'Great Gatsby' to be focus of valleywide program

Free books, film screenings and events planned for The Big Read

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With VCRs, Tivo, video on demand and streaming downloads, it's probably unusual for a group of people to be watching a TV program at the same time, much less something that takes more effort, such as reading the same book. However, that is precisely what organizers at the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District intend to do.

For the seventh time, the library district will present its month-long Read Las Vegas program, or The Big Read, with special events planned throughout April at libraries across the valley, centered on "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. In the novel, which was first published in 1925, Fitzgerald chronicles what he dubbed the "Jazz Age."

The novel features the exploits of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy, self-made man with a dubious past and an overwhelming love for a woman from his past who is now another man's wife. The novel captures the heady days of the time, with lavish parties, fast cars and fast women.

Reading Las Vegas has incorporated a National Endowment for the Arts program called The Big Read. The NEA program, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest, encourages literary reading by bringing communities together to read and discuss one book. Last year, it was Amy Tan's "The Joy Luck Club."

"We had a choice of 16 books to chose from, and after a group discussion with the event's committee, we chose ('The Great Gatsby') because it is considered to be an American masterpiece, and there are a wide range of events we could tie into it," explained Jennifer Schember, community outreach and adult programming coordinator for the library district.

Many of The Big Read events will be held at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, but other events are to be held across the valley. Participants of "The Great Gatsby" book discussions will receive complimentary copies of the book while as supplies last.

"We ordered about 2,500 copies," Schember said. "It was entirely paid for by the grant."

The main event kicks off on Saturday at the Clark County Library with The Big Read Book Festival, which will feature book vendors, writing workshops, "The Great Gatsby" giveaways and Reading Las Vegas sign-ups.

For more information about the program, visit www.lvccld.org/events/readinglv/2008.

THE BIG READ EVENTS

From a book festival to dance and film presentations, the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District has more than 70 events planned to celebrate the Big Read. For a complete list of events, visit www.lvccld.org.

LEARN THE LINDY HOP

* What: Swing, Charleston and other dances will be taught for an hour, followed by two hours of dancing.

* Where and when: Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, 7 p.m. Thursday, 7 p.m. April 10, 7 p.m. April 17, 7 p.m. April 24

* Information: 507-3400.

DISCUSS 'THE GREAT GATSBY'

* What: Book discussion of "The Great Gatsby." Receive a complimentary copy while supplies last.

* Where and when: Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, and Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd., 7 p.m. Thursday , Whitney Library, 5175 E. Tropicana Ave., 7 p.m. April 8, Sunrise Library, 5400 Harris Ave., 11 a.m. April 18.

* Information: 507-3400 (Clark County), 507-3820 (Spring Valley), 507-4010 (Whitney), 507-3900 (Sunrise).

THE BIG READ FESTIVAL

* What: Writing and publishing workshops, a market with used and specialty booksellers, children's activities, refreshments are planned.

* Where and when: Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, 11 a.m. Saturday.

* Information: 507-3400.

FILMS: 'THE GREAT GATSBY' AND 'THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLE'

* What: Two screenings, with 10-minute intermission between films.

* Where and when: West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd., noon Saturday.

* Information: 507-3980.

SPEAKEASY MURDER MYSTERY: A ROARING '20S GOOD TIME

* What: Test your crime-solving skills in an interactive 1920s-themed murder mystery. Dress in '20s garb for a chance to win the Guys and Dolls Costume Contest. Live entertainment, refreshments and complimentary copies of "The Great Gatsby." RSVP requested; limit 200.

* Where and when: Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd., 7 p.m. April 12.

* Information: 507-3820.

A DATE WITH GATSBY: MUSIC AND WORDS

* What: The sounds of the 1920s will be combined with a staged reading chronicling major scenes from "The Great Gatsby."

* Where and when: Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, 3 p.m. April 13.

* Information: 507-3400.

CELEBRATING THE JAZZ ERA

* What: See a performance by the Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theatre celebrating jazz-era music and dance based on "The Great Gatsby." Program geared toward high school youth.

* Where and when: West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd., 10:30 a.m. April 18, 4 p.m. April 25.

* Information: 507-3989.

FILM: 'THE GREAT GATSBY'

* What: See the film adaptation of The Big Read book "The Great Gatsby."

* Where and when: Sunrise Library, 5400 Harris Ave., 10:30 a.m. April 19.

* Information: 507-3900.

'THE GREAT GATSBY' AND THE JAZZ AGE

* What: Multimedia production of Jazz Age songs, dance and fashion.

* Where and when: West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd., 7 p.m. April 19.

* Information: 507-3964.

FILM: 'THE GREAT GATSBY'

* What: See the second film adaptation of The Big Read book "The Great Gatsby" with Alan Ladd as Jay Gatsby.

* Where and when: Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, 1 p.m. April 22.

* Information: 507-3400.

ALL ABOUT FITZGERALD: A SCHOLARLY PRESENTATION

* What: Matthew Bruccoli, a F. Scott Fitzgerald expert and professor, will recount life and times of one of the greatest 20th century authors.

* Where and when: West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd., 7 p.m. April 24.

* Information: 507-3964.

FILM: 'THE GREAT GATSBY'

* What: See the film adaptation of The Big Read book "The Great Gatsby."

* Where and when: Whitney Library, 5175 E. Tropicana Ave., 1 p.m. April 27.

* Information: 507-4010.