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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

First Fridays after 5 in Downtown Lewisburg Kick off the Lewisburg Literary Festival

Join the kick-off of the first annual Lewisburg Literary Festival on First Fridays After Five on August 3rd at 5pm in Downtown Lewisburg.  From a meet & greet with authors at The Literary Town Square, an Edgar Allan Poe reading in the Old Stone Cemetery, and a unique interactive Literary Art Walk through town, to an impressive Poetry Jam and famous author face-painted moustaches … this festival is packed with creativity and fun for all ages!  All events are free to the public.



Begin with a visit to the Literary Town Square at the Greenbrier Valley Visitors Bureau, featuring a meet and greet with West Virginia authors & regional publishers.  Authors will be reading their works on stage throughout the evening. 



Next, stroll through town and discover creative art & literature installations on every block.  Starting with the City Green Space, witness an innovative artistic expression, called Yarn Bombing.  Enjoy this 3-dimensional canvas, from knitted tree trunks, a knitted statue, to a knitted bicycle and knitted fence posts, while reading the accompanying short story.  In the City Council Chambers, discover the Literary Laundry Room, an uncharacteristic photo exhibit that invites the public to become the authors. 



As you walk through town, look up and you’ll spot Mark Blumenstein’s “Wally, The Wall Walker” climbing the walls of Harmony Ridge Gallery.  Or step inside the Greenbrier Valley Visitors Bureau and discover a unique mixed media installation by Charleston Artist, Mark Tobin Moore.  You will also discover the 7 foot tall Pirate Skeleton by artist Fred Conlon, standing guard in an alley off of Washington Street.  Read about the pirate’s turbulent life and his misery. 



Further down the road catch a glimpse of the Intergalactic Bounty Hunter, made of found objects chasing aliens in front of Brick House Antiques.  Read the poem that accompanies a painting by Lynn Boggess in the window of Cooper Gallery and finally don’t miss the film short by Russell Williams in the windows of what used to be Sailor Crafts Woodworks.



Take a break in the City Greenspace to enjoy the tunes of local acoustic guitarist and singer Jim Snyder.  A native West Virginian, Jim has been coined WV’s Jimmy Buffett.  His tunes are easy listening, folk and pop.  Jim will be performing until 9pm.



Keep your eyes peeled for periodic special impromptu performances by The No Pants Players throughout downtown.  They are recognized as West Virginia’s best improv comedy.   Prepare to be entertained.



Late evening, as the sun has set, at 9:20pm, see Edgar Allan Poe, as he appears in the Old Stone Cemetery.  Take a seat and listen to a reading of his memorable works, “The Raven” and “Annabel Lee”.



Several shops are also hosting fun events throughout the evening.  The Darling Exchange is offering a book exchange.  Bring in up to 5 used children’s books and trade them for new used books.  Kids can also participate in a “make your own bookmark” craft project.  Honnahlee hosts a “Find It” literary challenge.  Children are asked to find items from their favorite stories and win a “Find It’ game of their own.  First National Bank will be giving away a free book for children ages 3 to 5.  Wolf Creek Gallery is offering free face-painted moustaches.  Choose a moustache from Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman and other famous authors and make it yours. 



Harmony Ridge Gallery challenges you to a “Match Game”.  Match up the quotes with the books successfully and enter a drawing to win a vintage book journal.  Studio 40 hosts a show with Josh Miller, whose fanciful, colorful artwork will be based on characters and themes from books and movies.  At Bella The Corner Gourmet, meet local chef, Hall Hitzig, The Crazy Baker, who is featured as a fantastic food creator in Southern Living’s “Off The Eaten Path” travel cookbook.  Meet the chef, get your book signed, sample foods and listen to great WV food stories!



To top off the evening, an extraordinary line-up of poets will perform at The Irish Pub from 9:30pm to 11:30pm at a Poetry Jam:  Tim Armentrout, local poet, performance artist & curator of this event, Andrew Peterson a Massachusetts based poet, Joseph Cooper, author of “Touch Me”, freelance writer Sarah Elkins and award winning poet Crystal Good from Charleston, WV, who is hailed as “an astonishing new voice into the national poetry circuit” by Huffington Post.  Don’t miss this talented group of poets.



Live music can also be found at Plants Etc with Herding Cats and at the General Lewis Inn with Pushin’ String.



For more information about the festival call 1800-833-2068 or go to www.lewisburgliteraryfestival.com


Monday, July 30, 2012

Lewisburg Literary Festival Offers Free Activities for Children


The Lewisburg Literary Festival has a great line-up of free activities for children, including presentations and readings by childrens book authors Sarah Sullivan and Sarah Dooley, book give-aways, a book exchange and a bookmark craft project. Activities take place during the festival on Friday evening, August 3rd and all day Saturday, August 4th.

Sarah Sullivan is the author of four children’s picture books including “Once Upon a Baby Brother”, which won the Bank Street College Best Children’s Book List in 2011. Her recent book, “Passing the Music Down”, is a 2012 N.C.T.E. Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts. Her children’s workshops enthrall a variety of young readers and toddlers, from 3 to 11 years of age. On Saturday at 11am at The Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Sarah will read to her young audience.

Sarah Dooley is the author of “Body of Water”, described by Kirkus Reviews as an enthralling tale that humanizes homeless families and inspires reflection on friendship, forgiveness and moving forward. It is a compelling story rife with drama, suspense and heart. Sarah is also the author of “Livvie Owen Lived Here”, about a young girl, Livvie, who is autistic and has to move repeatedly due to her outbursts. Both books are for children from 10 to 14 years of age. Sarah will read from her books at The Greenbrier Valley Theatre on Saturday, August 4th, following Sarah Sullivan at 11:30am.

