Third Annual Harlem Book Fair on Long Island Sponsored by AAGS, Inc., QBR, the Black Book Review Sep

Contact Joysetta Pearse

Harlem Book Fair on Long Island

P. O. Box 7385

Freeport, New York 11520-0757

516.8677480 (Tel)

516.908.4077 (Fax)

HBFLI@optonline.net


Third Annual Harlem Book Fair on Long Island Sponsored by AAGS, Inc., QBR, the Black Book Review Sept. 15-17, 2005

The African Atlantic Genealogical Society, QBR, the Black Book Review will present the third annual Harlem Book Fair on Long Island on Saturday, September 17, 2005, from 12 noon until 6:00 p.m., at the Freeport Recreation Center, 130 East Merrick Road, in Freeport.

The original Harlem Book Fair was established in 1998, by Max Rodriguez, publisher of QBR the Black Book Review. It has become a major annual event in Harlem, New York City. Over the years other venues have been established in cities across the country. Working closely with Mr. Rodriguez, AAGS established Long Island as an additional venue, in a joint venture with the Long Island Partnership for Community Education, in 2003.

It was a concerted effort to promote community education, literary arts and literacy. A well-attended Authors Reception gave local residents an opportunity to meet and greet the authors who came from as far away as California. A balloon -sculptor who told stories and a clown who painted the children's faces captured the attention of the young people.



All this and panel discussions featuring a popular radio personality and a host of
noted authors made the debut of the Harlem Book Fair on Long Island a great success. All of this would not have been possible without our primary supporters: rt of Verizon and Astoria Federal Savings.

In 2004, AAGS and QBR joined forces again and hosted the second annual Harlem Book Fair on Long Island. The activities were enhanced by a lecture on the Thursday evening prior to the actual book fair. The Authors Reception was again held on Friday evening and a Writer's Workshop was held on Saturday morning. During the fair, a Children's Pavilion was set up where the youth participated in a read-in. Authors of children's books and the balloon-sculptor told stories; and the clown painted faces. Panel discussions, poetry readings and special guest appearances rounded out another successful event. This time, the person who traveled the furthest to be there came from Australia.


The book fair will be held outdoors on the patio. (In case of inclement weather, it will be held in the gymnasium.) There will be an "Open Mike", a Writers Workshop, and Panel Discussions. Popular authors will be available for book signing. The day's events include a Children’s Pavilion, where authors of children’s books will read from, or talk about, their works. Storytellers, clowns, and a stilt-walker will entertain the children. The book fair is free, and open to the public.



Events preceding the book fair are: Thursday, September 15, at 6:30 p.m., there will be a lecture by Christopher Benson, author of Death of Innocence: the Story of the Hate Crime that Changed America. Death of Innocence was written in collaboration with the late Mamie Till-Mobley. It relates the tragic story of her son, Emmet Till, whose murder was a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement of the ‘60s. The lecture will be held at the Freeport Recreation Center.



On Friday, September 16, from 6:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., there will be a gala Authors Reception at the African American Museum of Nassau County, 110 North Franklin Street, Hempstead NY. A buffet dinner will be served and the authors will be present for signing. Music will be provided by Chuk Fowler and Higher Energy. Donation $35.00, advance sales only. For reservations call Blondell Davis at 516-345-0200.



The hosting of the Harlem Book Fair on Long lsland is made possible by supporters: Verizon, Freeport Memorial Library, Freeport Recreation Center, and Astoria Federal Savings.



Phil Andrews
Public Relations Director
Harlem Book Fair on Long Island
www.aagsinc.com