|  | | | | NEW! The Ultra Fandango Readers' Package!
All "Public Events" are included for conference attendees.
You can also purchase admission to one, or all three, of these events without registering for the entire conference.
Friday, February 19, 6:00 -7:00 pm
Hotel Real de Minas
Barbara Kingsolver's Keynote Address
"Finding My Way Into The Lacuna"
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| |  | | Kingsolver will speak about her new novel, The Lacuna (available November 3, 2009).
With THE LACUNA, Barbara Kingolver’s first novel in nine years, the New York Times bestselling author is at the peak of her powers as a writer. As she did in her acknowledged masterwork, The Poisonwood Bible, Kingsolver again expands the scope and ambition of her art. The Lacuna is a powerful and probing work that spans two decades and two worlds. Its protagonist, Harrison William Shepherd, is born in the U. S., but raised in Mexico by a socially striving mother who is defined by the succession of men in her life. It is the Mexico of the 1930s, and Harrison becomes an unofficial member of the household of Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and the exiled Leon Trotsky, where he inevitably casts his lot with art and revolution.
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| | Back in the U.S. as the Second World War rages, he finds an extraordinary use for his talents of observation. But shifting political winds continue to throw him between north and south, in a plot that turns many times on the unspeakable breach – the lacuna – between truth and public perception.
The Lacuna grew out of Kingsolver’s interest in how the American psyche took its modern shape, and it examines questions that were acutely present in the 1940s and are no less important today: What does it mean to be an American? What is gained or lost when we refuse to embrace our own history? How do the media shape public opinion to tolerate or condemn a person or idea, or even to go to war? How did the “talkers” rise above the “thinkers”? Should the rules of human civility extend to celebrated persons? What are the real costs, when privacy is denied? Do artists have any obligation to inform or shape public opinion? How does language create or destroy identity?
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| | Barbara Kingsolver’s thirteen published books include six acclaimed novels as well as short fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry. Her first novel, The Bean Trees, has been adapted into the core English literature curriculum in many high schools. In 1998 her highly praised The Poisonwood Bible placed her squarely on the literary map as it won awards at home and abroad. Since then she has written the novels Prodigal Summer and The Lacuna, and three nonfiction volumes including Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, a narrative on local food that took the nation’s practical imagination by storm. Kingsolver’s books have been translated and published throughout the world in more than twenty languages. Her fiction is widely anthologized, and her reviews, essays and journalism appear regularly in newspapers and major magazines.
In 2000, she was awarded the National Humanities Medal.
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Saturday, February 20, 2:30 - 6:00
Hotel Real de Minas
Panel Discussion about The Lacuna, with Barbara Kingsolver.
Reception follows panel discussion.
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| | Tuesday, February 23,
from 3:00 - 4:30
Jamaica Farewell
Original play by Debra Ehrhardt
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| | "EXUBERANT! HIGH COMEDY" - NY TIMES
"POWERFUL...With wit and a melodic Jamaican lilt...Ehrhdart proves to be an entertaining and charming raconteur." - The New Yorker
“WINNING! The evening’s real pleasure is Ehrhardt herself. She’s got it going on, living everyday like Independence Day.” - The LA Times
“A TERRIFIC STORY
with wit and panache…suspenseful enough for a thriller and deliciously funny.”
- LA Weekly
NAACP award-winning writer/performer Debra Ehrhardt’s true story its audience on a wild roller coaster ride from Jamaica to America. Debra Ehrhardt’s numerous attempts to obtain a visa in revolution-torn Jamaica in the 1970’s were devastatingly futile. Left to her own devices, she risked prison time, even death, in an attempt to pull off a daring, dangerous caper with the unwitting help of an infatuated American CIA agent.
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| |  | | A native of Kingston, Jamaica, Debra Ehrhardt fled to the US during the revolution on the island. This is her third one-woman show. Previous productions include Mango, Mango which received two NAACP awards and Invisible Chairs, which was produced by David Strasberg at the Marilyn Monroe Theater in West Hollywood, California and later was optioned as a situation comedy by Fox. As member of the Writer’s Guild of America, she is currently adapting JAMAICA, FAREWELL for the big screen.
4:30 - 5:00
Q and A with Playwright Debra Ehrhardt. |
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The Ultra Fandango Readers' Package . . .
The Fiesta Celebration Package for Everyone!
(and you don't need to be registered for the full conference
to join us for party time).
The Ultra Fandango Readers' Package: $295 (a $390 Value)
Includes:
- Keynote Address with Barbara Kingsolver.
- Opening night Festival at Villas Xichu.
- El Movimiento: an extraordinary Dinner / theater event.
- The panel discussion of The Lacuna, including Barbara Kingsolver herself.
- The gala book signing reception, with Barbara Kingsolver.
- The award-winning one-woman play, "Jamaica Farewell" with Debra Ehrhardt performing.
- Three "Explore San Miguel" excursions (choose from five options).
OR: Individual Fiesta Tickets!
El Movimiento! $150
Festival at Villas Xichu! $150
Ticket purchase to any of these events will benefit
the non-profit
San Miguel Literary Sala that brings you these events! |
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