On Friday evening, during First Fridays After Five, Honnahlee will host a “Find It” Literary Challenge. Children will be asked to find items from their favorite stories and win a “Find It” game of their own or other great prizes. On Saturday, Honnahlee continues with children activities, by offering storybook themed activities, including a coloring contest.

The Darling Exchange is hosting children’s activities throughout the evening on First Fridays After Five and all day Saturday. Stop by with your young one for a children’s book exchange. Anyone may bring in up to 5 older/used children’s books and trade them for new used books. Kids can also participate in a “make your own bookmark” craft project. Walk-ins and all ages are welcome.

First National Bank will be giving away a free book for children ages 3 to 5 throughout the evening on First Fridays After Five and on Saturday morning at their downtown office, while supplies last.

The Lewisburg Literary Festival is a vibrant two day event, featuring authors, outdoor art installations, musical entertainment and performance art, all inspired by literature. The festival takes place annually on the first Friday and Saturday in August. This year, 2012, the event will be held on August 3rd & 4th.
For updates on the festival, log onto the Festival website at www.lewisburgliteraryfestival.com. Information is also available at 800-833-2068 or follow us on Facebook as a friend of the Lewisburg Literary Festival.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

WV Writers member released new poetry collection

In November, Finishing Line Press will publish a new collection of poems by WV Writers member Debbie Richard, entitled Resiliency

“Debbie Richard’s poems are rich caches of personal and rural memories: of lazy walks under moss-draped oaks, of a two-room school house and life on the working farm of her youth, of the last days and words of beloved parents. Her writing is a gentle, generous gift to each reader. After reading each carefully written piece, I felt grateful.” -Cynthia Hodell Dyer, poet and writer, Past President of South Carolina Writers’ Workshop


“Resiliency captures the essence of the poet's life and her communities. Through uncomplicated prose, she takes us into her memories and holds us there safely, until we're ready to reflect on our own.” -Carrie McCullough, publishing consultant and past vice president, conference chair of the South Carolina Writers' Workshop (2009-2011)


“Debbie Richard’s poetry collection, Resiliency, takes the reader on a tender descriptive journey through place, past and present. Firmly rooted with family and the South, the reader will find this collection both accessible and familiar.” -Sally Arango Renata, writer and folk-artist

Pre-publication period: July 24-Sept 8. Resiliency ships November 3. Please note that if you place your order during the pre-publication period, before September 9, shipping is only $1.99 per copy. The press run is based on pre-publication sales.

Order details at  www.debbierichard.comwww.debbierichard.com

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Lee Maynard, Pops Walker and Kipyn Martin at The Lewisburg Literary Festival

The Lewisburg Literary Festival welcomes Lee Maynard and Pops Walker to The Lewis Theatre on Saturday, August 4th from 5pm to 6pm.  Lee Maynard, author, educator and humanitarian, will be reading from his works to the music accompaniment of Pops Walker, a veteran, a musician and a writer.  This event is free to the public and seating is offered on a first come, first served basis.

Brutal, poignant, honest, vivid and breathtaking.  These are the words that describe the works of Lee Maynard. From the "hollers" of West Virginia to the jungles of Central America, Lee's novels take his readers on a series of incredible journeys that not only capture the imagination, but also touch the soul.

Lee Maynard was born and raised in the hardscrabble ridges and hard-packed mountains of West Virginia, an upbringing that darkens and shapes much of his writing. He has received the National Endowment for the Arts Literary Fellowship. As a journalist, Maynard was an assignment writer for Reader's Digest for more than two decades. His journalism and non-fiction work has appeared more than 100 times in publications as diverse as The Saturday Review, Rider Magazine, Washington Post, Country America, Dual Sport News and Christian Science Monitor. His latest novel, The Scummers, the final novel in the trilogy that includes the oft-banned Crum and Screaming with the Cannibals, was published in April by Vandalia Press.

Pops Walker retired from the US Army in 2003 and entered into to his second career as a performing singer/songwriter.   On the day of his retirement, he packed his guitars into his car and drove to Charlestown, WV, where he was the opening act for the Mountain Stage New Song Festival.  Since then, he’s enjoyed a reputation as one of the most passionate solo performers in his field, playing at festivals, acoustic listening rooms, theaters, and his favorite venues: house concerts.  Listening to any of his seven CDs, one can hear dashes of folk, jazz, country, and a tidy little genre called Southern Fried Zen Mojo, a phrase coined just for him.  

Later that evening at 9pm, enjoy the free music performance by Pops Walker, with special guest, Kipyn Martin at Del Sol Cantina & Grille.   Pops and Kipyn will entertain their audience with blues, folk and jazz.

Composer Kipyn Martin comes from the Shenandoah Valley—an area well-known for Appalachian folk music.  Often compared to Joni Mitchell, Dar Williams, and Joan Baez, Kipyn sings from the core. She was a semi-finalist in the 2007 New Song Academy Songwriting Competition, and a finalist in the 2009 Shenandoah Valley Acoustic Roots Songwriting Competition.  Also, Kipyn has shared stages with such artists as Chuck E. Costa, Trina Hamlin, Beaucoup Blue, and as on this night, Pops Walker. Kipyn is a versatile performer, mostly operating within blues and folk genres. Listeners can expect no frills, just soul.

The Lewisburg Literary Festival is a vibrant two day event, featuring authors, outdoor art installations, musical entertainment and performance art, all inspired by literature.  The festival takes place annually on the first Friday and Saturday in August.  This year, 2012, the event will be held on August 3rd & 4th. 

For updates on the festival, log onto the Festival website at www.lewisburgliteraryfestival.com.  Information is also available at 800-833-2068 or follow us on Facebook as a friend of the Lewisburg Literary Festival.