Red Hook Lit Fest

The Second Annual Read Local Red Hook Literary Festival is being held for the enjoyment and enrichment of the local community, and is presented by Red Hook Community Arts Network (RHCAN), in partnership with Bard College Center for Civic Engagement, Red Hook Public Library and Oblong Books and Music. Additional help and support is provided by local partners including Hudson Valley Mercantile, Rising Tide Communications, Bread & Bottle, and Two Boots, Hudson Valley. Festival events include a Friday night gallery opening, a star-studded Saturday evening performance, and a full Sunday schedule of panels, workshops and presentations. All events are free and open to the public.

When asked what sets this literary festival apart from others in the region, RHCAN’s Juliet Harrison, a Festival Committee member said, “…we showcase local talent – artists and writers who live in the Hudson Valley.”

The weekend kicks off with an opening reception on Friday, April 12, 6-8 p.m., at RHCAN’s gallery space on North Broadway in Red Hook. The reception opens the Word Works exhibition, showcasing works area artists have created using deaccessioned books donated by the Red Hook Public Library, and works inspired by the written word.

The festivities continue Saturday night at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Parish Hall in Red Hook Village with an evening of entertainment, modeled after NPR’s Selected Shorts. Stories on Stage: Hudson Valley Actors Read Hudson Valley Authors will star Oscar-nominated actor David Strathairn, actor Jason Downs and actor/director Nicole Quinn, who will read short stories by local authors John Sayles, T.C. Boyle, and Abigail Thomas. The evening will be emceed and directed by author and editor Nina Shengold and is produced by Helen Seslowsky of Oblong Books.

The Festival culminates on Sunday, April 14, with a full day of author panels, workshops and book signings, with offerings tailored for all ages. Be sure to come early as all event seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. A full schedule is outlined below. For more information visit:http://www.rhcanadmin.com/red-hook-lit-fest/

Please show your support by attending, and help spread the word by sharing the event with your friends and contacts in the area on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Red-Hook-Community-Arts-Network

The Red Hook Community Arts Network is sponsored by the Dutchess County Arts Council and enjoys support from the Red Hook Chamber of Commerce.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 6-8 pm:

Word Works
Exhibition & Lit Festival Opening Reception
RHCAN Gallery, 7516 N. Broadway
All are invited to see how area artists have transformed deaccessioned books from the Red Hook Public Library, and other work inspired by the written word.

SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 7 pm:

Stories on Stage: Hudson Valley Actors Read Hudson Valley Authors
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Parish Hall,
7412 S. Broadway
An evening of short stories  starring Oscar-nominated actor David Strathairn (Lincoln, Good Night & Good Luck), Jason Downs (Racing Daylight, Hairspray), and Nicole Quinn (Racing Daylight), reading stories by John Sayles, T.C. Boyle, and Abigail Thomas.* Directed by Nina Shengold, Editor, Actors & Writers member, author of Clearcut, winner of the Writers Guild Award for Labor of Love. Produced by Helen Seslowsky, Oblong Books & Music (Former Head of Arts & Letters Live, Dallas–producer of Texas Bound: Texas-connected actors bringing stories by Texas-connected authors from the page to the stage.)
*Line up may change subject to actors’ commitments.

SUNDAY, APRIL 14

11 a.m.–Noon: I Want to Be in a Band!
Red Hook Public Library, 7444 S. Broadway
Music & Movement Program for kids, featuring author and musician Suzzy Roche, and illustrator Giselle Potter.

11 a.m.–1 p.m.:  Past Tense: Writing History
Red Hook Village Hall, 7340 S. Broadway
Panel moderated by Oblong Books Co-Owner Dick Hermans, featuring non-fiction writers Sarah Kilborne (American Phoenix), Guy Lawson (Octopus) &  John Kelly (The Graves Are Walking).

11 a.m.–1 p.m.: The Influence of Place on Process
Red Hook CAN Gallery, 7516 N. Broadway
Poetry panel moderated by Bard College’s Phillip Pardi, featuring Will Nixon, Rebecca Schumejda, Lea Graham and Gretchen Primack.

2–4 p.m.: Hudson Valley YA Society
Red Hook Public Library, 7444 S. Broadway
Panel featuring Maya Gold (Spellbinding), Jennifer Donnelly (Revolution) & Kimberly Sabatini (Touching the Surface).

2–4 p.m.: Telling Stories: Conversations with Fiction Writers
Red Hook Village Hall, 7340 S. Broadway
Panel moderated by Oblong Books Co-Owner Dick Hermans, featuring Owen King (Double Feature), Kelly Braffet (Save Yourself), Frank Delaney (The Last Storyteller) & Marshall Karp (NYPD Red).

2–4 p.m.: The Business of Books
Red Hook CAN Gallery, 7516 N. Broadway
Panel moderated by Suzanna Hermans, Co-Owner Oblong Books, featuring: agent, Miriam Altshuler; publisher, Paul Cohen; editor, Nan Satter; and author, Carol Goodman.

4:30-6 p.m.: Teen Talk–Open Mic
Taste Budds Cafe, 40 W. Market Street
Red Hook High School students (9-12th grade) will read from their own original work or perform readings of short stories, poems or play excerpts.

All book signings will take place immediately following each panel at Bread & Bottle, located on the corner of Main and Market Streets in the Village of Red Hook, where titles by all participating authors will be available for purchase.

All events are FREE and open to the public. Donations are welcome – visit http://www.rhcan.com for more information and schedule updates.