The Vegas Valley Book Festival kicks off on Thursday, offering activities and entertainment for everyone through Nov. 3. Most of the events will take place in downtown Las Vegas, with other events taking place at the Clark County Library and galleries around town.

The largest annual literary event in Las Vegas, the book festival will bring together more literary and cultural programs than ever before. The festival will feature more than 150 authors and events, including panel discussions, readings, book signings, workshops, vendor exhibits, art exhibitions, spoken word performances and other special programs for a diversity of genres, ages and cultural backgrounds. Most events are free and open to the public. The complete schedule is available online at http://vegasvalleybookfestival.org, along with maps to various sites and downtown parking. The program, published as a special supplement in the Oct. 24 Las Vegas Review-Journal, also is available for download on the festival’s website.

The festival begins Nov. 1, with a keynote address by author Charlaine Harris at 7 p.m. at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. On Nov. 2, the festival moves to the Arts District for the First Friday Poetry Stage, 6-9 p.m. at Boulder Plaza Park, 1047 S. Main St.

Saturday, the Comic Book Festival takes place at the Clark County Library, with remaining festival events at the Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St., in downtown Las Vegas. At the school, highlights will include an extensive entertainment and activity schedule at the Children’s Book Festival. See the complete performance schedule at http://vegasvalleybookfestival.org/childrens-book-festival-performance-schedule/.

Feasting on Wheels — an array of food trucks in the south plaza from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — will offer special menu items inspired by literary lore. The KNPR Desert Companion Feasting on Wheels Lounge will help diners be more comfortable while providing “Poets on Pedestals” performing on the hour, as well as the At Your Service beer and wine tent. An array of vendors, a large selection of books, community organizations, calligraphy demonstrations, fine writing pens, author book signings, and much more will be available.

The Young Adult Pavilion of the festival will feature more than 40 young adult authors at the Historic Fifth Street School Nov. 3. The young adult program generated a local “School Visits Project,” with 20 visiting authors signed up to make school visits that will reach more than 6,000 students. The young adult program concludes on Saturday evening with the literary-themed Steampunk Ball and reading event in the chapel of Bunkers Mortuary at 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

Adults will enjoy a talk by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan; a panel on brain health with nationally recognized author Dr. Gary Small; a true crime panel with Chris Baughman, Miles Corwin, Cathy Scott, Gregg Hurwitz and Cindi Reed; a workshop on book collecting; a conversation with acclaimed writers Dave Hickey, Katie Arnoldi and Maile Chapman; a workshop on self-publishing and e-books; and many other workshops, panels and exhibits that explore writing, editing, and the illustrated word. Everyone is invited to attend the evening Nevada Humanities Salon and reception from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Frank Wright Fountain Courtyard, followed by the festival closing event, Nevada Voices, at 6 p.m.

Five “Illustrated Word” art exhibits are showing in galleries and locations around the valley. See the details at http://vegasvalleybookfestival.org/illustrated-word/.

The Vegas Valley Book Festival is produced by the city of Las Vegas; Las Vegas-Clark County Library District; UNLV’s Black Mountain Institute; American Institute of Graphic Artists, Las Vegas chapter; Las Vegas Review-Journal; and Nevada Humanities, a festival founder. For more festival information, call (702) 229-5431 or go online to http://vegasvalleybookfestival.org.

A Story by Maile Chapman

My grandparents lived just east of the Strip, and the year I turned thirteen I stayed with them the whole summer. Supposedly there was a gym in their condo community, but it was closed, and by July the management had removed the soda and newspaper machines in the mailroom because they kept getting cracked open, but none of this registered as a downward spiral to me. The only amenity I cared about was the pool. I spent my days dipping in and out of that pretty turquoise rectangle and lying around in the chaise loungers, reading library books under the sun umbrellas. If that pool hadn’t been locked up every fall, from October through April, I would have lobbied to give my grandparents permanent custody of myself, since my own parents were too busy getting divorced to care where I was.

Whenever Nan and Dean went out at night they gave me two options: either I could stay locked in the condo with a list of neighbors’ phone numbers, the TV remote control, and a box of ice cream bars, or I could stay overnight with my local friend Kelly, who lived in their complex. But Kelly shared a bed with her older sister, Deirdre, and I could never fall asleep tucked between them.

For more information, click here.

An Essay by Kristen Peterson

We gassed up the car around midnight and headed home, or at least we thought we were heading home. An hour later, we were lost on a circuit of freeways, nobody in sight. I realized then that there was nothing creepier than being lost in the Midwest after midnight. Thank God for Las Vegas.

