini porcine bristle bots with batteries, mini-motors and toothbrush heads, and seeing if they can go the distance (ages 8+).
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 7 PM
Liz Taylor Movie Matinee FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2 PM
National Velvet (1944 © Warner Bros.) G This movie tells the story of a young jockey, a girl and her horse and an attempt to win England's Grand National Sweepstakes.
Rescue Workers Storytime SATURDAY, MAY 9, 11 AM
Learn about rescue workers and other community heroes in this special storytime. Meet local fire fighters and see their truck up close (all ages).
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 7 PM
Ciao! English/Italian Bilingual Preschool Storytime WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 11:30 AM
Join Ms. Gretchen and Mr. Giovanni for a special bilingual preschool storytime in English and Italian. Please arrive early, as space is limited (ages 3-5).
Buddie Ford Nature Center Presents Virginia Animals WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 4 PM
Naturalist Jane Yeingst, from the Jerome Buddie Ford Nature Center, is coming to teach us about Virginia animals. The program features live animals (ages 6+).
Genealogy Program: “Writing Your Family History” with Paul Phelps WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 7 PM
Join Paul Phelps as he discusses techniques for writing your family history.
King Street Bluegrass SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2 PM
Enjoy the music of the Appalachians with a performance from King Street Bluegrass (all ages).
Liz Taylor Movie Matinee FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2 PM
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958 © Warner Bros.) NR Based on the Tennessee Williams play, this movie tells the story of a southern ex-football player, who reconciles with his dying father.
Stories, Songs, and Oinks: A Pig Storytime SATURDAY, MAY 23, 11 AM
Listen to Louella Mae, She’s Run Away!, our All Alexandria Reads picture book selection, as well as other fun pig books. We will sing songs, do fingerplays, and have tons of fun (all ages).
Awesome American Animals SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2 PM
Wildlife Ambassadors will teach us about the animals in our own backyards and how we can help and not hurt our native wildlife. This show features live animals (all ages).
Build a Box Guitar
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 7 PM
3, 2, 1 Blast Off!
Historical Pharmacy
In the 1970s, space exploration soared to new heights! Celebrate these space successes by building your own paper rocket and launching it above the treetops with our special rocket launcher (ages 8+).
Learn the history of Ave Maria’s profession. Kenneth Miller, docent at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum and PhD in Pharmacology, will give a presentation with examples from the collections of the Museum.
Operation Paws for Homes
Italian Wine and Cheese Tasting at Au Domaine
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2 PM
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2 PM
An adopted animal friend can be a wonderful, loving addition to your family. Meet some sweet dogs who are up for adoption, hear stories, and make a cute craft (all ages).
BARRETT BRANCH 717 QUEEN STREET
The Style of Big Stone Gap SATURDAY, MAY 2, 10:30 AM
Join Fashion Historian Deb Fuller for a program on clothing of the 1970s, with models wearing samples from Amalgamated Classic Clothing and Dry Goods.
Dead Men’s Hollow Band SATURDAY, MAY 2, 12 PM
Join us for the unique sound of harmony vocals backed by traditional bluegrass instruments. The group’s repertoire comprises an array of original and traditional music (all ages).
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 5-8 PM
Celebrate Ave Maria’s heritage at Au Domaine Wine Store in Old Town at 802 North Fairfax Street (adults 21+ only).
Alexandria in the 1970s TUESDAY, MAY 26, 7 PM
George Combs, Branch Manager of Special Collections, will discuss photographs of Alexandria in the 70s. See how the landscape of Alexandria has changed.
Face Reading
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2 PM The ancient art of face reading was mentioned often in Big Stone Gap. Join Rose Rosetree, an expert on the subject and author of The New Power of Face Reading, for a presentation about reading a person’s character and talents from the face.
Appalachian Music by Bill Jenkins THURSDAY, MAY 7, 4 PM
Learn about the science of sound, some different types of traditional Appalachian music, and make your own box guitar to take home (ages 8+).
Appalachian music program with American instruments: spoons, washboards, banjos and more! Come and be part of an authentic jug band (ages 3+).
Estate Planning: Taking Action
70s Dance Party
From living wills and trusts to avoiding probate and titling your home, learn how to protect yourself and your family. Call 703-746-1751 to register.
It’s easy as “A-B-C”--come and dance with us to some of the best music of the 1970s. For ages 3 and up, but parents and younger siblings are invited to dance along today.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 7 PM
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 7 PM
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 4 PM
BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS BARRETT BRANCH MONDAY, MAY 11, 7 PM
BURKE BRANCH WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2 PM
DUNCAN BRANCH
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 7 PM
All Alexandria Reads is made possible through a generous grant from the James M. Duncan, Jr. Library Foundation, Inc.
BURKE BRANCH
4701 Seminary Road Knuckle Dusters
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2 PM Scott Spearly, Paul Mackrell and Captain Richard Pryor are the core trio from the band Knuckle Dusters. They perform traditional American fiddle tunes and bluegrass (all ages).
