NCC & the Southern NH Seven invite you to participate in THE BIG READ...
This event is part of The Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.
FESTIVALS:
09/23/2007 - Sunday - 1:00 pm
Celebration of the Moon Festival - Opening Event
Location: Souhegan High School, Boston Post Road, Amherst, NH
The kick-off event for The Big Read's two-month series will feature a Lion-Dance, Chinese folktales and folksongs, dance, pageantry and music for all ages. Hands-on activities for children and Chinese food tasting. 
10/06/2007 - Saturday - MILFORD PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
Chinese Crafts & Face Painting for Children
10:00am - 5:00pm
Location: Wadleigh Memorial Library, 49 Nashua St., Milford
Wadleigh Memorial Library do hands-on activites--Chinese crafts-- with children during the Milford Pumpkin Festival.
Lights Up! Drama with Roberta Woolfson @ The Milford Pumpkin Festival
11:00am - 11:45am
Location: Community House Lawn Stage (downtown), MIlford
Wadleigh Memorial Library will host a Chinese folktale dramatization during the during the Milford Pumpkin Festival.
MUSEUM TRIP:
11/01/2007 - Thursday
Bus Trip to Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA
Travel by motorcoach from Amherst, NH to Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA. We will visit the Yin Yu Tang House and the exhibit Perfect Imbalance: Exploring Chinese Aesthetics, have lunch, then have time to explore other exhibits at the museum before returning home. Pre-registration required by deadline on October 20. FOR MORE DETAILS AND TO PRINT REGISTRATION FORM.
EXHIBITS:
September 1-30, 2007
Location: Amherst Town Library, 14 Main St.
"China Continuity & Change"
China Photo Display, Harrison Sacket Elliott's Photographs of China, circa 1905-1908
September 10-29, 2007
Location: Brookline Public Library, 16 Main St.
The exhibit in conjunction with the Andres' Institute of Art and will feature artists from Andres', local artists and several Chinese-Brush Stroke painters' work.
**
September 13, 2007 - 6:00 pm
Opening Reception -
Come and meet the artists. Refreshments will be served and there'll be live music.
September 30 - November 8, 2007
Location: Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce, 69 Rte. 101A, Amherst, NH
Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce and The Wadleigh Memorial Library will display the works of Chinese brush painting by Concord, MA artist Ming-Chien Liang.
** September 30, 2007 - 2:00 - 4:00pm
Opening Reception - Come and meet the artist and watch her demonstrate brush painting techniques. The public is invited to attend. Refreshments will be served.
October 1-31, 2007
Location: Bedford Public Library, 3 Meetinghouse Road
"China Continuity & Change"
China Photo Display, Harrison Sacket Elliott's Photographs of China, circa 1905-1908
October 1-31, 2007
Location: Amherst Town Library, 14 Main St,
Four Contemporary Chinese Painters exhibit examples of their work. Artists are Jing Hua Dalia, Q Li Holmes, Yahong Shen and Son-Mey Chiu.
Also Kung Tai Tsay will be displaying her work in the traditional art of Chinese Knot Tying.
** October 14 , 2007 - 2:00 pm
Opening Reception - Come and meet the artists.
MUSIC:
10/07/2007 - Sunday - 2:30 pm
Sunday Concert -- Chinese Music
Location:Bedford Public Library, 3 Meetinghouse Road, Bedford, NH
Musicians from the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts will be performing on
traditional Chinese instruments such as flutes, dulcimer, erhu, xun, pipa, and
sheng.
10/11/2007 - Thursday - 7:00 pm
Chinese Music: The Evolution
Location: Brookline's Upper Town Hall Stage, Main & Bond Sts.
Mark Lutton presents this opportunity for you to come and learn how the music in China has evolved historically, what it was like during Mao's Cultural Revolution in China and how Western influences have affected it today. Two pieces by Robert Schumann that are mentioned in The Joy Luck Club will be performed. Information about traditional music and instruments will be covered also.
BOOK DISCUSSIONS:
09/17/2007 - Monday -7:00 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Brookline Public Library, 16 Main St.
Join us for a book discussion of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.
09/25/2007 - Tuesday - 
7:00 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Wadleigh Memorial Library, 49 Nashua St., Milford
Adult Book Club discussion of The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan.
