November 1, 2009

Mark Your Calendar: Nov. 8 – 15, 2009



Book lovers, get ready to celebrate because the 26th edition of the nation’s finest and largest literary gathering, Miami Book Fair International (Fair), is just around the corner. Presented by the Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami Dade College (MDC), the Fair will take place Nov. 8 – 15 at the college’s Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. Second Ave., in downtown Miami.

The Fair will again treat book lovers to more than a week of cultural and educational activities, including author readings, book signings, the beloved Evenings With series, the IberoAmerican Authors program, the popular Street Fair Nov. 13 – 15 featuring hundreds of vendors on the actual closed streets of downtown Miami surrounding the campus, Children’s Alley, Comix Galaxy, and much more.

Its signature Evenings With series kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 5 p.m. with Elizabeth Alexander, who wrote and delivered President Barack Obama’s inaugural poem, “Praise Song for the Day.” Admission to this event is free and does not require a ticket. Seating is limited. Please note all other Evenings With events have a $10 admission fee. The events will be held at the Chapman Center, Building 3, Room 3210.

In addition, many other renowned authors are slated to attend, including  Sherman Alexie, Margaret Atwood, Roy Blount Jr., Robert Olen Butler, Meg Cabot, Alan Cheuse, Susie Essman, Mary Karr, Mike Farrell, Nobel Laureate and former Vice President Al Gore, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Barbara Kingsolver, Jonathan Lethem, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Ralph Nader, Richard Powers, Nobel Laureate Orhan Pamuk, Francine Prose, Ruth Reichl, Senator Bob Graham, Wally Lamb, musician and performer Iggy Pop, Melvin Van Peebles, Jeannette Walls and many others.

Confirmed Spanish-language authors include Roberto Ampuero, Carmen Posadas, Alvaro Vargas-Llosa, Boris Izaguirre, Angela Becerra, Juanita Castro, Edmundo Paz-Soldán, Jorge Ramos, Fabiola Santiago, Jaime Bayly and others.

EVENINGS WITH SERIES

Elizabeth Alexander, is the author of the inaugural poem Praise Song for the Day -- Sunday, Nov. 8, at 5 p.m.
Margaret Atwood is the author of The Handmaid’s Tale and finalist for the Booker Prize -- Sunday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m.
Ruth Reichl is the Editor-In-Chief of Gourmet Magazine and former New York Times food critic -- Monday, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m.
Barbara Kingsolver is the bestselling author of The Poisonwood Bible, and short listed for the Pulitzer and PEN/Faulkner Awards -- Monday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m.
Jeannette Walls is the New York Times bestselling author of Glass Castle --Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m.
Richard Powers is a critically acclaimed novelist and winner of a National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize Finalist – Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Isabella Rossellini, famed actress, model and beauty icon, is the author of four books – Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m.
Orhan Pamuk (Turkey) is the winner of the Nobel Prize for LiteratureFriday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m.


Thanks to the support of sponsors, there will be a nightly reception called Twilight Tastings prior to the evening presentations on the fifth floor terrace in Building 3. Also, people paying the admission to the evening sessions are eligible to receive a $5 discount on any of the authors’ books at anytime during the Fair or toward the purchase of any book prior to Dec. 31 at any Books & Books location. This does not apply to complimentary tickets.

MIAMI DADE COLLEGE AND THE ARTS

Miami Dade College has a long and rich history of involvement in the cultural arts, providing South Florida with a vast array of artistic and literary offerings including The Miami Book Fair International, the Florida Center for the Literary Arts, The Miami International Film Festival, the Cultura del Lobo performing arts series, The Cuban Cinema Series, the Prometeo Theatre, the Miami Leadership Roundtable speakers’ series, a renowned art gallery system, several campus theaters, and the nationally recognized School of Entertainment and Design Technology. It is also home of the National Historic Landmark Miami Freedom Tower. With an enrollment of more than 170,000 students, MDC is the largest institution of higher education in the country and is a national model for many of its programs. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer more than 300 distinct degree programs including baccalaureate, associate in arts and science degrees and numerous certificates. In 2006, MDC admitted its 1.5 millionth student.

For regular updates, times and more information, please visit www.miamibookfair.com, call 305-237-3528 or email wbookfair@mdc.edu.

Media-only contacts:

Juan Mendieta, 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu, MDC communications director

Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu, media specialist

Tarnell Carroll, 305-237-3359, tcarroll@mdc.edu, Media Specialist

Alejandro Rios, 305-237-7482, arios1@mdc.edu

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