Book Events for Sept. 2

Dardenne to speak at FHL event

Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne is often heard touting the “rich gumbo” of culture, character and history of Louisiana. On Thursday, Sept. 13, Dardenne will present his own colorful compilation of the state’s 200 years of history, music, culture and politics in the Heritage Lecture sponsored by the Foundation for Historical Louisiana (FHL).

His presentation is titled “Whole Lotta History Goin’ On.” The lecture is a fast-paced, pictorial and musical celebration of Louisiana history with a focus on governors. The presentation explores the state’s history, starting in colonial times, and covers the importance of the Mississippi River, the Louisiana Purchase and statehood, and the Civil War. Dardenne also explores how the legacy of Govs. Huey Long, Jimmie Davis and Edwin Edwards affected Louisiana. The lecture is delivered with music, photos and a few impersonations.

This year, Louisiana has been hosting and celebrating the official Bicentennial of Statehood. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Bicentennial Commission have worked to reach Louisiana residents with the 200th anniversary bicentennial story. FHL has featured its monthly lectures on bicentennial topics during the year, and will culminate the celebration at its annual fundraising gala on Oct. 11 by highlighting the historical years of Spanish rule. A room in the mansion will be decorated on the bicentennial theme.

The FHL lecture begins with refreshments by Calandro’s Fine Wine and Cellars at 6 p.m. and the lecture at 6:30 p.m. at the Old Governor’s Mansion, 501 North Blvd. The event is open to FHL members for free and $10 for guests. The public is encouraged to attend.

Dardenne was elected as Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor in October 2011. He previously served one year in the position, filling an unexpired term. Among other duties of leadership for the state of Louisiana, the Lieutenant Governor serves as Commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. These offices exist to preserve, showcase and market Louisiana’s rich cultural heritage to those within and outside of the state, also the mission of the Foundation for Historical Louisiana.

For more information, go to http://www.fhl.org or call [phone].

Livingston Parish Library

Are you a writer looking for some feedback? Then join the Denham Springs-Walker branch’s Writers Circle. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Denham Springs-Walker branch, 8101 U.S. 190 in Denham Springs. Published and unpublished adult writers of fiction or nonfiction for adults, young adults, or children are welcome. The group provides a forum for sharing writing, a venue for learning more about the writing craft and information about publishing/self-publishing. For more information about the Writers Circle, call the library at [phone].

Young Writers Club will meet 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Denham Springs-Walker branch, 8101 U.S. 190 Denham Springs.

Magic Club of Watson will meet 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Watson branch, 36581 Outback Road in Denham Springs. The group meets to practice magic, learn new stuff and pick up new members.

Book club:

•  Adult Book Club will meet 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, at Albany-Springfield branch, 26941 La. 43, Hammond. Members will discuss The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.

Ascension Parish Library

Shiver me timbers, Ascension Parish Library be celebratin’ Talk Like a Pirate Day! A real pirate from the Crew of Ragtag Misfits be teaching pirate language and be reading a pirate tale. The crew is mak’n a parrot t’ sit on our shoulders and be winnin’ booty play’n Captain Hook ring toss. Ahoy me matey, join the crew at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Main branch, 708 S. Irma Blvd. in Gonzales for the pirate fun. Swashbucklers, call [phone] in Gonzales to register. The program is designed for pirates and land-lubbers ages 5-8, but all ages are welcome.

Are you a young adult who enjoys reading? If so, Ascension Parish Library’s Teen Book Club is holding its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, at the Galvez branch, 40300 La. 42 in Prairieville. This program is open to all teens 6th grade and above. Come talk about the book you are reading with other like-minded people and enjoy some light refreshments — just like other book clubs do! For further information, call the library at [phone].

Book clubs:

•  Donaldsonville Book Club will meet noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Donaldsonville branch, 500 Mississippi St. in Donaldsonville. Members will discuss The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.
•  Gonzales Book Club will meet 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Main branch, 708 S. Irma Blvd. in Gonzales. Members will discuss Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay.
•  Dutchtown Book Club will meet 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Dutchtown branch, 13278 La. 73 in Geismar. Members will discuss Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.

Lafayette Public Library

For all young poets out there who would like to speak their mind, this night is for you! Come and join the spoken word group Revolution Theory, 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, at North Regional Library, 5101 N. University Ave., Carencro, for a night filled with reading, writing and expressing yourself through poetry. This poetry night is for ages 13-18.

Writers’ Group

Barnes & Noble Westbank Centre, 1601B West Bank Expressway in Harvey is hosting a Writers’ Group from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4. This is a networking and critiquing forum for writers of all skill levels which meets monthly. Be prepared to read what you are working on, to take constructive criticism and to give it.

Reading series

1718 Society, a student-run literary organization made up of Tulane, Loyola, and UNO students, will be continuing their reading series this fall. On the first Tuesday of every month, students and locals meet at 7 p.m. at the Columns Hotel on St. Charles Avenue to listen to local authors read their work and indulge in happy hour. Open to the public, these readings provide an opportunity to experience writers (primarily local poets, but also fiction writers both local and national), while giving students a forum to present their own work to their peers and the community. Lee Barclay will be September’s featured reader. On Tuesday Sept. 4, she will be reading selections from New Orleans: What Can’t Be Lost, which she edited.

Maple Street Book Shop will be onsite selling the featured reader’s book.

Signings

Tal McThenia and Margaret Dunbar Cutright, authors of A Case For Solomon: Bobby Dunbar and the Kidnapping that Haunted a Nation, will sign copies of their book 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, at Garden District Book Shop, 2727 Prytania St. in New Orleans, and 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, at Delta Grand Theater, 120 S. Market St. in Opelousas, and 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at Opelousas Public Library, 212 E. Grolee St. in Opelousas.

Karma Wilson, author of Bear Says Thanks , will sign copies of her book at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St. in New Orleans.

Johnette Downing, author of Why the Possum has a Large Grin, will sign copies of her book noon-1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, at Tisket A Tasket Book Shop, 911 Decatur St. in New Orleans.

Altrice Woodberry, author of Twenty-One and Counting, will sign copies of her book at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at Barnes & Noble Westbank Centre, 1601B West Bank Expressway in Harvey.

Geoff Wyss, author of How, will sign copies of his book at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at Barnes & Noble Metairie, 3721 Veterans Blvd. in Metairie.

Items for Book Events were provided by the Foundation for Historical Louisiana, Livingston Parish Library, Ascension Parish Library, Lafayette Public Library and 1718 Society.