McCANN: Kentucky Book Fair has become a festival

Published 10:51 am Friday, November 8, 2019

The Kentucky Book Fair has been a November must on the calendar of those interested in Kentucky arts, particularly literature and poetry.

There is no better time to stock up on birthday, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas and other gifts for the book lovers you know (or want to help create).

In 2017, the fair was moved from Frankfort to the Kentucky Horse Park; this year it becomes a festival — running not only for a day or two but a week.

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The Festival begins Sunday and runs through Friday, Nov. 15, and Saturday, Nov. 16, when it culminates with the two-day book fair in the Alltech Arena.

Events range from readings by and discussions with authors to a literary luncheon and even a literary trivia night at West Sixth Brewing Thursday.

Some events are ticketed events, others — such as the Books & Brews Trivia Night — are free.

The book fair is free even as authors are present to sign their books and meet with their fans.

The fair will include many authors from Kentucky and from well beyond.

For more information and to read the listing of all of the authors who will be participating in this year’s Kentucky Book Fair, visit www.kyhumanities.org.

 

Red carpet event for regional film

The cast of “Black Girl Magic – The Documentary,” will celebrate the two-year anniversary of the film with a premiere and red-carpet reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 17 at The Farish Theater, at the Central Library in downtown Lexington.

The documentary explores the lives of 10 black women from different walks of life and celebrates the beauty they each possess. It is a testament to success, beauty, resilience and forgiveness.

The film was created by playwright and filmmaker Tish Griffith of Noir Diamond Films, a native Lexingtonian now living in Cincinnati.

The movie is hosted by Casey Fisher and directed by Timikal Bobo, both of Cincinnati, and documents several women who discuss their past experiences, traumas, accomplishments and how they overcome adversity most days of their lives.

The topics discussed range from sexual abuse to politics to their definition of Black Girl Magic.

“It was important to have women of color represented positively in the media,” Griffith said. “This was a positive outlet to let the world know we are here, we make a difference, we have struggles but we overcome.”

 

The Kentucky Film Office

Located in Frankfort, the Kentucky Office of Film and Development was created to encourage the film and entertainment industry to choose locations in Kentucky for the filming of motion picture or entertainment productions.

The office administers the Kentucky Film and Entertainment Industry Incentive Program and is a resource to producers and filmmakers, from Kentucky and elsewhere, who have questions about filming here.

Whether producers are seeking financial assistance, scouting locations, seeking actors or crew members the office can be an important resource.

More information is available by contacting the office’s executive director, Jay Hall, at 502-892-3197.

 

Bill McCann is a playwright, poet, flash fiction writer, and teacher who writes about arts events and personalities. Reach him at wmccann273@gmail.com.