The Baltimore Book Festival, one of the mid-Atlantic?s premiere arts festivals, brings local and national authors who have written everything from children?s literature to nonfiction self-help to the city.
The Children?s Book Stage features Caldecott award-winning illustrators and popular children?s authors. JoAnne Fructman, the organizer of the Children?s Book Store stage, says the event keeps getting better every year. “I think people should support this type of event in Baltimore; this event has integrity,” she said. “It is about books, about reading, and it?s not just for children. There is good music, good food and it?s a great way to spend the weekend.”
“In all of my programming, I tried to endeavor to show the diversity. Famous authors, recently published authors, first-time authors,” CityLit Stage organizer Gregg Wilhelm said. Sponsored by the CityLit Project, the stage will hold panels with journalists-turned-authors, sports writers, wine writers and new authors.
CityLit will also hold a Books and Brew Literary Happy Hour at 6 p.m. tonight with appearances from nine local authors and a performance from Roddy?s Roadhouse.
“The Baltimore Book Festival is fun, free, diverse and the perfect way to expose the region to what I think is often the cultural arts? overlooked cousin … the LITERARY arts,” Wilhelm said.
Writers like actress and civil rights activist Ruby Dee; “CSI: NY” actor Hill Harper; Kevin Clash, the voice of “Sesame Street?s” character Elmo, and many more will read and discuss excerpts from their works. Author panels highlight topics like the best way to get published and how to find an agent. Cooking, home improvement and entertaining ideas fill the Food for Thought Stage while the Creative Café features poetry slams and writing workshops.The music stage has performances from Jah Works, Mary Lou and the Untouchables, and The Players.
Fructman, whose stage is one of the most popular year after year, says that the festival is not to be missed ? no matter what age you are. “It?s a wonderful way for parents and children to meet these authors,” Fructman said. “It?s an extraordinary group. You can spend a lot of time there!”
IF YOU GO
» Mount Vernon Place, 600
N. Charles St., Baltimore
» Today, from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
» Cost: Free
» More info: www.baltimorebookfestival.com
