On Jan. 13, the Brooklyn Academy of Music
will kick off the first of what it hopes will be many series
of visits by authors to its BAM Cafe.
BAM Executive Producer Joseph Melillo has partnered with the
National Book Foundation to bring an impressive literary lineup
to Fort Greene: Rick Moody (pictured) on Jan. 13, Paul Auster
on Feb. 10, Walter Mosley on March 10, Jhumpa Lahiri on April
14, Joyce Carol Oates on May 12 and Edward P. Jones on June 9.
"It is all about making BAM a destination for various different
people who have a range of interests," Melillo told GO Brooklyn.
What sets BAM’s series apart from other author readings in Brooklyn
is its convivial nature, explained Melillo.
"We’ll have food and beverages and live musicians during
the dinner program [beginning at 6:30 pm], and [at 8 pm] a reading
by the author, then a host – Wendy Wasserstein or [Rolling Stone
contributing editor and CNN pop culture commentator] Toure –
who will have an interview with the writer, then open it up for
a Q&A and booksigning," said Melillo.
At $38 per person for the reading, buffet dinner, wine, tax and
tip, organizers also hope attendees will have cash left over
to spring for an autographed tome.
"Our aim is to make it accessible," said Melillo. "You
want people to have this experience. You don’t want to be prohibitive,
and it’s very accessible in terms of price."
The unifying theme among the authors is that they are American.
"Our partner, the National Book Foundation, services American
authors and promotes reading and an appreciation of great American
literature," said Melillo. "They have an extraordinary
education outreach program so we’re an extension of their mission,
and that’s why they wanted to partner with us."
On Thursday, Moody, author of the "Demonology" short
story collection and the novels "The Ice Storm" and
"Garden State," will kick off the "Eat, Drink
and Be Literary" series with moderator Wasserstein.
A 20-percent discount (available via phone purchase only) is
applicable for those who buy tickets to all six events. For tickets,
call (718) 636-4100 or visit the BAM Web site at www.BAM.org
or the BAM box office (30 Lafayette Ave. at Ashland Place).
Lisa J. Curtis
