If you weren’t able to attend this year’s Midwest Literary Walk, or you’ve been anxious to relive a few of your favorite moments, check out the videos from the 4th Annual Midwest Literary Walk. Seventeen videos from throughout the day, featuring Jeff Kass, Jerry Dennis, David MacGregor, Robert Jones, ML Liebler and more are available to view right here on our site, Videos –> 2012 Videos.
Below is one of my favorite moments from the day, Thomas Lux reading his poem “Outline for my Memoir.”
Robert Jones and ML Liebler lead the crowd from the opening event at River Gallery to the Chelsea Center for the Arts at the 4th annual Midwest Literary Walk.
Thanks to all who attended the 4th Annual Midwest Literary Walk on Saturday, April 21st! Our readers were phenomenal, our audience passionate, and our Open Mic inspirational - in short, it was a fantastic event. Thanks to all those who attended, special thanks to those who took the floor at Open Mic, gratitude to the writers whose words and performances made the day magical and eternal appreciation to those who made the day possible: Chelsea District Library, River Gallery, Chelsea Center for the Arts, and the Chelsea Writers’ Workshop, Purple Rose Theatre and Nicola’s Books. Thanks all around.
Reporter Sean Dalton from the Chelsea Standard joined us for the 12 pm event featuring ML Liebler, Robert Jones and David MacGregor at the Chelsea Center for the Arts. His article, complete with video, appeared the following Thursday and can be accessed here.
Here is an excerpt from Sean’s excellent article:
This year Chelsea’s fourth annual literary walk didn’t just elevate the written word and its power in the eyes of the public, it shined a light on some different mediums that writers use to deliver their messages.
At high noon, the duo of ML Liebler and Robert Jones burst through the door of the Chelsea Center for the Arts, guitar strumming, hands clapping and lyrics flying to a surprised and delighted group of nearly 80 attendees, who sat in awe as the pair stepped onto the stage like musical conquerors.
Liebler was the event emcee and an internationally-renowned Detroit poet and author. Jones is an American roots and African-American musical force of nature who has been blending poetry and music for two decades.
Earlier in the day, nature author Jerry Dennis and creative writing master Jeff Kass – a teacher at Pioneer High School and Eastern Michigan University, as well as literary arts director at The Neutral Zone – were at River Gallery.
And afterward, authors Lolita Hernandez, Onna Solomon and Thomas Lux were at the Chelsea District Library and River Gallery.
“Chelsea is an ideal town for this,” Lielber said after his session was over, adding that the short walking distance between points of interest like CCA, the library, River Gallery and other event partners made the “walk” in literary walk a no-brainer.
He felt that this year’s lineup was in line with the event goal of bringing noteworthy regional and national authors to Lit Walk.
Read the article in its entirety here and please plan to join us for year 5 in April 2013!
Poet Thomas Lux, who has received grants and fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, Mellon Foundation and National Endowment for the Arts, will read from his latest work at the 4th Annual Midwest Literary Walk on Saturday, April 21. The public is invited to enjoy sequential readings by Lux and other, internationally known poets and authors at venues in downtown Chelsea, from 11 am to 5 pm.
Also reading at the event are Jerry Dennis, one of America’s most celebrated writers about nature and the Great Lakes; David MacGregor, playwright and resident artist at the Purple Rose Theatre; Rev. Robert Jones, champion of American Roots Music; Lolita Hernandez, industrial Detroit poet; Jeff Kass, performance poet and director of Literary Arts at Ann Arbor’s Neutral Zone, and Onna Solomon, Ann Arbor poet focusing on families.
Award-winning Detroit poet, educator and arts activist ML Liebler will emcee the event for the fourth year. One of the Literary Walk’s founders, Liebler will team up with Rev. Jones to present a unique blend of music and poetry during one of the readings.
Local poets and authors will again have the opportunity to read their own work at the Community Open Mic. Readers are limited to three minutes and can sign up the day of the event.
The Midwest Literary Walk is a joint venture between Chelsea Center for the Arts, River Gallery, Chelsea Writers’ Workshop and Chelsea District Library, with support from Nicola’s Books. The featured authors’ books, provided by Nicola’s, will be available for purchase at the River Gallery throughout the day.
This year, Main St. area restaurants and some stores will offer special discounts to visitors presenting Literary Walk programs during and after the event.
More videos of the 2011 Midwest Literary Walk can be found here under Videos.
