Las Vegas likes to read. The city has a fantastic library system, great independent bookstores like Writer's Block and Las Vegas Books, and an acclaimed writers program at Black Mountain Institute at UNLV.
We also have a book festival, and it happens Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Historic Fifth Street School in downtown Las Vegas.
For more than two decades, the Las Vegas Book Festival has featured best-selling authors; renowned cultural figures; and local writers, poets, and thinkers. It also has a separate area for kids, and significant offerings for young adults and Spanish-language readers.
Co-presented by the City of Las Vegas and Nevada Humanities — and with the help of many sponsors, including Nevada Public Radio — the Las Vegas Book Festival is one of the few big-city book fests that is completely free. It won't cost attendees a thing to see the headlining discussion/Q&A by cultural icon, John Waters (though his books will be for sale for those wanting his autograph).
Young-adult authors Tracy Wolff and Nicola Yoon will also hold discussions about their work and take questions from the audience. Additionally, there will be workshops, panel discussions (including three Vegas-themed ones), and free books and performances by the Acrobatics Gymnastics Circus Las Vegas for families.
"I believe that by pulling together not just very well-known authors from around the world of literature but also a lot of local authors, we hope to bring a lot of people out who can kind of create a new community based around the book festival," says City of Las Vegas senior cultural specialist Brian Garth. "How we measure success is primarily by how much of our community shows up to the event and enjoys themselves."
Guest: Brian Garth, senior cultural specialist, City of Las Vegas
