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Nov 16, 2024
Fort Bend County Libraries’ annual Book Festival will take place on Saturday, November 16, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at George Memorial Library, located at 1001 Golfview in Richmond. All events are free and open to the public.
In keeping with the theme for the year of “Myths & Legends,” a “Polynesian Storytelling” performance will take place in the library’s Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater at 11:00 am. The family-friendly performance will be repeated at 12:00 noon.
Young Audiences of Houston teaching artist Malia’s Hula Hut dancers will demonstrate the beautiful storytelling techniques that are woven into the song and dance of Polynesia, including the hula from the islands of Hawai’i, Tahitian from the islands of Tahiti, the Haka and Poi Balls of New Zealand, and fire-knife dancing from Samoa.
Although these dances may often be seen performed together in a Polynesian show, they are unique and represent various cultures.
Fort Bend County Libraries’ Book Festival celebrates books, authors, and the importance of literature to the imagination. The complete schedule of events can be found on the Fort Bend County Libraries website or on the FBCL Facebook page. Participants may attend the whole day, or they can choose which individual session(s) they would like to attend.
In addition to the Polynesian Storytelling performance, the Book Festival will also feature workshops designed to encourage aspiring writers of all ages and genres. Creative and inspiring programs are planned for children as well as adults who dream of becoming published authors.
Games and activities will be on hand at a special Kids’ Book Carnival from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, in the Bohachevsky Gallery on the lower level of the library.
Anytime between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon, teens (aged 13 and up) and adults will have an opportunity to test their puzzle-solving skills in a “Mythic Mayhem Escape Room,” in the Meeting Room. In this come-and-go activity, teams of up to 8 members will enter through a virtual portal into another place and time, where they must solve puzzles to find their way through multiple mythical worlds to return to the present!
Readers will have an opportunity to visit with local authors at a meet-and-greet area in the lobby throughout the event. From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, interact with published writers Tabitha Voight, Susan Nwokedi, Monica Vidalon-Wolf, Tiffany Obeng, and Dee Osah, who will all be available for questions, autographs, and photographs. Copies of their books will be available for sale and signing.
The keynote address for the Book Festival will be given by FBCL’s featured “Community Reads” author Stacey Swann from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, in the Meeting Room of the library.
Readers who participated in Fort Bend County Libraries “Community Reads” initiative -- by reading Olympus, Texas and attending one of the library system’s book-club meetings – were given raffle tickets for a drawing that will take place at 1:00 pm, in the Meeting Room, just prior to the keynote address by Stacey Swann. A second raffle will also take place for everyone who did not participate in the book-club meetings.
Food trucks will be on hand, and visitors are invited to eat lunch while enjoying the festive atmosphere of a live dance performance in the outdoor amphitheater.
The event is made possible by the Friends of the George Memorial Library. Visitors may browse through the Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale, which will take place at the front entrance of the library throughout the Book Festival. Cash and checks are welcome; credit cards cannot be accepted. Proceeds from the book sale provide funding for special adult and children’s programs, cultural events, and staff development and continuing-education programs for library employees.
The Book Festival is free and open to the public. For more information, see Fort Bend County Libraries’ website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).