The 14th annual Baltimore Book Festival, the mid-Atlantic’s premier celebration of the literary arts, returns on Fri., Sept. 25, Sat., Sept. 26, 12N-8pm, and Sun., Sept. 27, !2n-7pm. This year’s celebrated authors include entrepreneur Chris Gardner, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, educator Bill Ayers, hip-hop artist KRS-One, poet and activist Amiri Baraka, actress Maureen McCormick, activist Ralph Nader, moderator and television political correspondent Gwen Ifill, cookbook author and television host Ingrid Hoffman and David Levithan, author of Nick & Nora’s Infinite Playlist. The event takes place in historic Mount Vernon Place centered on the 600 block of North Charles Street.
The Baltimore Book Festival celebrates the importance of literature to the city’s history and its residents. The festival features more than 200 local and celebrity authors, spirited panel discussions, poetry readings, book signings, workshops, cookbook demonstrations, children’s activities, a variety of exhibitors and book sellers, live music from local bands, food, wine and beer. Visitors can observe and purchase an eclectic and unique mix of written works.
The various stages and highlights diversify the literary arts festival. The Literary Salon is home to renowned best-selling authors and panel discussions. The Food for Thought Stage hosts distinguished chefs and cookbook authors. Festival-goers can see cooking demonstrations and sample delectable food. Children’s book writers and illustrators make the Children’s Bookstore Stage their home for the weekend. The stage features some on the nation’s best and award-winning authors for children and young adults. The CityLit Stage features local and regional authors, engaging panel discussions and insider tips for up-and-coming writers and publishers. The Radical Bookfair Pavilion returns for a third year with well-known radical, independent, and DIY (“Do It Yourself”), writers and publishers. The Creative Café offers short story and poetry readings, writing workshops, poetry slams and panel discussions. On the Book Festival Music Stage, regional bands entertain audiences with blues, jazz, soul, funk and more. Food and beverages are also available throughout the festival.
The schedule for The Children’s Bookstore Stage presenting to nations’ best children’s writers and illustrators:
Friday September 25, 2009
4:30pm, James Warhola, "Uncle Andy's Cats"
5pm Panel: Coming of Age: Love, Rage & Anxiety in the Young Adult Novel-Libba Bray, Sharon M. Draper, Garret Freymann-Weyr, Edward Bloor & David Levithan
5 pm Hey Teens - It's Teen Night At BBF! Giveaways, author meet and greets and more. If you love to read, don't miss this event!
Saturday September 26, 2009
12pm Susan Roth, "Listen to Wind"
12:30pm Hudson Talbott, "United Tweets of America"
1pm Mordicai Gerstein, "The Man Who Walked Between the Towers"
1:30pm Peter McCarty, "Jeremy Draws a Monster"
2pm Matthew Baek, "Panda and Polar Bear"
2:30pm Judy Schachner, "Skippyjon Jones Lost in Spice"
3pm Michael Rex, "Goodnight Goon"
3:30pm Steve Breen, "Violet the Pilot"
4pm Michelle Knudson, "Library Lion"
5pm Lulu Delacre, "Alicia Afterimage"
5:30pm Panel: Teen Girls, Art & Education-Patrick Oliver, Celia Anderson, Jessica Care-Moore & Cora Coleman Dunham
Sunday September 27, 2009
12pm Lois Lowry, "The Giver"
12:30pm James L. Swanson, "Chasing Lincoln's Killer"
1pm Zetta Elliott & Shadra Strickland, "Bird"
1:30pm Lisa McCue, "The Quiet Bunny"
2pm Lisa Kessler, "The Tail of Emily Windsnap"
2:30pm Panel: Maryland Novelists-Mary Downing Hahn, Elisa Brent Weissman, William Loizeaux & Andrew Auseon Children's Bookstore Stage
4pm Tony Medina, "I and I Bob Marley" Children's Bookstore Stage
4:30pm Jennifer Keats Curtis, "Baby's Owl Rescue" & Kathy Woods, Wildlife Rehabilitator Children's Bookstore Stage
5pm Kevin Sherry, "Acorns Everywhere" Children's Bookstore Stage
5:30pm Kevin O'Malley, "Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude" Children's Bookstore Stage
Crafts Corridor, Look under the rainbow colored pennants in the west park to find an array of free hands on projects that will keep the kids busy and entertained. They can make a book, create a bookmark, decorate storybook pumpkins, spelling bees, magnetic poetry, crossword puzzles, free giveaways, work games galore and more.
Storybook Parade, Sept. 26 at 12pm, West Mt. Vernon Place. Live music by Mambo Combo leads the parade, plus the kids can enjoy light refreshments, balloons and dress up surprises. Meet and Greet your favorite costumed Characters, Cordoroy the Bear, George & Martha, Madeline, Lyle Crocodile, and Franklin. Dress as your favorite storybook character.
City Paper Book Sway, Bring a book, take a book. Located near the music stage at Madison and Charles streets, the tent lets you browse through an array of books, prizes and giveaways throughout the weekend.
For more information on the Baltimore Book Festival, call 1-877-BALTIMORE or visit www.baltimorebookfestival.com.
|
