Hope you can attend the Wrap-Up on Saturday, April 28, 2 p.m. at Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave., Dearborn.
Free and open to the public.
Multimedia musical performance, sweet treats, prizes, and author readings!
Please click here to view the program guide.
When:Saturday, April 28
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Henry Ford Centennial Library
1st Floor – Auditorium
This event is FREE and open to the public without registration.
Join us for a multimedia musical performance by Dearborn resident Jeff Karoub, exploring his family experiences with immigration. Then we’ll have an “open mic” where authors of our latest community anthology will read excerpts from their work. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, please call 313-943-2330
Also, there are a few more Storytimes in week 6 (the last week) of the Big Read:
Children with a caregiver are invited to hear tales from around the world. Ages 2-6.
Tuesday, April 24, 4 p.m.: Henry Ford Centennial Library, Youth Services
Thursday, April 26, 1 p.m.: John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library, 24602 Van Born Rd. Dearborn Heights
And one more Book Discussion:
Discuss Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake. Pick up a FREE copy at any Dearborn Public Library (while supplies last).
Thursday, April 26, 6:30 p.m.: City Hall Artspace Lofts, 13615 Michigan Ave.
(Please note: the Food Around the World Event scheduled for April 20 has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience.)
Location:
Henry Ford Centennial Library – Auditorium
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Come watch Essential Arrival: Michigan’s Indian Immigrants in the 21st Century with Q&A from Professor Arifa Javed of the University of Michigan-Dearborn following the film.
“A comprehensive, multi-angled inquiry, Essential Arrival features interviews with experts in fields such as law, sociology, and public policy, in addition to many families of Indian immigrants in Michigan, and paints a comprehensive, essential picture of Indian Americans.” Not rated. 61 minutes. Part of the FOLD Blockbuster Film Series.
Location:
Henry Ford Centennial Library – Youth Services Room
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Discuss Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake and make new friends. Pizza provided. Grades 7-12. Youth Services Program Room. Pick up a free copy of the book at the Kickoff on March 18, or any Dearborn Public Library, March 19-April 28 (while supplies last). Copies also available for checkout in paperback, ebook, book kit, or audio.
Location:
Caroline Kennedy Library
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Culinary instructor Mary Spencer will prepare a variety of ethnic foods reflecting the diverse cultures in metro Detroit. Mary will prepare panzanella salad (Italian bread and tomato salad), Hungarian chicken paprikash, and warm Indian rice pudding. Recipes and samples will be provided. Registration appreciated, (313) 791-3800.
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Location:
Henry Ford Centennial Library – Mezzanine
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Sample a diverse range of culinary delights from local restaurants. This is a ticketed event. Call (313) 943-2330 for details.
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Discuss Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake.
Wednesday, April 18, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Henry Ford Centennial Library, Ford Room.
Friday, April 20, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.: University of Michigan – Dearborn, Mardigian Library. Light refreshments will be served.
Children with a caregiver are invited to hear tales from around the world. Ages 2-6.
Tuesday, April 17, 4:00 – 4:30 p.m.: Henry Ford Centennial Library, Youth Services Room.
Tuesday, April 24, 4:00 – 4:30 p.m.: Henry Ford Centennial Library, Youth Services Room.
Visit Bigreaddearborn.org for more information and a full list of Big Read events.
Location:
Henry Ford Centennial Library – Auditorium
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Come watch Essential Arrival: Michigan’s Indian Immigrants in the 21st Century with Q&A from Professor Arifa Javed of the University of Michigan-Dearborn following the film.
“A comprehensive, multi-angled inquiry, Essential Arrival features interviews with experts in fields such as law, sociology, and public policy, in addition to many families of Indian immigrants in Michigan, and paints a comprehensive, essential picture of Indian Americans.” Not rated. 61 minutes. Part of the FOLD Blockbuster Film Series.
Location:
Henry Ford Centennial Library – Youth Services Room
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Discuss Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake and make new friends. Pizza provided. Grades 7-12. Youth Services Program Room. Pick up a free copy of the book at the Kickoff on March 18, or any Dearborn Public Library, March 19-April 28 (while supplies last). Copies also available for checkout in paperback, ebook, book kit, or audio.
