Hopkinsville Big Read: Schedule of Events

The unveiling of a new mural at Hopkinsville Brewing Co., followed by a reading and Q&A with “Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude” author Ross Gay on Sept. 7 will kick off Hopkinsville’s ninth Big Read.

The second part of the kick-off program will be at the Alhambra Theatre, where Gay will participate in a book signing hosted by the Pennyroyal Arts Council. The event is free, and the first 100 attendees will receive a complimentary book.

Published in 2015, “Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude” explores life, death and their many tides through 24 lyric poems. It was a National Book Award finalist. 

This is the ninth Big Read in Hopkinsville supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information, visit pennyroyalarts.org/big-read.

Pennyroyal Arts Council Mural Unveiling

• When: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7
• Where: Hopkinsville Brewing Company, 102 E. 5th St.
• What: The Pennyroyal Arts Council presents their latest commissioned mural to the author of this year’s Big Read book.

Meet the Author

• When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7
• Where: Alhambra Theatre, 507 S. Main St.
• What: Ross Gay, the author of “Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude,” will read from his book with time for Q&A, and he will participate in a book signing hosted by the Pennyroyal Arts Council. The event is free to attend, and the first 100 attendees will receive a complimentary book.

Jeffers Bend Nature Fest

• When: 2 – 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16
• Where: Jeffers Bend Environmental Center, 1170 Metcalfe Lane
• What: This annual event celebrates nature with activities, games, and educational programs. Visit the Big Read table for a copy of this year’s book and other poetry fun.

Shakespeare in the Park

• When: Monday, Sept. 18; 5 p.m. – HCC Poetry Pop-Up Stand; 6 p.m. – Romeo and Juliet 
• Where: Roundtable Park, 720 North Drive
• What: Receive an original poem by the Roundtable Literary Club before enjoying a performance of Romeo and Juliet by Kentucky Shakespeare, a non-profit professional theatre company. Bring your own chair or blanket and grab dinner at the Holiday Burger food truck.

Adult Collage Workshop

• When: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27
• Where: Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library, 1101 Bethel St.
• What: A nature-themed collage class. Registration is required.

History on Tap: Gratitude & Cayce

• When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28
• Where: Hopkinsville Brewing Company, 102 E. 5th St.
• What: Edgar Cayce’s work explored the way our emotions and attitudes manifest in positive and negative ways in our lives. Attitudes are our choice. Learn what happens when you choose wisely!

bell hooks brunch

• When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23
• Where: To be determined.
• What: Brunch, conversation and fellowship celebrating the poetry of Hopkinsville’s own bell hooks. Stay tuned for the announcement of special guests. Registration is required.

Teen Storybird Poetry

• When: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3
• Where: Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library, 1101 Bethel St.
• What: A writing class that uses art as inspiration and empowers young writers to create unique stories with amazing illustrations.

Trivia Night

• When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5
• Where: Davo’s Restaurant, 3115 Canton St.
• What: Join us for Thursday Trivia with host Ginnie Pruitt at Davo’s. Trivia categories and questions will relate to “Catalog Of Unabashed Gratitude,” poetry, and all things in-between!

Book Discussions at Corner Coffeehouse

• When: 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6 & Friday, Oct. 20
• Where: Corner Coffeehouse, 1100 S. Main St.
• What: Hosted by the Literacy Council, these book discussions are open to the community and will cover approximately the first half and second half of the book, respectively.

The Supper Club

• When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12
• Where: Pennyroyal Area Museum, 217 E. 9th St.
• What: Experience Indian cuisine at the Supper Club, an evening that explores the diversity of our community through food. The club is open to anyone who loves to eat, to chat, and to learn about other cultures through commensality. Registration is required.

Teen Blackout Poetry

• When: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17
• Where: Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library, 1101 Bethel St.
• What: Create unique poetry utilizing an erasure style. Words from an existing written work will be blacked out – and a poem will be born!

Book Discussion at Milkweed

• When: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18
• Where: Milkweed Health and Harmony Emporium, 202 E. 9th St.
• What: Christa Granderson, Hopkinsville Community College English Instructor, will lead a discussion of Ross Gay’s book, “Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude.”

Poetry Workshop

• When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19
• Where: Hopkinsville Brewing Company, 102 E. 5th St.
• What: Hoptown Chronicle & WKMS present award-winning writer Constance Alexander. She will lead us through fun prompts on writing a short poem. You don’t have to be a poet to come out for this interactive night.

Super Saturday

• When: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21
• Where: Pennyroyal Area Museum, 217 E. 9th St.
• What: Spend Saturday with the Museum for kids activities and crafts focused on poetry, local authors, and themes from this year’s BIG READ book. 
  *Kids ages 6-12

Book Discussions at Hopkinsville Community College

• When: 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23 & Monday, Nov. 13
• Where: HCC’s Emerging Technology Building
• What: Hopkinsville Community College professors Elizabeth Burton (Oct. 23) and Addison James (Nov. 13) will lead discussions of Ross Gay’s book, “Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude.”

The Bar at the Bar

• When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25
• Where: Hopkinsville Brewing Company, 102 E. 5th St.
• What: Bob Ison, Attorney at Law, leads a discussion on preparing your last will and testament hosted by the Pennyroyal Arts Council.

Poetry Slam

• When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26
• Where: Hall at Alhambra Theatre, 507 S. Main St.
• What: The Pennyroyal Arts Council presents a poetry slam hosted by Crystal Ferreira. Read your poetry in a supportive community of your poetry peers! Registration is required.

Dead Poet’s Society

• When: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29
• Where: Alhambra Theatre, 507 S. Main St.
• What: The Pennyroyal Arts Council presents this Academy Award nominated film starring Robin Williams. The movie tells the story of an English teacher who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry. Registration is required.

The Carp Who Would Not Quit

• When: Noon on Thursday, Nov. 2
• Where: Alhambra Theatre, 507 S. Main St.
• What: Join the Pennyroyal Arts Council for an interactive performance that brings traditional fables from Japan and Okinawa to life through live original music, language, and performance traditions. The show is recommended for children in pre-K through third grade. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing mollycampbell@pennyroyalarts.org.

Thank You Notes Workshop

• When: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7
• Where: Pennyroyal Area Museum, 217 E. 9th St.
• What: Show your gratitude to others as you learn the etiquette of thank you notes — and tips and tricks to writing the perfect one.

The Compassion Club: A Book Discussion

• When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9
• Where: Pennyroyal Area Museum, 217 E. 9th St.
• What: Build belonging with books at this discussion led by the Human Rights Commission and the Pennyroyal Area Museum. The group will discuss Salman Rushdie’s “Midnight’s Children“. Copies available for purchase at the Pennyroyal Area Museum.

Sons of Mystro concert

• When: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10
• Where: Alhambra Theatre, 507 S. Main St.
• What: The Pennyroyal Arts Council presents: Sons of Mystro! This musical duo plays violin to interpret reggae classics, American pop songs, and their own creations accompanied by a DJ and a drummer. Tickets start at $50 and can be purchased online.

Quilt Program

• When: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16
• Where: Pennyroyal Area Museum, 217 E. 9th St.
• What: Create your own quilt square with the Knot Just Quilters as you view historic examples from the museum’s collection.

Community Reader Day

• When: Friday, Nov. 17
• What: Community Readers will read to classes across Christian County to promote literacy. Interested readers should sign up with the Christian County Literacy Council by emailing cclc42240@gmail.com prior to the event.