Literary Feast

By Kristen Peterson (contact)

Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007 | 7:33 a.m.

Synopsis

In this riveting drama. No, wait. In this action-packed thriller. Wait, scratch that.

This charming story takes place at an annual literary event in a Southwest American gambling town where glossy marketing, tourism and fleeting glamour outshine the deepest thoughts. Characters find ways to make do. They pursue art, music and intellectualism, and create a social and physical landscape to support their ambitions.

A highlight is a monthly art gathering and street fair where the city's people converge in a beloved, but otherwise forgotten, area. There they indulge in the handiwork of locals, catch up on gossip and listen to music performed on outdoor stages.

Much like a county fair that battles harsh weather, political infighting and provincialism, this event becomes an unraveling story of courage and hope melded with small moments of glory.

But when an annual book festival - replete with famous authors, discussion groups, lectures and book signings - comes to town, the gathering takes on another dimension.

Mental revelry nips the air. The city rolls out the literary red carpet. Even the mayor, the much-adored, controversial former mob attorney , chimes in to read haiku from the main stage.

This year the festival for goes the traditional celebration of novel writing to bring in essayists, critics, pop-culture writers and social/historical commentators, including humorist Sarah Vowell. The locals, mostly those from the outskirts of town - vast stretches of landscaped communities that mimic American suburbia - learn that there is so much more to their city than they had ever imagined.

Table of contents

Preface: Opening reception, 7-9 p.m. today, Downtown Cocktail Room, 111 Las Vegas Blvd. South

Chapter 1: Author sessions, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, El Cortez, 600 E. Fremont St . Highlights include a session titled "Las Vegas: American Bauhaus," by Alan Hess, and "The Leisure Architecture of Wayne McAllister," by Chris Nichols, 10-11:30 a.m.; "Down and Out in Las Vegas: The Struggle to Survive in Sin City," by Matthew O'Brien and Kurt Borchard, 11:45 a.m. -1:15 p.m.; and "Traveling Through the Americas," by travel writer Tom Miller, 1:30-3 p.m.

Chapter 2: Show and tell, 6-10 p.m. Friday, Casino Center Boulevard and California Avenue. Spoken word, readings, book signings, author tents, comic exhibits and word art. See comic-book art at the Contemporary Arts Collective, 101 E. Charleston Blvd. "Yours Truly," the art of written correspondence at Main Gallery, 1229 S. Main St. Learn how Liberace can influence your fashion sense at Las Vegas Paper Doll in the Holsum Design Center, 231 Charleston Blvd.

Chapter 3: Midnight Architecture tour of Las Vegas, 10 p.m. Friday-1 a.m. Saturday. Explore the city's Midcentury Modern architecture. Reservations required, 229-5431.

Chapter 4: Author sessions, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday , El Cortez. Highlights: a 10 a.m. comic workshop with Kim Deitch; a look at pop culture with Chuck Klosterman (11:45 a.m. -1:15 p.m.); a look at Los Angeles and Las Vegas with Norman Klein (1:30-3 p.m.).

Chapter 5: Children's book festival, noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Centennial Plaza.

Chapter 6: "An Evening with Sarah Vowell," 7 p.m. Saturday, Las Vegas High School, 315 S. Seventh St.; 9 p.m. closing reception at Morelli House, 861 Bridger Ave.

Addendum: The Vegas Valley Book Festival is presented by Las Vegas and Nevada Humanities. Events are free ; 229-5431 or www.vegasvalleybookfest.org.