PRESS RELEASES
VERIZON PRESENTS JAMES EARL JONES
FOR SPECIAL LIVE engagement TO commence
2007 BUFFALO BOOK FAIR
(Buffalo, NY) – On Saturday, July 7th, the Buffalo Book Fair will commence with a special guest appearance at the downtown Central Library, announced event manager Jennifer J. Parker. During an exclusive morning engagement, Verizon presents spokesperson James Earl Jones for a live, in-person inspirational address at 10 am followed by a question and answer period. Inside Edition Correspondent Les Trent will emcee the event. In addition, student dancers from the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts will perform. General admission tickets are $5. Prior to the formal presentation, select seating will be offered for a 9 am continental breakfast in the Fables Café area. Breakfast tickets are available for $20 and include reserved seating for Mr. Jones’ moving message in the Mason O. Damon Auditorium. Ticket quantities are limited and are being offered on a first come, first served basis. Tickets for both events may be purchased from the Central Library’s Borrower Services area. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted.
“As a global broadband and wireless company, Verizon is committed to building literate communities through our high-speed fiber networks and digital, online tool Thinkfinity.org,” said Verizon External Affairs Director Maureen Rasp-Glose, “as well as by supporting community-based initiatives and programs like the Buffalo Book Fair.”
Verizon External Affairs Manager Jamir Y. Floyd shares the excitement of this collaboration: “Verizon has enjoyed being a part of this growing literary event. James Earl Jones, Verizon’s Literacy Champion, is an excellent addition to the book fair’s line up” www.verizon.com/foundation
Jones, an Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor of film and stage, is well known in the literary world as the voice of King Mufasa in Walt Disney Pictures, The Lion King, and to Star Wars fans as the voice of Darth Vader. He will share his inspiring story profiled in his 1993 autobiography, Voices and Silences, of how he conquered a childhood speech defect to become one of the world’s most recognized voices and the spokesperson for Verizon.
Jones will also be featured at the Book Fair’s outdoor WNED Think Bright stage, where he will be reading from The Lion King at 11:10 am and 12:30 pm. Children are encouraged to attend to read along with Mr. Jones.
The Book Fair celebration begins the evening of Friday, July 6th at 6:30 pm with the 2007 Literary Reception – Books, Blues and Barbecue at the downtown Central Library. Guests have the opportunity to mingle and personally interact with celebrity authors participating in the Book Fair, while enjoying a delicious meal and live music on the Library’s outdoor terrace and inside the main concourse.
A full barbecue menu is being created by Fables Café, featuring roasted potato salad, Carolina coleslaw, Niagara sweet corn, “margarita marinated” char-grilled chicken, slow smoked “Memphis-style” pulled pork and fresh baked rolls. A cash bar with beer, wine and soda will be available. Entertaining live music will be performed by local blues band, Sonny Mayo and the Delta Drivers. Books, Blues and Barbecue tickets are $30.00 per person and may be purchased online at www.buffalobookfair.com. Proceeds from this event benefit the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library and Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo and Erie County.
The Buffalo Book Fair takes place 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 an exciting line up of national and regional authors is planned as well as a host of new activities. The Book Fair is free and open to the entire Western New York community. This entertaining and informative celebration, attracting over 4,000 people last year, serves as a perfect complement 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 Book Fair Committee is a collaboration and community initiative that includes the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, WNED ThinkBright, Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo and Erie County, 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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