"It was an age of miracles, it was an age of art, it was an age of innocence, and it was an age of satire" -Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece, The Great Gatsby, has become synonymous with the lifestyle of the rich and famous on Long Island — but what if the origins of Gatsby could be traced to a small town over 50 miles away? It’s time to explore one documentarian's seven-year journey into proving that Fitzgerald's inspiration for the classic novel came not from his time spent on Long Island's Gold Coast, but rather, from one wild summer in Connecticut.

Join New York Adventure Club as we travel back in time to the Roaring Twenties to uncover what really happened during Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald's 1920 Honeymoon in Westport, Connecticut, and how that one summer formed the backbone of the iconic characters and setting found within The Great Gatsby.

Led by Robert Steven Williams, Director of Gatsby in Connecticut — an award-winning documentary selected as one of 2020's best films by The New Yorker — our exciting literary adventure through the Jazz Age will include:

• The story behind how Scott met Zelda in Montgomery, Alabama in 1917
• Scott's early years in New York City, from his failed attempt to make it in advertising, to heading back to his parents home in Saint Paul, to his triumphant NYC return and publication of his first novel, This Side of Paradise
• An overview of Westport, Connecticut in the 1920s, where illegal booze flowed freely and the local beaches hosted scandalous affairs
• How Williams' groundbreaking research enabled his production team to uncover secrets of Fitzgerald unbeknownst to the Gatsby scholarly community and town of Westport
• Exclusive video clips from Gatsby in Connecticut , as well as archival footage that didn’t make the film
• Never-before-seen photos of Westport and New York from the 1920s

Afterward, we’ll have a Q&A with Robert — any and all questions about The Great Gatsby are welcomed and encouraged!

Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week!

See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar

**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser — Google Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration.

***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

About Robert

Robert Steven Williams is an award-winning filmmaker and novelist. He’s also a musician and entrepreneur. His company, Against the Grain Productions, makes documentaries and short films for not-for-profits.

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Categories: Arts, Historic Sites, Hidden Spots, Virtual