Foothills Performing Arts Center

The Foothills Performing Arts Center is proud to announce...

The Big Read!

National Endowment of the Arts

Key Bank

Foothills Performing Arts Center has recently been awarded a grant to conduct a National Endowment for the Arts initiative called THE BIG READ. At a time when reading for pleasure and enlightenment, as opposed to literacy per se, is at a disturbing historic low (less than 50% of the adult population reads), this program is an urgently needed remedy.
Briefly, communities engaged in The Big Read focus for one month on one specific book chosen from a list compiled by the NEA. All levels of the population are urged to read the book while participating in numerous activities organized around it: theater productions, films, contests, panel discussions, spelling bees, art exhibitions, concerts, etc. The hope is that the pleasure of reading one book will lead to an exploration of the world of literature for similar experiences with many other books.
Foothills Performing Arts Center has chosen Harper Lee’s universally appealing To Kill a Mockingbird. Starting in early May 2008, residents of Chenango, Delaware and Otsego Counties will have the opportunity to steep themselves in the text and related themes of this 20th Century classic. The month-long celebration will end with the FOOTHILLS BOOK BONANZA at the Foothills Performing Arts Center on Saturday May 31, 2008.
If you wish to learn more about or be part of this family excursion into the printed word, subscribe to The Big Read News. You may also call us at (607) 431-2080 or send an email to:

Thank you for your interest in this crucial enterprise!

For your listening pleasure we have below two tracks from a radio program produced by the NEA about
To Kill a Mockingbird

Track 1: 15:45
Track 2: 13:14

If you would like to obtain a Reader's Guide for- To Kill a Mockingbird please follow this link

