Battle of Wits Coming to Pasadena

Los Angeles authors, writers and artists will vie for top scores in an irreverent war of words in the first WitFest. The event features moderator Sandra Tsing Loh, along with panelists Jonathan Gold, Suzanna Guzman, David Kipen, Gary Phillips and Nat Read.

The competition promises to be filled with snappy questions and clever repartee. Wine and passed hors d’oeuvres will be provided to add to your enjoyment.

“Some of the greatest wits in Southern California will be front and center for this rollicking evening,” said Larry Wilson, artistic director of LitFest Pasadena. “Anyone who loves literature and entertainment won’t want to miss it.”

Proceeds from WitFest will benefit the second annual LitFest Pasadena scheduled for May 11, 2013. LitFest is a free day of literary panel discussions, readings, theater performances, exhibitors, live music, children’s activities and more.

Nearly 2,000 people attended the first LitFest Pasadena in May 2012.

About the Participants
 
Gold is an author and Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic; Guzman is an operatic mezzo-soprano and host of KCET’s “Open Call”; Kipen is a KPCC literary critic and founder of the lending library Libros Schmibros; Loh is an author, performance artist and NPR commentator; Morrison is an author and Los Angeles Times columnist; Phillips is a mystery writer; and Read is a public relations practitioner, author and stand-up comic.

If You Go:

• The even takes place Thursday, Oct. 25, from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. in the ballroom of the historic Castle Green, 99 S. Raymond Ave. in Old Pasadena.
• Ticket prices are $75 each or two for $125; patron levels range from $250 to $5,000.
• Tickets may be purchased at www.litfestpasadena.org; checks should be made out to Pasadena Arts Council, with LitFest Pasadena in the memo field, and mailed to LitFest Pasadena, P.O. Box 93184, Pasadena CA 91109. Tickets are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
• For more information visit www.litfestpasadena.org or e-mail info@litfestpasadena.org.