The BIG READ: ALABAMA READS
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Main Events

Alys Stephens Center

A Musical Afternoon with Bobby Horton and Mark Twain - Mar. 14, Sun., 2-3:30 p.m.

“I don’t believe I’ve met anyone like Bobby in the ability to understand the soul of American music.” – Ken Burns

Popular musician Bobby Horton will entertain the audience with music of Twain’s period and stories of Twain's years growing up along the Mississippi River. Horton has performed with the musical-comedy trio, Three On A String, throughout the United States and Canada for many years. He has also produced and performed music scores for ten Ken Burns films, including the documentary on Mark Twain. Tickets go on sale Feb. 1: $10 adults/$5 children under 13; call 205-975-2787. Tickets available by phone or visit the Alys Stephens Center.

The Hoover Library Theatre

Mark Twain's America - Mar. 19, Fri., 7 p.m.
Will Stutts in 'Mark Twain’s America,' a one person play by Mr. Stutts. Will Stutts has worked longer in the genre of the one-person play than almost any other actor in the world over three decades. A native of Alabama, Stutts’ second cousin was the legendary actress, Tallulah Bankhead. He attended Yale University’s School of Drama.

Stutts has appeared in more than a score of Off-Broadway shows, and has acted and/or directed in most major American regional theatres. Stutts’ early credits include TV and movies.

Birmingham Public Library – Central

Kick-Off - Feb. 16, Tues., 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Big Read kicks-off in Jefferson County with an all-day celebration. Community leaders will be invited to read favorite passages from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. Refreshments will be served as period music plays. Staff will dress in period costume or like characters from the book.

Kick-Off Performance-Flying Jenny - Feb. 16, Tues., 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Flying Jenny will perform dance music of Mark Twain's era. Flying Jenny plays lively old-time string band music. Everyone is encouraged to join in the dancing!

Alabama Bound! – Mar. 20, Sat., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Join the discussion on what makes The Adventures of Tom Sawyer an enduring American classic. Alabama Bound 2010 will feature programming aimed to enhance understanding and appreciation of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Mark Twain as a writer and as a person. Nationally-renowned actor Will Stutts will perform his one-man show “Mark Twain’s America.” A panel of scholars and authors will discuss the book from varying viewpoints. Dolores Hydock, master storyteller and actress, will explore magical thinking in Twain’s stories in her program Dead Cats and Spunk Water: Superstitions and Strange Logic in the Writing of Mark Twain. The popular band Flying Jenny will entertain the audience with music of Twain’s era; the lively tunes are sure to get your toes tapping.

Birmingham Museum of Art

The Museum is proud to be a partner in The Big Read.
Programs held at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

Tom Sawyer Exhibition - Feb. 28-May 23, Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Birmingham Museum of Art is proud to showcase art by area high school students inspired by The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Mark Twain’s classic novel established America's vision of childhood and reminded adults that children were not angels, but fellow human beings, and perhaps all the more lovable for their imperfections. View the exhibit at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

Bullies, Scamps, and Whippersnappers: Childhood Mischief in American Art - Mar. 7, Sun., 2-3 p.m.
Mark Twain's characters Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn epitomize the idea of childhood mischief. Images of mischievous children abound in nineteenth-century American visual culture, from the fine arts to the popular press. Dr. Graham C. Boettcher, Curator of American Art at the Birmingham Museum of Art, will explore the subject of the "bad child" in American art and examine how such images played a role in cultivating and promoting new attitudes in child rearing. After the lecture, join us for a reception honoring students who participated in the exhibition, The Big Read: Tom Sawyer Exhibition.

Program Held at Downtown Birmingham Linn Park

Last Page Event - Apr. 24, Sat., 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The Big Read will come to a close for Jefferson County at the Magic City Art Connection in downtown Linn Park. Popular performer Jim Aycock will present a one-man show about Mark Twain. A fence will be set up nearby for children to paint. In the case of bad weather, the event will be moved to the atrium of the Central Library.