Tag: bookmans

Events Spotlight: September 28

It’s the last day of Banned Books Week, and we’re blowing it out in style! Lots of Drag Queen Story Hour, including Coalition-sponsored events in San Francisco and New York City; a look at the censorship faced by international cartoonists; George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four at 70; and so much more!

Coalition Events

ENDS TODAY: Dear Banned Author Letter Writing Campaign

Dear Banned Author is a letter-writing campaign hosted by the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. During Banned Books Week (September 22-28), readers are encouraged to write (or tweet) to banned or challenged authors, sharing what their stories meant to them. The goal of the campaign is to not only raise awareness of books that are threatened with censorship and support authors, but also encourage thoughtful discussions about the power of words and how essential it is to have access to a variety of viewpoints in libraries. Authors also have shared fan letters as support when there’s a public challenge to their books.

Speaking out for banned and challenged books is vital in the fight against censorship. This webpage includes resources and ideas on participating in the Dear Banned Author letter-writing campaign and hosting letter-writing programs.

Get Involved

  • Write a letter to a banned and challenged author, telling them about a favorite title or how their words have impacted you. Use these Banned & Challenged Author Addresses.
  • Host a letter-writing program at your library or school, bringing writing supplies and a list of author addresses. Use these Tips for Hosting Programs.
  • Reach out to a favorite banned or challenged author by tagging them on Twitter and sharing your story using #DearBannedAuthor. Use these Tips for Tweeting.
  • Share your #DearBannedAuthor story on Twitter for a chance to win Banned Books Week merchandise! Learn more about the Dear Banned Author Drawing and read the Official Rules before entering.

ALA OIF has a number of tools to facilitate programming around the Dear Banned Author Letter-Writing Campaign at http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/dear-banned-author

ENDS TODAY: #BannedTogether with Penguin Random House

This Banned Books Week, Penguin Random House is thrilled to #BannedTogether.

Read to fight censorship! For every Penguin Random House book you purchase during Banned Books week, PRH will donate $1 to the American Booksellers Association for Freedom of Expression Fund (up to $20,000 donation).

To participate, simply purchase a PRH book during Banned Books Week (9/22-9/28) and log your purchase into your Reader Rewards account. Not a member yet? Join free here.

While the book must be purchased from 9/22-9/28 to count towards a donation, you have until 9/30 to log your purchase. If your purchase is not eligible for Reader Rewards, we will still count it towards the donation. Email readerrewards@penguinrandomhouse.com and we’ll take care of you.

1984 at 70: How Has Orwell’s Vision Aged?

Wigtown Book Festival, Wigtown, Scotland, United Kingdom • 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm BST

It is 70 years since George Orwell published 1984. So how do our political and personal landscapes today compare to Orwell’s dystopia? And can the book shed light on today’s data-driven security and surveillance society? Our panel: Dorian Lynskey, author of The Ministry of Truth, an acclaimed new biography of 1984; award-winning foreign affairs writer David Pratt; and Julia Farrington of Index on Censorship. Chaired by Magnus Linklater.This is a Banned Books Week event in partnership with the British Library, Booksellers Association, English PEN, Free Word, Hachette UK, Index on Censorship, Islington Council’s Library and Heritage Service, Libraries Connected, The Publishers Association and The Royal Society of Literature. Find out more »

Banned Books Story Hour 2019

Bookmans Mesa, Messa, AZ • 10:00 am – 11:00 am MST

Something banned this way comes! Join Drag Story Hour- Arizona at Bookmans Mesa for a story hour hosted by Felicia Minor and Freddy Prinze Charming. Let’s love all banned books and celebrate the growth of Drag Queen Story Hours in the face of challenge. Find out more »

Books on the Chopping Block

Bezazian Branch, Chicago, IL • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm CDT

Free dramatic readings by City Lit Theater from the Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books in America, as compiled by the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom.  The program lasts approximately 50 minutes. Find out more »

Forbidden Tales: Censorship and Society

Asia Society, New York, NY • 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EDT

