Celebrate the Power of the Written Word
By George Tsz-Kwan Lam
Artwork by Chris Lanier.
When I began my new role as assistant director at Nevada Humanities earlier this year, I was especially looking forward to planning the Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl. From my conversations with colleagues and friends, I understood that there was immense support for this beloved event to return to Reno. As I began inviting authors, artists, and community members, I learned first-hand just how much the Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl means to the communities in northern Nevada. As my inaugural contribution to the Double Down Blog, I am thrilled to share with you a few highlights in this year’s lineup:
Writing Through the Lens of Disability
Reno writer and artist Brandy Burgess will lead a discussion with LGBTQ+ civil rights advocate and storyteller Bri Schmidt and University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) faculty member Elisabeth Miller on the ways in which disability and accessibility shapes the written word for both the writer and the reader. Burgess leads this session as a Community Curator for this year’s Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl.
“What’s Your Story?”: Storytelling Workshop and Open Mic
Las Vegas-based storyteller and performer Dayvid Figler will host two sessions focused on storytelling. First, Figler will lead an interactive workshop that helps participants reflect on their lived experiences and craft them into engaging stories. For those who are inspired to share their stories with our community, Figler will also lead a storytelling open mic event later in the afternoon.
Poets Do Hope in Desperate Times
Reno poet and UNR faculty member Joanne Mallari will return as another Community Curator to lead a discussion with Nevada poets Courtney Cliften and Melanie Perish on the myriad ways in which poetry can sustain us through challenging times. In addition to the conversation, Mallari, Cliften, and Perish will invite the audience to co-create writing prompts that will spark poetic inspiration in all of us.
And finally, this year’s Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl will continue to feature family-friendly interactive activities that will delight readers of all ages. Throughout the afternoon, we invite participants to join artist Meghan Pohlud and UNR’s Black Rock Press to pull one-of-a-kind prints that feature original artwork created for this year’s event. As you chart your literary adventure through and around the California Avenue corridor, collect clues to complete the story in a special scavenger hunt designed by Reno interactive storytelling author Ashley Warren.
Please join us on Saturday, October 12, 2024, from 11 am to 7 pm in downtown Reno as we once again gather to celebrate the power of the written word in all of its forms. I can’t wait to meet you at this year’s Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl!
2022 Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl photos by Cesar Lopez (left) and Cheyanne Treadway-Thomas (remaining photos).
George Tsz-Kwan Lam is the assistant director of Nevada Humanities. In addition to his role with the organization, George is also a composer who has recently worked with the Atlanta Opera and the Avaloch Farm Music Institute on new projects. George has served on the music faculty at the City University of New York and Hong Kong Baptist University.
Double Down blogger photo by Noah Amir Arjomand.