The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. Showcasing a diverse range of themes, voices, and perspectives, the NEA Big Read aims to inspire conversation and discovery. This year we are excited to be reading Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea. We hope you’ll read along with us, and join us for the community discussions!
Below is a preliminary schedule of activities associated with the 2021 Big Read program of the Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa (CWJ). All events are virtual. The program is made possible by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) administered by Arts Midwest (based in Minneapolis).
Description of Into the Beautiful North http://luisurrea.com/books/into-the-beautiful-north/
Wednesday, May 5, 4:00 p.m. Kickoff event; description of the program, information about book distribution, brief talk by Mazahir Salih (director of CWJ), and previews of later presentations (by Chuy Renteria and Miriam Alarcón AvÃla)
Friday May 7, 3:30 presentation by Cristina Ortiz about her research in Columbus Junction, Iowa among Latinx and Burmese immigrants, co-sponsored by Department of Anthropology, University of Iowa https://academics.morris.umn.edu/cristina-ortiz
May 8 – May 21, three week book discussion program for high school students, curriculum
designed by staff of the University of Iowa Youth writing program
Thursday, May 13, 4:00 p.m. – presentation by Janet Weaver, at University of Iowa libraries, about extensive archive including oral histories about Mexican immigration to Iowa , emphasis on work http://migration.lib.uiowa.edu/ , co-sponsored by University of Iowa Libraries, Department of History, University of Iowa, and LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) of Iowa
Wednesday, May 26, 7:00 p.m, book discussion of Into the Beautiful North led by staff at
Coralville public library
Thursday. May 27, 7:00 p.m. reading and discussion with Chuy Renteria of his forthcoming
book from University of Iowa Press about Latinx immigrant experiences of himself and others in West Liberty, Iowa, co-sponsored by Prairie Lights bookstore, Iowa City
https://obermann.uiowa.edu/people/jesus-chuy-renteria
Saturday, June 5, 1:00 p.m. – “Immigrant Luchadores,†a presentation and discussion with local photographer Miriam Alarcón AvÃla, https://www.miriamalarconavila.com/index co-sponsored by Hancher Auditorium
Thursday, June 10, 7:00 p,m, book discussion of Into the Beautiful North led by staff at North Liberty public library
This event will take place IN PERSON at the North Liberty Community Center patio. Register here for the discussion and a free copy of the book.
Tuesday, June 15, 7:00 p.m. book discussion of Into the Beautiful North led by staff at Iowa City Public library
Wednesday, June 16, 7:00 p.m. reading and discussion with Luis Alberto Urrea, author of Into the Beautiful North, co-sponsored by Prairie Lights bookstore, Iowa City http://luisurrea.com/
Saturday, June 19, 11:00 a.m. two-hour writing workshops, led by members of the University of Iowa Nonfiction Writing Program
Please contact [email protected] to participate or register here