From the seventeenth-floor hotel room I can see all of the cars moving on the freeway. It’s four a.m. Across the country, in hamlets, hollows, prairie towns, beach cities, and bedroom communities, people have been sleeping. Not here. Not in Las Vegas, where middle-of-the-night casino employees work the floor or lunch in fluorescent-lit cafeterias while red-eyed tourists on the other side of the wall play slots, order drinks, stumble down hallways, howl at the moon, howl at the fact that it’s four in the morning and they’re still up. Things keep happening, people keep drinking, keep gambling. TVs are on, crowds are moving, there is no collective slumber, no dark sky to obey—the entire valley a chink in the circadian rhythm. The moon is out, but so are the night people. They bring babies in strollers to bowling alleys, meander casino floors, and shop for cauliflower, shampoo, frozen dinners, and potato chips at twenty-four-hour grocery stores.

For more information, click here.

GOVERNMENT CENTER ROTUNDA GALLERY

500 Grand Central Parkway

Sanchez and Siu’s narrative photographs of Las Vegas residents are presented in non-traditional, three-dimensional formats. Both artists’ works invite the viewer to engage with their images in unexpected ways. For more information: 702.455.703

Life was different in the Before: before vampires began devouring humans in a swarm across America; before the surviving young people were rounded up and quarantined. These days, we know what those quarantines are—holding pens where human blood is turned into more food for the undead monsters, known as Ticks. Surrounded by electrical fences, most kids try to survive the Farms by turning on each other…  And when trust is a thing of the past, escape is nearly impossible.

Get your copy HOT off the press on Saturday, November 3^rd at the Young Adult Readers Tent.

Join eight of the city’s best writers for a panel discussion of short stories and essays that cast a fresh eye on a place you only think you know. Authors Quentin R. Bufogle, Maile Chapman, Maxwell Drake, Lindsey Leavitt, Corey Levitan, Greg Blake Miller, Kristen Peterson, Lissa Townsend Rodgers, and editor Scott Dickensheets will talk about their work and experience creating this year’s project, Wish You Were Here. A book signing and reception follow the panel. For more information:

www.LasVegasWrites.com

Free and open to the public; www.lvccld.org or 702.507.3459

 2012 Vegas Valley Children’s Book Festival Performance Schedule

Main Stage And Storytelling Tent 

9:45 a.m. – Children’s Festival Main Stage – DJ Activities with DJ Tony 

Join DJ Tony at the book festival for a fun, interactive, and unpredictably good time that will make each and every one think about dancing, fitness, and using your imagination in a completely different way.

10 a.m. – Children’s Festival Main Stage – West Las Vegas Arts Center African Drum Ensemble 

This ensemble of young alumni of the West Las Vegas Performing and Visual Arts Summer Camp for Kids perform under the mentorship and with the support of the “Olabisi African Drum & Dance Troupe,” headed by founder and percussionist, Hasani Palacio.

10 a.m. – Storytelling Tent – “I Have a Friend Who” Michael Darby & Smile 

Michael Darby and Smile perform original anti-bullying educational songs for children using the “I Have a Friend Who…” book as a key ingredient to convey an anti-bullying message.

10:15 a.m. – Children’s Festival Main Stage – Sign Design Theatre 

The exciting performance of the young cast members of Sign Design Theatre combines American Sign Language with music and dance.

10:30 a.m. – Children’s Festival Main Stage – “Discover Chemistry – Everything Changes” presented by Lied Discovery Children’s Museum 

Discover how chemicals and elements behave as we explore amazing reactions with incredible liquids, mysterious powders and fascinating gases!

10:30 a.m. – Storytelling Tent – Randel McGee & Groark 

Join Randel McGee and his puppet Groark for a high-energy blend of stand-up comedy, witty banter, original songs, and hilarious storytelling that appeals to young and old alike.

-more-2012 Vegas Valley Children’s Book Festival Performance Schedule Page 2 of 3 City Council: MAYOR CAROLYN G. GOODMAN – MAYOR PRO TEM STAVROS S. ANTHONY LOIS TARKANIAN – STEVEN D. ROSS – RICKI Y. BARLOW – BOB COFFIN – BOB BEERS City Manager: ELIZABETH N. FRETWELL

11 a.m. – Children’s Festival Main Stage – Recess Monkey 

Striking a balance between goofy and cerebral, Recess Monkey calls on its audience to evolve along with them from the age of the (purple) dinosaur to a new era of growth and development. From their original hit “Math Vitamin” to class-inspired songs like “Messy Monday” and “Can You Build a Bridge” to the “rock-pop opera” music on “Wonderstuff,” Recess Monkey offers tunes about topics as far-ranging as putting on socks and dealing with frustration.

