Now that the holidays are behind us, it’s
time to curl up and relax with one good book – or nine, if you
plan on attending every event in the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s
upcoming literary series.
A co-production with the National Book Awards Foundation, "Eat,
Drink & Be Literary: Dinner and a Reading in BAMcafe"
begins its second season on Jan. 12 with a visit from author
Gish Jen (pictured, left) and a discussion moderated by jack-of-all-media
Kurt Andersen.
Jen is the author of several novels that address the Chinese-American
experience. In "Typical American" (Houghton Mifflin,
1991) and its sequel "Mona in the Promised Land (Knopf,
1996), critics praised her for her insights as much as for her
wit. Her latest novel, "The Love Wife" (Knopf, 2004),
has as its hilarious premise a meddling mother-in-law who bequeaths
a nanny from mainland China to her Chinese-American son and his
Caucasian wife.
BAM’s literary events begin at 6:30 pm with live music and wine,
followed by a buffet dinner in the BAMcafe prepared by executive
chef Carlos Baca. At 8 pm, the literary program begins with authors
reading from their works, participating in a discussion with
the moderator, and answering questions from audience members.
BAM’s in-house bookstore, The Shakespeare & Co. BAMshop,
will provide books for purchase and signing.
Mark your calendars! Among the featured authors in this year’s
series are Julian Barnes (Jan. 26), Jonathan Safran Foer (Feb.
23) and Jonathan Lethem (April 20). The series continues through
June 1; visit www.bam.org for a complete list of scheduled authors.
But just because the holidays have come and gone, it doesn’t
mean the holiday spirit has to follow. Used books, in good condition,
can be donated in the BAM lobby, prior to each event, and will
be distributed to local charities and organizations.
Tickets to "Eat, Drink & Be Literary" are $42,
including admission to the reading, dinner, wine, tax and tip.
A 20-percent discount is available to those who buy tickets to
five or more events. Subscription and single tickets can be purchased
by calling (718) 636-4100. Single tickets may also be purchased
at the Web site www.bam.org
or in person at the BAM box office (30 Lafayette Ave., at Ashland
Place, in Fort Greene).