09/30/2007 - Sunday - 2:30 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Wilton Town Hall Theatre, 40 Main St.
Book discussion on The Joy Luck Club with Professor Monica Chiu. Participants are encouraged to stay for the film, "The Joy Luck Club".
10/02/2007 - Tuesday - 7:00 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Parkhurst Place, 11 Veterans Rd. Amherst
The Joy Luck Club Book Discussion with Ruslyn Vear: Ruslyn Vear, Head of Reference Services at the Amherst Town Library, will facilitate this discussion.
10/10/2007 - Wednesday - 7:30 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Daland Memorial Library, 5 No. Main St,
Mont Vernon
Book discussion on The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, lead by Kathi Fitzgerald.
10/11/2007 - Thursday - 10:00 am
Senior Book Group
Location: Wadleigh Memorial Library, 49 Nashua St., Milford
Book discussion on Waiting by Ha Jin.
10/15/2007 - Monday - 1:00 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Bedford Public Library, 3 Meetinghouse Rd.
A book discussion on The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan will be lead by scholar Emily Archer.
10/22/2007 - Monday - 7:00 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Brookline Public Library, 16 Main Street
Book discussion on The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan.
10/23/2007 - Tuesday - 7:00 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Amherst Town Library, 14 Main St.
The Joy Luck Club book discussion with Emily Archer. Scholar Emily Archer will facilitate this discussion.
10/23/2007 - Tuesday - 7:00 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Whipple Free Library, 2 Central Sq., New Boston
Book discussion on The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan.
10/30/2007 - Tuesday - 7:00 pm
Book Discussion
Location: Bedford Public Library, 3 Meetinghouse Rd.
A book discussion on The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan will be lead by Lynne Bishop.
11/05/2007 - Monday - 9:30 am
Book Discussion
Location: Daland Memorial Library, 5 North Main St., Mont Vernon
An adult group discussion featuring Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin.
LECTURES:
09/18/2007 - Tuesday - 7:00 pm
"China Continuity & Change"
China Photo Display, Harrison Sacket Elliott's Photographs of China, circa 1905-1908 with a lecture by his daughter, Jean Elliot Johnson
Location: Amherst Town Library, 14 Main St.
Scholar Jean Johnson will present a "Then and Now" comparison of the photos taken by her father with those taken when she and her husband traveled to China in the '80's. The photos will be on display at the Amherst Town Library for the month of September.
09/27/2007 - Thursday - 7:00 pm
Chinese Medicine
Location: Wadleigh Memorial Library, 49 Nashua St., Milford
A talk given by Sean Doherty, acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist; co-owner of Balance Point Natural Medicine in Milford
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ADULT LECTURE SERIES
TUESDAYS
10/02 - 11/20/2007
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Mandarin Chinese Language Enrichment
Location: Whipple Free Library, 2 Center Sq., New Boston
Chinese language and culture will be offered to teachers
and other interested adults in this 8-week series.
Registration Fee $55--includes text.
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10/02/2007 - Tuesday - 6:00 pm
FROM EMPIRE TO ENTREPRENEUR: CHINA EMERGES The Decline and Fall of the Last Empire: the Qing- 1840-1911
Location: Southeastern Regional Education Service Center, 29 Commerce Drive, Bedford
The Qing Dynasty (Manchus) ruled China from 1600-1911. Highlights of the years we will explore are The Opium Wars, Taiping Rebellion, Boxer Rebellion and other contact with foreigners and political decisions that contributed to China's decline. Some background on earlier Qing domination will be addressed.
This session led by John Watt, PhD.
Registration Fee $35 ($150 for all 5 parts)
PRINT REGISTRATION FORM.
10/04/2007 - Thursday - 10:30 am
Feng Shui and Chinese Garden Design
with Yih-Ping R. Chang
Location: Amherst Congregational Church, Community Room, 11 Church Street, Amherst
Mr. Chang, a registered architect, feng shui consultant, educator and professional artist will give a talk on traditional Chinese Garden Design and Landscaping and the influence of feng shui on garden design. Mr. Chang holds a M.S. in Architecture Studies from M.I.T. and has done additional graduate work in History of East Asian Art and Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania.
