The Big Read:
Robinson Jeffers and the Ecologies of Poetry
October 1st - November 7, 2009
ONLY ONE EVENTS LEFT: JEFFERS DAY! Saturday, Nov. 7

The Big Read: Robinson Jeffers and the Ecologies of Poetry is a celebration of the poet and the natural environment from which he drew his inspiration. The great poet of the Western landscape, Robinson Jeffers celebrated the heartbreaking beauty of existence but also reminded humanity of its responsibilities to the natural world.

Jeffers graduated from Occidental College in 1905. He is a decidedly Californian poet and one of the major American poets of the first half of the 20th century.

From October 1 - November 7, 2009, Occidental College and over 15 community partners are presenting campus and community-wide programming throughout north-east Los Angeles, to encourage all residents to read and appreciate the poetry of Robinson Jeffers. Through his poetry, we can reconnect to the natural environment in which we live.

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest, designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment.

Schedule of Events
See complete listings and details
 

Events at a Glance
Short list of day/date/time; location;event
 

Keep up-to-date, visit...

 Get a poem in your pocket all day!
How?

All programs are FREE. Donations may be requested.
Programs are subject to change.

Events at a Glance

Saturday, Oct. 3, 3:00-4:30 pm

Saturday, Oct. 10, 2:00-3:00 pm

Jeffers in the Ethnobotanical Garden exhibit opening. more...

Saturday, Oct. 10, 2:00-3:00 pm

Tongva Tiat Sculpture Dedication  more...

Thursday, Oct. 15, 4:30-6:30 pm

Saturday, Oct. 17, 9:30-11:00 am

Family Nature Walk in Debs Park  more...

Saturday, Oct. 17, 2:00-3:00 pm

Wildlife Way Station Presentation with a live Great Horned Owl.  more...

Saturday, Oct. 17, 3:30-4:30 pm

Saturday, Oct. 17, 4:00-5:30 pm

Sunday, Oct. 18, 3:30-5:00 pm

Saturday, Oct. 24, 10:00-12:00 pm

Saturday, Oct. 24, 1:00-3:00 pm

Saturday, Oct. 25, 11:00-1:00 pm

Saturday, Nov. 7, 10:00 am-2:00 pm

Jeffers at Occidental Day! Poetry readings, multimedia presentations, bird watching, site performances.  more...

Thursday, October 1

6:00pm - 8:00pm Kick Off for The Big Read
Mary Norton Clapp Library, Occidental College
1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA 90041

Join Oxy, our community partners and special guests to launch The Big Read with poetry reading by the Oxy community. The night marks the opening of "Robinson Jeffers and the Ecologies of Poetry" exhibit featuring a wide selection of rare Jeffers artifacts, photos, and books, works of Oxy and local poets and works by Los de Abajo Printmaking Collective on the theme of water, exhibits on North Los Angeles ecology.  Big Read t-shirts will be available.

Saturday, October 3

1:00pm – 2:00pm Jeffers Poetry presented by George Hart
Vroman's Bookstore
695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101

In poetry of great scope and precise detail, Robinson Jeffers discovered the divinity of nature as it is understood by modern science. Jeffers documented his discoveries in thrilling and violent “verse novels,” set in California’s coastal mountains, and meditative lyric poems that express an environmental secular faith that is still relevant today.  Presented by George Hart, Associate Professor of English at California State University, Long Beach and Co-editor of Jeffers Studies.

3:00pm - 4:30pm Poetry Reading by Los Angeles Poetry Festival
Eagle Rock Branch, Los Angeles Public Library
5027 Caspar Avenue, Los Angeles, 90041

"The Deer Lay Down Their Bones:” Poems by and in the spirit of Robinson Jeffers. California poets will read Jeffers’ poetry and their own responses. Led by Suzanne Lummis of the Los Angeles Poetry Festival and featuring Sarah Maclay, Carine Topal, William Archila, Brendan Constantine with special guest poets Charlotte Innes and Terry McCarty.

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Saturday, October 10

2:00pm – 3:00pm Jeffers in the Ethnobotanical Garden opening
Southwest Museum of the American Indian
234 Museum Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90065

Engage with Jeffers poetry while walking through the Ethnobotanical Garden. Poetry chosen and placed in the garden by the girls of Girl Scout Troop 235.

