Altadena’s Mountain View Mausoleum sets the backdrop for LitFest in Dena 2024, a weekend of vibrant discussions and diverse voices in literature on Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5, that promises to enrich readers and writers alike.
The literary festival, free-of-charge to the public, will host a rich tapestry of authors from varied backgrounds and genres. With the theme “Books that Made the Neighborhood,” LitFest in the Dena 2024 delves into the profound influence of local landscapes, both real and fictional, on shaping identities and perceptions. Attendees can expect to immerse themselves in an array of literary activities, including panel discussions, workshops, readings, and more.
Program highlights for 2024 include “Another Southland: BIPOC writers and Their L.A. Stories,” featuring writers Daniel Olivas, Naomi Hirahara, Gary Phillips and Jervey Tervalon; “City of Phantoms: Poetry of Unseen Boroughs” with writers Wendy Van Camp, Denise Dumars, Neil Citrin and Kathleen Ingino; and “Beyond the Beach – Searching for Community in SoCal Neighborhoods,” with writers Mary Camarillo, Carribean Fragoza, Dana Johnson, Lou Matthews, Victoria Patterson and Mike Sonksen.
The International Black Writers & Artists Association will host “Beyond Borders: Readings & Conversations with African American, LGBTQ and other marginalized Writers,” while innovative workshops, such as “The Influence of Literature on Songwriting” and “Pairing Tea and Readers,” will offer unique perspectives on the intersection of literature with other art forms and sensory experiences.
Authors Tananrive Due and Jervey Tervalon will be in conversation in “For the Love of Horror,” moderated by Xach Fromson. “Cruising the Gayborhood” will include Jobi Arriola-Headley, Kelsey Bryan-Zwick, Gustavo Hernandez and Angela Penaredondo.
“Punks from Music to Literature” will include author Patrick O’Neill with Keith Morris, Jim Roland, moderator Todd Taylor and Iris Berry. Led by Cecil Castelucci, “Writing Heroes for all Ages” will include comic book authors Jody Houser, Sherri L. Smith, Amanda Delbert and Sam Maggs.
Monica Fernandez will lead a Red Hen Publishing panel with Jessica Wilson Cardenas of the L.A. Poets Society. High school students from the Pasadena School District will share their writing on a youth-driven panel entitled “Stories from Kids on the Block.”
Sunday’s closing panel, “Seeing the World Through a Neighborhood – Three Visions,” reflects on the weekend’s discussions and insights. Dr. Thomas E. Backer will be moderating the conversation among LitFest authors Daniel Olivas and Lisa Teasley, and poet Mike Sonksen.
LitFest in the Dena 2024 will feature a food truck, tea samplings, a pop-up bookstore, and a historic setting.
For a complete schedule of events, visit litfestinthedena.org.
Free parking is available all weekend at the Mountain View Mausoleum, located at 2300 N. Marengo Ave. in Altadena.
