Arts & Entertainment
Books in Bloom Festival Set for Saturday, May 11 at Color Burst Park
Journalist and memoirist Natasha Alford, author of "American Negra," is a featured attraction at multigenerational, multicultural event
Award-winning journalist, host and media executive Natasha S. Alford, author of the recently released “American Negra: A Memoir,” is a headliner at the 8th annual Books in Bloom festival presented by Downtown Columbia Partnership and Howard Hughes Holdings on Saturday, May 11, 11:30-5 p.m., Color Burst Park, Merriweather District, Downtown Columbia.
The multigenerational, multicultural festival features award-winning authors, music, refreshments, and activities for all ages and interests. There is no admission fee.
Alford will talk about discovering your true identity, embracing your aspirations, and remaining grounded in your heritage. Her session at Books in Bloom will be moderated by Yolanda F. Sonnier, Administrator, Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity, and she will be interviewed by Luzmila Robinson, Vice-Chair, La Alianza Latina Commission of Howard County. The all-woman band, La Marvela, will play Colombian-Afro/Indigenous music to welcome attendees before her session begins.
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Other featured writers include literary novelist Julie Otsuka, book club favorite Helen Simonson, wunderkind scientist and innovator Gitanjali Rao, playwright and essayist R. Eric Thomas, linguist and social critic Amanda Montell, middle grade novelist Emily Barth Isler, and children’s book author Sue Fliess.
See the entire schedule and other activities here, including a poetry reading to celebrate HoCoPoLitSo’s 50th anniversary and a showcase of student writers.
