The Big Read 2012 - Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club

Click here for a list of Supplemental Books and Films

For The Big Read 2012 Fishtrap invites all of Wallowa County to join us in reading and celebrating "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan. Here's what we have in store to keep you busy over the winter:

THE BIG READ 2012 CALENDAR of EVENTS

Sun, Jan 8 – COMMUNITY KICK-OFF EVENT – Images of China presented by The Dragon Art Studio of Portland, producing the only professional Chinese puppet theater in the United States.  Master puppeteers Zhengli Xu and Yuqin Wang have been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts.  Free book raffle, The Bookloft sales table and refreshments available.  OK Theatre 7PM

Mon, Jan 9 — FILM – King of Masks (1999) Nearing the end of his life, Wang -- a locally renowned street performer and wizard of the venerable art of mask magic -- yearns to pass on his technique. But custom decrees that he can only hand down his craft to a male successor. The heirless Wang then buys an impoverished 8-year-old on the black market. Not rated R & R Drive In, Joseph; Lear’s, Enterprise; Wallowa City Hall 7 PM

Wed, Jan 11 – FILM AND LECTURE – The Legacy of Three Notable Chinese Men in the West - Oregon Public Broadcasting’s film on the history of the Kam Wah Chung Museum in John Day, chronicles the partnership between Lung On, a businessman and Ing Hay, a Chinese doctor. Additionally, local artist Steve Arment will discuss a painting in his collection by Lia Yong, an immigrant Chinese artist of San Francisco. Fishtrap House Enterprise 7PM

Thurs, Jan 12 –INTRODUCTION TO MAH JONG - Carol Burch will discuss the history of mah jong and how it relates to the book, The Joy Luck Clubby Amy Tan. The game of mah jong will also be played by those wishing to participate. Fishtrap House Enterprise 7PM

Mon, Jan 16 – FILM – Not One Less (1999) When teacher Gao leaves town for a month, 13-year ole Wei is pressed into serving as his substitute at the school.  If she keeps her class intact, she will receive a bonus.  But when a student leaves for the city, she follows and strives relentlessly to bring him back. Not rated, subtitled R & R Drive In, Joseph; Lear’s, Enterprise; Wallowa City Hall 7 PM

Wed, Jan 18 – LECTURE AND BOOK DISCUSSION – The Joy Luck Club – BeeBee Tan-Beck – “Amy Tan’s book takes us on a journey towards understanding the issues that all of us confront in our daily lives.”  BeeBee taught Asian American literature at Portland Community College and Clackamas Community College.  Toma’s Conference Room, Enterprise 7PM

Thurs, Jan 19 – LECTURE: WHAT IS “REAL” CHINESE FOOD – BeeBee Tan-Beck  She has been a food writer/critic and has extensive knowledge about the cultural significance of Chinese food.  There is a vast difference between Chinese/American food in this country and Chinese food in China. Methodist Church Joseph 7PM

Sun, Jan 22 – CHINESE NEW YEAR BANQUET – This banquet will include an eight course traditional Chinese New Year meal prepared by Chinese chefs, preceded by a short talk by chef Lynne Curry describing the cultural significance of the meal.  This is an opportunity to experience authentic Chinese cuisine.  Happy Garden Restaurant, 5:30 PM Only 75 tickets available at $20 each – For sale at The Big Read Kick-Off, The Sheep Shed, The Bookloft, Blonde Strawberry.

Mon, Jan 23 – FILM – Eat, Drink, Man, Woman (1994) Distracted by their complicated love lives and secret ambitions, three adult sisters reluctantly humor their widower father by enduring the elaborate, traditional Taiwanese dinners he insists on having every Sunday. Not rated, subtitled R & R Drive In, Joseph; Lear’s, Enterprise; Wallowa City Hall 7 PM

Wed, Jan 25 – CANCELLED!! LECTURE AND BOOK DISCUSSION – Author Greg Nokes will talk about his experience in researching and writing his book, Massacred for Gold, describing a tragic event from Wallowa County history.  His book describes how as many as 34 Chinese miners were killed at their mining site along the Snake River. Toma’s Conference Room, Enterprise 7 PM

Sun, Jan 29 – THE JOY OF DUMPLINGS COOKING CLASS – Lynne Sampson Curry – Lynne Sampson Curry, local chef and food writer, will instruct us on the art and history of dumpling making in China.  Recipes will be available to participants. PRE-REGISTER with Ben at Fishtrap 541-426-3623.  Cost is $25.  Class limit 25. 12 - 2 PM

Mon, Jan 30 – FILM – Thousand Pieces of Gold (1991) In the late 1800’s Lalu, a poor Chinese woman, is sold into marriage in America.  She’s sent to a tough Idaho mining town where saloon owner and fellow countryman, Hong King wants her to work as a prostitute. When Lalu refuses she attracts the attention of King’s partner, Charlie.  Based on a true story. PG-13 R & R Drive In, Joseph; Lear’s, Enterprise; Wallowa City Hall 7 PM

Wed, Feb 1 – LECTURE AND DISCUSSION – Amy Zahm, Licensed Acupuncturist, brought Chinese Medicine to Wallowa County five years ago. She has an extensive background in anatomy and kinesiology.  She will discuss the ways that developments in Chinese medical theory and practice paralleled the development of culture and philosophy in China. Fishtrap House Enterprise 7 PM

Mon, Feb 6 – FILM  - The Joy Luck Club (1993) View the feature film on the big screen. Based on the novel by Amy Tan, Wayne Wang's drama follows four Chinese women living in California, who gather weekly to play mah jong and share stories about their lives and their daughters’ lives, while lamenting some of the younger generation’s choices. Rated R. OK Theatre, Enterprise only 7PM

Tues, Feb 7 - FILM AND LECTURE – The Legacy of Three Notable Chinese Men in the West - Oregon Public Broadcasting’s film on the history of the Kam Wah Chung Museum in John Day, chronicles the partnership between Lung On, a businessman and Ing Hay, a Chinese doctor. Additionally, local artist Steve Arment will discuss a painting in his collection by Lia Yong, an immigrant Chinese artist of San Francisco. Wallowa City Hall 7PM

Wed, Feb 8 – LECTURE AND DISCUSSION – Dr. Chuimei Ho has a PhD in archaeology and art history.  She will profile the lives of several Chinese women during the early days of Chinese immigration in the West.  Toma’s Conference Room, Enterprise 7 PM

Sun, Feb 12 – COMMUNITY FINALE – To China, in Search of Stories.  Storyteller Kathy Hunter will share her slide presentation and storytelling from her trip to China’s Gengcun village, “The Village of Stories”. Chinese entrée and potluck.  Hurricane Creek Grange, 5 PM Only 100 tickets available at $10 each – For sale at The Big Read Kick-Off, The Sheep Shed, The Bookloft, Blonde Strawberry.

For further information contact Ben at Fishtrap 541-426-3623

For a printable version of this calender, [click here]

The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Thanks to our sponsors:

This project is supported in part by a grant from the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

The Big Read 2012 - Preliminary Events Calendar

For a bigger picture of The Big Read nationally, visit the NEA website

Click here for a look at The Big Read 2011