Authors, lectures, storytelling, music and cultural performances will all be part of the Dallas Book Festival to be held from noon to 5 p.m. on April 12 at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young St. The family event will feature more than 30 local authors and vendors. All programs and activities are free and open to the public.
Featured authors at this year’s festival are:
Dr. Lawana Gladney: Emotional wellness doctor, speaker, trainer, author, and CEO of Emotional Wellness, Gladney has communicated her message internationally to companies, schools and churches. She is the author of "If You’re in the Driver’s Seat, Why are you Lost?" described as a “roadmap to an amazing life,” providing strategies to help people plan the life they want.
Betty Ibarra: Ibarra will discuss her spiritual awakening and share life lessons contained in her book, "Mi Despertar". She will reflect on her personal challenges and how perseverance helped her to overcome those challenges to achieve her dream of publishing. She writes that all humans have the power of knowledge and the ability to awaken that power through preparation and the experience of living. Presented in Spanish.
Both presentations will be at noon in the O’Hara Room, seventh floor.
Other events and activities at the Book Festival will include:
• Dallas Museum of Art: Children’s Studio Creations, Reuse, Recycle, READ! Make a bookmark by weaving found materials into rug canvas. Learn how to become a DMA Friend, a free membership program that allows you to earn badges and points to unlock special awards when you visit the museum. Second floor craft area.
• Alma y Corazon Tejano Ballet Folklorico Company: A colorful performance of traditional dance and customs of Hispanic regions by a diverse group of students ages 3 to 30. First floor lobby area.
• Black Vegetarian Society presentation: "An Introduction to a Plant-Based Diet." Topics include Reasons for Becoming a Vegetarian, Health and Diet-Related Diseases, Meeting Nutritional Needs, Shopping as a Vegetarian, Ideas for Making the Transition. Books that support a vegetarian diet will be presented. Second floor Siddie Joe Johnson Room.
• Discovery Wall: Atmos Energy and the Dallas Public Library Children’s Center will present a Discovery Wall trip to the Cleveland Institute of Music. Students from the Cleveland Institute of Music will present brief performances and talk about their motivation, inspiration, and how intense musical training affects their lives. Second floor Kahn Pavilion.
• Lettering as ART! Informative and fun workshop for children ages 4 to 11 on the beauty and elegance of lettering design. Marissa Anchia will lead a discussion on the evolution of letters, showcase various styles (old and new) and inspire participants to appreciate the art form. Second Floor craft area.
• Building Blocks for the Beginner: Basic Writing Workshop presented by Darryl Gregory of FST Publishing. Attendees will get 'hands on' practice developing a book premise; an essential element in promoting your book and developing a publishing strategy.
Second floor Siddie Joe Johnson Room.
• Freeing the inner writer: Presented in Spanish, this workshop will help people get started in the fascinating process of creative writing. Through fun exercises, participants will acquire the tools to build literary texts, including types of narrators, characters and dialogue.
• Author Speak: Book discussion led by local authors Karen Blumenthal, LA Starks and Harry Hunsicker. Second floor, Siddie Joe Johnson Room.
• Nothing Gold Can Stay: Salon discussion circle lead by Dr. Larry Allums of the Dallas Institute for Humanities. Second floor lobby area.
For more information and a complete schedule of events and activities visit www.dallasbookfestival.com.