The James Baldwin Festival of Words is scheduled for August 23-25 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. This year’s event is being organized by the literary and creative powerhouses, Marsha Davis, Erika Roberts, LaSha Rockymore-Mitchell and Joshua Hubbard.
Officials said, "As an extension of the Chattanooga Festivals of Black Arts & Ideas, the mission of this three-day festival is to showcase emerging and established artists of African descent who are creating, innovating and producing extraordinary work in the literary arts. We encourage the entire community of all ages and backgrounds to attend, support and add your voice to this literary movement in our city."
Tickets can be purchased through the festival site at https://www.blackartsandideasfest.com. There are options to purchase tickets for each event you plan to attend or to purchase a festival pass for $60 that will grant you access to the entire three-day festival. Donations are also appreciated.
Volunteers are needed and can register through the GET INVOLVED link on the festival website.
For more information, email info@blackartsandideasfest.com, or call 423-504-0361.
"Let us know if you will be traveling for the festival and need hotel accommodations. We may be able to save you some money," officials said.
About events during the Festival:
The Chattanooga Festivals of Black Arts & Ideas: James Baldwin Festival of Words, invites you to join us and the world in celebration of the 100th Birthday of Literary Luminary James Baldwin on Friday, Aug. 2 at 4:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Chattanooga Public Library Downtown, 1001 Broad St. This event is free and open to the public.
In addition to serving birthday cake and ice cream, this once-in-a-lifetime event will expose guests to screenings of several TV interviews and conversations featuring Mr. Baldwin. One of which will be an excerpt from the legendary debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley in 1965. In between screenings, there will be readings of Mr. Baldwin’s work, and the floor will be open for discussion.
At 6 p.m., we move and continue the celebration at Matilda Midnight inside The Dwell Hotel, 120 East St. There, you will be entertained by local poets reciting more of Mr. Baldwin’s work and original pieces he inspired.
Mr. Baldwin, a literary luminary, reshaped the landscape of black art through his powerful prose and insightful commentary on racial and social issues. Mr. Baldwin's eloquence and courage paved the way for discussions on race, identity, sexuality and inequality, solidifying his enduring importance in shaping the discourse and impact of black art. We honor his legacy by curating thought-provoking discussions, showcasing diverse voices and promoting works that delve into the complexities of race, identity and social justice.
Born in 1924, Mr. Baldwin's seminal works, including "Go Tell It on the Mountain" and "The Fire Next Time," continue to resonate, challenging societal norms and offering profound perspectives on the black experience. Mr. Baldwin's audacious spirit and intellectual rigor have left an indelible mark on literature, influencing generations of writers and thinkers.
Register Here!: Please visit our website: BlackArtsAndIdeasFest.com.
Friday, Aug. 2 at 4:30-6 p.m. and 6 p.m. onwards
James Baldwin's 100th Birthday Bash
Location: Auditorium of Chattanooga Public Library Downtown, 1001 Broad St.;
Matilda Midnight at the Dwell Hotel, 120 E. 10th St.
Admission: free and open to the public
Friday, Aug. 23 at 6:30 p.m.
SIP, PAINT & SPIT: OPEN MIC POETRY MEETS PAINT
Location: Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., #108
Admission: $25
Ticket link:
Saturday, Aug. 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
LITERARY LOUNGE: BLACK AUTHOR MARKETPLACE
Location: 4th floor of the Chattanooga Public Library- Downtown
Admission: free and open to the entire community
Author/vendor registration form
Saturday, Aug. 24 beginning at 10 a.m.
WORKSHOPS AND INFORMATION SESSIONS
Location: 1st floor auditorium of the Chattanooga Public Library-Downtown
Admission: donations are encouraged and appreciated; open to the entire community
Saturday, Aug. 24 at 6:30 p.m.
OPEN SCRIBEZ OPEN MIC EVENT
Location: TBD
Admission: $15
Ticket link:
Sunday, Aug. 25
SHADES OF POETRY ARTIST TALK (3 p.m.) AND PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE (5:30 p.m.)
