UKIAH — Fans of fiction and poetry are invited to celebrate local writers and poets in a one-day literary festival April 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the Lowery Library Building at Mendocino College, 1000 Hensley Creek Road.
“LitFest 2010” will feature readings, talks, and workshops by more than 20 contemporary authors and poetic artists. Admission to the event activities, including workshops, is free; and the public is invited. Call the Mendocino College Library at468-3051 or visit the event Web site, www.mendocino.edu/litfest2010, for event details.
“The Mendocino College Literary Festival is a full day dedicated to appreciation of works by very talented artists, the writers and poets from our communities. It is to be enjoyed by students, faculty, staff, and the general public,” says John Koetzner, head librarian at Mendocino College.
“Cultural and literary events such as (the College”s) ?Recording Artist-in-Residence” and ?LitFest” enrich students” lives and invite everyone to discover all the great ways the College enriches the community,” said Koetzner. Several events will take place at the College the same day as LitFest 2010 and during the week prior to April 24. Earth Day will be celebrated at the Ukiah campus on April 22, and Recording Artist-in-Residence Maria Muldaur will culminate her week of instruction with a concert the night of April 23. A College open house, K-12 science fair, ceramics workshop sponsored by the Mendocino College Ceramics Club, and a PowWow are planned for April 24. Additional information is available on the College Web site, www.mendocino.edu.
The Mendocino College Foundation and its affiliate organization, the Friends of the Mendocino College Library, plus several additional supporters are making it possible to hold the literary festival this year, according to Koetzner. “We would like additional community sponsorships to make it an annual event,” he said.
The celebration will feature readings and/or workshops by fiction writers Marc Bojanowski, Tara Sufiana, Elizabeth Hayes Vega, Peg Kingman, Doris Eraldi, Jean Hegland, Sean Swift, and Molly Dwyer, and by poets Dan Barth, C.E. Chaffin, Blake More, Robin Rule, Ethel Mays, Armand Brint, Armando Garcia-Davila, Mary Norbert Korte, Sandra Wade, and Theresa Whitehill.
Additionally, aspiring writers, students, and fans of the written word will be able to meet featured guest authors and participate in writing workshops. Topics include “Finished? Congratulations! Now Rewrite,” “Writing Poetry for Publication,” and “Creating a Writers Group.” Individuals who want to attend the writing workshops should sign up in advance by registering online beginning April 2 at the www.mendocino.edu/litfest2010 Web site. For additional information, call 468-3051. This year”s LitFest celebration is the third time the festival has taken place.
In 2007 funding from the Community Foundation of Mendocino County, the Friends of the Mendocino College Library, and several community sponsors made the first festival possible. In 2009 the Mendocino College Foundation and Friends of the Mendocino College Library were major sponsors.
