DFW Literary SoulFEST to take place September 24-27

The festival highlights include author meet & greet and a slumber party hosted by New York Times bestselling author Mary B. Morrison.

September is National Literacy Month. To celebrate National Literacy Month, Literary Arts Connection of Texas (L.A.C.) in collaboration with The Dock Bookshop will host the DFW Literary SoulFEST Sept. 24-27, 2009.

The goal of this event is to advocate, promote, and celebrate the literary arts and literacy and bring community awareness to issues concerning our youth, health, environment, and economy as well as support the mission of L.A.C. The mission of Literary Arts Connection is to support literacy initiatives, promote reading and writing and inspire community action that will connect people, improve lives and help protect our environment. Through the DFW Literary SoulFEST, L.A.C. will continue to support Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison in promoting the significance of literacy in Texas with the "Reading is BIG In Texas" campaign.

The festival highlights include: kick-off events September 24 and 25 -- Men in the Middle by Southern Christian Leadership Conference Tarrant County Chapter; author meet & greet; and a slumber party hosted by New York Times bestselling author Mary B. Morrison at the Dock Bookshop; literary parade starting at Ella Mae Shamblee Library located in the historic district of Fort Worth; and other festivities, including an author showcase, business expo, guest speakers, live entertainment, workshops and seminars, green initiatives, storytelling, kidzone, food and more. It takes place on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Fort Worth Event Center.

The literary world is so broad that this four day event will attract a wide array of authors, publishers, writers, artists, book clubs, avid readers, scholars, families, students, churches, and businesses. Proceeds from this event will benefit the International Book Project in Cameroon and Ghana as well as community-based literacy projects.

Participating local, regional and national authors from diverse genres include Dr. Monica Anderson, Reshonda Tate Billingsley, Anna Black, Anthony Maurice Brown, Cheryl Lacey Donovan, B. Echols, Attorney Bobbie Edmonds, Lorraine Elzia, Terreni Griffin, Kariem Abdul Haqq, Dr. Stan Harris, Pastor Renee Hornbuckle, Dr Steven Hymon, Junichi Lockett Jr, Joyce McCoo, Gretta Moore, Stephanie Morris, Mary B. Morrison, Tameka Newhouse, Francis Ray, Maurice Skillern, Natia Steans, Pat Simmons, Gerald Walker, Lisa Watson, and Don Willis.

Special performances are by Rochelle Rabouin, Irungu and African drummers, Bold Voice Ministries, Dezyne, Tabitha Roy, Choz'n, Griot/Storyteller Melody Afi Bell, Comedian Thomas Holmes, National Performance Poets, and a host of other artists and musicians.

Source: Literary Arts Connection