When the Central Arkansas Library System announced its lineup of distinguished authors and special programs for this year’s Arkansas Literary Festival, we couldn’t wait until April to get in on the action.
Well, the festival is almost here and we can’t believe it!
If you’re planning on making a stop at this year’s festival, running from tomorrow to Sunday, we cover just about everything you need to know in our go-to guide below:
Venues
Festivities will take place at venues all over central Arkansas. Here is a rundown of where you’ll be able to check out your favorite author:
Little Rock
- Main Library, 100 Rock St.
- CALS Ron Robinson Center, 100 River Market Ave.
- Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library & Learning Center, 4800 West 10th St.
- Cox Creative Center, 120 River Market Ave.
- Arkansas Studies Institute Building, 401 President Clinton Ave.
- Christ Episcopal Church, 509 Scott St.
- Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 501 W. Ninth St.
- Arkansas Arts Center, 501 E. 9th St.
- Hearne Fine Art, 1001 Wright Ave.
- Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 107 River Market Ave.
- Oxford American Annex, 1300 S. Main St.
- Historic Arkansas Museum, 200 E. 3rd St.
- South on Main, 1304 S. Main St.
- MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 503 E. Ninth St.
- Sturgis Hall, Choctaw Station, 1200 President Clinton Ave.
- Witt Stephens, Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center, 602 President Clinton Ave.
North Little Rock
Pulaski Technical College, R.J. Wills Lecture Hall, 3000 West Scenic Drive
Schedule
The 2014 Arkansas Literary Festival begins tomorrow (April 24) with an introspective on Johnny Cash and a look at the art of food, and ends Sunday (April 27) with the finale featuring famed poet Ellen Gilchrist. In between, there will be novelists, historians, filmmakers, illustrators, performers and books, books, books!
Here are a few highlights:
Thursday (April 24)
“Cash,” 12 p.m. at Oxford American Annex: Veteran music journalist Robert Hilburn wrote the long-awaited, definitive biography, “Johnny Cash, The Life,” about the legend whose posthumous album sales have totaled more than $130 million. Rhett Miller adds a bit of the Man in Black’s music.
“True Gratitude,” 6 p.m. at Sturgis Hall, Choctaw Station: Life after war for the men of Army Battalion 2-16 is depicted in Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Finkel’s “Thank You For Your Service.” This is one of the Washington Post’s Top 10 Books of the Year and a New York Times Notable Book of 2013. Read more about this program here!
“Art & Food I & II,” 6 p.m. at Arkansas Arts Center: Distinguished art historian Mary Ann Caws speaks about “The Modern Art Cookbook.” After her talk, taste dishes such as Cezanne’s baked tomatoes and Robert Motherwell’s whiskey cake. Then, wander the galleries to see art, possibly inspired by the dish just tasted. Free reservations can be made at (501) 372-4000.
Friday (April 25)
“Kill ‘Em Clean,” 12 p.m. at Main Library, Darragh Center: Bestselling author Catherine Coulter shows how to write sharp, fast, and deadly through her “Clean Writing” advice for writers of all genres. Tickets for the workshop are $20. Buy tickets here.
“Author! Author!,” 8 p.m. at Main Library, 5th Floor: Toast the festival authors at this fête, featuring hors d’oeuvres and libations. Books will be available for purchase during this party geared for adults. Tickets are $25 in advance and $40 at the door. Get advance tickets here.
Saturday (Aprl 26)
“Eat, Prey, Love,” 10 a.m. at Historic Arkansas Museum: Cindy Grisham and Kat Robinson define and refine the origins of food in the Natural State, and even dish about where Bill Clinton ate and a distinct recipe for Red’s Barbecued Coon.
“Canal Voyage,” 11:30 a.m. at CALS Ron Robinson Theater: How much can you eat before your stomach bursts? Can constipation kill you? Did it kill Elvis? The inimitable Mary Roach leads a trip through the alimentary canal in her newest book, “Gulp.”
“Conversing with Kadir,” 1 p.m. at Hillary Rodham Children’s Library & Learning Center: One of the best children’s authors/illustrators working today, Kadir Nelson will speak about his award-winning books, his renowned art, and his life. Perfect for the family!
“The Fine Art of Suspense,” 1 p.m. at CALS Ron Robinson Theater: Join Catherine Coulter, one of the most popular authors on the planet, as she shares snippets from her story and talks about how she has mastered the fine art of suspense.
Sunday (April 27)
“March: Book One,” 1:30 p.m. at Mosaic Templars Cultural Center: This first-hand illustrated account of Congressman John Lewis’s lifelong struggle for civil and human rights is a meditation “on the distance travelled since the days of Jim Crow and segregation.” Join the trio of collaborators, Congressman Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell for this can’t-miss panel.
Finale, 3 p.m. at Main Library, Darragh Center: In “Acts of God,” Arkansas’s legendary Ellen Gilchrist has crafted a story collection that takes us into eleven scenarios in which people dealing with forces beyond their control somehow manage to survive, persevere, and even triumph.
Check out the full schedule here.
Cost
Admission to most of the festival’s events is free. However, some special programs will require advance tickets. Check the schedule to find out.
Parking
Need help finding where to park? Click here to get a map of the lots around the Main Library and downtown Little Rock. Have change and/or cash on hand. Get more information about parking here.
Shopping
There is going to be plenty of opportunities to get that wallet out this weekend. During the festival, there will be a used book sale, offering $1 hardbacks and $.50 paperbacks from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday in the Main Library basement. Friends of Central Arkansas Library System (FOCAL) members can enter Friday and Saturday at 9 a.m. River Market Books & Gifts, 120 River Market Ave., Little Rock, will host a FOCAL book sale offering members 50 percent off all used books from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Memberships will be available at the door.
Food
And if you’re looking to get some grub before or after your preferred events and don’t want to travel too far, downtown Little Rock has a few options to check out:
Little Rock
Boulevard Bread Co., 400 President Clinton Ave. (open for breakfast, lunch and early dinner)
Bosco’s Restaurant & Brewing Company, 500 President Clinton Ave. (open for lunch and dinner)
Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro, 200 River Market Ave. (open for lunch and dinner)
Rumba-Revolution Music Room, 300 President Clinton Ave. (open for dinner)
Bookends Cafe, River Market Books & Gifts, 120 River Market Ave. (open for breakfast and lunch)
For more information on the 2014 Arkansas Literary Festival, click here.