Join us Thursday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. for the second book discussion of the “Free Land? 1862 and the Shaping of Modern America”, Chautauqua Reading and Film Series at Kearney Public Library. The featured book will be “O Pioneers!” by Willa Cather. Discussion and presentation will be led by Tracy Tucker from the Cather Foundation. Tucker oversees the Willa Cather Foundation collection and presents regularly on topics related to Cather, Great Plains literature, and the environment. A book drawing will be held for each Chautauqua title.
A second session will be held Sunday, April 12 at 2:00 p.m. at Thunderhead Brewery, 18 East 21st Street, Kearney, NE.
The final book discussion will feature:
• “I Am A Man” by Joe Starita
o Discussion and presentation by Dr. Dennis Smith from University of Nebraska at Omaha.
o Thursday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. at Kearney Public Library.
o Sunday, May 17 at 2:00 p.m. at Thunderhead Brewery, 18 East 21st Street.
• Additional copies of each title are available through the Kearney Public Library for individuals or book groups to borrow. Please call 308-233-3282 for more information.
• The film showings and discussions will feature:
o “Heartland”, on June 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the Merryman Performing Arts Center.
o “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee”, on June 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the World Theatre.
The Nebraska Chautauqua, presented by Humanities Nebraska, recreates the tent programs that traveled to Nebraska communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The summer 2015 Chautauqua in Kearney is called “Free Land? 1862 and the Shaping of Modern America”. This traditional, turn-of-the-century-style festival explores the lasting impact of the Homestead Act and other landmark 1862 legislation on the people of the Great Plains, both settlers and Native Americans. This free festival will be held throughout Kearney on June 17-21, with the evening tent programs taking place on the grounds of UNK’s historic Frank House.
The Chautauqua is sponsored by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and by many other generous contributors, sponsors, and volunteers.