Culture steps up a notch in Las Vegas

Kimberley McGee

Friday, Nov. 9, 2001 | 3:41 a.m.

Authors, books, appetizers and chit-chat.

The Literary Society -- Las Vegas offers locals a chance to sign up, sit down and break bread with a nationally recognized author and discuss the author's recent book.

Or anything else for that matter.

The 4-month-old organization offers its members an opportunity to attend luncheons with famous writers and contribute to the growth of Las Vegas' cultural scene.

The Literary Society -- Las Vegas' 2001-2002 season will feature six authors: Carl Sferrazza Anthony of "The Kennedy White House: Family Life and Pictures 1961-1963;" Adeline Yen Mah ("Watching the Tree"); Judith Viorst ("Suddenly Sixty and Other Shocks of Later Life"); Jonathan Hull ("Losing Julia"); Debora Silverman ("Van Gogh and Gaugin: The Search for Sacred Art"); and Tony Earley ("Somehow Form a Family").

The society will host six luncheons per year featuring nationally known authors who will discuss their work. The first luncheon will be held at the Four Seasons' Acacia Ballroom on Wednesday. (For more information call 562-4028.)

The featured author, Anthony, has traveled to literary societies in other cities to discuss his recently released biography, "The Kennedy White House: Family Life and Pictures 1961-1963" (Touchstone Books, $32). Anthony's book focuses on the intimate details of the family within the context of the culture of the 1960s.

"We hope this will be something where people can sit down with a famous author and relax, enjoy and be stimulated by," Pamela Newell, board member of the society, said.

Admission to each luncheon, which is for members only, is $55 and includes an autographed copy of the author's book, lunch and an hourlong discussion with the author.

Annual membership dues are $250 per person and $400 for couples, which cover the operating expenses of the society, including the author's travel expenses and copies of their book.

The society also gives each member the opportunity to request which authors they would prefer to dine and dish with for future luncheons.

Membership is limited to 200 members, Newell said, so that the luncheons remain intimate.

The society had 50 paid members as of last month, but expects there to be a waiting list to join by the end of the year, as has happened at literary societies in other cities.

"It's very popular in Florida, Chicago and California," Newell said. "We hope for the same here."

The Literary Society -- Las Vegas is sponsored by Northern Trust Bank, which started its first literary society in Chicago in 1971.

Northern Trust has sponsored art shows, such as the recent photo exhibit, "Jackie Kennedy: The First Lady/A Photographic Salute," at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery, and other cultural programs to each city where the company has offices.

Literary societies sponsored by Northern Trust have sprung up in Miami, Dallas and Palm Springs, Calif., in recent decades. Northern Trust sponsors 12 literary societies around the country.

The Las Vegas society was co-founded by local Northern Trust employees and a handful of local art patrons as a community arts endeavor.

Dr. Joseph McCullough, distinguished professor of English literature at UNLV, will serve as president of the advisory board.

McCullough is a recognized expert on American literature, specifically works by Mark Twain.

The society, McCullough said, offers an intimate glimpse inside the author's style and inspiration.

"Books come alive when you are reading," McCullough said. "By meeting the author, you walk away and the pages come alive in a different way."

Through membership dues, the society intends to reach out to local high school students who are interested in pursuing a writing career. Two students and one teacher from five area schools will be invited to each luncheon for a discussion with the featured author.

The society plans to eventually award college scholarships raised from the membership dues for students who are considering a career in English, journalism or other writing-related field.

"This (literary) society is an extension of the literary movement in Las Vegas," McCullough said. "It opens books in a different way."