As an extension of the Chattanooga Festival of Black Arts & Ideas, the mission of this three-day festival is to "showcase emerging and established local artists of African descent who are creating, innovating and producing extraordinary work in the literary arts."
This festival is the first of six sub-festivals, each honoring a different artistic discipline, under the overarching Chattanooga Festival of Black Arts & Ideas that has spun off to be a festival of its own.
Under the leadership of Festival Director Marsha Mills, the James Baldwin Festival of Words is scheduled for Aug.
25-27 and offers a full weekend of events that will "provide engaging, educational and entertaining activities for readers, writers and supporters of the arts of all ages and all backgrounds."
"As president of Rhyme N Chatt Interactive Poetry Organization, Ms. Mills brings a plethora of experience and passion; both as a literary artist and events organizer to the directorship of this festival," officials said. "On Friday evening, prepare to laugh, dance and make new friends as we kick off this festival with SIP, PAINT & SPIT: OPEN MIC POETRY MEETS PAINT, which combines a sip and paint experience with an interactive open mic show."
Nathan Stepney is the featured visual artist who will provide art instruction. This event is hosted by Brie the Brand and features live music by the NuBreed Band.
Other events during the three-day festival include a writer’s workshops with Coach Laura Brown and Rita Hubbard, a James Baldwin panel discussion led by Donivan Brown, a mastering marketing, promotion and business management workshop led by “The Business Plug” Linda Bullard and The Literary Lounge, and a Black Author Marketplace, which gives festival goers an opportunity to meet, support and engage with local black authors who will have booths set up to sell and promote their books and merchandise.
The festival will climax by bringing all six arts disciplines together in a memorable, immersive experience that is like none other; Shades of Poetry Showcase featuring poetic narrator, Erika Roberts.
For more detailed information about the festival, visit https://www.blackartsandideasfest.com/festivals/james-baldwin-festival-of-words.
James Baldwin Festival of Words Schedule of Events:
Friday, Aug. 25 - SIP, PAINT & SPIT: OPEN MIC POETRY MEETS PAINT
Time:
6-10 p.m.
Location:
Chattanooga Theatre Centre Circle Theatre; 400 River St.
Description: Prepare to laugh, dance and make new friends as we kick off this festival with an event that combines a sip and paint experience with an interactive open mic show. Art instruction will be provided while event attendees perform their own poetry or song. This event is hosted by Brie the Brand and features live music by the NuBreed Band.
Saturday, Aug. 26 - WRITING FROM THE INSIDE OUT WRITER’S WORKSHOP LED BY COACH LAURA BROWN
Time:
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location:
Chattanooga Public Library Main Auditorium - Downtown; 1001 Broad St.
Cost:
Pay what you can; $10 requested donation
Description:
Writing from the Inside Out is a writing experience designed to help you explore compelling life moments and stimulate creative spontaneity through innovative and thought-provoking writing sessions. No matter where you are in your writing practice—beginning writer, blocked, or just eager for more--you’ll get the instruction and support you need to discover how to tap into the heart and soul of your story and transform those memorable moments into meaningful messages to impact others. This class will benefit writers of various genres (nonfiction, fiction, poetry, etc.)
About Coach Laura Brown:
Coach Laura Brown - author, teacher, speaker, publishing coach and creative strategist - is the owner of the Write Womb InKubator where she helps aspiring authors create literary legacies and unleash their inner superhero through writing.
Saturday, Aug. 26 - LITERARY LOUNGE - BLACK AUTHOR MARKETPLACE
Time:
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location:
Chattanooga Public Library, 4th Floor - Downtown; 1001 Broad St.
Cost:
Free; donations accepted
Description: Meet, support and engage with local black authors who will have booths set up to sell and promote their books and merchandise. Participate in the games, collect giveaways, win door prizes and engage in the activities for kids of all ages.
Saturday, Aug. 26 - SPECIAL SESSION - AUTHOR’S JOURNEY TO SUCCESS: MASTERING MARKETING, PROMOTION & BUSINESS MANAGEMENT LED BY “THE BUSINESS PLUG” LINDA BULLARD
Time:
1:30 p.m.
Location:
Chattanooga Public Library Main Auditorium - Downtown
Cost:
Donations appreciated; minimum of $10 requested
Description: To truly succeed in the ever-evolving publishing landscape, we must embrace the powerful tools of marketing, promotion, and astute business management.
Throughout this one-hour session, we will embark on a transformative exploration together. As we progress, we will unlock essential insights and actionable tips to elevate your authorial endeavors to new heights. From understanding your audience and carving your unique brand identity, to devising comprehensive marketing strategies and navigating the complex world of publishing, we shall leave no stone unturned.
Drawing upon years of experience and expertise in the publishing industry, I am thrilled to be your guide on this adventure. Our goal is simple yet profound: to equip you with the knowledge and resources necessary to thrive as an author in a competitive marketplace. Whether you are an aspiring novelist or a seasoned wordsmith, the strategies and wisdom shared here will be invaluable assets in your pursuit of success.
So, let's embark on this journey together, united by our passion for the written word and our determination to make an impact in the literary world. Prepare to be inspired, empowered, and ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead. Get ready to release the full potential of your writing career.
Saturday, Aug. 26 - SPECIAL SESSION - "ALWAYS DO A DOUBLE TAKE", led by Rita Hubbard
Time:
3 p.m.
Location:
Chattanooga Public Library Main Auditorium - Downtown
Cost:
Donations appreciated; minimum of $10 requested
Description: Sit in on a special session with local author, Rita Hubbard, as she leads her workshop called "Always Do a Double-Take," which shows how to uncover, research and write about amazing people who once lived in this city.
The world is hungry for stories about unsung heroes. But if they’re “unsung,” where do you find them? How can you write about people you didn’t even know existed?
You start by “DOING A DOUBLE-TAKE,” that’s how. One definition goes like this: “Doing a double-take means you look at someone or something — and then look again because you suddenly recognize the person or thing, or you notice something promising or unusual about what you’ve just seen.”
This workshop– ALWAYS DO A DOUBLE-TAKE, teaches you to find and write about little known or unknown personalities whose stories deserve to be told.
Saturday, Aug. 26 - PANEL DISCUSSION/THE BALDWIN EFFECT LED BY DONIVAN BROWN
Time:
4-6 p.m.
Location:
Chattanooga Public Library Main Auditorium - Downtown
Cost:
Donations appreciated
Description: Join us as we have a discussion on the man who inspired it. Donivan Brown, leads this discussion among a panel of guests. This event will open by paying homage to the literary writings of James Baldwin with a live performance of an excerpt from the James Baldwin play, "The Amen Corner" as directed by Ricardo Morris and performed at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre in 2019. The panel discussion will follow.
Sunday, Aug. 27 - SHADES OF POETRY SHOWCASE
Time:
Doors open at 6 p.m.; starts at 7 p.m.
Location:
Chattanooga Theatre Centre; 400 River St.
Cost:
$20; (under age 18 – free - be prepared to show proof of age if requested.)
Description: Join us for an immersive lyrical journey showcasing shades of poetry through the eyes of visionary performers.
As the curtain opens, a different shade of poetry will be experienced as spoken word artists, hip hop artists, dancers, singers, visual artists, musicians and fashion models take center stage on the Chattanooga Theatre Centre's Main Stage. Prepare for a memorable, immersive experience that is like none other.
Erika Roberts will serve as the poetic narrator for this showcase. Live music by NuBreed.