Wednesday, October 1, 2008

City of Irving goes gaga for Dashiell Hammett

By Pegasus News wire

As noted, the City of Irving is touting their civic participation in the Big Read program during the month of October by scheduling all sorts of Maltese Falcon-related reading events around town.

Here's some newly-announced ways that Irving-based folks (and - heck - just about anybody, when you get right down to it) can participate:

* Follow the book discussion blog, here.

* Head to the Southwest Branch Library (2216 W. Shady Grove) at 3 p.m. on Oct. 4 to hear Erin Smith, author of Hard-Boiled: Working Class Readers and Pulp Magazines talk about "Tough Guys and Deadly Dames, Pulp Fiction and Detectives of the Past."

"A cup of tea just ain't my cup of tea, if you get my meaning."

* Join fellow noir fanatics for a cup of tea at the Irving Central Library (801 W. Irving) on Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m., as Dr. Joan McGettigan - Asst. Prof. of Radio-TV-Film at TCU - moderates a discussion of The Maltese Falcon and its movie adaptations. (TEA?! What are they thinking? Sam Spade would slug back double bourbons)

* Hang out with teens (preferably if you're a teen yourself) at the monthly teen book club meeting, Oct. 10 at 4:30 p.m. at the Valley Ranch Library (401 Cimarron Trail). Their discussion this month will center on The Maltese Falcon and "other young adult mysteries."

* Get your two cents in during a discussion of Falcon and Hammett's other works moderated by local author Carole Nelson Douglas, to be held on Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. in The Mustangs of Las Colinas Museum located at Williams Square (5205 N. O'Connor, Ste. 155). Then visit the museum and exhibits after the discussion (Williams Square parking is FREE on Saturdays).

* Not excited about Mustang sculptures, but still interested in one involving a black bird? That same day (Oct. 18) you can head instead to the Northwest Branch Library (2928 N. Belt Line) where, at 10:30 a.m., local author Frankie Bailey will moderate a book discussion on Falcon and then gracefully segue into the topic of various African-American crime fiction authors.

* Scout out a reception for, and lecture by, Dashiell Hammett expert Richard Laymann, author of Discovering the Maltese Falcon and Sam Spade, to be held at the National Scouting Museum (1329 W. Walnut Hill) on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.

* Hang on her every word as local mystery writer Laura Starks moderates a discussion of Falcon amongst the Valley Ranch Reads folks at the Valley Ranch Library (401 Cimarron Trail).

Not into reading? (Then how do you explain what you are doing AT THIS VERY MOMENT? Gotcha!) Take in one of the film screenings related to Irving's Big Read October theme, such as:

* "American Masters” Dashiell Hammett: Detective, Writer - see the PBS special, “American Masters,” at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Central Library (801 W. Irving Blvd.). The documentary focuses on the man and his life with interviews from scholars and biographers, readings and reenactments of scenes from the books, and newsreel clips.

* Mysterious Monday Morning Movies - see the movie based on Dashiell Hammett's classic tale of murder in Manhattan that began one of the most successful detective series in film history. The movie will be shown at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 13 at the Central Library (801 W. Irving Blvd.).

* Thin Man Marathon - enjoy all six Thin Man movies on the big screen from noon to 10 p.m., Oct. 24 at the Central Library (801 W. Irving Blvd.). Bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic basket to settle in for hours of entertainment, and enjoy free mocktails.

* Actual screenings of The Maltese Falcon (starring Humphrey Bogart) are scheduled for the Valley Ranch Library (401 Cimarron Trail) and the Central Library (801 W. Irving) on Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m.

Throughout the month, The Maltese Falcon book kits (containing the book, readers guides and an audio guide) will be available for use by book clubs wishing to participate in the Big Read (while supplies last) - drop by the Central Library (801 W. Irving) to pick one up.

For additional information, direct your browser here or call 972-721-2606.

posted by JM

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