Lit Fest celebrates the literary community and giving back
By Brooke Appe
As the Wisconsin Film Festival comes to an end and Revelry Music and Arts Festival is just around the corner, it’s hard to think that Madison could fit any more into this festival-packed season. Yet there is one more festival to mark on your calendars: the Wisconsin Union Directorate Publications Committee’s (PubCom) Lit Fest, which is a four-day celebration of the written word.
Benjamin Mee was last year’s headlining author of We Bought a Zoo. Photo courtesy of David Michaels.
The Lit Fest tradition began just two years ago, and since then has held a special place in promoting philanthropy, literature and community in Madison. From reading with Madison’s elementary-aged children to celebrating the campus’s best student writers with an awards ceremony, PubCom has striven to share what literacy means to them.
“The festival is really an embodiment of PubCom’s goal: to celebrate and promote literacy. Each year has had a theme that has taken a different approach to that goal,” said PubCom Director Heather Heggemeier. “This year, we hope to teach people that reading and writing are creative outlets for everyone, not just English majors or professional authors. You might study science or play sports, but the written word can be a fulfilling way to pursue your passion.”
When one first reads the title, “Lit Fest,” he or she probably thinks exclusively of literature and prose. But Lit Fest spans across a variety of writing, hosting events that cater to different interests. This diversity is especially apparent in the brown bag lunch events, which are casual discussions aimed at specific fields in writing. The screenwriting event will feature Jack Amiel, screenwriter of Hollywood films like Raising Helen and The Prince and Me, and discuss the tricks of the Hollywood trade.
“The brown bag events are more low key and will have a relaxed atmosphere. We try to get people that are professionals in the area to transfer that knowledge to those in attendance,” said Heather.
Like any festival, there are headliners at Lit Fest – usually authors who have recently made a wave in the literary community. This year’s headliners are particularly pertinent to Madison and recent events: Jacob Stein and Patrick Morley, the authors of More than They Bargained For: Scott Walker, Unions, and the Fight for Wisconsin. They write for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and covered the union protests and the political dialogue that struck the Madison community so fervently in 2010. The authors will discuss writing in a politically-charged atmosphere, such as the one created at the Capitol that historic spring.
In addition to celebrating those who have wisdom to share about their respective fields, PubCom also wants to celebrate the passionate authors that made this campus a cove for literary exploration. The Lit Fest Carnival and Slam Poetry and Art Night will showcase student talent.
“The Carnival will be a chance to have everyone’s publication there and showcase what we’ve accomplished and have a good time,” said Heather. “Some won’t be printed just yet, but we’ll have last year’s publications there. We will have some preview freebees as well.”
Similar to the ever-popular Yule Ball event that casts a spell over Harry Potter enthusiasts, Lit Fest will hold a Gatsby Gala event at the Overture center to celebrate not only one of American literature’s most emblematic works of fiction, but also the release of the film version. The event will be modeled after the extravagant parties featured so prominently in the novel and The Roaring Twenties in general, complete with the lavish fashion, rip-roaring jazz music and dancing.
A graphic novel panel from last year’s Lit Fest. Photo courtesy of David Michaels.
“We are having a competition to see who can dress the mannequins best. Individuals can enter clothing that they’ve made or that they’ve found at thrift shops. We’re hoping to have live jazz music, too. We’ll also blow up pages out of the book that shows key passages and have them placed around the room,” said Heather.
The event will also have a book drop-off where students can donate used books to children, which isn’t the only philanthropic event to take place at during Lit Fest. There will also be the Badger Book Buddies event, in which participants will go to Orchard Ridge Elementary School to spawn the love for reading in possible future lit-festers.
“I loved Badger Book Buddies last year. Being around the little kids was good for the soul,” said Heather. “It’s so nice to know that you’re doing something good.”Lit Fest as a whole is certainly something good, and a way to keep in tact Madison’s love for all things literary – charity, festivities and a love for the written word will enervate this new tradition for years to come.
The Lit Fest Schedule is as follows:
Lit Fest Badger Book Buddies: Tuesday, April 23 at 12 P.M.
More Than They Bargained For: Political Writing with Jason Stein and Patrick Marley: Tuesday, April 23 at 7 P.M in Great Hall, Memorial Union
Lit Fest Screenwriting Brown Bag with Featured Guest Jack Amiel: Wednesday, April 24 at 11 A.M. in Union South, TITU
Lit Fest Student Writer Awards Ceremony: Wednesday, April 24 at 7 P.M. in Helen C. White, room 6195.
Harry Potter Marathon Book Reading: Wednesday, April 24 at 8:30 P.M. in Memorial Union, TITU.
Sports Writing Brown Bag with featured guests: Thursday, April 25 at 11:30 A.M. in Union South, TITU.
UW Flash Fiction presents Slam Poetry and Art Night: Thursday, April 25 at 6 P.M. in Union South, TITU.
Lit Fest Carnival: Friday, April 26 at 3 P.M. on the Memorial Union Terrace.
Moda Magazine presents the Gatsby Gala: Saturday, April 27 at 8:30 P.M. in the Overture Center.
