Boise, ID
High 44 | Low 37
Currently: 32°
Sun
43|29
Mon
39|25
Tue
42|29

Got your 'Maltese Falcon' handy?

If not, time's running out. Big Read events focusing on the classic novel start Tuesday at the Egyptian.

 - STATESMAN STAFF

Published: 01/12/09


Bookmark and Share
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook
print story email story to a friend
Comments (0) |

A nine-week celebration of "The Maltese Falcon" and the joys of reading will kick off Tuesday morning at Boise's Egyptian Theatre.

The elusive black bird statue will make a fleeting appearance at the free public event, set for 10 a.m., then pop up occasionally throughout this year's Big Read events. More dependable figures featured at Tuesday's event will include: the Idaho Shakespeare Festival Fool Squad, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter and Idaho Statesman columnist Dan Popkey.

It's all part of the Big Read, a National Endowment for the Arts community reading project Boise has participated in since 2006 as an outgrowth of the local project dubbed What if Everybody Read the Same Book? This year Mary DeWalt, director of the Ada Community Library, has taken over as the program's organizer.

"We offer a terrific book with 'The Maltese Falcon' and a fantastic slate of events and activities for all ages and interests," DeWalt said.

Big Read events will continue through March 20, including a speakeasy night at the Falcon Tavern, falconry demonstrations at the World Center for Birds of Prey, a tour of the Old Idaho Penitentiary, and a screening of the 1941 movie version of "The Maltese Falcon."

Discussions of Dashiell Hammett's book are planned at libraries across the state, and five area libraries plan kid-friendly events featuring "Chet Gecko and the Malted Falcon." Ada Community Library plans a "costume mystery party for teens."

OPTIONS: Most Read Stories  |  Story Comments  |  Email story  |  Print story
hide comments

Story Comments
We welcome comments but ask that you remain on topic. Some comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. Comments that are profane, personal attacks or otherwise inappropriate or are off topic are subject to removal. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Do not flag comments merely because you disagree with the comment.

more about comments here.
Local Deals
Find a Job
Keywords:
Location: