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Behold the literary goodness that was 2003. Lots of note took place on the Tristate scene, too much to mention in a column with a finite word count. But, heck, I'll do my subjective best.
In February, THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY bestowed Cincinnati with THE STOWE FESTIVAL, a month-long extravaganza dedicated to the life and work of Harriet Beecher Stowe. With plans to turn it into an annual event, the festival unveiled a bust of the Uncle Tom's Cabin author, the first woman to join the ranks of the Mercantile's impressive sculpture collection.
Delightfully original, THE PERPETUAL MOTION ROADSHOW with its rotating traveling brood of three indie performers stopped by Buzz Coffee Shop for six performances in as many months. Though skewing to a younger audience, the Roadshow is a unique, witty, thoughtful showcase to up-and-comers. But with Buzz's imminent closing on Jan. 18, is there another local venue brave enough to let Roadshow pitch its tent?
The independent zine, uh, scene struck a chord with THE CINCINNATI ROCK & READ FEST, the second annual homage to the interconnection between melodic music and written words. Here's hoping that THE COWGIRL SUPERSTARS and VIVID, the event's organizers, keep things lively with yet another encore in 2004.
Behold the literary goodness that was 2003. Lots of note took place on the Tristate scene, too much to mention in a column with a finite word count. But, heck, I'll do my subjective best. ...
In February, THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY bestowed Cincinnati with THE STOWE FESTIVAL, a month-long extravaganza dedicated to the life and work of Harriet Beecher Stowe. With plans to turn it into an annual event, the festival unveiled a bust of the Uncle Tom's Cabin author, the first woman to join the ranks of the Mercantile's impressive sculpture collection. ...
Delightfully original, THE PERPETUAL MOTION ROADSHOW with its rotating traveling brood of three indie performers stopped by Buzz Coffee Shop for six performances in as many months. Though skewing to a younger audience, the Roadshow is a unique, witty, thoughtful showcase to up-and-comers. But with Buzz's imminent closing on Jan. 18, is there another local venue brave enough to let Roadshow pitch its tent? ...
The independent zine, uh, scene struck a chord with THE CINCINNATI ROCK & READ FEST, the second annual homage to the interconnection between melodic music and written words. Here's hoping that THE COWGIRL SUPERSTARS and VIVID, the event's organizers, keep things lively with yet another encore in 2004. ...
Illustrator LOREN LONG helped writer ANGELA JOHNSON with her work on the railroad in the richly imagined children's book, I Dream of Trains. Long's career has become like a prayer. The West Chester artist also twirled with the Material Girl, painting and sketching pop diva Madonna's second children's book, Mr. Peabody's Apples. Deserving of his success, we hope Long won't get swept away from the Tristate. ...
STEVE KISSING's no angel, but he's a helluva writer. His insightful wit had him Running from the Devil in his debut book, a childhood memoir centering around bizarre hallucinations and Kissing's stalwart belief that the devil was controlling his mind. Writing the local release of the year, Kissing deserves far greater rewards and accolades than he's already received. Maybe he should make a pact with the devil. ...
Oh, for Pete's sake, PETER BRONSON had to go and write a book. Cincinnati ... For Pete's Sake is a collection of the strongest, most memorable columns by The Cincinnati Enquirer staple. Love him or hate him. I often do both, decrying his conservative opinions while respecting his strong journalistic style. ...
Who knew more than 10 people had heard of BILLY COLLINS? The Library of Congress' Poet Laureate Consultant spoke and read to a sold-out audience at the Aronoff Center. It was a wonderful cap to National Poetry Month and THE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY's POETRY IN THE GARDEN series which had to abandon its usual 800 Vine St. space for greener, larger pastures. ...
Another jolt of adult-driven story time, if you will, came courtesy of two ongoing series that continue in 2004. THE RIVERBANK POETRY PROJECT found the beat with a season concentrating primarily on The Beat Generation. An appearance by Beat poet/photographer GORDON BALL was a highlight in November, but there's more to come. Poet JOSEPH KIRSCHBAUM leads "Poetry & The Visual Arts" at 7 p.m. Jan. 13 at Riverbank's home, FITTON CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS. Meanwhile, the UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI has been offering the FRIDAY AFTERNOON READING SERIES with the likes of censored writer DALLAS WIEBE, various UC alums and some fresh faces. ...
You don't know Jack, yet. Well, unless you're a faithful reader of CityBeat's lit coverage. In 2004, JACK KERLEY will reach a broader audience when he releases his thrilling serial killer debut, The Hundredth Man. Kerley first came to CityBeat's attention when he won this year's MERCANTILE LIBRARY SHORT STORY COMPETITION. By the time he was done enjoying the grand prize of attending the 2003 Santa Barbara Writers Conference, Kerley had a $500,000 book contract with Dutton. Man, oh Man.