Let’s Build with Legos
MONDAY, MAY 4, 4 PM Use your creativity, imagination and hands to build cool Lego structures. The theme for this session is “Magic Mountains” (ages 6-12).
Tales from the Hills
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2 PM Join native Virginian storyteller, Gary Lloyd, as he spins some Appalachian Folktales for the whole family (all ages).
Remembering the Past of Nicholson Hollow MONDAY, MAY 11, 7 PM
Finding Your Path to College THURSDAY, MAY 21, 7 PM
Are you new to the college process and don’t know where to begin? In this presentation by Patricia Gonzalez, you will learn about the different types of colleges, degree and certificate programs, and what you will need to to begin your journey to academic success.
You Rock!
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2 PM Make your own tissue box guitar and rock out to tunes from the Appalachian region (ages 5-12).
Movie Matinee
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 4 PM O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000 © Buena Vista Pictures) PG-13 In the Deep South during the 1930s, three escaped convicts search for hidden treasure while a relentless lawman pursues them.
Pajama Storytime Read Aloud THURSDAY, MAY 28, 7 PM
DUNCAN BRANCH
2501 Commonwealth Avenue Bill Jenkins: The Roots of America’s Music TUESDAY, MAY 5, 3:30 PM
Join us for a special performance by Bill Jenkins and his amazing collection of musical instruments. Everyone will get to try the instruments and make music together (all ages).
Kids Crafting
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 3:30 PM Create a special craft highlighting themes from our selections. Caregivers are invited to participate with their school-aged child.
Margaret Chatham: Storyteller THURSDAY, MAY 7, 3:30 PM
Storyteller Margaret Chatham invites families to join her for Appalachian Folktales (all ages).
Empowering Women in Finance SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2 PM
Dr. T. Mills Kelly, George Mason University history professor, will present the history of the people expelled from their homes to make way for Shenandoah National Park.
Join us for a read aloud of the All Alexandria Reads picture book: Louella Mae, She’s Run Away!. Story will be followed by a craft activity. Pajamas are optional (ages 3-7 with an adult).
Animal Antics
Genealogy Basics via the Library’s Databases
Join us to choose and then screen one of Elizabeth Taylor’s best movies. Please call 703-746-1781 for more information.
Discover your family history! Join us for a hands-on overview and demonstration of genealogy databases. Please call 703-746-1771 to register.
Jane Dorfman: Storyteller
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 4 PM Join Naturalist Jane Yeingst as she shares fun facts about the amazing animals that live in Virginia (ages 6-12).
Lulu’s Fate
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2 PM Lulu’s Fate performs a mix of music from the Appalachian, and country blues traditions, as well as original tunes and covers (all ages).
Movie Matinee
MONDAY, MAY 18, 4 PM The Hunger Games (2012 © Lionsgate) PG-13 Katniss Everdeen takes her sister’s place in a game in which players fight to the death (Grades 6 and up).
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 10 AM
Peter McCory
Join us for this free financial seminar. Call 703-746-1781 to register.
Elizabeth Taylor Movie Night MONDAY, MAY 11, 6:30 PM
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 3:30 PM Storyteller Jane Dorfman invites families to join her for Appalachian Folktales (all ages).
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2 PM
Explore the Natural World
Peter McCory is well known for his oneman band musical shows for children, but he also enjoys singing and playing folk music that celebrates our country’s rich musical roots.
A naturalist from the Buddie Ford Nature Center will talk about the natural world. This program features live animals (grades K-5).
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 3:30 PM
Sponsors All Alexandria Reads is made possible through a generous grant from the James M. Duncan, Jr. Library Foundation, Inc. Additional sponsors and partners include the Friends of Alexandria Library groups and the following local businesses and organizations:
Questionsto to think about Questions think about while reading Big Stone Gap ¤ How do you think the book would have changed if the setting was today instead of the 1970s? ¤ How does Ave Maria’s name reflect or contradict her character? ¤ Otto has the opportunity to tell Worley the truth about their relationship in person. How would things have been different if Ave Maria’s mother had told her the truth before she died? ¤ Some might think that Ave Maria is unlucky in love. Is that a true statement? If so, how and when does her luck change? ¤ Ave Maria refers to herself in the book as a “spinster.” What are the negative and positive connotations of that status? ¤ Have you ever felt like a foreigner in your own hometown, as Ave Maria did in Big Stone Gap? Why? ¤ Ave Maria takes great comfort in books and in her weekly visits to the bookmobile. Has there been a book in your life that has either changed how you thought about something or comforted you?
AUTHOR TALK WITH ADRIANA TRIGIANI Tuesday, May 12, 2015 7 PM - Beatley Central Big Stone Gap author, Adriana Trigiani, joins us via Skype to discuss her book and answer questions.
VISIT ALEXANDRIA LIBRARY, ITS WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE, FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS INITIATIVE AND OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.
www.alexandria.lib.va.us