LITERARY FESTIVAL BEGINS MONDAY AT OLD DOMINION
Poet Debra Bruce and novelist Lenore Hart, an Old Dominion University graduate whose first novel, "Waterwoman," is a Barnes and Noble "Discover" title, will open the 2002 Old Dominion Literary Festival with a session titled "Writing Women's Voices" from 2-2:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30, in room 102 of the Mills Godwin Jr. Life Sciences Building.
Readings by Old Dominion faculty members Luisa Igloria, Michael Pearson, Janet Peery, Sheri Reynolds, Tim Seibles and Brian Silberman will be from 8-9:30 p.m. Monday in the Chandler Recital Hall, Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Center.
Other festival events include:
Tuesday, Oct. 1
12:30-2 p.m. - "Poem as Community, Community as Poem," a high-energy rendering of poetry, hip-hop, jazz and blues by New York performance troupe Universes. South Mall, Webb University Center
8-9:30 p.m. - "Readings Across the Color Lines," with African American writers Wanda Coleman, an award-winning poet, and Gregory H. Williams, president of City College of New York. Chandler Recital Hall, Diehn Center
Wednesday, Oct. 2
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - "Creative Nonfiction: The Prismatic Genre," a look at personal essays, memoirs, historical and literary journalism with David Fenza, Philip Gerard and Valerie Miner. 102 Godwin Building
2-3:30 p.m. - "An Association of Readers," three Associated Writing Programs board members, Allison Joseph, Pablo Medina and Mark Winegardener, share their writings. 102 Godwin Building
8-9:30 p.m. - "An Evening of Translation and Performance with W.D. Snodgrass and Friends," featuring poetry from Pulitzer Prize-winner Snodgrass, along with dance, music and literature of other languages with Steve Kelley, Frederick Lubich, Marilyn Marloff, Agnes Mobley-Wynne, Peter Schulman and Lee Teply. Chandler Recital Hall, Diehn Center
Thursday, Oct. 3
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - "Re-Reading the Literary Festival," readings by four former festival directors, Evelina Galang, William B. Patrick, Peggy Shumaker and Wayne Ude. 102 Godwin Building
2-3:30 p.m. - "Forging the Individual Mind: A Reading by Mark Doty," featuring the award-winning poet, memoirist and teacher. 102 Godwin Building
8-9:30 p.m. - The President's Lecture Series featuring Susan Sontag
Friday, Oct. 4
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - "Given that the Painter is a Poet, the Poet is a PainterÂ…," with poets Mark Doty and W.D. Snodgrass and painter Donald Roller Wilson, whose works are on display at Old Dominion's University Gallery, addressing the relationship between poetry and painting. Moderated by Linda McGreevy. 102 Godwin Building
2-3:30 p.m. - "Reinventing Nature: A Panel," with award-winning writers Barbara Hurd, Robert Richardson and Marjorie Sandor discussing nature writing. Moderated by Tom Robotham, editor of Port Folio Weekly. 102 Godwin Building
8-9:30 p.m. - "Virginia Deep in the Bones," with Virginia poets Ellen Bryant, R.H.W. Dillard, George Garrett and Henry Taylor. Chandler Recital Hall, Diehn Center
Saturday, Oct. 5
5-7 p.m. - "God Is Near," a reception with artist Donald Roller Wilson, the Texas painter whose works are in the collections of Jack Nicholson and Elizabeth Taylor, as well as the Contemporary Arts Museum in Houston and the Smithsonian Institution. University Gallery, 350 W. 21st St., Norfolk
8-9:30 p.m. - "A Final Celebration: A Reading by Stephen Dunn," 2001 Pulitzer Prize winner for "Different Hours," a collection of poems. Chandler Recital Hall, Diehn Center.
According to Phil Raisor, associate professor of English and director of this year's Literary Festival, the weeklong celebration of the written word is also a celebration of the festival's rich and varied history. Nods to the festival's past are peppered throughout the lineup, beginning with Debra Bruce, who as a new poet was featured in the first festival's program, and including presentations by several former festival directors. (Raisor himself was director of the first festival.) As in previous years, nationally known writers will join Old Dominion faculty and master of fine arts in creative writing graduates to present an eclectic slate of programs for the week.
For more information on the festival, visit www.lib.odu.edu/litfest or call 683-3991. All presentations are free and open to the public.