Location:
Caroline Kennedy Library
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Culinary instructor Mary Spencer will prepare a variety of ethnic foods reflecting the diverse cultures in metro Detroit. Mary will prepare panzanella salad (Italian bread and tomato salad), Hungarian chicken paprikash, and warm Indian rice pudding. Recipes and samples will be provided. Registration appreciated, (313) 791-3800.
<!–
Location:
Henry Ford Centennial Library – Mezzanine
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Sample a diverse range of culinary delights from local restaurants. This is a ticketed event. Call (313) 943-2330 for details.
–>
Discuss Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake.
Wednesday, April 18, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Henry Ford Centennial Library, Ford Room.
Friday, April 20, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.: University of Michigan – Dearborn, Mardigian Library. Light refreshments will be served.
Children with a caregiver are invited to hear tales from around the world. Ages 2-6.
Wednesday, April 17, 4:00 – 4:30 p.m.: Henry Ford Centennial Library, Youth Services Room.
Friday, April 24, 4:00 – 4:30 p.m.: Henry Ford Centennial Library, Youth Services Room.
Visit Bigreaddearborn.org for more information and a full list of Big Read events.
Thursday, April 12, 6-8 p.m.
Henry Ford Centennial Library, Room 30
Kiersten Gawronski, a high school English teacher by day and a genealogy sleuth by night, will give a presentation on how to research your family name. Registration is requested, so that the presenter knows how many copies to prepare and so that she can do some cursory research on your name. To register, call (313) 943-2330 or visit dearbornlibrary.org. Even if you don’t have time to register, please feel free to drop in. Click here to view the flyer. This event is free and open to the public.
Location:
Henry Ford Centennial Library – Room 30
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Come help design a square for the Big Read “What’s in a name?” quilt. Use a fabric pen to design a quilt square relating to your name or your family heritage. Supplies and assistance will be provided by staff from Zaman International. Open to individuals of ages 10 and up. Your square may be selected to be part of the quilt. Register online or by phone at (313) 943-2330.
Location:
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
There’s a new lion in town and he’s taking over the show. How can Mr. Jim save his job? Maybe the fact that he is a descendant of the great P.T. Barnum might get him back in the good graces of the show’s management. Still, the frolicking animals have something else in mind. (Catch this show again on Wednesday April 18, 7-8 p.m. at Caroline Kennedy Library).
Location:
Henry Ford Centennial Library – Room 30
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Kiersten Gawronski, a high school English teacher by day and a genealogy sleuth by night, will give a presentation on how to research your family name. Registration is requested, so that the presenter knows how many copies to prepare and so that she can do some cursory research on your name. Register online or call (313)943-2330.
Discuss Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake.
Tuesday, April 9, 6:30-8 p.m.: Henry Ford Centennial Library, Ford Room. (This is part of the ESL book Discussion)
Wednesday, April 11, 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Bryant Branch Library, 22100 Michigan Ave.
Visit Bigreaddearborn.org for more information and a full list of Big Read events.
Hope you can make it out for the talk on Thursday, April 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Henry Ford Centennial Library, Room 30. Free and open to the public.
Learn the importance of what’s in a name as Huda Essa discusses her book, Teach Us Your Name.
Click here to view her TED Talk.
Huda Essa, the founder of Culture Links, LLC, has positively influenced countless communities through her engaging and thought-provoking learning opportunities. Huda utilizes her extensive experience as a Cultural Competency Consultant, Culturally Responsive Educator, former Teacher and English Language Development Specialist to support organizations in successfully meeting their diversity and inclusion initiatives. She is a TEDx Speaker and the author of the motivational children’s book, Teach Us 
Your Name, focused on empowering children to take pride in their many identities while showing respect for themselves and others. Huda continues to write culturally relevant children’s books and is also the producer of a series of short films focused on matters of social justice.
View all upcoming Big Read events at bigreaddearborn.org/events
Location:
Henry Ford Centennial Library – Auditorium
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Based upon the best-selling novel by Jhumpa Lahiri, this epic family saga “brims with intelligence, compassion, and sensuous delight.” Kal Penn stars as Gogol Ganguli, a suburban teenager caught between his Indian roots and his American birthright. Gogol and his Indian-born parents must somehow strike a balance between age-old traditions and modern-day sensibilities as they search for a patch of common ground. An inspirational tale about the ties that bind us all. Rated PG-13. 122 minutes. Part of the FOLD Blockbuster Series.
