This Week in Lit: Indian Culture, Punk for the Masses and Josh Ritter, the Novelist.
This week in Seattle we have everything from a little conversation between cultures (complete with breaks for tea), to Seattle architecture, and a record of our musical past. Enjoy a little literature with your Summer!
Misha Berson and Friends at Town Hall:
West Side Story—the timeless musical about forbidden love—has been replicated in more places, and in more ways than anyone can count! And this evening, which is co-presented with The 5th Ave Theatre and Town Hall, Seattle Times drama critic Misha Berson will celebrate the story’s fiftieth anniversary with a signing of her new book, Something Coming, Something Good: West Side Story and the American Imagination. It’s also likely you’ll see some film clips, and special performances by original cast member Martin Charnin and other talented performers from The 5th Avenue Theatre.
Monday, 7:30 p.m. // Town Hall // $5 at door, or at www.brownpapertickets.com
Shrabani Basu, Hari Kunzru, Nayantara Sahgal and Tarun J. Tejpal in conversation with Miranda Kennedy, David Guterson, Lesley Hazleton and Charles Johnson at Seattle Asian Art Museum:
These two evenings celebrating Indian culture are presented by Seattle Asian Art Museum, Teamwork Productions, and Elliott Bay Book Co, and are part of the larger festivities that are happening around the country! For two nights the four visiting writers from India will each chat with a writer from here, exchange ideas, and take a break for some Chai (seriously). This is the line up:
Tuesday, July 12: Shrabani Basu in conversation with Miranda Kennedy, and Hari Kunzru in conversation with David Guterson:
Shrabni Basu is a journalist and historian, and authored the biography, Victoria and Abdul: The True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidante—along with a book on curry…yum. She’s going to be chatting with the visiting journalist and NPR editor, Miranda Kennedy. Kennedy wrote Sideways on a Scooter: Life and Love in India.
Hari Kunzru is the author of numerous books, including the acclaimed novel, My Revolutions—and will be speaking with our well-know and loved, David Guterson, author of Snow Falling on Cedars and much more.
Wednesday, July 13: Nayantara Sahgal in conversation with Lesley Hazleton, and Tarun J. Tejpal in conversation with Charles Johnson:
On this second evening, Nayantara Sahgal, author of nine novels—most recently Jawaharlal Nehru: Civilizing a Savage World—will be in conversation with Seattle author Lesley Hazleton. Hazelton has written numerous books on religion and history, and is especially known for her writing about Jerusalem and her latest book, After the Prophet: The Epic Story of the Shia-Sunni Split in Islam.
Tarun Tejpal has written everything from journalistic pieces, to magazine stories and novels. His debut novel being The Alchemy of Desire, and the following The Story of my Assassins.
He will be speaking with the UW professor and novelist, Charles Johnson. Johnson has written several novels and essays, and is a National Book Award-winning writer.
Whew…get yourself ready for a couple of packed evenings!
Tuesday and Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. // Stimson Auditorium, Seattle Asian Art Museum // tickets $5 for SAM member, $10 for nonmembers
George Suyama in conversation with Grant Hildebrand at Elliott Bay Book Co.:
Since his architectural practice started in Seattle in 1971, George Suyama has been creating memorable projects that encompass both Japanese minimalism and a Northwest focus on the beauty and tranquility of the outdoors. To celebrate these accomplishments, fellow architect and historian Grant Hildebrand has written, Suyama: A Complex Serenity. The two will appear together to discuss Suyama’s life and work—and to celebrate the beauty his ideas have created in our city.
Wednesday, 7 p.m. // Elliott Bay Book Co. // Free
Josh Ritter at Elliott Bay Book Co.:
Though he’s performed on many a stage throughout the world, this is the singer/songwriter’s first appearance at Elliott Bay Book Co. The man mostly known for his musical wiles is here with his debut novel, Bright’s Passage. This historically-set book follows a young man returning to West Virginia after fighting in World War I—and captures his struggles assimilating back into the strange world he discovers there. A gift for crafting stories has never been a problem for Ritter, and fans have a chance to see his art in its latest form.
Friday, 7 p.m. // Elliott Bay Book Co. // Free
Jacob McMurray at Elliott Bay Book Co.:
Captiol Hill Block Party is just on the horizon—and here with some blasts from Seattle music past is Experience Music Project senior curator, Jacob McMurray. The brains behind EMP’s current ongoing exhibit, Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses, McMurray is also the editor of Taking Punk to the Masses: From Nowhere to Nevermind. Not your average history of a movement, Nirvana illustrates its time and place with photos, lively first-person accounts, old show posters and vibrant colors. This release from Fantagraphics will bring back some memories—and excite you for Seattle’s continued outpouring of phenomenal local music.
Sunday, 5 p.m. // Elliott Bay Book Co. // Free
