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2008 - 2009 Young Literati's 2nd Annual Toast Save the Date: Thursday, October 23, 2008 Join Young Literati for a hip cocktail party amidst the work of artist Robbie Conal at Track 16 Gallery in Bergamot Station. Tickets are $150 per person, $100 for current Young Literati Members. Past Events 2007 - 2008
With actor and author Evan Handler (Sex and the City, Californication) On Thursday, August 7 2008, Young Literati kicked off its 2008-2009 year with a party at the beach. Guests grabbed a picnic table in the sand at this small, private beach house in Santa Monica and listened to Evan Handler read from his hilarious memoir It's Only Temporary: The Good News and the Bad News of Being Alive. As an actor, Handler played Harry Goldenblatt in the TV series and film Sex and the City, and he's currently in Showtime's hit Californication. As an author, he has completed his second memoir which manages to be uproariously funny yet poignant and moving at the same time. He's recently been featured in publications such as People Magazine, Maxim, LA Times, and O, the Oprah Magazine.
A Discussion with David St. John and Elena Karina Byrne On Thursday, April 3 2008, Young Literati celebrated National Poetry Month by welcoming the award-winning poet, National Book Award Finalist and USC Professor David St. John in a discussion about writing poetry with Pushcart nominee Elena Karina Byrne. Elena, who is the Literary Programs Director for The Ruskin Art Club and MOCA's Night Vision programs, as well as the poetry moderator for the Los Angeles Times Book Festival, read from her new work, Masque. Poet and critic Amy Newlove Schroeder, who is the founding editor of POOL and editor of Slope, moderated the discussion.
Screening and Panel Discussion On Thursday, January 31, 2008, Young Literati and UCLA's Institute of the Environment co-presented a reception and screening of the environmental documentary, The 11th Hour for close to four hundred guests . This documentary from well known activist and actor Leonardo DiCaprio examines the state of the global environment with renewed energy in the wake of recent natural disasters. Included are interviews with over 50 leading scientists, thinkers and leaders who discuss their visionary and practical solutions for restoring the planet's beleaguered ecosystems. Discussion participants included co-directors Nadia Conners and Leila Conners Petersen and Wallace J. Nichols, Sr. Scientist at The Ocean Conservancy. The event was moderated by Matt Petersen, President of Global Green USA.
with Hysterica Dance Company On Tuesday, November 27, 2007, Young Literati welcomed the award-winning Hysterica Dance Company to perform in the historic Lodwrick M. Cook Rotunda amidst the murals of Dean Cornwell. Following a performance of three of the company's pieces, Hysterica's Artistic Director, Kitty McNamee, and eight of the company's dancers participated in a discussion about the art of choreography and how movement can be used to convey story, characters, and relationships. Victoria Looseleaf, journalist and dance critic for numerous publications including the Los Angeles Times, moderated the discussion. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in the Annenberg Gallery where a collection of vintage film posters from the library's archives were on display.
On June 3, 2007, Young Literati presented the Junipero Serra branch library with new computers and hosted a discussion with Denise Hamilton, contributing author and editor of the Los Angeles Noir anthology, which is a collection of suspenseful noir tales that take place in various neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles. Hamilton selected numerous LA-based authors to pen the stories, including author Jim Pascoe, who joined Hamilton for a fascinating conversation that centered on the elements that make Los Angeles ripe for noir. Jan Perry, Councilwoman of the 9th District, appeared at the event to say a special 'thank you' to Young Literati members for improving the community over which she resides by contributing the new computers to the branch, which serves over 40,000 individuals.
On February 21, 2007, Young Literati hosted a screening of the documentary Shut Up & Sing directed by Cecilia Peck and Barbara Kopple at the downtown Central Library. The film travels with the Dixie Chicks, from the peak of their popularity as the national-anthem-singing darlings of country music, through the now infamous political comment made by the group's lead singer Natalie Maines in 2003. In a panel discussion following the film, Cecilia Peck and Barbara Kopple were joined by surprise guest Natalie Maines. Margot Dougherty, Senior Editor of Los Angeles Magazine, moderated the discussion.
On October 19, 2006, Young Literati came together to be inspired by the work of Lou Dantzler, which is chronicled in the book A Place to Go, A Place to Grow: Simple Things That Make a Difference for At-Risk Kids. In conversation at the event was filmmaker and former Challenger's member John Singleton; current President of Challenger's Corey Dantzler; KCAL's Anchorman Dave Clark, and co-writer Kathleen Felesina. The book chronicles the life of Lou Dantzler and his perserverance in creating an organization that has bettered the lives of over 300,000 children in Los Angeles.
On August 3, 2006, Craig Ferguson, host of CBS's The Late Late Show, joined Young Literati at the Beach Club to discuss his debut novel Between the Bridge and the River. Members of The Council of the Library Foundation joined Young Literati members for evening cocktails on the beach and a program with funny man Craig Ferguson
On June 2, 2006, poet and novelist Chris Abani, whose most recent work was the coming-of-age novella Becoming Abigail, had a spirited conversation with National Book Award Finalist Sarah Shun-lien Bynum, whose debut novel, Madeleine Is Sleeping, was recently released. The conversation was moderated by journalist and author Ben Ehrenreich, whose novel The Suitors, was released in 2006. Young Literati presented LAPL's Felipe de Neve Branch Library, which serves one of the densest populations in Los Angeles, with a gift of 10 new computers.
On April 6, 2006, Academy Award Nominated Filmmaker Jessica Sanders joined Young Literati at the downtown Central Library for cocktails and a screening of her Award-Winning Documentary film, After Innocence. The film follows the lives of individuals who served years in jail before they were finally proven innocent by DNA evidence. Sanders was joined by Gloria Killian and Harold Hall, who each shared their own personal struggle of serving time for years until being exonerated after overwhelming proof of their innocence came to light. A representative from the Innocence Project was also on hand to answer questions.
In December of 2005, left-leaning author and commentator Susan Estrich, who recently penned The Case for Hilary Clinton,, joined TV writer/producer and NPR Republican commentator Rob Long for a lively discussion and Q & A about politics and what draws them to it. The conversation took place at LAPL's Westwood Branch Library and was moderated by political scientist, and Young Literati Member, John Brady.
In June of 2005, the Young Literati invited Aimee Bender, author of The Girl in the Flammable Skirt, to join the group for cocktails at the downtown Central Library. Aimee spoke about her latest work, entitled Willful Creatures, her writing process and her memories and experiences of public libraries. Video artist Robert Drummond created a stunning backdrop for the evening with his work. |
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