10/04/2007 - Thursday - 7:00 pm
"China Continuity & Change"
China Photo Display, Harrison Sacket Elliott's Photographs of China, circa 1905-1908 with a lecture by his daughter, Jean Elliott Johnson
Location: Bedford Public Library, 3 Meetinghouse Road
Scholar Jean Johnson will present a "Then and Now" comparsion of the photos taken by her father with those taken when she and her husband traveled to China in the '80s. The photos will be on display at the Bedford Public Library for the month of October.
10/12/2007 - Friday - 7:30 pm
Exploring Tea in China: Film and Chinese Tea Ceremony
Location: Community Church, New Boston
Ms. Beaudette will share slides and experiences from her 2007 tour of Chinese Tea Plantations, and include a Chinese Tea Ceremony. Presented by Danielle Beaudette of The Cozy Tea Cart.
10/14/2007 - Sunday - 4:00 pm
Traditions in Chinese Art
Location: Mont Vernon Library, 5 North Main St.
The Series "Mont Vernon Wants to Know" presents Huajing Xiu Maske, who will give a talk on Traditions in Chinese Art. Huajing Xiu Maske is a China scholar who received her Ph.D. in Art History from Oxford where she studied the development of Western-style painting in early- to mid-20th-century China. She has published on China's art, lectured extensively, and conducted research at theFairbanks Center at Harvard University.
10/16/2007 - Tuesday - 7:00 pm
The Joy Luck Club and Traditional Chinese Religion with Professor Todd Lewis
Location: Amherst Town Library, 14 Main St.
This best-selling book opens up several worlds. Most prominent are the challenges Chinese immigrants and their children face in America trying to maintain themselves in a socio-cultural world starkly different from turbulent 20th century China. Another world that Amy Tan's book reveals centers on the religious world views of tradition-minded Chinese like her mother and her peers. Our evening discussion will use The Joy Luck Club as a prism to consider the overlapping traditions of Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and indigenous folk religion that endure in China.
10/17/2007 - Wednesday - 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Enduring Legacy of Ancient China
Location: Southeast Regional Education Service Center, 29 Commerce Drive, Bedford
A professional development program for educators and others to include the topics: Early China with Bob Murowchick, Director of the newly-established International Center for East Asian Archaeology and Cultural History; Geography: Big Maps with Wanli Hu, a native of Xi'an China, and received his PhD from UMASS in Sino-American Relations, and Anne Mills-Norrie, a retired grade 4 teacher. Afternoon breakout session topics: Impact of Confucius; Art and Poetry; and Inventions and Inovations. Pre-registration required. $50.00 Fee if registered on or before September 19 / $75.00 after September 19. Fee includes continental breakfast, lunch and handouts.
10/17/2007 - Wednesday - 6:00 pm
FROM EMPIRE TO ENTREPRENEUR: CHINA EMERGES War and Destiny in Republican China: 1911-1949
Location: Southeastern Regional Education Service Center, 29 Commerce Drive, Bedford
The end of monarchy in China led to a new activism and revolutionary movement. In this session we will explore the emergence of the warlords, industrial development in early 20th century China, The May Fourth Incident, the rise of the women's movement and reunification under the Nationalists. Author Lu Xun will be discussed.
This session led by Weili Ye, PhD.
Registration Fee $35 ($150 for all 5 parts)
PRINT REGISTRATION FORM.
10/19/2007 - Friday - 7:30 pm
"China Continuity & Change"
China Photo Display, Harrison Sacket Elliott's Photographs of China, circa 1905-1908 with a lecture by his daughter, Jean Elliott Johnson
Location: Community Church
Scholar Jean Johnson will present a "Then and Now" comparison of the photos taken by her father with those taken when she and her husband traveled to China in the '80's.
10/25/2007 - Thursday - 7:00 pm
Feng Shui
Location: Brookline Town Hall, Upper Stage, Main St.
Margaret Donahue of Feng Shui Connections, Windham, NH will explain the Ancient Chinese approach to designing space to optimize positive energy flow.
10/25/2007 - Thursday - 7:30 pm
Issues in U.S.-China Relations: A talk with Shiping Zheng
Location: Bedford Public Library, 3 Meetinghouse Road
Shiping Zheng, Ph.D. Yale, native of Shanghai, is Associate Professor of International Studies and Chair of the International Studies Department at Bentley College near Boston.
