Whitefish explores 'Fahrenheit 451' with The Big Read
In October, Whitefish will welcome The Big Read. Several events are scheduled throughout the month to celebrate the National Endowment for the Arts program, which encourages reading and literature.
The book Whitefish will focus on is Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451,” a visionary parable of a society gone awry, in which firemen burn books and the state suppresses learning. Book discussions, films and lectures relating to the novel are planned throughout the month.
A schedule of events follows.
Opening reception
Oct. 5, 5 to 6 p.m.
The Big Read will officially begin with a reception at Whitefish Community Library. Activities include a “banned books” display, a ribbon-cutting ceremony releasing copies of “Fahrenheit 451” to the public and an official announcement by Whitefish Mayor John Muhlfeld. Refreshments will be served.
Film screening
Oct. 7, 7 to 9 p.m.
The film version of “Fahrenheit 451” will be screened at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center.
Book discussion
• Oct. 9, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. — the Red Room at Latitude 48
• Oct. 10, 7 to 9 p.m., and Oct. 16, 7 to 9 p.m. — Crush Wine Bar
• Oct. 19, 9:30 to 11 a.m., and Oct. 30, 6 to 8 p.m. — Whitefish Community Library
• Oct. 23, 2 to 3 p.m. — Montana Coffee Traders (downtown)
• Oct. 24, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — Whitefish Community Center
• Oct. 25, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. — Green Tea House
Children’s story hour
Oct. 11, 11 a.m. to noon
Whitefish Fire Department will visit during children’s story time at Whitefish Community Library to talk about fire prevention. A story dealing with fire safety will be read.
Art display
Oct. 12 and Oct. 13
Muldown Elementary students will celebrate Fire Prevention Week by creating artwork to display at the Whitefish Emergency Center.
Fire Prevention Week celebration
Oct. 13, 1 to 3 p.m.
Tour Whitefish Emergency Center, enjoy the Muldown students’ artwork and celebrate the local fire department in this event.
Ray Bradbury film
Oct. 14, 7 to 9 p.m.
“Illustrated Man” will be screened at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center.
Film and lecture
Oct. 17, 7 to 9 p.m.
University of Montana journalism professor and author Clem Work will host the showing of “Jailed for Their Words: When Free Speech Died in Wartime America,” at First Presbyterian Church. A discussion will follow the film.
Free speech lecture
Oct. 18, 1 to 2 p.m.
Clem Work will discuss his book, “Darkest Before Dawn: Sedition and Free Speech in the American West,” at the Whitefish Community Center. The book focuses on Montana’s 1918 sedition law, which shut down freedom of speech. The assault on civil rights is mirrored in the events described in “Fahrenheit 451.”
Authors’ reception
Oct. 18, 4 to 6 p.m.
The community will have the opportunity to meet Work and other Montana authors during a reception at the Whitefish Community Library.
“All About Robotics”
Oct. 23, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Hunter Lloyd, a robotics instructor from Montana State University, will bring his collection of robots and discuss the development of robots as compared to the perspective presented in “Fahrenheit 451” during this lecture at the O’Shaughnessy Center.
“Lombardi”
Oct. 27 and 28, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Whitefish Theatre Co. will present this play in a Black Curtain Readers’ Theatre format at the O’Shaughnessy Center. A book discussion following the play will use the theme of individualism as it relates to “Fahrenheit 451.”