Arts & Entertainment
Books in Bloom Festival Set for Saturday, May 11 at Color Burst Park
Women of creativity and accomplishments are featured in readings, panel discussions and interviews at multigenerational, multicultural event
Women’s creativity and accomplishments are at the forefront of the eighth annual Books in Bloom festival hosted by the Downtown Columbia Partnership (DTCP) and Howard Hughes Holdings on Saturday, May 11, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m., in Color Burst Park, Merriweather District, Downtown Columbia. The multigenerational, multicultural event is free and open to the public.
The roster of featured presenters includes:
- Critically-acclaimed novelist Julie Otsuka, author of “When the Emperor Was Divine,” “Buddha in the Attic” and, most recently, “The Swimmers.”
- Helen Simonson, author of “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand,” “The Summer Before the War” and her new book, “The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club.”
- Wunderkind Gitanjali Rao, a 18-year-old recognized for her innovative problem solving on opioid addiction, intergenerational care, cyberbullying, and lead detection in water.
- Linguist Amanda Montell, author of “The Age of Magical Thinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality” and “Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language.”
- Journalist Natasha S. Alford, author of the newly released “American Negra: A Memoir” about discovering your true identity and remaining grounded in your heritage.
- Emily Barth Isler, award-winning middle grade novelist of “AfterMath” about grief and the new novel, “The Color of Sound,” featuring a 12-year-old music prodigy.
- Popular children’s book author Sue Fliess is known for her “Kid Scientist” series, which includes the recently published “Zoologists on the Trail” about a wolf pack.
- La Marvela, a Washington D.C.-based all-women band, plays and highlights the richness of Columbian Afro/Indigenous rhythms.
Children’s activities and exhibits by local literary, human rights and other organizations will be included. Busboys and Poets will showcase books by festival authors, and local restauranteurs will offer special snacks and meals for sale. Free parking is available in the parking garage at the festival site.
More book festival information is at https://merriweatherdistrict.com/books-in-bloom/
