Get Lit! From local writers to festival headliners, much to see
The festival starts Monday with a packed schedule that runs through Sunday.
Out-of-towners including Anthony Doerr, William T. Vollmann, Chitra Divakaruni, George Bilgere and Deborah Amos will take the stage alongside some of the most recognized local talent.
And it offers chances for writers in progress to hone their craft, including workshops, poetry slams and open-mic events.
Tickets to the three headliner events cost $15 (free for students with ID and children) and are available through TicketsWest (800-325-SEAT or www.ticketswest.com). Some writing workshops cost $30 ($20 for students; go to www.brownpapertickets.com). Everything else is free.
Repeat attendees, take note: While events are scattered among more than 20 venues, the festival hub – where many readings and workshops take place – has moved to the Spokane Convention Center.
The festival’s calendar is online at http://outreach.ewu.edu/getlit and includes more than 40 events including panel discussions, author readings, and writing workshops. Some highlights:
Monday
• Spokane’s poet laureate Thom Caraway presents “The State of Our Literary Union.” 4 p.m., Spokane Public Library downtown, 906 W. Main Ave.
• Beacon Hill Reading Series. Readings by Dennis Held, Leyna Krow and Claire McQuerry. 6:30 p.m. Hagan Foundation Center for the Humanities, Spokane Community College, 1810 N. Greene St.
Tuesday
• From Page to Stage, readings performed by actors based on selections from the literary magazine Willow Springs. 8 p.m., The Big Dipper, 171 S. Washington St.
Wednesday
• Teen Poetry Slam. Register at 6 p.m.; event starts at 6:30. The Bartlett, 228 W. Sprague Ave.
• College Poetry Slam. Register at 7 p.m.; event starts at 7:30. The Bartlett.
• Deborah Amos, a reporter who covers the Middle East for National Public Radio. 7 p.m. Lair Auditorium, SCC.
Thursday
• Youth Poetry Slam. Register at 5 p.m.; event starts at 5:30 p.m. Kress Gallery, River Park Square (third floor), 808 W. Main St.
• Middle School Poetry Slam. Register at 5:30 p.m.; event starts after Youth Poetry Slam. Kress Gallery.
• Adrianne Harun reading, Q-and-A and book signing. 7 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave.
• Pie and Whiskey Reading, for people 21 and older. 9 p.m., Woman’s Club, 1428 W. Ninth Ave.
Friday
• An evening with Anthony Doerr and William T. Vollmann. 7 p.m., Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. $15, free for students.
• Poetry Salon. 9 p.m., The Bartlett.
Saturday
• Readings by David Abrams and Nathan Oates. 1 p.m., Conference Theater, Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
• Readings by C.B. Bernard and Buddy Levy. 2 p.m., Conference Theater, Spokane Convention Center.
• Readings by Trent Reedy and Rachel Toor. 2 p.m., Room 203, Spokane Convention Center.
• Readings by Jill Malone and Leslye Walton. 3 p.m., Conference Theater, Spokane Convention Center.
• Reading and talk by Perry Glasser and Paul Lindholdt. 4 p.m., Conference Theater, Spokane Convention Center.
• An evening with Chitra Divakaruni and Gregory Spatz. 7 p.m., Bing Crosby Theater. $15, free for students.
Sunday
• George Bilgere and Nance Van Winckel. 11:30 a.m., Bing Crosby Theater. $15, free for students.