Is There Such a Thing as a Brooklyn Aesthetic?

If Brooklyn had a voice, what would it sound like? Is their such a thing as a Brooklyn aesthetic, albeit a literary one? Brooklyn Borough Preisdent Marty Markowitz asserts so with his first annual Brooklyn Book Festival Which will be highlighting a series of luminaries and unknowns who have a distinctly "Brookyn" voice tomorrow. I wouldn't know about Brooklyn, I'm a Manhattan dweller myself but read this article from the New York Times meanwhile and assert your own thoughts.

In the meantime, I am posting the information for it and schedule below. Hope to see many of you in New York there!

DIRECTIONS to BROOKLYN BOROUGH HALL

Subway:
2,3,4,5 to Borough Hall; A, C, F to Jay Street/Borough Hall; R to Court Street

By Car:
From Manhattan: Take the Brooklyn Bridge leading into Adams Street. Stay straight on Adams Street for about 1/4 mile. Turn right on Joralemon Street. Brooklyn Borough Hall is on your right.

From Staten Island: Take the Verrazano Bridge. Take exit for 278W. Take Atlantic Avenue exit. Bear right on Atlantic Avenue. Take a left onto Boerum Place. Take a left onto Joralemon Street. Brooklyn Borough Hall is on your right.

Metered parking and parking garages are available in the Downtown Brooklyn area.

Authors, programs, and times subject to change.
Readings will differ from books listed.

BROOKLYN BOROUGH HALL COURTROOM

11 a.m. – 12:00p.m.
Under One Brooklyn Roof: Carson McCullers, Gypsy Rose Lee, and W. H. Auden. Actors from Troupe Theater Company and author Sherill Tippins (February House) read from the work of authors who lived at the famed Middagh Street house in Brooklyn Heights.


12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
The Streets Are Talking. Jonathan Lethem (Fortress of Solitude), Emily Barton (Brookland), and Paula Fox (Desperate Characters) discuss the relationship between their writing and Brooklyn and read from their work set on the borough’s streets. Q & A. Introduced by Jay Kaplan, Brooklyn Public Library.

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
The Soul of a Bestseller. Nationally best-selling authors Pete Hamill (The Gift), Colson Whitehead (The Intuitionist), and Jennifer Egan (The Keep) talk about a major literary figure who inspired their writing, then read passages from their work that reflect this inspiration. Q&A. Introduced by Johnny Temple, Akashic Books.

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
City on the Edge. Readings by groundbreaking New York writers whose work reflects the quirky and unpredictable spirit of the city: Gary Shteyngart (Absurdistan), Jonathan Ames (I Pass Like Night), and Ben Greenman (Superworse). Q&A. Introduced by Charlotte Abbott (Publishers Weekly).

3:00–4:00 p.m.
Under Siege: The U.S. Constitution and American Democracy. Political dialogue and discussion. With Katha Pollitt (Virginity or Death) Patricia J. Williams (Open House) and US Representative Elizabeth Holtzman. Moderated by Laura Flanders, Air America. Organized by The Nation magazine. Q & A.


4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Of Chaos and Fiction. In an era of war and global political trauma, how do writers maintain their artistic equilibrium and stay focused on their craft? Does reality intrude? A panel discussion with Nicole Krauss (The History of Love), Jhumpa Lahiri (Namesake), Jaime Manrique (Our Lives are the Rivers), and Elizabeth Nunez (Bruised Hibiscus). Moderated by WNYC’s Leonard Lopate.

5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
History Matters. New York City’s most insightful and adventurous literary historians discuss their work. Q&A. Phillip Lopate (Getting Personal), Edmund White (The Flaneur), Rich Cohen (Sweet and Low), Leonard Benardo and Jennifer Weiss (Brooklyn by Name).

MAIN STAGE (BOROUGH HALL PLAZA)

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Truth from Youth. New York City’s top teen poets from UrbanWord NYC, a free literary arts organization for youth, will inspire audiences of all ages in a program filled with poetry, spoken word, and hip-hop. Champions from the Annual UrbanWord NYC Teen Poetry slam will perform solo and group poems. Hosted by UrbanWord director Michael Cirelli.

