PRESS RELEASES
Introducing The Buffalo Book Fair
~ SHOWCASING another BUFFALO TREASURE ~
(Buffalo, NY) -- The Book Fair Committee will host the Buffalo Book Fair on Saturday, July 7, 2007 from 11 am to 7 pm in downtown Buffalo (Lafayette Square and Washington Street). Special presentations and panel discussions will be held in the Central Library adjacent to the outside venue. The festive literary event, formerly The Harlem Book Fair in Buffalo, promotes reading and Buffalo’s history. Not only is the Book Fair celebrating a new name, but there an exciting line up of national and regional authors is planned as well as a host of new activities. Saturday’s agenda begins with an inspirational breakfast, featuring a motivational speaker and complimentary music. This event will be followed by an enlightening panel discussion about the state of literacy. Children and families will enjoy presentations and activities at ThinkBright Children’s Main Stage hosted by WNED ThinkBright.
The Buffalo Book Fair is free and open to the entire Western New York community. Attendees enjoy a full day of activities, including author readings, book signings, interactive activities for children, seminars, panel discussions, a variety of vendors and the opportunity to meet and greet celebrity authors. This entertaining literary event, attracting over 4,000 people last year, serves as a perfect compliment to the annual Taste of Buffalo food festival that takes place the same weekend only blocks away. The two events create a powerful synergy highlighting some of Buffalo's key features. Experience the best of Buffalo – Our Food – Our Culture – Our History!
“The BUFFALO BOOK FAIR is a literary experience,” states Jennifer Parker, the Book Fair’s event manager. “There is an emphasis on ensuring that each attendee walks away with an awe effect – it’s what I like to call a Disney feeling. Reading should be pleasurable. The Book Fair experience promotes the educational component as well as the entertainment value of reading.“
The 2007 theme, Unlock Another Buffalo Treasure is an excellent introduction for the annual literary event. Currently, the national line up includes authors such as Catherine Gildiner, author of Too Close to the Falls (A Buffalo News Book Club Selection), and Quincy Troupe, poet and writer, the author of Architecture of Language, his latest book of poetry inspired by contemporary art, music, literature and sports. He also co-authored The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner, in which a major motion picture staring Will Smith was based upon. He celebrates his friendship with the jazz great, Miles Davis, in the memoir – Miles and Me. Keeping up with current events, the Book Fair will welcome awarding winning journalist and author Cora Daniels with her new book Ghettonation: A Journey into the Land of the Bling and the Home of the Shameless. Daniels takes on one of the most explosive issues in our country today - America's embrace of a ghetto persona that is demeaning to women, devalues education and celebrates the worst African American stereotypes. In addition, Buffalo’s own literary notable Ishmael Reed will share insights about his writing and life in a special Book Fair presentation, “A Conversation with Ishmael Reed.” An exciting array of authors covering different genres and issues are also being pursued. Local and regional authors are encouraged to participate as presenters and vendors. Another new Book Fair initiative is a call to area book clubs to join the literary event and “Adopt an Author.”
The BUFFALO BOOK FAIR is a labor of love for the Book Fair Committee and exemplifies the rewards of community collaboration. The 2007 Honorary Chair is Buffalo Public School Superintendent James A. Williams and Buffalo-born literary genius Ishmael Reed serves as the Literary Co-Chair. Each year, the committee will select Buffalo-born authors to serve as literary chairs.
A TWO-DAY CELEBRATION - The two-day celebration will kick-off with the 2007 Literary Reception – Books, Blues and Barbecue on Friday, July 6th from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the downtown Buffalo and Erie County Public Library. Meet guest authors while enjoying a delicious barbecue menu and listening to a variety of music by local artists. This special event is a fundraiser benefiting the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library and Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo and Erie County. Tickets are $30.00. Volunteers and vendors are needed. For more information, please call the Book Fair Committee, 716.881.6066 or visit www.buffalobookfair.com.
The Book Fair Committee is a collaboration and community initiative that includes the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, WNED ThinkBright, Literacy Volunteers, Dr. James A. Williams (Buffalo Public Schools), Buffalo National Black MBA Association of WNY, Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau, Barnes and Noble Booksellers, Talking Leaves, Black Capital Network, Albright Knox Art Gallery Gusto at the Gallery, ParkerTrent PR and many dedicated volunteers. Our goal is to make the book fair a regional event that celebrates literacy and promotes the region’s diverse, historic and rich cultural heritage.
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