Bernard Parks - CD8

PARKS SET TO HOST LEIMERT PARK VILLAGE BOOK FAIR

Councilmember Bernard C. Parks, 8th District, is gearing up for the fifth annual Leimert Park Village Book Fair, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 25, 2011 in Los Angeles. The book fair will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Leimert Park on the Vision Theatre Back lot, located at 43rd Street and Degnan Boulevard. The family-oriented event is held in the heart of Leimert Park, which is considered the center of the African American arts/intellectual scene.

This year, event producers have tapped philanthropists Shirley and Bernard Kinsey to lead fund-raising efforts and facilitate in increasing the book fair’s brand awareness among the corporate community. The Kinseys are one of the most admired and respected couples in Los Angeles. They are known for their collection of African-American art, books and manuscripts that document and tell the remarkable story of African Americans triumphs and struggles from 1632 to the present. The Kinsey Collection: “Shared Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey” has been on a national tour and seen by millions.

Councilmember Parks welcomed the Kinsey’s involvement in the book fair.

“The national status of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey will elevate the Leimert Park Village Book Fair to the next level,” he said. “The book fair has become one of the signature events of the 8th district as well as throughout Los Angeles, I encourage everyone to attend and bring a friend. It’s going to be a day of culture, entertainment and inspiration.”

The Leimert Park Village Book Fair is produced by Exum and Associates in partnership with Councilmember Parks. This annual book fair has become a much-anticipated cultural tradition in the community. It provides authors an opportunity to promote their newest work as well as meet some of their fans up close and personal. The book fair will also feature writing workshops, panel discussions, book signings, poetry readings, stage performances, musical entertainment and a variety of activities for children and young adults.

“Every year we’ve grown bigger and better,” says LPVF Executive Director Cynthia Exum. “This year, we’re very excited to have a line-up of amazing authors and celebrities guests and expect over 6,000 festival attendees. We’ve also organized some very relevant panel discussions that touch on a variety of current issues in our community. There’s definitely going to be something for everyone at this year’s book fair.”

Applications for the author’s tent and vendors are still available online at www.leimertparkbookfair.com or by calling (323) 730-0628.

Last year, the book fair was a great success with more than 150 authors, writers, storytellers, poets, spoken word performers, and more than 3,000 attendees. Event organizers expect the numbers to grow! The book fair featured an incredible lineup of authors, poets and speakers, including Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr.; Emmy-nominated music director Rickey Minor of "American Idol" and band leader of the "Tonight Show;" Pulitzer Prize-winning author Douglas Blackmon; prominent literary figure Ishmael Reed; New York Times best-selling author Eric Dickey Jerome; Advertising Hall of Famer Tom Burrell; reality star NeNe Leakes of the "Real Housewives of Atlanta;" playwright/author Donald Welch; screenwriter Rob Edwards ("Princess and the Frog"); art enthusiasts and philanthropists Shirley and Bernard Kinsey; award-winning poet Ruth Forman, spoken word tour-de-force-Talaam Acey and actress/children’s author Kim Wayans -- just to name a few.

Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are available now. For more information on the fifth annual Leimert Park Village Book Fair, visit the book fair’s official web site at www.leimertparkbookfair.com or contact executive producer, Cynthia Exum at 323.730.0628. The fair is free and open to the public.

In Other Book Fair News | Charles Bibbs Named Official Artist Acclaimed artist Charles Bibbs was named the “Official Artist of the Leimert Park Village Book Fair.” In February, Bibbs was recognized by city council during African American Heritage Month in Los Angeles City Hall for his contributions to the book fair. Bibbs unveiled his work, “The Reader II,” in celebration of the book fair’s fifth anniversary. His image, “The Reader,” will appear on all marketing and event materials.

Bibbs’ works displays a unique, strong and stylized quality done in a combination of abstract and realistic interpretations of contemporary subjects that are beautifully fused into multi-faceted ethnicity, larger-than-life images. His technique can be distinguished from most artists by the way in which he combines acrylics and inks to obtain rich undertones of line textures.

He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, presented by the African American Chamber of Commerce; a United Negro College Foundation Honoree Award; a NAACP Freedom Community Award; a Save The Arts Award, and Riverside’s Finest Award. He’s also been a recipient of the “Key to the City” Award in majors cities across the United States.

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