LitFest in the Dena, an annual free event that brings together lovers of the written word from Pasadena, Altadena, and greater Los Angeles communities for focused literary and social conversations, is on this weekend both Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7.
The chock-full-of-activities festival will be held at Mountain View Mausoleum at 2300 N. Marengo Ave, Altadena and will run from 12:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
This year’s LitFest revolves around the theme “Books that Make a Difference.” It will feature panel discussions, readings, author guest talks, workshops, and literary performances.
“The written word is really important for many reasons. It can affect you personally, reading a book. It can just ease your day after a lot of stress. It can educate you, help your career, help your relationships. There’s so many reasons why words and books make a difference,” Kat Ward, event Manager for Light Bringer Project, which produces LitFest, said.
“It could be from the small book that my daughter remembers that I read to her, that book made a difference when she was three years old. It could be a book that could change the world or influence your community,” she added.
At LitFest, diversity is emphasized. The panel discussions on various topics including social justice, social issues and many others, aim to keep participants engaged, said Ward.
Panel discussion topics include “Kindred,” which discusses Octavia Butler’s book; “Writing our Own History,” focusing on first-generation writers; “Writing from our Immigrant Hearts,” featuring authors from different countries who have moved to the United States; and “Shaking Hands,” which explores ways for people of color and white people to bridge the gap between their communities.
Also included are “Requited Love,” where authors will discuss what makes a great romance story and “Writing Trauma,” which is a discussion on how to write about a traumatic situation.
The final event features a talk by critically acclaimed author Nina Rir, who is very active in the community and writes about various aspects of urban life.
There will be a total of 40 panel discussions. For more details about panel discussions, readings and other literary events over the two-day event, click: Go to Program/Schedule.
According to Ward, LitFest will also highlight local independent presses and independent bookstores.
To support participating local authors, who will not be compensated,
LitFest will offer author pages, website links, and on-site book sales facilitated by Flintridge Bookstore.
The festival also features author signing tables, allowing attendees to connect with their favorite writers.
LitFest was established in 2012 by novelist Jervey Tervalon and the late food critic Jonathan Gold who had wanted a book festival that would reflect diversity in the community, said Ward.
Last year, LitFest was held for three weeks but for this year, organizers agreed to bring it back to one weekend.
According to Ward, attendance for the event has been growing every year since its founding.
To know more, visit: https://litfestpasadena.org/
Sponsoring Pasadena-based arts and education nonprofit Light Bringer Project, founded in 1990, works to builds community through the power of art and education.
Aside from the Light Bringer Project, Locavore Lit LA is also among the organizations behind LitFest.
Locavore Lit LA, founded by Tervalon, is the only literary journal bringing writers and artists into LAUSD classrooms to nurture a new generation of creatives.
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