Randolph County Public Library NEWS

ASHEBORO – Randolph Reads: Invisible Man, the community reading initiative exploring Ralph Ellison’s classic novel, culminates in September with art, jazz, a stage presentation about invisibility in the community, discussions of the book, and more.

All events are free and the public is invited. They include:

Discuss-As-You-Read #3, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, August 28, at the Asheboro Public Library, 201 Worth Street. This is the last in a series of discussions that have considered Invisible Man in portions.

“Revealing the Invisible,” an exhibit  of work by local artists on the theme of invisibility, runs September 2-October 17 in Gallery 101 of the Randolph Arts Guild, 123 Sunset Avenue. An opening reception will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 2.

John Brown’s “Little” Big Band will perform an eclectic mix of jazz music that heavily influenced Ralph Ellison’s writing style, 7 p.m. Saturday, September 13, at the Sunset Theatre, 234 Sunset Avenue.  Brown, a Duke University music professor, fronts several jazz combos including this 11-piece ensemble.

“Ralph Ellison: An American Journey,” a PBS American Experience documentary, will screen at 7 p.m. Thursday, September 18, at the Sunset Theatre.

A Forum on Banned Books with author Jerry Bledsoe will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, September 25, at Randolph Community College.

Invisibility in the Community, a stage presentation based on Chip Womick’s series of articles in The Courier-Tribune about individuals in the community who feel invisible, is tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, September 26-27, at the Sunset Theatre.

Discussions of the book are slated at the Randolph County’s public libraries as follows: Archdale, 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 23; Asheboro, 5 p.m. Thursday, October 9; Liberty, 6 p.m. Tuesday. September 30; Ramseur, 1 p.m. Thursday, September 18; and Randleman, 4 p.m. Thursday, September 25.

All Randolph County has been invited to read and talk about Invisible Man by a partnership of community groups including The Courier-Tribune, the Friends of the Randolph Public Library, the Asheboro City Schools, the City of Asheboro, the George Washington Carver Community Enrichment Center, the Randolph County Public Library and the Randolph County Schools.

The purpose of the project is to allow people from all walks of life to have a common literary and artistic experience around the novel, and to be able to share their views on the themes and issues of being invisible in Randolph County.

For more information, visit www.randolphreads.org or contact Assistant Library Director George Taylor, 318-6814.