The 2010 Iowa City Book Festival (ICBF), presented by the University of Iowa Libraries, has announced its schedule for the three-day celebration of reading, writing and books July 16-18. The Festival offers activities for the entire family: best-selling authors, hands-on book arts, kids’ activities, music and festival food.
For its second year, the ICBF has greatly expanded its schedule and has attracted some leading writers and filmmakers, including Jane Smiley, Audrey Niffenegger, Jeffrey Zaslow and Nicholas Meyer. For a complete schedule of events, see http://www.iowacitybookfestival.org .
Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Smiley kicks off the festival with the keynote address at the Author Dinner, 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 16 in the Main Library. Tickets for the dinner must be purchased before the event, seating is limited.
On Saturday, July 17, best-selling authors Niffenegger, Zaslow, David Rhodes, and James Galvin join Smiley in the Shambaugh Auditorium Series. The Libraries Special Collections and Iowa Women’s Archives will host a series of authors: Rebecca Johns and Wendy Webb will talk about research for novelists, Hope Edelman and Carl Klaus will discuss memoirs; Ray Young Bear will read from his book, “The Rock Island Hiking Club” and Nicholas Meyer will discuss his memoir, “The View from the Bridge.” Sessions about poetry appreciation, writing children’s books and adult computer literacy round out activities in the Main Library on Saturday. For complete author biographies, see http://www.iowacitybookfestival.org/authors .
Gibson Square will be teeming with activity on Saturday, when mix of local and regional booksellers and emerging authors will be selling their books. Book artists from the UI Center for the Book will lead hands-on demonstrations in book-making. The Center for the Book’s tent is sponsored in part by a generous grant from Iowa Arts Council. Several local musicians will be playing folk, Celtic, and brass band music throughout the day in Gibson Square.
The Family Performance Tent will have puppet shows, kid’s music and clowns. Children can also meet some of their favorite book characters – Clifford, The Big Red Dog and Curious George.
Partnering with the Bijou Theatre and the Iowa City Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau, the ICBF will be presenting an Adaptation Film Series starting at noon Saturday, July 17. Join writers and filmmakers Nicholas Meyer, Max Allan Collins, and Phil Robinson for a moderated discussion of their experiences adapting their own work and the work of others, from the printed page to the big screen.
Sunday, July 18 is A Day in the City of Literature with readings and book-related activities at more than 20 venues throughout downtown Iowa City. Local authors and poets will be reading at Revival Clothing Store, RSVP, The Haunted Bookshop, AKAR Design, T’Spoons on Market, Iowa Book and Supply, M.C. Ginsberg and Prairie Lights. Participants can make their own bookmarks at Home Ec. Workshop or take a guess at the book titles and authors depicted on Dulcinea’s literary mural. The Congregational United Church of Christ of Iowa City will be hosting a series of writers who have published works about religious subjects and spirituality.