Happy Funtime Friend Service

More festivals - this time with authors.  And a great place to get started on your Christmas shopping (I know - it’s early, but trust me, personalized autographs from favorite authors make books seems like great presents).  And this Saturday you can get them all in one place - on the National Mall.  It’s the Library of Congress Book Festival with pavilions for Home, Fiction, Poetry, History & Biography, Children, Teens, and more.  Authors include Terry Pratchett, DC’s own Stephen Hunter and Ann Amernick, Ken Burns, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta.  There will be readings and book signings.  They do have books for sale but they do run out if it’s particularly popular, so if you absolutely have your heart set on getting something signed, it’s not a bad idea to bring it with you instead of relying on buying it there.  Be sure to check the signing schedule - sometimes it’s a tough choice about seeing someone speak or getting a good spot in line.  And if the lines get long the authors will limit the number of items they’ll sign to get through everyone, so be understanding if that happens - they’re trying to get to everyone.

Our friends over at Speak Easy DC are holding their monthly story telling night at the Source Theatre this month (meet beforehand at Bar Pilar).  The theme is Eureka Moments & Epiphanies.   They are still in the  midst of their fundraising efforts - I believe they need about another $8K to meet the goal for the matching grant and every dollar spent at events counts, so get out and listen to some good stories.  Plus there aren’t many organized storytelling events like this left, and it’s important to preserve good storytelling.  I think I’m going to take the next class they offer.

Whether you want to plan to go or stay as far away from the Mall as possible, the Folklife Festival run from 27 June through 1 July and 4 July through 8 July on the National Mall.  This year the highlighted cultures include Northern Ireland, the Mekong River, and Virginia.  There are a variety of crafts, demonstrations, concerts, exhibitions, etc. planned for the week.  Check the schedule for any events you’re particularly interested in.  Related events will be taking place at the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center (inside in the air conditioning).  Take Metro to the Folklife Festival, pack a lunch or be prepared to deal with the vendors (or try to go to the National Museum of the American Indian - that’s where the best food court is), and dress for the weather.  It always seems like the Folklife Festival is the hottest and unrelentingly sunniest time of year.

If you are so inclined, they are still looking for volunteers.  It’s a great way to get a different perspective on the event.

There’s a special screening of the first in a new documentary series - Out of the Book.  This first installment features Ian McEwan.  Tickets are available from Olsson’s Books (the event sponsors) with the purchase of McEwan’s new book, On Chesil Beach.  There will also be live music and a panel discussion with three local authors.

The event will be held at the Warehouse Theater, but you can call the Penn Quarter branch and have your book and ticket held in advance - 202-638-7610.

Our friends over at Speak Easy DC have a matching grant from the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities. The only catch is that it’s a matching grant - they are halfway to their goal but need to raise another $13,000 by September. And while that seems like a lot, if only 300 people each donated $50, they would exceed their goals. Donations are tax-deductible, details are available at the Storytellers DC site, and money spent on their classes and attending events counts toward their goal as well, so plan to attend June 12’s Open Mic night on Teachers, Gurus & Senseis over at Cada Vez (1438 U Street).

Our friends over at SpeakEasy DC offer a 4 week Storytelling class and coaching that includes class time, personalized coaching, admission to SpeakEasy, a guaranteed spot at an open mic, and a DVD of your performance. Hell, I’d pay $150 for some people I know to learn how to tell a story that ends.

If you want to tell a better story and don’t think you’re cut out for the stand up comedy classes at the Improv, go see Amy and Stephanie. They’ll teach you to find, craft, refine, and tell a compelling story.

Update - They are trying to decide whether or not to offer a summer class, so if you’re interested, drop them a note and let them know.

Tomorrow is time for HR 57’s Story Telling night. This month’s theme is tales from cubicle land and working for the man. 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. at 1610 14th Street, NW. Closest Metro is U Street.

Bring a story or get reassurance that your job isn’t so bad after all.

Okay, well Sandman’s creator Neil Gaiman (who looks pretty cute in that black leather jacket I must say) will be at Politics and Prose on Friday, 29 September from 7 - 10 p.m. reading from his new collection of short stories Fragile Things. I was surprised to not see his name on the list for the Library of Congress Book Festival the next day, but maybe he’ll surprise us and stop by.

It’s definitely coming up on book tour season, so if you start planning your gifts now, you can get a lot of your Christmas shopping done early. Just think how much cooler it is to present someone with a book personalized for them by their favorite author.

I can’t believe I’m about to type this, but I actually prefer the Otakon to Comic-Con, but hey, comic geeks need a chance to meet and lick ink off pages too. At least at an anime con, I can slink into a dark viewing room and watch five hours of Vampire Hunter D. At the Comic-Con, I found myself wandering the isle with my friend R. who every once in awhile would declare, “Do you know who that is?!” and no, I didn’t. But neat-o, Lou Ferrigno’s at this year’s Con. Hulk smash!

Anywho, if you’re as psyched about seeing the creators of the Teen Titans as R. is, then activate your Wonder Twin Powers (form of an ice Humvee), and power it on up to the Baltimore Convention Center this Saturday & Sunday, September 9 & 10th. If you OD on the geek-elite, then I suggest strolling to the Inner Harbor’s Capital City Brewery for a beer and a burger. Ground yourself in ground beef. Or at least, that’s what my dad says.

http://www.comicon.com/baltimore/