Through Fire (Books that Survived the Anti-Japanese War of Resistance at Tsinghua University No.2), 2017. Oil on canvas. H. 48 x W. 74 in. (122 x 188 cm). Courtesy of the artist and Chambers Fine Art. Photograph courtesy of the artist

Xiaoze Xie will discuss his research into the history of censorship in China that inspired the current exhibition Xiaoze Xie: Objects of Evidence. The artist will be joined by noted experts on the subject of censorship Martin Heijdra, Princeton University, and James Tager, PEN America in a panel led by Michelle Yun, Asia Society Museum Senior Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art.

The program is organized in conjunction with Banned Books Week, September 22-28, 2019.

The program is free and registration is required. Register hereFind out more »

CRNI and the Current Free-Speech Situation Facing the World

Columbus Metropolitan Library, Main Library (Auditorium), Columbus, OH • 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EDT

Over the years CRNI has become a fixture at the annual conventions of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC), which this year takes place as part of the Cartoon Crossroads Columbus Festival (CXC). We are enormously grateful to the organizers from both events for an opportunity to highlight issues facing cartoonists around the world with a panel discussion open to the public. Our panelists are:

  • Terry Anderson (UK), Deputy Executive Director, CRNI
  • Charles Brownstein (USA), Executive Director, CBLDF
  • Ritu Gairola Khanduri (India/USA), Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology, University of Texas and Board of Directors, CRNI
  • PX Molina (Nicaragua), cartoonist, CRNI Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award-winner 2018
  • Ann Telnaes (Norway/USA), cartoonist, former AAEC President, CRNI advisor
  • Zunar (Malaysia), cartoonist, CRNI Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award-winner 2011

Find out more »

Drag Queen Story Hour Celebrates Banned Books Week

St John’s Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY • 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm EDT

Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) is just what it sounds like—drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real. Find out more »

Banned Books Week x Drag Queen Story Hour in San Francisco!

The Bindery, San Francisco, CA • 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm PDT

What better way to celebrate Banned Books Week than with Drag Queen Story Hour! The Banned Books Week Coalition presents this special event on September 28 at The Bindery (1727 Haight Street, San Francisco), The Booksmith’s multi-purpose events space. Join some of San Francisco’s most glamorous drag queens as they read challenged and banned picture books to entertain children of all ages! Doors will open at 2:00 p.m., with the reading to start at 2:30 p.m.The event is free and open to the public, but priority will be given to parents with their children. Find out more »

BANNED BOOKS WEEK 2019: BANNED BOOKS WEEK(END) AT DEEP VELLUM

Deep Vellum Books, Dallas, TX • 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm CDT

Join Deep Vellum Publishing and Books on Saturday, September 28 to celebrate banned and challenged books from around the world. This event will feature literary karaoke of banned titles, including The Poetry Project’s BREAK OUT reading by an incarcerated writer, a screening of Phoneme Media’s short film Kilómetro Cero about the persecuted Equitorial Guinean writer Marcelo Ensemo Nsang, literary crafts, and a giveaway featuring challenged books from Deep Vellum and Phoneme’s catalog. Find out more »

BANNED BOOKS WEEK 2019: BANNED BOOKS WEEK OPEN MIC

BookBar, Denver, CO • 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm MDT

Join BookBar on Saturday, September 28 to celebrate banned and challenged books from around the world. In honor of Banned Books Week 2019, the event will feature an open mic for readings of banned books. Bring your favorite banned book or pick one up and read a 2-3 minute passage! This event is free and open to the public. Find out more »

Other Events

Drag Queen Story Hour — Vermont

10:00 – 11:00 a.m. EDT, Milton Public Library (39 Bombardier Rd, Milton, Vermont)

Emoji Nightmare and Nikki Champagne, two of Vermont’s favorite drag queens, are bringing Drag Queen Story Hour to Milton! The queens will be sure to delight and captivate audience members of all ages as they share stories focused on individuality, activism, gender, creativity, expression, and social responsibility.

