“GET LIT.ERARY” PARTY TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ARKANSAS LITERARY FESTIVAL

First-time Event Offers Sneak Preview of Lit Fest Lineup, ASI Building

LITTLE ROCK (Jan. 15, 2009) – Arkansans who can't wait to find out who will appear at this year's Arkansas Literary Festival can get a sneak peek at the author line up in a fun, festive environment at “Get Lit.erary: A Lively Benefit” on Friday, Feb. 6 from 8-11 p.m. at the Cox Creative Center.

In addition to the 2009 author roster, participants can expect exciting announcements regarding the Arkansas Literary Festival, literary libations, hors d'oeuvres and a tour of the Arkansas Studies Institute, the Central Arkansas Library System’s newest facility. Live music will be presented by Arkansas Musician’s Showcase winner Chris Denny. An enticing auction will feature jewelry from Stanley Jewelers Gemologist as well as special dinners and parties, sports memorabilia, artwork, apparel, special event tickets and, of course, books.

“We are looking forward to a lively event, full of festival supporters, and we’re very thankful to the community leaders who have already stepped forward to make this benefit a success,” said Brad Mooy, Arkansas Literary Festival coordinator. “According to the Census Bureau’s recent report, fiction reading by adults is on the rise for the first time since 1982. We feel it is important to celebrate that great news while we continue to work to encourage the development of a more literate populace.”

“I enjoy reading, so I’m excited to be hosting a party tied to one of my passions,” said Becca Gardner, Get Lit.erary chair. “The Arkansas Literary Festival not only promotes literacy but is also one of those great cultural events that reinforces Arkansas’ status as a diverse state with a truly talented creative class. We have our own authors of which we can be proud, and with the festival, we can share our literary heritage with others and foster new relationships with established and emerging writers from across the country.”

Joining Mooy and Gardner are Get Lit.erary host committee members Olivia Cary, Arkansas Literary Festival chair; Justin Bank; Beverly Devine; Natalie and Jason Ghidotti; Luis Gonzalez; Kathryn Hazelett; Maggie Hobbs; Tiffany Holland; Sherrel and Ben Johnson; Zac and Abigail Jumper; Jim Metzger and Deborah Baldwin; Christina Munoz, Ted Parkhurst; Nikki and Eric Paxton; Chad Rodgers; Jennifer and Gill Rogers; Susie and Brian Rosenthal; Bobby and Kathy Roberts; Blake Rutherford; Donna Terrell; T.T. Tyler Thompson; Warwick Sabin; Christy Smith; Laura Stanley and Joel Mroczkowski; Mike and Laura Stover; and Rebecca and Grant Tennille.

Sponsors for “Get Lit.erary” are Diamond Bear Brewery, Friends of Central Arkansas Libraries and Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP, Attorneys at Law.

Tickets for the event are $50 each and proceeds will directly benefit the Arkansas Literary Festival. To purchase tickets, please call 501-918-3009 or 501-918-3098.


About Arkansas Literary Festival
The sixth annual Arkansas Literary Festival will be held April 16-19 on the Central Arkansas Library System’s Main Library campus as well as additional downtown venues. Founded in 2004, the Arkansas Literary Festival introduces readers and writers to nationally recognized authors’ work, as well as the work of emerging writers. CALS adopted the festival in July 2008. Most festival events are free and open to the public. The Arkansas Literary Festival is supported in part by a grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more information visit www.arkansasliteraryfestival.org or call 501-918-3098.


About the Central Arkansas Library System
CALS serves residents of Pulaski and Perry County with free access to information, entertainment and a place to meet. Libraries in Little Rock include:
Main Library, 100 Rock Street, Aerospace Library, 3301 East Roosevelt Road, Dee Brown Library, 6325 Baseline Road, John Gould Fletcher Library, 823 North Buchanan Street, Adolphine Fletcher Terry Library, 2015 Napa Valley Drive, Roosevelt Thompson Library, 38 Rahling Circle, Sue Cowan Williams Library, 1800 Chester Street, Sidney S. McMath Library, 2100 John Barrow Drive.

CALS libraries in surrounding communities include:
Max Milam Library, 609 Aplin Avenue, Perryville; Maumelle Library, 10 Lake Point Drive, Maumelle; Esther D. Nixon Library, 703 W. Main St., Jacksonville; Amy Sanders Library, 31 Shelby Drive, Sherwood.

About Chris Denny
A North Little Rock native, Chris Denny has opened for Lucinda Williams, among others, and has appeared at the South by Southwest music festival and Austin City Limits Festival in Austin, Texas.

For more information, contact Susan Hill Gelé at 918-3086.

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