For the second year running, the International Festival of Arts & Ideas has received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest to host a community-wide “Big Read.” Running from April, through late June, this series of events centers on Claudia Rankine’s book, “Citizen: An American Lyric.” 

A consortium of community partners will present poetry slams, community talks, family programs, and more for audiences of all ages, based on the book’s themes. Presenting partners include the New Haven Free Public Library, City Wide Youth Coalition; Gateway Community College; Institute Library; Baobab Tree Studios; and the Woodbridge Town Library. Although some events will take place in April, the Big Read’s official launch will be held on Wednesday, May 3, from 6-8 p.m. at the Stetson Branch Library. 

The JCC and Jewish Federation are excited to be hosting two Big Read events:

SUNDAY, MAY 6, AT 10:30 A.M., as part of the Beckerman Jewish Film Series, Citizen readers are invited to attend the screening of “Sammy Davis Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me” at Madison Art Cinemas. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at jccnh.org/ filmseries or at the door.

TUESDAY, MAY 15, AT 7 P.M., The JCC, in partnership with the Woodbridge Town Library, will host retired Quinnipiac University professors, Rachel Ranis (sociology) and Hedda Kopf (women’s studies and English) to lead a community discussion on issues surrounding everyday racism in America. Both the JCC and Woodbridge libraries will have a small number of copies on loan. Digital access is available to all Connecticut residents through their public library’s Hoopla or Overdrive service. The FREE event will be held in the Vine Family Auditorium at the Beckerman/Lender Jewish Community Building, 360 Amity Road, Woodbridge.