Location:
University of Michigan Dearborn – Mardigian Library
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Inspired by The Namesake, Dr. Neeraja Aravamundan will lead a discussion with panelists from South Asian Student Association (SASA), Indian Graduate Students Association (IGSA), Pakistani Student Association (PSA), and the Muslim Students Association (MSA). Prizes and Indian food provided.
Location:
Henry Ford Centennial Library – Youth Services
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Make a name mosaics craft! All ages. Crafts available while supplies last.
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Woodlawn Cemetery can be considered a Michigan 20th century outdoor museum. With video and slides, Russell Rheaume, a former employee, will delve into the history of this iconic cemetery and the many mausoleums of the rich and famous who are buried there, including Michigan governors, mayors, business people, Motown entertainers, and members of the Ford family.
Henry Ford Centennial Library – Room 30
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Learn the importance of what’s in a anme as Huda Essa discusses her book, Teach Us Your Name.
12:00 p.m. (noon)
Enjoy some lunch and listen to Ron Stockton give a talk titled “Coming to America.” Dr. Stockton is a professor of Political Science at the University of Michigan – Dearborn. Check dearborn-mi.aauw.net for payment details.
Henry Ford Centennial Library – Youth Services
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Come and learn about graffiti names. Youth Services Program Room. Fourth grade and up. Registration required. Please call (313) 943-2330 or visit our events calendar for details.
Discuss Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake.
Tuesday, April 3, 4-6 p.m.: University of Michigan-Dearborn Mardigian Library, 4901 Evergreen Rd. (Panel Discussion)
Wednesday, April 4, 12-1 p.m.: Arab American National Museum, Russell J. Ebeid Library, 13624 Michigan Ave.
Visit Bigreaddearborn.org for more information and a full list of Big Read events.
Location:
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Amy Janczarek of Mango Languages will share the wealth of language learning tools offered with this powerful database. Learn how to best use Mango to study a foreign language or to learn English as a second language.
Location:
11:00 – 12:00 p.m.
Nahla Haidar, a member of the Math faculty at Henry Ford College, will moderate a panel discussion regarding the immigrant experience.
Location:
The Henry Ford, Benson Ford Research Center
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Immigrants have, from the beginning, played a key role in our American diet. Their recipes have appeared in American cookbooks; their entrepreneurial skills have given us restaurants, stores, and whole new foods have been introduced into our mainstream diet. This talk, drawing upon the collections at The Henry Ford, takes a delicious journey through their stories. Presented by Donna R. Braden Curator of Public Life.
Location:
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Explore Michigan Avenue’s arts district beginning with a visit to American Landscape, an exhibit by Syrian-American artist Nabil Mousa on display in the Arab American national Museum’s First Floor Gallery, followed by walk across the street to tour an artist’s studio in Dearborn’s City Hall ArtSpace Lofts.
Discuss Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake.
Wednesday, March 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m. : Dearborn First UMC, 22124 Garrison St.
Thursday, March 29, 2-3 p.m. Henry Ford College, Eshleman Library, 5101 Evergreen Rd.
Children with a caregiver are invited to hear tales from around the world. Ages 2-6.
Tuesday, March 27, 4-4:30 p.m. : Henry Ford Centennial Library, Youth Services.
Visit Bigreaddearborn.org for more information and a full list of Big Read events.
Hope you can attend the Keynote Lecture tonight (Thursday, March 22) at Henry Ford Centennial Library, 6:30 p.m. Sociology Professor Arifa Javed will focus on The Namesake and Jhumpa Lahiri. Dr. Javed has been at the University of Michigan-Dearborn since 1998 after moving from India in 1995. Her current research interests include immigration, acculturation, changing family dynamics, and challenges of parenting.
Other upcoming events this week:
The Street Names Program at the McFadden Ross House, 915 S. Brady St., Dearborn on Friday, March 23 at 7 p.m. Staff of the Dearborn Historical Museum will discuss stories and share photos related to how certain Dearborn streets, landmarks, and neighborhoods received their present names.
And “The Immigrant Experience and the Roots of American Comics” presentation at Green Brain Comics, 13936 Michigan Ave., Dearborn on Saturday, March 24, 2-4 p.m. Eastern Michigan University Professor Richard Rubenfeld will give a presentation on the immigrant experience and the roots of American comics with a panel discussion to follow.
All these events are free and open to the public.
NEA Big Read-Dearborn 