Weekend festivals fete books, plays, Hispanic culture

Book lovers of all ages can celebrate St. Louis’ literary heritage at the inaugural BookFest St. Louis, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in the Central West End. The event is presented by the Central West End, Left Bank Books and the Left Bank Books Foundation.

The book festival will bring a diverse mix of locally and internationally renowned writers, with appearances by award-winning authors such as Sherman Alexie, Ann Leckie and many more. Link to schedule.

Festival-goers will be able to enjoy panels highlighting the best of contemporary literary fiction, poetry, memoir, science fiction, young adult fiction, mystery and history, as well as participate in family-friendly activities including book sales, literary crafts, live music and more within the McPherson Avenue festival zone and at other venues throughout the Central West End.

All BookFest St. Louis activities are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.

In between BookFest St. Louis author events, be sure to check out the McPherson Avenue festival zone, featuring live music, demonstrations, book sellers, local artisans and more! Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23.

Celebrate CWE’s Literary Legacy at Writer’s Corner
Beat Generation writer William S. Burroughs will join busts of other one-time CWE residents Tennessee Williams, T.S. Eliot and Kate Chopin at the intersection of Euclid and McPherson. Burroughs’ sculpture will be installed on the southwest corner, outside Left Bank Books, and will be unveiled at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23. Link for more info.

More events this weekend on and off campus:

In “Raindropped,” Scott Greenberg, a senior in Arts & Sciences, explores the idea of tumbling from grace, both figuratively and literally. This weekend, “Raindropped” will receive its world premiere staged reading at Washington University in St. Louis as part of the annual A.E. Hotchner New Play Festival.

Greater St. Louis Hispanic Festival
Friday September 22-Sunday September 25
Soulard Market
The annual event will feature Hispanic Folkloric dancers, over 70 booths and the Los Ninos Kids Corner with piñatas and traditional Hispanic games.
Link to more information.