The Buzz
The New Yorker - Dec. 24 & 31, 2007	The New York Times Book Review Dec 23, 2007
The Big Read Book: To Kill a Mockingbird Sponsored by Foothills Performing Arts Center All Events for the Tri-County Community: All events are free to the public except where noted. 05/02/2008 - Friday 5:00 pm National History Day Award Location: Cooperstown High School Auditorium, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Presenting of the National History Day Award at the Cooperstown High School for outstanding dramatic presentation based on themes found in "To Kill a Mockingbird." 05/02/2008 - Friday 8:00 pm Play and Book Discussion: The trial scene from To Kill a Mockingbird Location: County Courthouse, Norwich, NY 13815 The trial scene at the heart of "To Kill a Mockingbird" Featuring keynote speaker, Dr. Peter Macris. President of Foothills Performing Arts Center board of directors, founder of Orpheus Theater, Glimmerglass Opera, and Catskill Choral Society. There will be a free distribution of 50 "Read It Forward" copies of the book. 05/03/2008 - Saturday 11:00 am Play and Book Discussion: The trial scene from To Kill a Mockingbird Location: County Courthouse, Delhi, NY 13753 The trial scene at the heart of "To Kill a Mockingbird." Featuring book discussion lead by Dr. Peter Macris, President of Foothills Performing Arts Center board of directors, founder of Orpheus Theater, Glimmerglass Opera, and Catskill Choral Society. There will be a free distribution of 50 "Read It Forward" copies of the book. 05/03/2008 - Saturday 4:00 pm Play and Book Discussion: The Trial from "To Kill a Mockingbird" Location: County Courthouse, Cooperstown, NY 13326 The trial scene at the heart of "To Kill a Mockingbird." Featuring book discussion lead by Dr. Peter Macris, President of Foothills Performing Arts Center board of directors, founder of Orpheus Theater, Glimmerglass Opera, and Catskill Choral Society. There will be a free distribution of 50 "Read It Forward" copies of the book. 05/05/2008 - Monday 10:00 am Public School Essay Contest Oneonta, NY 13820 A Tri- County Essay Contest held in the public schools. Essays will be based on the themes found in "To Kill a Mockingbird.” The winner will receive a $500 scholarship, which will be given out on May 31st at the Book Bonanza. Contact your public school librarian or Foothills Performing Arts Center at www.foothillspac.org. 05/07/2008 - Wednesday 7:30 pm Book Discussion: Hugh MacDougall Location: Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Hugh MacDougall, chairman of the James Fenimore Cooper Society, will inaugurate a 4-part book discussion on "To Kill a Mockingbird” in a comparison with his lecture "The Last of the Mohicans." 05/08/2008 - Thursday 7:00 pm The Screening Room Location: Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta, NY 13820 Chapters of the book and clips of the movie will be discussed by award winning film maker d.b.Roderick of Delhi Stories Multi Media Productions. 05/09/2008 - Friday 8:00 pm Concert Dedication Location: Hunt Union Ballroom, SUCO, Oneonta, NY 13820 Concert Dedication- Oneonta Concert Association dedicates this spring concert to celebrating equality. "To Kill a Mockingbird" is the theme for this event. The concert features Quartetto Gelato, a classical, eclectic ensemble. General admission is $20, students $6. 05/10/2008 - Saturday 4:00 pm & 7:00 pm Poetry Slam Location: Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta, NY 13820 Grade school students enjoy this popular college activity led by SUNY Oneonta's Poetry Slam advisor Robb Thibault. All work will be based on the themes of "To Kill a Mockingbird" 05/14/2008 - Wednesday 7:30 pm Book Discussion: "Come Walk in My Shoes" Location: Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Comparison between an archival, historic film and the book "To Kill a Mockingbird." Leading the discussion will be Robin Smith, writer and director of "Come Walk in My Shoes." 05/15/2008 - Thursday 7:00 pm The Screening Room Location: Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta, NY 13820 Chapters of the book and clips of the movie will be discussed by award winning film maker d.b.Roderick of Delhi Stories Multi Media Productions. 05/17/2008 - Saturday 8:00 am Marathon at Bright Hill Center Location: Bright Hill Center, Oneonta, NY 13820 A marathon reading of "To Kill a Mockingbird." The reading will start at 8am and continue all day with a book discussion to follow during a potluck supper. There will also be a free distribution of 50 "Read It Forward" copies of the book. 05/19/2008 - Monday 7:30 pm Book Discussion: Town Meeting Location: Autumn Cafe, Oneonta, NY 13820 A book discussion held at a local cafe based on the book "To Kill a Mockingbird." Facilitators for this event are Oneonta Mayor John Nader and Sugwon Kang, Hartwick College professor. 05/21/2008 - Wednesday 7:30 pm Book Discussion: Alice Lichtenstein Location: Elm Park United Methodist Church, Oneonta, NY 13820 Local Oneonta author, Alice Lichtenstien, will discuss Harper Lee: "The Jane Austin of South Alabama. " 05/22/2008 - Thursday 7:00 pm The Screening Room Location: Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta, NY 13820 Chapters of the book and clips of the movie will be discussed by award winning film maker d.b.Roderick of Delhi Stories Multi Media Productions 05/24/2008 - Saturday 7:30 pm Book Discussion and Film Showing: "To Kill a Mockingbird" Location: Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta, NY 13820 "Cocktails and Conversation," a book discussion led by Dr. Peter Macris will precede the showing of the film "To Kill a Mockingbird." Brooks Bar-B-Q available upon request, market price. 05/28/2008 - Wednesday 7:30 pm Book Discussion: Mr. and Mrs. Denis Hennessy Location: Oneonta City Hall, Oneonta, NY 13820 The last in a 4-part series of book discussions focusing on "To Kill a Mockingbird" and how Harper Lee affected women writers. 05/29/2008 - Thursday 7:30 pm Book Discussion Location: Cooperstown Library, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Last Thursday series of the monthly book club will focus on "To Kill a Mockingbird." 05/31/2008 - Saturday 10:00 am Foothills Book Bonanza Location: Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta, NY 13820 Book fair, book exchange, awarding of prizes, southern food, good times, fun for all, THE BIG FINALE to THE BIG READ. Essay Winner will be announced.
What to read after you’ve read To Kill a Mockingbird. Books are recommended for both individuals and families to enjoy. It includes several reading and interest levels. Legend – J ages 8 up T ages 12 and up A adult Bailey, Tom. Cotton Song: A Novel. (A) Berg, Elizabeth. We Are All Welcome Here. (A) Clements, Andrew. The Jacket. (J) Clinch, Jon. Finn: A Novel. (A) Crowe, Chris. Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case. (T) Crowe, Chris. Mississippi Trial, 1955. (T) Draper, Sharon M. Fire from the Rock. (T) Going, K. L. The Liberation of Gabriel King. (T) Johnson, Kathleen Jeffrie. Target. (T) Johnston, Tony. Bone by Bone by Bone. (T) Jordan, Hillary. Mudbound. (A) Kidd, Sue Monk. The Secret Life of Bees. (T) La Faye, A. Nissa’s Place. with sequel – A Strength of Saints. (J) Littlesugar, Amy. Freedom School, Yes! (J) Lorbiecki, Marybeth. Jackie’s Bat. (J) McDonald, Joyce. Devil on My Heels. (T) McKissack, Pat. A Friendship for Today. (J) McKissack, Pat. Abby Takes a Stand. (J) McMullan, Margaret. When I Crossed No-Bob. (J) Moses, Sheila. The Legend of Buddy Bush. (Y) Nolan, Han. A Summer of Kings. (T) Pena, Matt de la. Ball Don’t Lie. (T) Rodman, Mary Ann. Yankee Girl. (J) Schraff, Anne E. Rosa Parks: “Tired of Giving In.” (J) Sharenow, Robert. My Mother the Cheerleader. (T) Taylor, Mildred. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. (J) Taylor, Mildred. Mississippi Bridge. (J) Taylor, Mildred. The Well: David’s Story. (J) Taylor, Mildred. The Friendship. (J) Uschan, Michael. Lynching and Murder in the Deep South. (A) Volponi, Paul. Rooftop. (T) Walter, Mildred Pitts. The Girl on the Outside. (J) Woodson, Jacqueline. Feathers. (J) Woodson, Jacqueline. The Other Side. (J)