SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 ISSUE
On the Same Page Literary Festival September 14 to 18
Jill McCorkle reads from Going Away Shoes at the 2009 On the Same Page Literary Festival at the Ashe Arts Center. This year, Robert Morgan will give the featured reading there. Morgan is a proclaimed poet, professor and author of Gap Creek. Photo courtesy of UNC-TV.Residents of the High Country and beyond are invited to celebrate the literary arts in Ashe County. For four days beginning on Tuesday, September 14, and ending Saturday, September 18, the third annual literary festival called On the Same Page will focus on writing about North Carolina people, places and traditions.
Sponsored by the Ashe County Arts Council and the Ashe County Public Library, On the Same Page was conceived during the major expansion of the Ashe County Public Library in 2008 and 2009.
“On the Same Page Literary Festival is an outstanding opportunity for celebrating reading and writing with some of North Carolina’s favorite authors,” said Jane Lonon, executive director of the Ashe County Arts Council. “The events that are planned are informative and fun with readings, workshops, a film showing and lots of question-and-answer sessions with the authors. This high quality regional festival is not to be missed!”
As the expanded library developed, Lonon and Library Director Jim McQueen and others conferred, discussing the different ways to use the new library when it reopened. When they came up with the festival idea, the purpose of holding such an event would be to expand the community’s reading experience, regardless of their age or interests.
The lineup of events includes author readings, workshops, discussion groups, theatre and a movie. Authors participating in the 2010 festival include Robert Morgan, Daniel Wallace, D.G. Martin, Julia Ebel, Georgann Eubanks, Fred Chappell and John Hart.
For more information, call 336-846-2787 or click to www.onthesamepagefestival.com.
On the Same Page Literary Festival Schedule
Tuesday, September 14
1:00 p.m. open discussions on the book Big Fish, hosted by the Library Book Club and held at the Ashe Public Library. Free and open to the public.
7:30 p.m. Join Elliot Engel with “O. Henry: His Surprise Endings and Beginnings.” Presented by the Ashe County Arts Council at the Ashe Arts Center. Admission costs $10. Call 336-846-2787 to reserve tickets.
Wednesday, September 15
Time TBA Elliot Engel will be at the Ashe County High School.
10:00 a.m. North Carolina Writer’s Network Introduction and Discussion by Ed Southern, executive director at the library. Free and open to the public.
11:00 a.m. Ed Southern speaks about Sports in the Carolinas from Death Valley to Tobacco Road. These two programs will be held at the Ashe County Public Library during the Friends of the Library meeting. Free and open to the public.
Thursday, September 16
9:30 a.m. Georgann Eubanks holds a creative writing workshop called Many Beginnings. Her class will be held at the Ashe Public Library; seating is limited and signup is required.
12:00 p.m. A Literary Trails Lunch with Georgann Eubanks, who will speak about her book Literary Trails of the North Carolina Piedmont in the Friends Room located downstairs at the Ashe Public Library. Free admission. Reserve a seat and a Sweet Aromas box lunch by Saturday, September 11. Call 336-846-ARTS.
2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Afternoon of the Spoken Word. Members of the Blue Ridge Writers Group will be reading and singing from their mountain-themed writings. Located downstairs at Ashe Public Library. Free admission and open to the public with a special invitation extended to English classes.
7:00 p.m. Cinnamon Cinema. A screening of the 2003 movie Big Fish as an adjunct to the Community Read novel, Big Fish. The movie will show downstairs at the Ashe Public Library. Daniel Wallace will answer questions after the film.
Friday, September 17
9:00 a.m. Author reading with Daniel Wallace with question-and-answer session held downstairs at Ashe Public Library.
Time TBA Many Beginnings workshop repeated at Ashe County High School.
11:00 a.m. Fred Chappell author reading with Susan Chappell. Question-and-answer session follows. Held downstairs at the Ashe Public Library.
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch Bunches: an informal discussion gathering over lunch. Locations to be announced.
2:00 and 3:30 p.m. An Hour With an Author. Divided into two sessions. Meet and visit with one of the 2010 visiting authors. Chat, ask questions, share intimate time as each author holds informal discussions at a local eatery. Between 10 to 12 people can participate at a time. Call 336-846-ARTS to sign up. Backstreet Coffeehouse: Fred Chappell; Sweet Aromas: Georgann Eubanks; Fraser’s Pub: Robert Morgan; Bohemia: D.G. Martin; Sweet and Savory: Daniel Wallace.
7:30 p.m. Author reading with Robert Morgan, talk plus question and answer. Free admission and open to the public, but seating is limited. Call 336-846-ARTS to reserve tickets.
Saturday, September 18
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. “Resource Books.” Ashe County Farmers’ Market vendors share their sources of inspiration along with their everyday wares.
9:00 a.m. Author reading with John Hart. Talk, plus question and answer. Held downstairs at the Ashe County Public Library.
10:00 a.m. Author reading with Julia Ebel. Question and answer in the Children’s Department at the Ashe Public Library.
12:00 p.m. On the Same Plate luncheon with festival authors Robert Morgan, Daniel Wallace, Georgann Eubanks, Fred Chappell and John Hart. Panel discussion plus question and answer moderated by D.G. Martin. Located at Hensley Hall, West Jefferson Methodist Church. Catered luncheon costs $15 per plate. Advance tickets required. Call 336-846-ARTS by Wednesday, September 15, to reserve your plate.
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