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/468250954010163/

Drag Queen Story Hour — Los Angeles

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. PDT, Eagle Rock Branch – Los Angeles Public Library (5027 Caspar Ave., Los Angeles, California)

Presented in Partnership with Home Sweet Huddy and Compass, a real estate team!

DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR is exactly what it sounds like! Drag Queens reading stories to kids in Libraries, Schools and Bookstores the like! Bring your kids to a magical hour dedicated to literacy, love, acceptance and joy! All the magic of drag with the fun of storytime! Come early to make some crafts!!! With PICKLE!

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1362065963956135/

Drag Queen Story Hour — Connecticut

1:00 – 4:00 p.m. EDT, Hartford Public Library (500 Main St, Hartford, Connecticut)

Hartford Public Library presents our very first Drag Queen Story Hour! Drag Queen Story Hour is just what it sounds like—drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. Its goal? To inspire a love of reading, while teaching deeper lessons on diversity, self-love and an appreciation of others. This fun all-ages event features local drag queens Giganta Smalls and Robin Fierce reading children’s stories and a crown-making craft at our very own library.

We will host two story hour sessions. Guests are welcome to come to either story hour, or stay for both!

Storytime Schedule:
1:00 p.m. — Story Hour with Giganta Smalls, followed by a craft
2:30 p.m. — Story Hour with Robin Fierce, followed by a craft in the Center for Contemporary Culture

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/432897020655800/

Drag Queen Story Hour with Kearney Pride 2019

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CDT, Harmon Park (3100 5th Ave., Kearney, Nebraska)

Adding a little pizzazz and sparkle to afternoon’s favorite past time…STORY TIME! Join Mrs. Yuka Layme for Drag Queen Story Time, the children’s storytelling event that has been sweeping the nation! The event is brought to you in partnership with Kearney Pride Walk/Festival 2019 & PFLAG Kearney. Our FIRST is Kearney Nebraska! Readings of your favorite (and maybe some new) stories by: Lucy Roxia

Keep your eye on an update to our exact location at Pride.

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/388278792092101/

Celebrate fREADdom
Woodford Co. Library, Main Branch, Versailles, KY • 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm EDT

12:00 – 3:00 p.m. (Adults and teens) Drop in for our Banned Book Week finale to learn more about the history of literary censorship, banned books-themed trivia, a “mugshot” photo booth, book-inspired refreshments and more! Find out more »

Banned Books for Incarcerated Readers Drive
Firestorm Books & Coffee, Asheville, NC • 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm EDT

Firestorm Books & Coffee is partnering with Asheville Prison Books (APB) to celebrate Banned Books Week with a book drive for incarcerated readers. Drop by the co-operative on Saturday afternoon and buy a banned or challenged book to donate to APB and Firestorm will match your gift with a second donated book! Find out more »

Banned Book Fest
Fairview Park Public Library, Fairview Park, OH • 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm CDT
Banned Book Fest

Come celebrate Banned Book Week with us through a board game, edible banned book contest, and related crafts. Find out more »

Banned Books Week Celebration at One More Page Books
One More Page Books, Arlington, VA • 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm EDT

Every year, we’re excited to join book lovers from across Virginia to celebrate the freedom to read and call attention to the wealth of creativity that is stifled when books are forbidden from library shelves. This year’s Banned Books Week is from Sept. 22 – Sept. 28, but the fight for intellectual freedom takes place every day in every county in Virgina. To keep up the spirit of Banned Books Week, join us at One More Page Books. Find out more »

Drag Queen Story Hour: A Great Way to Celebrate Banned Books Week!

Banned Books Week 2019 kicks off this Sunday, and what better way to celebrate the freedom to read than with drag queens and kids books?!

The Banned Books Week Coalition and its members are co-sponsoring Drag Queen Story Hour events in San Francisco and New York City, but DQSH fun can be had coast-to-coast!

Celebrate with the Banned Books Week Coalition and DQSH in San Francisco!

