PRESS RELEASE: September 7, 2016
Opening Night Party and Talk
Kick Off the 2016 Twin Cities Book Festival
Friday evening events include both ticketed party and free talk;
Saturday all-day programs showcase wide variety of author sessions
MINNEAPOLIS/ ST PAUL—Rain Taxi's 2016 Twin Cities Book Festival, taking place at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 15 will kick off in style with a catered Opening Night Party on Friday, October 14, 2016, at the State Fairgrounds’ Fine Arts Building (1265 Snelling Avenue, Saint Paul) beginning at 5:30pm and ending at 7:00pm. Guests can mingle with visiting authors and enjoy an appetizer buffet. There will be a cash bar provided. Proceeds from ticket sales will help to fund the Festival, and Rain Taxi invites all book-lovers to join us in celebrating Minnesota’s rich literary culture.
Tickets for this party are $20 per person and can be purchased online HERE.
Following the party, author Kathryn Aalto comes all the way from England to discuss her book The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh. This Opening Night Talk held on Friday, October 14, 2016 at 7:00 pm is free and open to the public. Doors open to the general public at 6:30 pm. On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the publication of this children’s classic, Aalto will present a nostalgic, visually-rich journey into one of the most iconic settings in literature: the Hundred Acre Wood, a real place in East Sussex, England called Ashdown Forest. Using travelogue, biography and natural history, Aalto takes us through the storybook landscape of England, weaving history with humor and offering reflections on what it means to be human in our modern age.
This presentation is co-sponsored by MPR’s The Thread.
Kathryn Aalto is a writer, designer, historian and lecturer. For the past twenty-five years, her focus has been on places where nature and culture intersect: teaching literature of nature and place, designing gardens, and writing about the natural world. Her New York Times Bestselling book The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh: A Walk through the Forest that Inspired the Hundred Acre Wood (Timber Press), pays homage to the mystery and value of place in our childhood imaginations. Kathryn lives in Exeter, England, with her family.
FESTIVAL PROGRAMS ANNOUNCED
Twin Cities Book Festival author readings and programs for all ages have been posted online. Times and stage locations will be announced soon, but for now we offer these great groupings of local and visiting authors at the Festival:
In the Fine Arts Center:
Are We Making Fun of Us? A Conversation on Why Rural Midwestern Life is Ridiculous + A Book Launch for The Annie Year
Stephanie Wilbur Ash, with special guests Jason Good, Geoff Herbach, John Jodzio, and Mary Mack
“Funny” in the Midwest is a particular breed, and these five writers—from rural Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Ohio—exemplify it. In this discussion they will attempt to describe the kind of humor that arises in contemporary rural/small town areas, and will discuss their process for making hilarious literature out of quiet, unremarkable, lives in the middle of nowhere.
BOA Editions 40th Anniversary Event
Stephen Dobyns, Janice Harrington, Ray Gonzalez
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the poetry publisher BOA Editions has made an indelible dent in the American poetry scene. Gathered here are three of BOA’s luminaries, Stephen Dobyns (The Day's Last Light Reddens the Leaves of the Copper Beech), Ray Gonzalez (Beautiful Wall), and Janice N. Harrington (Primitive), to read from their work and pay tribute to the history of this great small press.
From From Hell to Bacchus and Back
Eddie Campbell
Join us as we present one of the most important creators in contemporary comics. As an Austrailian, Campbell has had limited USA appearances, we’re thrilled he’s joining us on the TCBF stage. From From Hell to Bacchus and back, Campbell will give an illustrated talk on his long history, and wide variety of graphic works. Come with questions, we’ll be sure to make time for the audience.
One Dope Queen
Phoebe Robinson
Maybe you know her from her podcasts 2 Dope Queens or Sooo Many White Guys, maybe you’ve seen her work on Broad City, maybe this is the first time you’ve heard her name...it certainly won’t be the last! Join the hilarious, insightful cultural critic Phoebe Robinson and hear about her debut collection of essays You Can’t Touch My Hair: and Other Things I Still Have to Explain.
Literary Legends In Conversation
Francine Prose & Charles Baxter
Two of the most celebrated American authors in the same place at the same time! Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear Francine Prose and Charles Baxter talking about their most recent works, Mister Monkey and There’s Something I Want You to Do, respectively, and other aspects of the literary life.
Paying Homage
Kevin Smokler & Kirby Gann
What deserves revisiting? What holds nostalgia for us and why? Kevin Smokler (Brat Pack America) and Kirby Gann (John Knowles’ A Separate Peace: Bookmarked) talk about the role the past plays in the present, what’s worth a return to the spotlight, and how some things truly stand the test of time.
The Personal and the Political
Karan Mahajan, Lidija Dimkovska, Derek Palacio
From India in the 90s, to Yugoslavia and Cuba in the 80s, the political backdrops of these countries can’t help but impact the everyday lives of the people that inhibit them. Join Karan Mahajan (The Association of Small Bombs), Lidija Dimkovska (A Spare Life), and Derek Palacio (The Mortifications), as they discuss how their characters navigate their personal struggles amidst the turmoil of their homeland.
Canada’s Finest
Fred Wah & Andre Alexis
Join award-winning and internationally renowned writers Fred Wah, with his collected poems spanning over three decades, and Andre Alexis, whose latest novel The Hidden Keys echoes Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, as they read from their latest works. The readings will be followed by audience Q&A.
