Calendar
PAST EVENTS
January 16: Maltese Mystery Day
Time: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Amazement Square
Join us for the official Big Read/Little Read Lynchburg kick-off event. Take advantage of discounted all day admission at Amazement Square for just $3.00 a person and enjoy hands-on forensic science activities, a special presentation from the Lynchburg Police Department, a live bird program by the Wildlife Center of Virginia, the physics of flight by Dr. Peter Sheldon of Randolph College, and a special visit from our furry friends at the Humane Society. Free copies of the books and other Big Read materials will be available all day!
January 20: Book Discussion
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Location: Lynchburg Public Library, Main Branch
Stop by the Lynchburg Public Library for our monthly book club meeting. Enjoy a lively community discussion on the film noir classic The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. All attendees are eligible for special door prizes!
January 22: Film Noir Friday: Chinatown
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: Sweet Briar College, Fitness/Athletic Center Class of ’48 Movie Theatre
Join us on Fridays throughout the Big Read program for special cinematic journeys through the shady underbelly of film noir. The series kicks off at Sweet Briar College as J.J. Gittes (Jack Nicholson) becomes embroiled in a mysterious murder investigation. Will J.J. uncover the massive conspiracy? Forget it, Jake, its Chinatown.
January 23: Book Cover Art
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Amazement Square
Join us at the museum for an opportunity to turn recycled book covers into book art! Used book covers and all craft supplies provided; you bring the imagination, creativity, and enthusiasm! Free with admission.
January 30: Book Lover’s Bash
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Amazement Square
Calling all book lovers! Bring your favorite books to Amazement Square during our Family Fun Night for an opportunity to share and celebrate the wonderful world of books! Create special book-related mementos, enjoy readings of classic children's book, and participate in our book swap! Free with admission.
February 1: Keynote Event: An Evening with Julie Rivett
Time: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Lynchburg College Memorial Ballroom
Amazement Square and Lynchburg College are proud to announce An Evening with Julie Rivett, the keynote event for the Big Read Lynchburg. Julie Rivett, granddaughter to The Maltese Falcon author Dashiell Hammett, will speak to the community on the many facets of Falcon and why this novel is one of America’s most important and enduring works of fiction. Reception to follow.
Julie Rivett brings a unique personal and professional perspective to the The Maltese Falcon. She is one of four grandchildren of Dashiell Hammett. Although her memories of her grandfather stem from a single childhood visit, she has developed an understanding of Hammett that integrates conversations with family and friends, study of Hammett’s public and private writings, and research on his life. Working with Hammett scholar Richard Layman, she helped to edit two Edgar Award nominated books—Selected Letters of Dashiell Hammett 1921-1960 and her mother’s memoir, Dashiell Hammett: A Daughter Remembers. She curates Hammett and Falcon exhibits, writes about Hammett and Sam Spade, and lectures throughout the U.S. on her grandfather and The Maltese Falcon.
February 4: Daura Gallery Book Exchange
Time: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Location: Daura Gallery, Lynchburg College
Description: Join us for this interactive book exchange at the Daura Gallery. Bring up to five of your gently used books, mingle with other book lovers and trade your old books for new ones! Free copies of The Maltese Falcon and supplementary materials will also be available.
February 6: The Amazing Cat Caper
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Amazement Square
Can you solve this whodunit? Inspired by our Little Read selection, The Maltese Kitten, we’ve created the purr-fect crime. Explore all four stories of Amazement Square to solve our amazing caper before it’s too late! Free with admission.
February 8: Book Discussion
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Lynchburg College,
Faculty Resource Room in Schewel Hall (SHWL 231)
Librarian Robyn Williams will lead a lively community discussion of the classic mystery, The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. Free copies of the books and supplementary materials will be available.
February 12: Murder Mystery Game
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Lynchburg College Library
Enjoy this all-ages murder mystery game hosted by the Lynchburg College Library featuring members of Alpha Psi Omega, the college’s theatrical honor society. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and sparkling pomegranate punch as you try to solve the speakeasy murder. With special 1920’s jazz performed by Square Peg!
February 12: Film Noir Friday: Double Indemnity
Time: 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: Maier Museum, Randolph College
Join us on Fridays throughout the Big Read program for special cinematic journeys through the shady underbelly of film noir. Love and murder mingle at Randolph College’s screening of Double Indemnity, presented in conjunction with the museum’s annual Love at the Maier event. Dr. Julio Rodriguez, Associate Professor of American Culture, will facilitate a lecture and discussion following the film.
February 13: The Word on Birds
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Amazement Square
Laura Rogers of The Nature Zone/Lynchburg Parks and Recreation is back at the Square with a program that’s for the birds! Learn what makes birds different from other creatures, how to attract birds to your backyard, and the best ways to feed birds in the winter. Free with admission.
