The CityLit Festival isn?t holding anything back for their 5th anniversary.
“We have adult and children’s programs. Authors of all kinds of different cultural backgrounds: poets; nationally and internationally acclaimed authors; and emerging voices. We really strive for a balance,” said CityLit Project founder and president Gregg Wilhelm.
The day begins with Deputy Mayor Salima Siler Marriott declaring April 19 “Afaa Michael Weaver Day” in Baltimore. Weaver, a Baltimore native, recently published “The Plum Flower Dance,” a collection of poetry.
“His story is very interesting,” Wilhelm said. “He grew up on the east side, graduated from Poly in 1968, worked factory jobs at Beth Steel and Proctor and Gamble. In the early ’80s he started making his way, and now he is Professor of English at Simmons College in Boston, and he founded the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Center.”
Dr. Carla Hayden, the executive director of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, said that CityLit Festival is one of her favorite events of the year. “The energy and creativity that CityLit Project brings to it ? and to each of its programs ? is worthy of the library?s support and the entire community’s support,” she said in a statement.
Authors Dan Fesperman, Laura Lippman and Manil Suri will all be appearing as Baltimore’s Literati to discuss their newest creations.
“What they represent is the ability to not only have a writing career but an acclaimed writing career,” Wilhelm said. “And all three are international acclaimed and living and working right here in Baltimore.”
“Another Thing To Fall” is Lippman?s newest novel, which hit the New York Times Bestseller list almost immediately after its release. One piece of advice she wants to offer? “Don?t show your work to people unless you truly want a critique,” she said. “It’s going to be critiqued if or when it?s published, so you might as well get used to it.”
Other appearances include Dr. Ben Carson, Michael Olesker, Victoria Christopher Murray, Carole Boston Weatherford and more.
IF YOU GO
WHERE: Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St., Baltimore
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today
TICKETS: Free
INFO: Click here for a full list of appearances and activities.