2:00pm – 3:00pm Tongva Tiat Sculpture Dedication
Southwest Museum of the American Indian
234 Museum Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90065

The dedication of a sculpture donated to the museum by the Southwest Museum Docent Council will be highlighted by readings of Jeffers poetry. The sculpture, installed in the patio at the museum entrance, is a steel model of the Tiat, the traditional plank canoe with which the Tongva/Gabrielino peoples plied the waters between the mainland and the Channel Islands. The sculpture is the work of local artist, Gerardo Hacer, who creates what he calls “steel origami”. Light refreshments will be served.

4:00pm - 5:30pm Poetry Reading by Los Angeles Poetry Festival
El Alisal / Lummis House
200 East Avenue 43, Los Angeles, CA 90031

"The Deer Lay Down Their Bones:” Poems by and in the spirit of Robinson Jeffers. California poets will read Jeffers’ poetry and their own responses. Led by Suzanne Lummis of the Los Angeles Poetry Festival and featuring Charles Harper Webb, Cecilia Woloch, actress Dale Raoul (True Blood) reading the poetry of Robinson Jeffers, and special guest poet Jamie Asae FitzGerald. Presented by the Historical Society of Southern California.

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Thursday, October 15

4:30pm – 6:00pm Keynote Panel: “Robinson Jeffers on the Nature of Things and the Things of Nature”
Occidental College, Johnson Hall, Alumni Auditorium
1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA 90041

A panel of Jeffers scholars will discuss the scientific and poetic ways of understanding the world including the relationship of poetry—Jeffers’ poetry in particular—to evolution, natural history and ecological concerns in the modern period.  Panelists will include Geneva Gano, Visiting Asst. Professor of American Studies and Latino Studies, Indiana University; Steven Chapman, Director, Foundation for Ecology and Culture, San Francisco; George Hart, Associate Professor of English at California State University, Long Beach and co-editor, Jeffers Studies; and Robert Zaller, Professor of History at Drexel University and Past President of the Robinson Jeffers Association.  More about our panel.

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Saturday, October 17

9:30am – 11:00am Family Nature Walk in Debs Park
Audubon Center at Debs Park
4700 North Griffin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90031

Explore fall in Debs Park on this walk focusing on the poetry of Robinson Jeffers and nature. Hear poetry and create your own poem about Debs Park. Families with children of all ages are welcome.

2:00pm – 3:00pm Wildlife Waystation presentation
Glendale Central Library Auditorium
222 E. Harvard St., Glendale, CA 91205

Reflecting Robinson Jeffers’ passion for the rich beauty of the natural world, the Glendale Public Library will host an event with the Wildlife Waystation who will discuss the organization's mission and history. Included in the event will be a presentation with a live great horned owl. The Wildlife Waystation, located in the Angeles National Forest, was founded in 1976 as a rescue and rehabilitation refuge for both native and exotic wild animals.

3:30pm – 4:30pm Jeffers in Debs Park
Audubon Center at Debs Park
4700 North Griffin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90031

Drop by the Center to see our Arroyo Seco Museum Science Magnet School students’ art and poetry inspired by the works of Robinson Jeffers. Students will be on hand to describe their creations.

4:00pm – 5:00pm Poetry Reading by Los Angeles Poetry Festival
Arroyo Seco Regional Library, Los Angeles Public Library
6145 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90042

"The Deer Lay Down Their Bones:” Poems by and in the spirit of Robinson Jeffers. California poets will read Jeffers’ poetry and their own responses. Led by Suzanne Lummis of the Los Angeles Poetry Festival and featuring Dorothy Barresi, B.H. Fairchild, and Lynn Thompson with special guest poets Erika Ayon and Judith Pacht.

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Sunday, October 18

3:30pm – 5:00pm Friends of LA River Walking Tour
Lower Arroyo Seco Nature Park, Friends of the LA River

Join us for a special walking tour along the Arroyo Seco that combines poetry and nature! Explore one of the beautiful tributaries of the Los Angeles River that features restored native vegetation, walking paths and spectacular, historic bridges. Meet at 3:30 pm at the Lower Arroyo Seco Nature Park parking lot located at South Arroyo Blvd. and Norwood Drive. Walks are about an hour and a half and we ask a suggested donation of $10. See Friends of the LA River website for directions.

