Award-winning Author E.L. Doctorow and Kay Ryan, 2009 U.S. Poet Laureate to Discuss Perspectives on Literary and Social issues

The Black Mountain Institute (BMI) at UNLV presents the following events as part of its Readings & Panels Series. Distinguished speakers and writers from across the nation who specialize in literature, politics and social issues are part of this year’s thought-provoking lecture series.

Events are free and open to the public. Events are subject to change. Please check BMI’s Web site for updated event information, http://blackmountaininstitute.org/. For more information, please contact BMI at (702) 895-5542 or via e-mail at: blackmountaininstitute@unlv.edu.

A Reading with Cristina Garcia
Date/Time: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: UNLV Student Union Theatre, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy., Las Vegas
Description: Cristina Garcia, is the 2009-2010 BMI Teaching Fellow in the English department. Born in Havana and raised in New York City, Garcia is a former Time Magazine reporter whose novel “Dreaming in Cuban” was a finalist for the National Book Award. She is also author of “Monkey Hunting” and “A Handbook to Luck.” In partnership with the UNLV English department.

“Food and Hunger: Eating in America”
Date/Time: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: UNLV Student Union Theatre, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy., Las Vegas
Description: Alice Waters, executive chef and owner of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Calif., author of “Stuffed and Starved” Raj Patel and David Mas Masumoto, an organic peach and grape farmer discuss the slow food movement, sustainable agriculture, fighting hunger in America and what Las Vegas can do to combat this problem. In partnership with Three Square.

Vegas Valley Book Festival Opening Reading with Kay Ryan
Date/Time: Thursday, Nov. 5, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: The Historic Fifth Street School Auditorium, 401 S. Fourth St., Las Vegas
Description: Kay Ryan, the 2009 Library of Congress U.S. Poet Laureate, kicks off the Vegas Valley Book Festival with the opening reading. Ryan is the author of six books of poetry including “Dragon Acts to Dragon Ends,” “The Niagra River,” and “Flamingo Watching.” Co-sponsored by the City of Las Vegas.

Vegas Valley Book Festival Keynote Address with E.L. Doctorow
Date/Time: Sunday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Clark County Library Auditorium, 1401 E. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas
Description: E.L. Doctorow, critically acclaimed author and recipient of the National Book Critics Circle Award, National Book Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award, will provide the keynote address at the Vegas Valley Book Festival. Doctorow is the author of “The March,” “Billy Bathgate,” and “Ragtime.” Co-sponsored by the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, the City of Las Vegas and Nevada Humanities.

A Reading with E.L. Doctorow
Date/Time: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: UNLV Student Union Ballroom, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy., Las Vegas
Description: Award-winning American author E.L. Doctorow, the UNLV Elias Ghanem Chair in Creative Writing, will read from his works and take questions from the audience. In partnership with the UNLV Department of English.

A Reading with Er Tai Gao
Date/Time: Wednesday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: UNLV Marjorie Barrick Museum Auditorium
Description: Er Tai Gao, a writer, painter and critic from China, was writer-in-residence in the BMI’s City of Asylum program from 2003 to 2006. His writings gained controversy in China and he is prohibited from teaching and publishing there. He will discuss his memoir, “In Search of My Homeland,” which he wrote during his stay at the BMI. City of Asylum grants writers, whose voice have been muffled by censorship, the freedom to write and practice their craft.

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UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution of 28,000 students and 3,300 faculty and staff. Founded in 1957, the university offers more than 220 undergraduate, master's and doctoral degree programs. UNLV is located on a 332-acre campus in dynamic Southern Nevada and is classified in the category of Research Universities (high research activity) by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.