SM Public Library presents The Big Read Kick-off Celebration

Santa Monica Public Library (SMPL) begins its Big Read celebration of Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea with a free outdoor concert and festivities on Saturday, March 29 at 12:30 p.m. in the Main Library North Courtyard at 601 Santa Monica Boulevard.

Alfredo López, Isaac Ruben Izquierdo and Jorge Andres Herrera take us on a musical tour of Mexico highlighting the richness and variety of traditional Mexican music. A master of more than 20 styles of Latino American music and skilled in over 30 instruments, López has toured extensively with his musical group Quetzalcóatl and has composed for both film and stage. Notable guitarist and composer Izquierdo is founder of the group Voxinglero. An accomplished musician and professor of Chicano Studies, Herrera is director of the group Hermanos Herrera. Mexican refreshments will be offered along with a paper flower making activity. Pick up a copy of Into the Beautiful North, available in both English and Spanish, and start reading today!

The Big Read is a community reading program that invites everyone in the community to read and discuss the same book at free book discussions and events held throughout Santa Monica from March 29 through May 4, 2014. The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, designed to celebrate literature by encouraging people to read for pleasure and enlightenment. The Big Read at SMPL is made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support from The Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library, and is offered in partnership with the Santa Monica Museum of Art, Santa Monica College and Olympic High School. For information on upcoming Big Read events, the book and its author, pick up an Event Guide and Reader's Guide at any SMPL location or visit the SMPL Big Read web site at smpl.org/Urrea2014.aspx.

The Santa Monica Public Library and all City of Santa Monica facilities are wheelchair accessible. For special disabled services, call Library Administration at (310) 458-8606 at least one week prior to each event. For more information, call the Santa Monica Public Library at (310) 458-8600 or visit smpl.org.