Big Read Events Calendar

Special Events


Find, Read and Release! Look for copies of Bless Me, Ultima in both English and Spanish to show up in unexpected places around Arlington! If you find one, read it and then leave it somewhere else for someone else to discover. Record the date and place of your find inside the front cover so that we can track the book's journey. We also invite you to make comments on this blog after you have read it.


Community Mural Paint-by-Number. Local visual artists David Amoroso, Ubaldo Sanchez and Maureen George will coordinate the design, in "paint-by-number" format, of large plywood panels illustrating events in Bless Me, Ultima. Panels will be painted at many of our events, and when completed will be installed at Arlington libraries.


Dining and Discourse. Book discussion groups will be held at several Arlington restaurants, to be announced. Have a delicious meal with food for the mind as well!

Sunday, September 16 The Big Read Kick Off: Join us for the multi-disciplinary kick-off event for Arlington's participation in The National Endowment for the Arts initiative to encourage literary reading in America. On the program is provincial folk dancing by Los Quetzales Mexican Dance Ensemble, (pictured at left) dramatic readings from selected text from "Bless Me, Ultima" by Arlington's Spanish language theatre company, Teatro de la Luna, book giveaways and more! 3 p.m. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington. 703-228-1850.

Sunday, September 23 & 30 Ultima's Owl. Arlington naturalists will bring an owl to their discussion of its uniqueness as a hunter, its folklore and prominence as a symbol in "Bless Me, Ultima". Also, come and paint one of the community murals designed by three Arlington visual artists in paint-by-number format! Sept. 23, 2 - 5 pm, Naturalist's Talk, 2 p.m. Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 N. Military Rd., Arlington. 703-228-3403. Sept. 30, 10 am - 3 pm, Naturalist's Talk, 2 pm, Paint-by-Number 10 am - 3 pm. Lubber Run Amphitheatre, N. 2nd St. and N. Columbus Streets. 703-228-1850

October 3 - 31 "The Art of the Storyteller" Exhibition: Jemez Pueblo artists Joe Cajero, Jr. and Choctw Tribe artist Randy Chitto present an exhibition of the Koshare Storyteller figures of New Mexico. Cajero's cherubic koshares capture all the delightful nuances of the pueblo tricksters - they clown, flirt, tease and generally wreak havoc. In Chitto's tribe, the turtle is considered the keeper of stories and history. Opening Reception: Sunday, October 7, 3 - 5 pm. Shirlington Library, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Shirlington. 703-228-6545.

Wednesday, Octobr 10 "Bless Me, Ultima" short documentary film, followed by a panel discussion led by Professor Margaret Yokum, Professor of Folklore in the English Department, George Mason University and noted "Bless Me, Ultima" scholar. The panel will include writers and folklorists who will discuss coming-of-age issues faced by the protagonist, and the reconiciliation of religious, moral and cultural issues. 7 p.m. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington. 703-228-1850.

Saturday, October 13 Medicinal Herbs Workshop with Michael Martinez and the Master Gardeners of Arlington at the Glencarlyn Library garden. Martinez is the grandson of a traditional healer or cuandera, who will discuss folk legends and magic from his own first hand experience. 2 - 5 pm. Paint-by-number community mural painting. 300 N. Kensington Street, Arlington. 703-228-1850.

Book Discussion Groups, Coordinated by Arlington County Library staff.

Wed. Sept. 19, 7 pm: Columbia Pike Library, 816 S. Walter Reed Drive. 703-228-5710
Tues. Sept. 25, 7 p.m. In Spanish, Columbia Pike Library

Tues. Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m. Shirlington Library, 4200 Campbell Ave, Shirlington. 703-228-6545

Thurs. Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m. Shirlington Library

Mon. Oct. 15, 7 p.m. Westover Library, 1800 N. Lexington St., 703-5260

Thurs. Oct. 18, 7 p.m. In Spanish, Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St. 703-228-5990

Fri. Oct. 19, 1 p.m. Aurora Hills Library, 735 S. 18th St., 703-228-5715

Mon. Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m. Cherrydale Library, 2190 N. Military Rd., 703-228-6330

Tues. Nov. 13, 1:30 p.m. Culpepper Gardens, 4435 N. Henderson St., 703-228-4403