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
21st Century Poets: Rising Stars. Readings by four of the most promising poets of 2006: Willie Perdomo, Asha Bandele, Roger Bonair-Agard, and Rigoberto Gonzalez. Program introduced by Rob Casper of the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP).

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Straight Outta Brooklyn. Can fiction writers rock the mic? You bet. Dramatic readings by Rick Moody (Demonology), Colin Channer (Waiting in Vain), Carl Hancock Rux (Asphalt), and Wesley Stace (Misfortune). Introduced by Danny Simmons, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation.

1:00–2:00 p.m.
Power of the Word. Four acclaimed poets read their work and reveal the visceral power of the written word: Kimiko Hahn, Eileen Myles, Yusef Komunyakaa and Pulitzer-prize winning author, Phil Levine. Program introduced by Lynne Procope, founder of Louder Arts.

2:00–3:00 p.m.
New World Noir. Gritty suspense provided by mystery titan Lawrence Block, Brooklyn Noir editor Tim McLoughlin (Heart of the Old Country), and author Glenville Lovell (Too Beautiful to Die). Introduced by Rob Spillman, editor, Tin House.

3:00–4:00 p.m.
Only the Dead Know Brooklyn. Actors Ashlie Atkinson, Hazelle Goodman and Roger Guenveur Smith and members of the Troupe Theatre Company celebrate Brooklyn’s literary legacy with readings from poets, novelists and pulp fiction masters including Walt Whitman, June Jordan, W.H. Auden, Richard Wright, Truman Capote, Stanley Ellison and Mickey Spillane. Introduced by Suzanne Youngerman, BAM.

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Books to Film. A panel discussion exploring the process by which a book is turned into a major motion picture. Miguel Arteta (director, Chuck and Buck, Six Feet Under), essayist and film writer Phillip Lopate (American Movie Critics: An Anthology from the Silents Until Now) and Kaylie Jones (A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries).

5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Secrets of the Street. Readings from the winners of the Brooklyn Secrets of the Street Lit Match, a writing contest for students ages 14 – 19. Hosted by Jeanine Ramirez, NY 1, with a special reading by Ken Siegelman, Brooklyn Poet Laureate.

BROOKLYN BOROUGH HALL COMMUNITY ROOM

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Heart and Soul and…: Fiction writers Yona Zeldis McDonough (Dahlia’s Wake) and Erica Simone Turnipseed (Hunger) read from their fiction tackling issues of loss and hope. Introduced by Marcela Landres, Latinidad.

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Superborough: Brooklyn’s Indelible Stamp on Comic Book History. A panel of five creators, publishers and critics discuss the borough’s crucial role in the past, present, and future of comic books. Panelists include Simcha Weinstein (Up, Up and Oy Vey!), Matt Madden (A Fine Mess), Chris Claremont (The Uncanny X-Men), and Floyd Hughes (Marvel Comics Presents). Moderated by Calvin Reid, co-editor, Publishers Weekly Comics.

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Concrete Dreams: Tales from the World Beneath the World. Stylized urban fiction read by Kenji Jasper(Dark) and Sofia Quintero (Explicit Content), accompanied by dramatization and recorded music and poetry performance. Introduced by Andrea Clarke.

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Notes from Underground. While the literary establishment laments the alleged dwindling of the reading public, Brooklyn’s literary magazines and independent publishers are flourishing. A panel discussion highlighting these home-grown visionaries. Featuring Sina Najafie (Cabinet magazine), Ted Hamm (Brooklyn Rail), and Betsy Sussler (Bomb magazine). Moderated by Eric Demby, Brooklyn Borough President’s Office.

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Historical Fiction for the New Millennium. Groundbreaking historical fiction by two revered Brooklyn-based authors: Myla Goldberg (Wickett’s Remedy), and Nelly Rosario (Song of the Water Saints). Q & A.