11 a.m. – Storytelling Tent – “Learn & Play” with Lisa Phelan, Henderson District Libraries 

Enjoy stories, songs, and fun activities with your child during this program. Parents discover how to use books, play, and daily activities to support those essential pre-literacy skills necessary for their children to become successful readers. Program limited to 15 families with children ages 6 months to 3 years.

11:40 a.m. – Storytelling Tent – “Rhythm This and Melody That,” Charlotte Blake Alston 

Rhythm has always been an essential element in African and African-American folk traditions, including storytelling. As earth dwellers, we interact with and are influenced by rhythm from the moment of our conception. Charlotte shares her cultural rhythmic influences and invites you to explore the application of rhythm, music and song in stories and storytelling performance.

11:40 a.m. – Children’s Festival Main Stage – Ballet Folklorico Xyachimal 

Dance along with this performance of traditional Mexican folk dances.

Noon – Children’s Festival Main Stage – Ronald McDonald®

The Ronald McDonald® Magic Show is a fun, spirited, and light-hearted show that is sure to entertain all ages. With the use of helpers from the audience, everyone joins in the fun.

12:10 p.m. – Storytelling Tent – Kevin Janison 

Sit back and listen to local weatherman, humanitarian and community leader Kevin Janison, as he reads about his beloved character Deputy Dorkface.

12:30 p.m. – Storytelling Tent – David Shannon 

David Shannon, internationally acclaimed creator of more than 30 picture books, reads aloud from his latest page-turning tale of a very big fish that has eluded capture longer than anyone can remember, “Jangles: A BIG Fish Story.” 

12:40 a.m. – Children’s Festival Main Stage – Councilman Bob Coffin 

12:50 p.m. – Storytelling Tent – Monica Brown 

Author Monica Brown shares stories from her award-winning bilingual books for children.

-more-2012 Vegas Valley Children’s Book Festival Performance Schedule Page 3 of 3 City Council: MAYOR CAROLYN G. GOODMAN – MAYOR PRO TEM STAVROS S. ANTHONY LOIS TARKANIAN – STEVEN D. ROSS – RICKI Y. BARLOW – BOB COFFIN – BOB BEERS City Manager: ELIZABETH N. FRETWELL

1 p.m. – Children’s Festival Main Stage – Randel McGee & Groark 

Join Randel McGee and his puppet Groark for a high-energy blend of stand-up comedy, witty banter, original songs, and hilarious storytelling that appeals to young and old alike.

1:10 p.m. – Storytelling Tent – Jon Agee 

Jon Agee, author and illustrator of a dozen highly acclaimed picture books, will entertain the audience with his hysterically funny stories and wordplay.

1:30 p.m. – Storytelling Tent – “My Mama Earth” 

An engaging presenter and storyteller, Susan Katz uses props and puppets to show students how to appreciate Mama Earth as well as their own Earthly mothers… all while demonstrating the process of publishing a book. Susan incorporates multimedia and music to bring “My Mama Earth” to life for the audience.

1:40 p.m. – Children’s Festival Main Stage – The Rainbow Company Youth Theatre presents “Excerpts from Tom Sawyer” 

Audiences will delight in traveling with Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn down the Mississippi in an unparalleled adventure! Boys and girls (and moms and dads) will revel in this charming journey into the world of Mark Twain’s classic.

2 p.m. – Children’s Festival Main Stage – Recess Monkey 

Striking a balance between goofy and cerebral, Recess Monkey calls on its audience to evolve along with them from the age of the (purple) dinosaur to a new era of growth and development. From their original hit “Math Vitamin” to class-inspired songs like “Messy Monday” and “Can You Build a Bridge” to the “rock-pop opera” music on “Wonderstuff,” Recess Monkey offers tunes about topics as far-ranging as putting on socks and dealing with frustration.

2 p.m. – Storytelling Tent – “The Light Princess,” told by Karla Huntsman 

Whimsy, humor, adventure, and suspense are replete in this oral telling of George Macdonald’s “The Light Princess.” For boys as well as girls, adults as well as children, this tale is described as an “essential classic” of folktale literature.

2:30 p.m. – Storytelling Tent – “Learn & Play,” Lisa Phelan, Henderson District Libraries 

Enjoy stories, songs, and fun activities with your child during this program. Parents discover how to use books, play, and daily activities to support those essential pre-literacy skills necessary for their children to become successful readers. Program limited to 15 families with children ages 6 months to 3 years.

2:40 p.m. – Children’s Festival Main Stage – Hollywood Kids Academy for the Performing Arts 

Ovation, an audition-only performing group for young people ages 14-19, entertains audiences with their musical theatre review show. # # #