10/30/2007 - Tuesday - 6:00 pm
FROM EMPIRE TO ENTREPRENEUR: CHINA EMERGES Mao Zedong: Hero or Villain: 1949-1976
Location: Southeastern Regional Service Center, 29 Commerce Drive, Bedford
Mao is now seen as both a hero and a villain and discussion of the many movements from the Mao era will help us decide where we think he falls. In this session we will look at the rise of the communist party: its ideology and control, the Korean War, and Mao's various social models including the Hundred Flowers Campaign, The Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution.
This session will be led by Shiping Zheng, PhD.
Registration Fee $35 ($150 for all 5 parts)
PRINT REGISTRATION FORM.
11/06/2007 - Tuesday - 6:00 pm
FROM EMPIRE TO ENTREPRENEUR: CHINA EMERGES Deng Xiaoping: The Last True Emperor and the Cat with Nine Lives 1976-1997
Location: Southeastern Regional Service Center, 29 Commerce Drive, Bedford
We will take a look at this charismatic leader who helped open China to the west after the death of Mao Zedong and how the communist party changed after Mao. Social and cultural changes will be explored as well as gender roles and political changes in attitude.
This session will be led by Shiping Zheng, PhD.
Registration Fee $35 ($150 for all 5 parts)
PRINT REGISTRATION FORM.
11/13/2007 - Tuesday - 6:00 pm
FROM EMPIRE TO ENTREPRENEUR: CHINA EMERGES China Today: Communist Competitor or Strategic Partner
Location: Southeastern Regional Service Center, 29 Commerce Drive, Bedford
How is China coping with rapid change, the environment, the coming Olympic Games and globalization with the whole world watching? Discussion of contemporary events will help us pull all the pieces of this China series together in a final session with Professor John Watt, PhD.
Registration Fee $35 ($150 for all 5 parts)
PRINT REGISTRATION FORM.
HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES:
09/25/2007 - Tuesday - 6:30 pm
Chinese Brush Painting with Yahong Shen
Location: Amherst Town Library, 14 Main St.
A graduate of Harvard School of Design, artist Yahong Shen has made Chinese Brush Painting her passion for many years. In this hands-on workshop, Yahong will share information on the many categories, styles, and features of Chinese Brush Painting. Tool and materials will be supplied by the artist.
09/27 - 11/08/07 Thursdays - 7:00 pm
Mah jong
Location: Whipple Free Library, 2 Center Sq., New Boston
Learn how to play mah jong with instructor Mikey Yang! Mikey will attend and teach for the first three sessions. Sign-up required, call 603-487-3391 to register.
10/10/2007 - Wednesday - 7:00 pm
Mah jong
Location: Bedford Public Library, 3 Meetinghouse Road
Learn how to play mah jong with instructor Mikey Yang!
FILM SERIES:
09/30/2007 - Sunday -
4:30 pm
The Big Read Film Series
Location: Wilton Town Hall Theatre, 40 Main St.
The Joy Luck Club - film and discussion of the book and film with Professor Monica Chiu of the University of New Hampshire.
10/21/2007 - Sunday 4:30 pm
The Big Read Film Series
Location: Wilton Town Hall Theatre, 40 Main St.
"Shower", directed by Zhang Yang. This is a story about a father and his two sons. The elder son leaves to make his fortune while the father stays in Beijing to take care of his younger disabled son. This heartwarming story of traditional living and the power of strong neighborhood connections helps the elder son re-evaluate his choices as he works to achieve his personal goals while maintaining his family values.
10/28/2007 - Sunday
4:30 pm
The Big Read Film Series
Location: Wilton Town Hall Theatre, 40 Main St.
"Raise the Red Latern"- film and discussion of the life of concubines in early 20th century China with connections made to the same issue in Amy Tan's "The Joy Luck Club."
11/04/2007 - Sunday
4:30 pm
The Big Read Film Series
Location: Wilton Town Hall Theatre, 40 Main St.