September 28, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. PDT, The Bindery (1727 Haight Street, San Francisco)

Join some of San Francisco’s most glamorous drag queens as they read challenged and banned picture books to entertain children of all ages! The Banned Books Week Coalition presents this special event on September 28 at The Bindery (1727 Haight Street, San Francisco), The Booksmith’s multi-purpose events space. Doors will open at 2:00 p.m. PDT, with the reading to start at 2:30 p.m. PDT. The event is free and open to the public, but priority will be given to parents with their children. The event also features facepainting for kids and a cash bar serving beer, wine, and cocktails for anyone 21+.

Featured performers:
Beatrice Thomas (Black Benatar) is an arts & equity consultant, creative producer, multi-disciplinary artist and social justice drag queen — one of the core Drag Queen Story Hour storytellers. Their regenerative social practice lies at the intersection of performing arts and activism. Mx. Thomas comes from a family lineage of pastors, performers, doctors and healers. Beatrice has been making art and pondering the meaning of it all from the moment they came into consciousness. From absurdist cabarets to vampire/witch love triangles,Thomas weaves the experiences of queers and people of color into magical realities foster empathy and entertainment. Thomas nationally advances the work of marginalized \ artists, and for nearly a decade has worked in the public, creative, and non-profit sectors in the San Francisco Bay area. More recently, Thomas has dedicated her career to building community and providing professional development for individual artists and arts administrators. Previously they held senior positions at San Francisco Arts Commission, foolsFURY Theatre, and SAFEhouse Arts. They are an inaugural APAP Leadership Fellow and received their MFA from the University of Texas.

With a pedigree from performances at the late, iconic Esta Noche, Per Sia‘s trajectory has gone on to include art curation, stand-up, television, modeling, and maybe a quinceañera or two, in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and México. Currently, she is a regular performer in the nationally acclaimed “Drag Queen Story Hour” as well as an educator in residence at the Children’s After School Arts (CASA) program in the San Francisco Unified School District recently profiled on KQED Arts and National Public Radio.

RSVP on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/1093204637543051/

DQSH and NCAC Celebrate Banned Books Week in New York City!

September 28, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. EDT, St John’s Lutheran Church (155 Milton St., Greenpoint, Brooklyn)

Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) is just what it sounds like—drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real. Join DQSH and the National Coalition Against Censorship on September 28, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. EDT at St John’s Lutheran Church in Brooklyn (155 Milton St., Greenpoint).

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2361382427508398/

Check out these official DQSH events throughout Banned Books Week!

OCO Drag Queen Story Hour

September 22, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. EDT, The SPOT (75 E. 1st St., Oswego, New York)

Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) is just what it sounds like – Drag Queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real.

Come join Xandra Dee & Mimi Mosa for stories, a song, craft & snack at the OCO Midtown plaza location!

Event open to the public, families and children strongly welcomed!

Canned food donations greatly appreciated but not required.

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2180292942080653/

Drag Queen Story Hour with The Conjure Shop

September 22, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. CDT, The Conjure Shop (809 S. 75th St., Omaha, Nebraska)

Adding a little pizzazz and sparkle to afternoon’s favorite past time…STORY TIME!

Join Mrs. Yuka Layme for Drag Queen Story Time, the children’s storytelling event that has been sweeping the nation! The event is brought to you in partnership with The Conjure Shop

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2535208213167355/

Drag Queen Story Hour With Sharon ShareAlike & Ava ShareAlike

September 27, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. CDT, Bobzbay (419 N Main St, Bloomington, Illinois)

Bobzbay is proud to host Sharon ShareAlike and Ava J ShareAlike for Drag Queen Story Hour (also known as DQSH). The Bistro has generously offered to partner with us to help this event happen and we can’t be more grateful! This will be a fun, family friendly event for all ages! Sit down with some of our favorite drag queens for a couple of kid-friendly story books.

Please feel free to ask any questions before the event and check out https://www.dragqueenstoryhour.org/ for more information.