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Wednesday, October 21

7:00pm-10:00pm Light the Sky Poetry Series
The Metro Cafe, Eagle Rock Plaza
2700 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, 90041

Come join us as poets Brendan Constantine, Elizabeth Iannaci, Charlotte Innes, and Cathie Sandstrom read Jeffers poetry and add their unique and dynamic voices to Light the Sky at Eagle Rock Plaza. See Light the Sky Poetry Series website for more information.

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Saturday, October 24

10:00am – 12:00pm Walking Tour of Jeffers' Highland Park
Highland Park Heritage Trust, meet at the Band Shell

Neighborhood walking tour of the area around where Occidental was located when Jeffers was there. The tour will be led by Occidental alumni, Marilyn and Curt Robertson ('70, '68). The tour will begin at the band shell with a poetry reading and include two more readings at two of the houses. Refreshments will be served at Hillary Danner's house at the end at Avenue 50 Studios. Sign up online at the Heritage Trust website, donation requested.

1:00pm – 3:00pm Art and Nature and Poetry, Debs Park
Audubon Center at Debs Park
4700 North Griffin Ave., Los Angeles CA 90031

Join artist Patricia González and an Audubon naturalist as we discover the nature of Debs Park through art and the poetry of Robinson Jeffers. Work on your own art and take it home. Families with children of all ages are welcome.

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Sunday. October 25

11:00am – 1:00pm Walking Tour of Jeffers' Highland Park
Highland Park Heritage Trust, meet at the Band Shell

Neighborhood walking tour of the area around where Occidental was located when Jeffers was there. The tour will be led by Occidental alumni, Marilyn and Curt Robertson ('70, '68). The tour will begin at the band shell with a poetry reading and include two more readings at two of the houses. Refreshments will be served at Hillary Danner's house at the end at Avenue 50 Studios. Sign up online at the Heritage Trust website, donation would be appreciated.

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Saturday, November 7

10:00am – 2:00pm Jeffers at Occidental Day
Occidental College Campus
1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA 90041

Poetry readings, exhibits, family activities, bird watching and performances connected by a special walk to explore the natural world through the arts. Celebrate Jeffers with Oxy students, our community partners and local high school students. Open to all!  Details

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September 15 - November 7, 2009

Daily Poem-Tweets
Receive a daily Jeffers "poem-tweet" in your cell phone or on your computer screen. Sign up and follow Robinson Jeffers at http://twitter.com/RobinsonJeffers You'll also get advance reminders of the upcoming day's events. Ongoing daily from September 15 throughout The Big Read, ends November 7th.

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October 1, Exhibit Opening at 6:00pm

"Robinson Jeffers and the Ecologies of Poetry"
Mary Norton Clapp Library, Occidental College
1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA 90041

Drawing on the Occidental College Robinson Jeffers Collection and local historical collections, the exhibit presents a biographical sketch of poet and Oxy alumnus Robinson Jeffers, the artist and the man, and the California landscape celebrated in his work.  Prompted by Jeffers poetry, the exhibit connects the arts to ecological concerns and sustainability efforts focusing on our natural world of Northeast Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Pasadena and Glendale as well as presents art and poetry of Occidental and the community. Included in the exhibit is H₂O, Inc - On The Issue of Water, a selection of works by Los de Abajo Printmaking Collective, a group of 8 artists working together on different contemporary issues, using the art of the print to express their individual and collective ideas.

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Young Visual Artists Response to Jeffers Poetry
Arthur G. Coons Administrative Center, Occidental College
1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA 90041

Selected prints from works created by Occidental College students in three Fall printmaking classes in the Art History and Visual Arts department. Curated by Professor Linda Lyke.

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October 10, Exhibit Opening at 2:00pm

Jeffers in the Ethnobotanical Garden opening
Southwest Museum of the American Indian
234 Museum Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90065

Engage with Jeffers poetry while walking through the Ethnobotanical Garden. Poetry chosen and placed in the garden by the girls of Girl Scout Troop 235.

