Press Release
INTRODUCING THE BUFFALO BOOK FAIR ~ SHOWCASING ANOTHER BUFFALO TREASURE ~
(Buffalo, NY) The Buffalo Committee will host the Buffalo Book Fair on Saturday July 7, 2007 from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm in downtown Buffalo (Lafayette Square and Washington Street). Special presentations and panel discussions will be held in the Buffalo and Erie County 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, there are also new activities. For instance, the Saturday agenda begins with an Inspirational Breakfast, featuring Verizon’s Spokesperson James Earl Jones, an
Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor of film and stage. Although he has made a mark in many movies and stage productions, he is well known in the literary world as the voice of King Mufasa in Walt Disney Pictures, “The Lion King” and to “Star War” fans, as the voice of the Darth Vader character. He will share his inspiring story profiled in his 1993 autobiography, Voices and Silences, of how he conquered a childhood speech defect to become the spokesperson for Verizon and the voice so many Americans recognize.
This event will be followed by an interactive panel discussion about the current state of literacy in Western New York. Children and families will enjoy presentations and activities at the ThinkBright Children’s Main Stage hosted by WNED ThinkBright.
The Buffalo Book Fair free and open to the entire Western New York Community celebrates authors through readings, book signings, interactive activities for children, seminars and panel discussions. The opportunity to meet and greet authors is one of the favorite activities of past Book Fair participants along with vendor shopping. 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 two blocks away. The two events create a powerful synergy highlighting some of Buffalo's key features. As we say, 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 proves that learning from opening a book and hearing the words from a book can be entertaining. “
The 2007 Theme, Unlocking Another Buffalo Treasure is an excellent introduction for the annual literary event. To date the national line up includes authors such as Catherine Gildiner author of Too Close to the Falls ( A Buffalo News Book Club Selection), 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. 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 in her new book Ghettonation: A Journey into the Land of the Bling and the Home of the Shameless, Cora 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. Kevin Merida & Michael Fletcher, Washington Post staffers and authors of Supreme Discomfort: The Divided Soul of Clarence Thomas will unravel some of the mysteries about this US Supreme Court Justice; in addition, we view a little politics with Brooke Masters, author of Spoiling for a Fight: The Rise of Eliot Spitzer. Buffalo New York’s literary notable, Ishmael Reed will share insights about his writing and life in a special book fair presentation – “A Conversation with Ishmael Reed.” Karolyn Smardz Frost, author of I’ve Got a Home in Glory Land will share a portrait of the conditions – and the politics – of slavery and an inspiring account of two intrepid fugitive slaves whose flight to freedom changed US and Canadian history. Local and regional authors are also featured as presenters and vendors.
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 the Buffalo Schools Superintendent, James A. Williams and Buffalo born literary genius, Ishmael Reed serves as the Literary Co -Chair. Each year the committee selects Buffalo born authors to serve as Literary Co-Chairs.
A TWO DAY CELEBRATION - The two-day celebration will open with the 2007 Literary Reception - Book Blues and Barbecue on Friday July 6 from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm at the downtown Buffalo and Erie County Public Library. Meet guest authors while enjoying a delicious barbecue and listening to a variety of music by
local artists. The barbecue 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 Buffalo 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.