OUTDOOR NONFICTION STAGE

11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
The Flora of 718. Brooklyn Botanic Garden author, Steven Clemants, will discuss local wildflowers and gardening in the city. Introduced by Kate Travers, Sobol Awards.

11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Gleason’s Gym Presents: Million-Dollar Ladies. Boxing demonstration and book signing of Gleason's Gym Total Body Boxing Workout for Women. Introduced by Kate Travers, Sobol Awards.

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Brooklyn Cooks, the World Eats. A discussion/presentation by notable Brooklyn chef-authors. Panelists include Lyn Stallworth (The Brooklyn Cookbook), Ed Levine (Pizza: A Slice of Heaven: the Ultimate Pizza Guide and Companion), host and author Daisy Martinez (Daisy Cooks) and chef Alan Harding. Moderated by Gersh Kuntzman (The Brooklyn Papers).

1:00–1:30 p.m.
Brooklyn Philharmonic. Maurice Edwards will read from his recent book on the history of the Brooklyn Philharmonic, “How Music Grew in Brooklyn.” Philharmonic musicians will perform.

1:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Dirty Secrets: A Literary Investigation of Rats & Garbage. Featuring readings/presentations by Robert Sullivan (Rats: Observations on the History and Habitat of the City's Most Unwanted Inhabitants) and Elizabeth Royte (Garbageland). Introduced by author Sean Wilsey.

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Brooklyn Brews, the World Drinks. Brooklyn Brewery founder Steve Hindy (Beer School: Bottling Success at the Brooklyn Brewery), discusses the rise of one of America’s most celebrated beer institutions. Joined by brewmaster Garrett Oliver (The Brewmaster’s Table: Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer with Real Food).

3:00–3:30 p.m.
A State of Mind. Aaron Naparstek reads from his book Honku: Zen and the Art of Road Rage.Michael Robbins reads from Brooklyn: A State of Mind.

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION YOUTH PAVILLION

1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Intrepid Girls
Readings by Holly Black (The Spiderwick Chronicles) and Kirsten Miller (Kiki Strike). Introduced by Patricia Mulcahy, Brooklyn-based writer/editor and owner of Tillie’s in Fort Greene.

1:30 – 2:00 p.m.
It’s the Brooklyn Book Festival, Charlie Brown: Cartooning Today
Patrick McDonnell (creator of Mutts) and Mo Willems (Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus) talk about the art of cartooning and the adventures of their characters. Introduced by Calvin Reid, co-editor, Publishers Weekly Comics.

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
The World Beyond: Award Winning Sci-Fi and Fantasy for Teens. Readings by four of the most accomplished youth adult authors of 2006: Scott Westerfeld (The Last Days, Peeps), Justine Larbalestier (Magic Lessons), David Klass (Firestorm) and Maureen Johnson (Devilish). Q&A. Introduced by Patricia Mulcahy.

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Sass and the City: Hip Fiction for Teenage Girls. Acclaimed young adult authors Ann Brashares (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), Aimee Friedman (South Beach), and Libba Bray (A Great and Terrible Beauty) read from their work. Q&A. Introduced by author Daniel Ehrenhaft.




THE TARGET CHILDREN'S PAVILLION

10:00 a.m. – Andrea Fixell and Ted Stafford, Baby Signing, How to Talk with Your baby in American Sign Language

11:00 a.m. David and Mutiya Vision, My Very Breast Friend

12:00 p.m. Mo Willems, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

1:00 p.m. Devon Harris, Cool Runnings; Phil Bildner, The Shot Heard ‘round the World

2:00 p.m. Kevin Lewis, Dinosaur, Dinosaur

3:00 p.m. Valorie Fisher, How High Can a Dinosaur Count? and other math mysteries

4:00 p.m. Barbara Ensor, Cinderella (As if You Didn’t Already Know the Story)

5:00 p.m. Betsy Lewin, Duck for President, Ted Lewin, Lost City

megrim -- noun:1. A migraine 2. A fancy; a whim 3. In the plural: lowness of spirits -- often with 'the'

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--- Amy Tan