We have a limited number of chairs so if you’d like, bring something soft to sit on. This event is free and open to the public. Parking is free in the Market St. parking garage just a couple blocks away from the shop or there is street parking.

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2958348084239805/

Drag Queen Story Hour — Vermont

September 28, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. EDT, Milton Public Library (39 Bombardier Rd,, Milton, Vermont)

Emoji Nightmare and Nikki Champagne, two of Vermont’s favorite drag queens, are bringing Drag Queen Story Hour to Milton! The queens will be sure to delight and captivate audience members of all ages as they share stories focused on individuality, activism, gender, creativity, expression, and social responsibility.

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/468250954010163/

Drag Queen Story Hour — Los Angeles

September 28, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. PDT, Eagle Rock Branch – Los Angeles Public Library (5027 Caspar Ave., Los Angeles, California)

Presented in Partnership with Home Sweet Huddy and Compass, a real estate team!

DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR is exactly what it sounds like! Drag Queens reading stories to kids in Libraries, Schools and Bookstores the like! Bring your kids to a magical hour dedicated to literacy, love, acceptance and joy! All the magic of drag with the fun of storytime! Come early to make some crafts!!!

With PICKLE!

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1362065963956135/

Drag Queen Story Hour — Connecticut

September 28, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. EDT, Hartford Public Library (500 Main St, Hartford, Connecticut)

Hartford Public Library presents our very first Drag Queen Story Hour! Drag Queen Story Hour is just what it sounds like—drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. Its goal? To inspire a love of reading, while teaching deeper lessons on diversity, self-love and an appreciation of others. This fun all-ages event features local drag queens Giganta Smalls and Robin Fierce reading children’s stories and a crown-making craft at our very own library.

We will host two story hour sessions. Guests are welcome to come to either story hour, or stay for both!

Storytime Schedule:
1:00 p.m. — Story Hour with Giganta Smalls, followed by a craft
2:30 p.m. — Story Hour with Robin Fierce, followed by a craft in the Center for Contemporary Culture

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/432897020655800/

Banned Books Drag Story Hour 2019!

September 28, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. MST, Bookmans Entertainment Exchange (1056 South Country Club Drive, Mesa, Arizona)

Something banned this way comes! Join Drag Story Hour- Arizona at Bookmans Mesa for story hour hosted by Felicia Minor and Freddy Prinze Charming.

Let’s love all banned books and celebrate the growth of Drag Queen Story Hours in the face of challenge.

RSVP in Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/500952000478623/

Drag Queen Story Hour with Kearney Pride 2019

September 28, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CDT, Harmon Park (3100 5th Ave., Kearney, Nebraska)

Adding a little pizzazz and sparkle to afternoon’s favorite past time…STORY TIME!

Join Mrs. Yuka Layme for Drag Queen Story Time, the children’s storytelling event that has been sweeping the nation! The event is brought to you in partnership with Kearney Pride Walk/Festival 2019 & PFLAG Kearney. Our FIRST is Kearney Nebraska!

Readings of your favorite (and maybe some new) stories by: Lucy Roxia

Keep your eye on an update to our exact location at Pride.

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/388278792092101/

Drag Queen Story Hour is hosting events before and after Banned Books Week. Visit their page on Facebook for a full schedule!

Drag Queen Story Hour/SF (DQSH/SF) contracts with professional drag queens who are experienced youth performers and educators. They capture the imagination and gender play of childhood and give kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models, all while promoting early childhood education and inclusive family programming. In spaces we create, kids are able to see beyond gender restrictions and imagine a world where everybody is safe and welcome and dress up is real. DQSH Queens are ambassadors for equity diversity and inclusion in family programming. Created by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco, DQSH now happens regularly in L.A., New York, and San Francisco, and events are popping up all over the country and the world!

https://www.dragqueenstoryhour.org/

https://www.facebook.com/dragqueenstoryhour/

https://www.instagram.com/dragqueenstoryhour/?hl=en