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K-12 School Partnerships

Project Leaders:

Dale Ann Stieber, Special Collections, Library
Emily Bergman, Collection Development, Library

Faculty and Administrators Support:

• Dolores Treviso, Core Program

• Gretchen North, Margi Rusmore, Bevin Ashenmiller, California Environment, CSP 15

• Desiree Zamorano, Education / Community Literacy Center
• Laura Serafini, Access Services, Library
• Paula Chrisostomo GEAR UP!
• Jesus Maldonaldo GEAR UP!
• Celestina Castillo, Center for Community Based Learning
• John Swift, ECLS
• Martha Ronk, ECLS
• Tom Burkdall, English writing
• Beth Braker, Biology
• Linda Lyke, AHVA
• Broderick Fox, AHVA
• Bruno Louchouarn, Theater: 
• Susan Gratch, Theater
• Irene Girton, Associate Dean of the College
• James Tranquada, Communications

• Arroyo Arts Collective
   
• Arroyo Seco Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library
  6145 N. Figueroa Street Los Angeles, 90042
   
• Audubon Center at Debs Park
  4700 North Griffin Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90031
   
• Eagle Rock Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library
   5027 Caspar Avenue, Los Angeles, 90041
   
• Eagle Rock Historical Society 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock, CA 90041
   
• Friends of L.A. River
  570 W. Ave 26 #250, Los Angeles, CA 90065
   
• Girl Scout Troop 235
  Girl Scouts of Los Angeles
   
• Glendale Public Library
  222 E. Harvard St., Glendale, CA 91205
   
• Highland Park Heritage Trust
   
• Historical Society of Southern California at El Alisol / Lummis House 200 East Avenue 43, Los Angeles, CA 90031 
   
• Los de Abajo Printmaking Collective
   
• Los Angeles Poetry Festival
   
• Pasadena Public Library, San Rafael Branch
  1240 Nithsdale Rd. Pasadena, CA 90031
   
• Robinson Jeffers Association
  www.jeffers.org/
   
• Southwest Museum
  234 Museum Drive, Los Angeles, Ca. 90065
   
• Vroman’s Bookstore
  695 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101
   
• Wildlife Waystation
  14831 Little Tujunga Canyon Rd Sylmar, CA 91342

• Paula Chrisostomo Occidental College
•  Jesus Maldonaldo, Occidental College

GEAR UP, Project Higher Learning III

• John Marshall High School, 3939 Tracy St Los Angeles, CA 90027 [GEAR UP]
   
• Eagle Rock High School 1750 Yosemite St., Eagle Rock 90041 [GEAR UP]
   
• Benjamin Franklin High School 820 Ave. 54, L.A. 90042 [GEAR UP]
   
• Abraham Lincoln Senior H.S. 3501 N Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90031 [GEAR UP]

Desiree Zamorano, Occidental College, Education / Community Literacy Center

• Eagle Rock High School & Middle School [Community Literacy Center]
   
• Delavan Drive Elementary School, 4168 West Avenue 42
  Los Angeles, CA 90065 [Community Literacy Center]

Archila, William
Ayon, Erika
Barresi, Dorothy
Chapman, Steven
Fairchild, B.H.
Gano, Geneva
González, Patricia
Hacer, Gerardo
Hart, George
Hoag, Linda
Innes, Charlotte
Lummis, Suzanne
Maclay, Sarah
McCarty, Terry
Montag, Elisa
Pacht, Lynne
Robertson, Bill
Robertson, Marilyn
Stoddard, Joseph
Topal, Carine
Zaller, Robert
 

Girl Scout Troup 235:

Adler-Ingram, Patricia
Brown, Kay
Chapman, Jeff
Gomes, Carmela
Hoag, Linda
Katano, Alicia
Lummis, Suzanne
Montag, Elisa
Montenegro, Erika
Novack, Tanya
Pohlmann, John
Ramos, Jennifer
Reeder,Christine
Sekuler, Eliot
Sikora, Victoria
Walters, Kim
Warren, Eric
Wike, Chuck