Special Events Stage Schedule
Valerie Hemingway: Travels With Papa
Wednesday, May 14
Time: 6 p.m. Reception / 6:30 p.m. Presentation
Location: Kansas City Public Library-Plaza Branch
Admission: Free and open to the public
In association with the Kansas City Public Library, the Kansas City Literary Festival will kick off its festival week with author Valerie Hemingway. Former personal assistant to Ernest Hemingway and wife to his youngest son Gregory, her book Running with the Bulls delves into character and fascinating inner world of the legendary writer.
Jane Isay: Walking on Eggshells: Navigating the Delicate Relationship Between Adult Children and Parents
Thursday, May 15
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th St., Kansas City
Admission: $14, includes book and admittance to event
For more information: www.rainydaybooks.com or call (913) 384-3126
Jane Isay grew up in New York City, the daughter of a columnist for The New York Post and a psychiatrist. In 2004, Jane left her job as Editor-in-Chief at Harcourt Trade Books to embark on a new career as a writer. This past spring the insightful book, Walking on Eggshells: Navigating the Delicate Relationship Between Adult Children and Parents was published to great fanfare. Isay appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early Show, was profiled in USA Today, and featured in The Wall Street Journal; The New York Times called Walking on Eggshells “a quietly groundbreaking exploration of the ties between adult children and their parents.” Most parents dreamed of the time when their children were grown and they could enjoy a relaxed and easy relationship. But many struggle with their adult children, and they lie awake at night, worrying about their troubles, their mistakes, and the degree of distance between the generations. Join Isay as she discusses her book and her life.
The Kansas City Literary Festival Presents Richard from Texas, (popular character in the bestselling memoir Eat, Pray, Love in person)
Friday, May 16
Time: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Location: Community Christian Church
Tickets Available: at the Plaza Customer Service Counter (4745 Central Street), the Community Christian Church (4601 Main Street) For further information call 816-561-6531.
Price: $10 ($12 at the door)
In association with the Community Christian Church, the Kansas City Literary Festival will host Elizabeth Gilbert’s friend and popular character, Richard from Texas, out of her bestselling memoir, Eat, Pray, Love. A reception and book signing will follow the presentation and audience Q&A.
To make a reservation, send an e-mail to: richardrsvp@yahoo.com or call Plaza Customer Service at (816) 753-0100. Tickets will be held at the door.
New Letters Writers Luncheon Honoring First-Ever Missouri Poet Laureate
Hosted by NEW LETTERS
Saturday, May 17
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 pm (lunch begins at noon)
Location: Plaza III Restaurant (4749 Pennsylvania St.)
Special Guests: Poet Laureate from the States of Missouri, Walter Bargen
Tickets Available: At the New Letters office, 5101 Rockhill Road
Price: $35
For the first time in its history, the State of Missouri has designated a poet laureate, Walter Bargen. This luncheon honors the new designee and delves into the role poet laureate plays. Mr. Bargen will be interview by KCPT-TV’s Nick Haines. For more information, go to www.newletters.org, or call New Letters, 816-235-1168.
Film Screening of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, introduced by its novelist and the film's associate producer, Ron Hansen.
Date: Saturday, May 17
Place: Cinemark Palace Theater (on the Plaza at 500 Nichols Road)
Time: 1:15 - 4:15 p.m.
Admission: $2 with a film bookmark pass. Card-carrying members of the Women in Film, the Independent Film Commission and Halfway to Hollywood are admitted free when showing their card at the door. Tickets can be purchased the day of at the Cinemark Palace for $2.
The Kansas City Literary Festival is proud to screen the film of the same title, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. The film stars Brad Pitt as Jesse James and Casey Affleck in his Academy Award nominated role as Robert Ford. It's a fascinating exploration of the events and relationships leading up to and the aftermath of the assassination of the one of America's most infamous outlaws. Hansen weaves an intricate character examination within an artistic
presentation of the West.
Pick up bookmarks passes at the two Latté Land coffeehouse on the Country Club Plaza, the Caremark Palace box office, Barnes & Noble (on the Plaza) and at selected locations around Westport. For further information, contact the Cinemark Palace, 816-756-5877.
Seating is limited. First come, first served. Check in at the special KCLF desk at the Cinemark Palace.
Irish Topics/Writers (3 programming events)
Saturday, May 17
Time: 2-4:30 p.m.
Location: O’Dowd’s Little Dublin Pub (on the Plaza)
Admission: free and open to the public (must be over 18 years old)
1) Bill Yenne, author of GUINNESS: The 250 Year Search for the Perfect Pint, will talk about the world famous brewery, its origin and founder, and the model of its incredible success; There will be a Q&A and books signing after
2) The multi-talented Irish singer-writer-musician, Larry Kirwan, Green Suede Shoes, Liverpool Fantasy, will engage a noted Irish writer for a lively session of mischievous and irreverent conversation
3) Two famous bar-room scenes from James Joyce’s Ulysses will adapted by local Kansas City equity actors and singers in full costume.
James Joyce’s Ulysses Scene Adaptations
Date: Saturday, May 17
Time: 3:30-7 p.m.
Location: Beginning in O’Dowd’s Little Dublin Pub (3:30 p.m.) progressing to the Plaza Sidewalks, and then a finale on the
Main Stage (6:45 p.m.)
Never read Ulysses? That’s OK. See wonderfully costumed local equity actors in full 19th century dress act out selected scenes (adapted by Lary Opitz) of James Joyce’s classic novel. Grab a sense of a time passed with colorful characters and snippets of that famous Irish banter. Hear a song or two. Follow the progressive scenes starting from the stage of O’Dowd’s Little Dublin Pub on to the sidewalks of the Plaza and concluding on our Main Stage. Watch literature come alive!
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Come tour the C-SPAN Campaign Bus. It's traveling the country this election year to promote the election and encourage votes to get involved in this important event. The bus will be at the Kansas City Literary Festival and open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. C-SPAN staffers will be on hand to distribute free tote bags, bookmarks and pens. The bus will be parked just east of the Main Stage along on Broadway and Nichols Road. |
Not Ready for Prime Time Poetry Pandemonium
Need a drink? How 'bout a burger? Just wanna get out of the weather?
Take in some of Kansas City's best not ready for prime time poets.
Kick back at this Plaza hang out and revel in the mastery of these one-of-kind poets.
Must be 18 years old to enter.
Saturday, May 17
Time: 4-6 p.m.
Location: Fred P. Otts Bar & Grill (4770 J. C. Nichols Parkway; tel: 816-753-2878)
Admission: Free and open to the public
Participating poets:
Jason Ryberg
Tom Wayne
Victor Allen Smith
Mark Hennessy
Bill Bauer
M. Scott Douglass
Joseph Davis
Allen Heinrich
Jeremy O'Neal
and more ...
Stage authors and times are subject to change. Please check back for any changes.
