National Endowment for the Arts BIG READ logo with drawing of a book. Art works. Arts Midwest.We’re excited to collaborate with Milwaukee Public Library on the NEA Big Read, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.  For the MKE Big Read 2017, Milwaukee Public Library will offer exciting events, programs, and discussions related to Julia Alvarez’s In the Time of the Butterflies. 


MKE BIG READ's book is In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia AlvarezIn the Time of the Butterflies by acclaimed author Julia Alvarez transports readers to the Dominican Republic in the mid-20th century when the country struggled under the brutal dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo.
Alvarez honors the lives of Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa Mirabal, who became icons of freedom and women’s rights when they were assassinated in the autumn of 1960 for their role in the under- ground movement against Trujillo’s regime. The novel explores themes of courage, freedom, rebellion against tyranny, family and women’s rights.

As part of this collaboration, we’ll offer several events that explore the theme of “Courage”. Click on the links to learn more and pre-register for these free events.

English language storytelling workshops

  • Thursday, April 13, 7-9 pm @ UWM
  • Monday, April 24, 6-8 pm @ Artists Working in Education
  • Saturday, April 29, 2:30-4:30 pm @ Villard Square Library

Spanish language storytelling workshop

for native speakers and those with native proficiency; see our Spanish web page for details.

  • Wednesday April 19, 5:30- 7:45 pm @ Forest Home Library

Bilingual StorySlam

  • Thursday May 4, 6:30 doors, 7 pm stories @ Central Library