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Las Positas College is set to host its anticipated Literary Arts Festival on May 11, promising a day of inspiration, learning and literary exploration. Now in its fourth year, the festival has become a cornerstone of cultural enrichment in the Livermore Valley, celebrating the power of storytelling and written word.
Held at the Mertes Center for the Arts (Building 4000 on the LPC campus) the event will feature a packed lineup between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. of critically acclaimed authors, writing workshops, activities for children and a variety of food trucks.
LPC officials said in a press release that the sessions will cover topics such as AI, the future of education, TV writing, zines and graphic novels, memoir writing and more.
Through its various events and activities, the festival aims to foster a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling while providing a platform for established and emerging voices alike.
“At Las Positas College, we believe in the power of storytelling to connect, educate, and inspire,” said Amy Mattern, dean of arts and humanities at LPC.
“The Literary Arts Festival is a celebration of creativity and community. It’s a day where writers and readers of all backgrounds come together to share their stories, inspire each other, and foster a love for literature,” Mattern added.
Keynote speaker James Spooner will discuss his creative process and major themes of his writing. Spooner is an award-winning graphic novelist and filmmaker. His debut novel “The High Desert” is the LPC Campus Read for 2024.
Other featured speakers include Daniel Handler, better known as “Lemony Snicket”. Handler’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events” series has earned awards and received global recognition and acclaim.
Joining Spooner and Handler are others including Jaron Lanier, the pioneering “Father of Virtual Reality,” and scriptwriters Ariel Schrag and Brittany Miller.
Attendees are encouraged to reserve their seats for author sessions in advance, as space is limited and expected to fill up quickly.
In addition to discussions and workshops, the festival offers attendees the opportunity to engage in a variety of unique and interactive experiences, from Wine and Chocolate Tasting with Poetry (21+), to the LPC Poetry Slam and the Havik Literary Magazine Award and Publication Ceremony.
The Literary Arts Festival, sponsored by the LPC foundation, the President’s Speaker Series and others, is free and open to the public.
That same day, craft beer enthusiasts will have the opportunity to indulge their passions at the Livermore Valley Craft Beer Festival — held concurrently on the LPC campus.
Hosted on the athletic field from 1-5 p.m., the event is set to feature over 40 breweries from across Northern California, along with local food vendors and live music. The festival is a fundraiser benefiting the Las Positas College Fire Service Technology program.
This year marks the event’s eighth annual iteration, and its second year on the LPC campus. Tickets can be purchased at lvcbf.com.