"The Inn of the Sixth Happiness"- Based on the true story of Gladys Aylward, a British maid who became a missionary in China. As the hostile Chinese begin to trust her and a powerful Mandarin converts to Christianity, there is one more difficult task: to guide 100 children through enemy territory and into safety during the Chinese-Japanese War. Stars Ingrid Bergman.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
09/27/2007 - Thursday - 4:00 - 4:30 pm
Family Storytime
Location: Amherst Town Library, 14 Main St.
Come and enjoy Chinese folktales and other Chinese themed stories. No registration required, all ages welcome!
10/20/2007 - Saturday - 2:00 pm
Saturday Stage: Chinese Dancers
Location: TBD
Come watch a performance of traditional Chinese dance, and then participate in a small workshop!
10/23/2007 - Tuesday - 2:30 pm
Chinese Folktales & Crafts
Location: Whipple Free Library, 2 Center Sq, New Boston
Junior Bookgroup grade levels 2&3 (aka Craft a Story) will read Chinese folktales and do hands-on activities.
10/24/2007 - Wednesday -10:00 - 5:00 pm
All Day Craft
Location: Amherst Town Library, 14 Main St.
Make and take home a Chinese dragon. Drop in the Children's room any time to make your craft.
10/30/2007 - Tuesday -2:30 pm
Chinese Folktales & Crafts
Location: Whipple Free Library, 2 Center Sq, New Boston
Junior Bookgroup grade levels 4-6 (aka Pageturners) will read Chinese folktales and do hands-on activities.
11/04/2007 - Thursday -6:30 pm
Movie Night
Location: Amherst Town Library, 14 Main St.
Come and watch "Mulan" (rated G runs 88 min.) No registration required. Bring a pillow, we provide the popcorn!
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The programs listed below are open only to students and teachers of New Boston Central School.
10/02/2007 - Tuesday - 2:30 pm
New Boston Central School Chinese Language Enrichment
Location: New Boston Central School Library
Chinese language and culture will be offered in an after-school enrichment program for students aged 7-11 and teachers of the New Boston Central School. Registration Fee $40--includes text.
10/09/2007 - Tuesday - 8:00 am
Author Visit - Ruthanne McCunn
Location: New Boston Community School
Author Ruthanne McCunn will visit with students of all grades and share her books and writing life with them. Her titles include Thousand Pieces of Gold, The Moon Pearl, Chinese American Portraits, and new this fall God of Luck. Visit her website
10/09/2007 - Tuesday - 2:30 pm
New Boston Central School Chinese Language Enrichment
Location: New Boston Central School Library
Chinese language and culture will be offered in an after-school enrichment program for students aged 7-11 and teachers of the New Boston Central School. Registration Fee $40--includes text.
10/16/2007 - Tuesday - 2:30 pm
New Boston Central School Chinese Language Enrichment
Location: New Boston Central School Library
Chinese language and culture will be offered in an after-school enrichment program for students aged 7-11 and teachers of the New Boston Central School. Registration Fee $40--includes text.
10/23/2007 - Tuesday - 2:30 pm
New Boston Central School Chinese Language Enrichment
Location: New Boston Central School Library
Chinese language and culture will be offered in an after-school enrichment program for students aged 7-11 and teachers of the New Boston Central School. Registration Fee $40--includes text.
10/30/2007 - Tuesday - 2:30 pm
New Boston Central School Chinese Language Enrichment
Location: New Boston Central School Library
Chinese language and culture will be offered in an after-school enrichment program for students aged 7-11 and teachers of the New Boston Central School. Registration Fee $40--includes text.
11/06/2007 - Tuesday - 2:30 pm
New Boston Central School Chinese Language Enrichment
Location: New Boston Central School Library
Chinese language and culture will be offered in an after-school enrichment program for students aged 7-11 and teachers of the New Boston Central School. Registration Fee $40--includes text.
11/13/2007 - Tuesday - 2:30 pm
New Boston Central School Chinese Language Enrichment
Location: New Boston Central School Library
Chinese language and culture will be offered in an after-school enrichment program for students aged 7-11 and teachers of the New Boston Central School. Registration Fee $40--includes text.
11/20/2007 - Friday - 2:30 pm
New Boston Central School Chinese Language Enrichment
Location: New Boston Central School Library
Chinese language and culture will be offered in an after-school enrichment program for students aged 7-11 and teachers of the New Boston Central School. Registration Fee $40--includes text.