Pioneer Library System

The six-week reading promotion of Dashiell Hammett’s detective novel begins Friday, March 12, with activities in downtown Norman as part of the 2^nd Friday Circuit of Art of the Norman Arts Council and CART, Cleveland Area Rapid Transit. From 6-10 p.m. visitors can ride a trolley to participating arts venues downtown, on Campus Corner, and at the University of Oklahoma. Trolley rides are 50 cents per ride or $2 for the entire evening. The Big Read will be featured at three downtown venues. 

At the Crucible Foundry and Gallery, 110 E. Tonhawa, visitors can view the falcon sculptures commissioned by the Pioneer Library System to commemorate the 2010 The Big Read. Artist Jeff Littlejohn will be on hand to discuss the vision and the processes behind the works of art. The sculptures will be given to participants of The Big Read through drawings held in the Pioneer Library System public libraries in Cleveland, McClain, and Pottawatomie counties. 

At the Performing Arts Studio located in the historic Norman Depot, 200 S. Jones, visitors can pick up complimentary copies of The Maltese Falcon and sign up to participate in library book discussions of the novel or request book discussion kits to use in private book discussion settings. Members of the Canadian River Cruisers will have their vintage early 1900s vehicles at the Crucible and at the Depot to help re-create the mood and the setting of the book. 

While at the Depot, visitors can enjoy light refreshments while listening to the music of Off Boyd Jazz (www.myspace.com/offboydjazz). Off Boyd Jazz consists of University of Oklahoma students Trevor Galvin, sax; David Hickey, bass; Kyle Reid, guitar; Chris Schroeder, trumpet; and Laura Wiederhoeft, vocals. The group will play a mix of traditional jazz standards from ballads to bebop and swing, and more contemporary tunes with a jazzy twist. In homage to Sam Spade’s favorite beverage, visitors can take advantage of a malt scotch tasting offered at a cash bar. Wine, too will be available at the cash bar. Complimentary coffee, tea, and water will also be served.

The Diner, 213 E. Main, will be open from 6-8 p.m. to serve a special late-night breakfast created for the occasion, the Sam Spade Spam and Egg Special. This local eatery was recently featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. At all the designated The Big Read venues in downtown Norman, participants can pick up official forms to be entered in the drawings for The Big Read commemorative sculptures.