Location: Rise Chattanooga, 2901 Taylor Street
Admission: Artist Talk free and open to the public; Showcase admission is $25
Ticket link:
Event details:
SIP, PAINT & SPIT: OPEN MIC POETRY MEETS PAINT
Friday, Aug. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., #108
Admission is $25 and includes painting supplies and a wine ticket for a complimentary glass of wine. Refreshments will be available while they last and wine is available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased through the festival site at https://www.blackartsandideasfest.com.
Join us for an intimate night of creative poetry and mask painting. Art session will be led by MFA Art Director, Sharketa Penn, hosted by Synamon, vibe control by DJ Touch, and the wine experience will be provided by the local, black-owned winery, Lady Naps Winery. Come enjoy the great poetry and grab a mask and express your love within.
The featured visual artist who will be providing artistic instruction is Sharketa Penn, also known as S. JaFineArt. She is the current art director for the Music, Fashion & Arts Foundation and a proud 2003 graduate of Howard School of Academics and Technology. She is known for her stunning semi-realistic works that blend elements of reality with imagination. With a keen eye for detail, she expertly utilizes various mediums, with graphite and charcoal being her favorites. Her diverse talents and unwavering dedication to her craft make her a true standout in the art world.
LITERARY LOUNGE: BLACK AUTHOR MARKETPLACE
Saturday, Aug. 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the 4th floor of the Chattanooga Public Library - Downtown, 1001 Broad St.
Admission is free and is open to the entire community.
Come support black excellence in literature by visiting the booths of authors and supporting their art by purchasing books from the authors you meet. Be sure to bring your young readers and writers with you.
Black authors who are interested in setting up to sell their books should register through the festival site at https://www.blackartsandideasfest.com or by sending an email to info@blackartsandideasfest.com.
WORKSHOPS & INFO SESSIONS
Also, on Saturday, Aug. 24 there will be sessions throughout the day led by various professionals in the first floor main auditorium beginning at 10 a.m. These sessions are open to everyone in the community. Topics will include:
An interactive writing workshop;
Publishing your poetry;
Monetizing your Words, and more,
OPEN SCRIBZ OPEN MIC
Saturday night, Aug. 24 beginning at 6:30 p.m., we will gather for an open mic poetry event. Admission is $15. Tickets can be purchased through the festival site at https://www.blackartsandideasfest.com.
Featured performers include Big Fitz, Deep Thought the Lyricist out of Madison, WI , other poets and you.
SHADES OF POETRY ARTIST TALK AND PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE
Sunday afternoon join us at Rise Chattanooga, 2901 Taylor St., for an in-depth artist talk led by creative strategist, Erika Roberts at 3 p.m. and a showcase of impactful performances featuring live music by Zowie and the band and artists including (but not limited to):
Arsenio “Deep Thought the Lyricist” Sorrell;
Woodson Carpenter;
Josiah Golson;
Andreya Toney; and
Eric Hubbard.
The showcase starts at 6 p.m. Admission for this event is $25. Tickets can be purchased through the festival site at https://www.blackartsandideasfest.com.
Join us for an evening that pays tribute to the legendary James Baldwin through the soul-stirring music of Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, and Billie Holiday, and Sam Cooke, complemented by the evocative words of poets and the graceful movements of dancers.Immerse yourself in the profound influence of Mr. Baldwin's work as it resonates through the powerful jazz compositions of Miles Davis, the timeless vocals of Ella Fitzgerald, the poignant melodies of Nina Simone, the smoothness of Sam Cooke and the haunting blues of Billie Holiday. Each performance will be intertwined with spoken word poetry, capturing Mr. Baldwin's spirit and the essence of his groundbreaking contributions to literature, civil rights while revealing resilience, liberation, truth and identity.
For more detailed information about the only literary festival of its kind in Chattanooga visit https://www.blackartsandideasfest.com/festivals/james-baldwin-festival-of-words.
Follow the festival on Facebook and Instagram at Chattanooga Festival of Black Arts and Ideas.