The Art of Rock
Mitch Putnam, with guests Aaron Horkey, Wes Winship, and Mike Davis; moderated by Mary Lucia
Join us in welcoming poster king Mitch Putnam to the Twin Cities as we celebrate the publication of OMG POSTERS: A Decade of Rock Art (Regan Arts), the ultimate collection of limited-edition concert posters from today’s top rock and indie bands. Joined by famed MN poster artists and printers Aaron Horkey, Wes Winship, and Mike Davis, Putnam will join a discussion moderated by rock maven Mary Lucia (of 89.3 The Current) that will illuminate what’s going on in the dynamic medium of rock art. This presentation includes a staggering display of images, of course, and will appeal to music lovers and art enthusiasts alike!
Programs happening in the Fine Arts Center can be found here: http://www.raintaxi.com/twin-cities-book-festival/authors/programs-schedule/.
In the Progress Center:
Children’s Pavilion
Rockin Out with Stephen Shaskan and Trisha Speed Shaskan
Let’s jam with local favorites Stephen Shaskan and Trisha Speed Shaskan to the tunes of their co-created book, Punk Skunks, and the exclusive reading of Stephen’s newest, acclaimed picture book, Max Speed.
Belinda Jensen presents Bel the Weather Girl
Aspiring meteorologists can meet KARE 11’s Belinda Jensen as she shares stories and signs her thunderously popular Bel the Weather Girl series. Each of the books in this science-based series offers young readers a playful yet fact-filled explanation for a different weather wonder.
Best of Both Worlds: Writing and Illustrating with Philip C. Stead, Erin E. Stead, and Michelle Cuevas
Meet Caldecott winning duo Erin E. Stead and Phillip C. Stead, along with acclaimed author Michelle Cuevas. Discover the details behind Cuevas’s The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles, exquisitely illustrated by Erin Stead, and experience Philip Stead’s trademark charm and understatement in his beautiful new book, Samson in the Snow.
Young Reader’s & Teen Stage
The Mighty Middle Grade Authors of Minnesota, featuring Abby Cooper, Brian Farrey, and Kelly Barnhill
Readers, assemble! Don’t miss your chance to meet these stars of the North Star State: Abby Cooper (Sticks & Stones), Brian Farrey (The Secret of Dreadwillow Carst), and Kelly Barnhill (The Girl Who Drank the Moon)! Enjoy stories about writing everything from tough issues to magical worlds, and about being part of the fabulous Minnesota Kid Lit author community.
Authors Are Rock Stars, featuring Stuart Gibbs, Sarah Mlynowski, and M.A. Larson
If they write it, we will come! Join three modern day Pied Pipers of Preteens—Stuart Gibbs (Spy Ski School), Sarah Mlynowski (Whatever After: Genie in a Bottle), and M.A. Larson (Shadow Cadets of Pennyroyal Academy)—as they talk about skiing spies, wacky wishes, and fairy drill sergeants, followed by a signing of their bestselling books.
Beyond Imagination, featuring J.M. Lee, Katharine McGee, and Kristen Simmons
Alternate worlds collide in this conversation with J.M. Lee, author of Shadows of the Dark Crystal and winner of Jim Henson’s the Dark Crystal Author Quest, Kristen Simmons, author of Metaltown, a dystopian mixture of Newsies and The Jungle, and Katharine McGee, debut author of The Thousandth Floor, a futuristic Gossip Girl-esque thriller.
Books for Thought, featuring A.S. King, Kathleen Glasgow, and Lara Avery, moderated by Shannon Gibney
Minnesota Book Award winner Shannon Gibney (See No Color) will lead an energetic conversation with local author Lara Avery (The Memory Book), debut author Kathleen Glasgow (Girl in Pieces), and bestselling and award winning author A.S. King (Still Life with Tornado) about the thought-provoking themes in their books and the power of books at large.
Programs happening in the Progress Center can be found here: http://www.raintaxi.com/twin-cities-book-festival/authors/programs-schedule/.
For more information and for updates, please visit www.raintaxi.com/twin-cities-book-festival.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
About the Twin Cities Book Festival
The Twin Cities Book Festival—brought to you by Rain Taxi—is not only the largest literary gathering in the Upper Midwest, it is the annual get-together for the Twin Cities’ devoted literary community. This FREE, day-long Festival brings people together to celebrate our vibrant literary culture. The Festival welcomes ‘rock star’ authors, local literary heroes, publishers, magazines, booksellers—all of whom connect over great books and conversations.
Visit www.raintaxi.com/twin-cities-book-festival/ for more information, and join the conversation using the hashtag #tcbf on Facebook and on Twitter.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
LINK AND CONTACT INFO FOR PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:
www.raintaxi.com
bookfest@raintaxi.com
About Rain Taxi
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Now in its twenty-first year, Rain Taxi, Inc., a Minneapolis-based nonprofit organization, is dedicated to championing literary culture through programs and publications that foster awareness of innovative writing. In addition to publishing the Independent Press Award-winning Rain Taxi Review of Books, the group also hosts readings and literary events in the Twin Cities, including the annual Twin Cities Book Festival.