Arvada Center Launches BOOK FEST - A Celebration Of Literary Arts, Today

A celebration of books, reading and writing for the whole family, the first annual Arvada Center Book Fest takes place at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities on May 19 from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Designed as an event for all ages, the Book Fest includes hands-on activities and storytime for kids, panel discussions and staged readings, an all-day exhibit hall, writing workshops, and a special keynote speaker. The Arvada Center is located at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. and provides free parking at the venue. The presenting sponsor of the Arvada Center Book Fest is Regis University's MFA in Creative Writing program.

General admission to the one-day festival will feature an all-day exhibit hall with publishers, authors, rare books, games and more. Award-winning authors and poets will read and sign their works. A pop-up bookstore operated by BookBar will feature books available for purchase. Steuben's, Newk's Eatery, La Patisserie Francaise and Hunter Bay Coffee will host an onsite pop-up café and coffee shop. Panel discussions and staged readings will take place throughout the day, as well as a spelling bee, trivia and read-off contests for adults and kids. For an additional purchase, attendees can enjoy brunch and conversation with local authors, participate in writing workshops and seminars and attend the keynote speech.

Book Fest features a keynote with New York Times best-selling author Laura Moriarty. She will discuss her latest and first young adult novel "American Heart" and her previous novel "The Chaperone," soon to be released as a feature film, about the woman who chaperoned an irreverent Louise Brooks to New York City in 1922. In addition to her talk, Ms. Moriarty will answer questions and sign copies of her books.

Writing workshops and seminars are geared for teens, kids, and adults, from the aspiring writer to the seasoned author. Topics include bookmaking, the business of writing, zine making, and sessions on writing poetry, young adult fiction, mystery novels, and more.

Author brunch provided by Steuben's Arvada will take place at 10:00 a.m. at the Arvada Center. Attendees can chat with a local author about books and the art of writing and publishing. Participating authors include Kathy Fish, Jenny Shank, Kathy Winograd, Traci L. Jones, Eric Baus, Stephen Cole Hughes, Martin McGovern and Adán De La Garza.

Festival hours are 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. General admission is $5 for adults, $1 for children ages 3 - 12, and free for children younger than 3. Tickets to the keynote are $25 (including general admission), and workshops are $15 each or any two for $25 (including general admission). Brunch with an author is $25 (including general admission). All Day Passes, which include admission to the festival, brunch with an author, two workshops, and a seat in the keynote, are $60. To purchase tickets and for additional details, go to http://arvadacenter.org/bookfest

The Arvada Center Book Fest is sponsored by Regis University, Red Rocks Community College, Denver7, U.S. Bank, and Terry and Linda Stevinson. Community partners include the Jefferson County Public Library, Steuben's, Newk's Eatery, La Patisserie Francaise, Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits, Hunter Bay Coffee Roasters, and BookBar.

About the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities:

Since its opening in July 1976, the award winning Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities has grown to become one of the nation's largest multidisciplinary arts centers, devoted to all aspects of the arts and generously supported in part by the City of Arvada, the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) and Colorado Creative Industries. For more information go to www.arvadacenter.org or call 720-898-7200.