February 16: Teacher Workshop: Cast in a Darker Light – Film Noir and Fiction
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Amazement Square
The film, The Maltese Falcon, based on the book by Dashiell Hammett, made in 1941 is generally accepted as the start of what has come to be known as Film Noir. Hammett’s original novel, published in 1930, is considered America’s greatest crime novel and gave us the term, “hard boiled fiction.” Private detectives such as Hammett’s Sam Spade followed by Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe have become part of the American mythos as have the narrative form’s use of the femme fatale, the city as a character unto itself, and distinctive use of light within the film frame.
In this workshop, Jeffrey W. Allison, Paul Mellon Collection Educator, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, explores the development of Film Noir from the seminal fiction of Hammett and Chandler and films such as The Big Sleep and Out of the Past to modern reinterpretations including the works of Quentin Tarentino and Ridley Scott. Participants will also discuss works by American artists such as Edward Hopper who embody the noir aesthetic. Teachers will view short film clips and receive SOL-Based lesson plans for classroom use.
This program has been organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Education and Statewide Programs, and is supported by the Paul Mellon Endowment.
February 16: Book Discussion
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Liberty University, Bookstore
Stop by the Liberty University campus bookstore for a lively community discussion of the classic mystery, The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. Free copies of the books and supplementary materials will be available. Coffee and refreshments will be served.
February 17: Book Discussion
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Location: Inklings Books & The White Hart Cafe
Stop by Books on the FLY location The White Hart for a spirited book discussion. Enjoy a lively community conversation of the noir classic The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. Free copies of the book are available for pick-up at The White Hart prior to discussion.
February 18: Book Discussion
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Location: CVCC Main Campus, Merritt Hall Multipurpose Room
Stop by CVCC campus for a lively community discussion of the classic mystery, The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. Professor Peter Dorman will present his thoughts on the book and facilitate the discussion. Free copies of the books and supplementary materials will be available.
February 18: Speakeasy Night
Time: 9:00 pm - 12:00 am
Location: Rivermont Pizza
Sneak into the best speakeasy in town as we enjoy socializing, libations, and dancing the night away to retro tunes provided by Blair Amberley of Speakertree Records. Free copies of the book and other Big Read materials will be distributed as well as a prize for best costume, so come dressed to impress. Don't forget the secret password - falcon!
February 19: Film Noir Friday: Out of the Past
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Lynchburg College Hopwood Auditorium
Join us on Fridays throughout the Big Read program for special cinematic journeys through the shady underbelly of film noir. Dr. Ken Wagner, Jr., Assistant Professor of Sociology, will introduce Out of the Past, a classic noir film, replete with the femme fatales, a doomed PI who gets too close and one of the smoothest heavies in film history, played by Kirk Douglas.
February 19: Film Noir Friday: The Maltese Falcon
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: CVCC Main Campus
Join us on Fridays throughout the Big Read program for special cinematic journeys through the shady underbelly of film noir. Watch Humphrey Bogart embody the role of Sam Spade as it searches for the elusive Maltese Falcon in the 1941 film classic.
February 20: Create Your Own Comic
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Amazement Square
Help Scorpy and friends tackle the mystery of the falcon! Visit Amazement Square for an opportunity to write and illustrate your very own comic mystery! Free with admission.
February 22: Book Discussion
Time: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: The Good Cherry Coffee & Tea
Stop by Books on the FLY location The Good Cherry for a spirited book discussion. Enjoy a lively community conversation of the noir classic The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. Free copies of the book are available for pick-up at The Good Cherry prior to discussion.
February 23: Book Discussion
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Lynchburg College,
Faculty Resource Room in Schewel Hall (SHWL 231)
Dr. Ken Wagner, Jr., Assistant Professor of Sociology will lead a lively community discussion of the classic mystery, The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. Free copies of the books and supplementary materials will be available.
February 25: Book Discussion
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Location: Starlight Cafe
Stop by Books on the FLY location Starlight Cafe for a spirited book discussion. Enjoy a lively community conversation of the noir classic The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. Free copies of the book are available for pick-up at Starlight Café prior to discussion.
February 26: Film Noir Friday: The Maltese Falcon
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Amazement Square Education Warehouse
Our Film Noir Fridays film series culminates in a presentation of 1941 film classic The Maltese Falcon starring Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor on the big screen!
February 27: Family Book Discussion
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Amazement Square
Visit Amazement Square for a lively all ages discussion of our Big Read and Little Read book selections. How are the mysteries in both books the same? Can you spot all the clever references? This is the perfect family bonding experience and it’s free with admission!
