BABEL: Kiese Laymon
Join award-winning author Kiese Laymon and host Barbara Cole for an in-depth and in-person discussion about his work and his book, Heavy.
Thursday, March 21, 2024
8:00 PM at Kleinhans Music Hall
WELCOME
Robin Jordan, Writing Center Director
with JBWC Youth Ambassadors
AUTHOR INTRODUCTION
Barbara Cole
Executive & Artistic Director, Just Buffalo Literary Center
AUTHOR’S PRESENTATION
John Irving
CONVERSATION with JOHN IRVING
Moderated by Barbara Cole
BOOK SIGNING
Kleinhans Lobby
About Tonight’s Featured Artist
JOHN IRVING has written fifteen novels over the course of his prolific career, the majority of which have been international bestsellers. He has written some of the most acclaimed books of our time—among them The World According to Garp, The Cider House Rules, A Prayer for Owen Meany, and A Widow for One Year.
Born in Exeter, New Hampshire, in 1942, his books explore themes of sexual difference and sexual intolerance, inequalities, and discrimination.
Irving has been nominated for a National Book Award three times, winning in 1980 for The World According to Garp. In 2000, he won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Cider House Rules. In 2013, he won a Lambda Literary Award for In One Person. Internationally renowned, his books have been translated into more than thirty-five languages. A Prayer for Owen Meany is his best-selling novel, in every language. His most recent novel is The Last Chairlift.
Photo by Nina Cochran
About BABEL‘s Moderator
BARBARA COLE is the Executive & Artistic Director of Just Buffalo Literary Center.
A 2011 fellow in Poetry from the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), Cole received her M.A. in Creative Writing from Temple University in Philadelphia and Ph.D. in English with a specialization in Poetics from the University at Buffalo.
About Just Buffalo Literary Center
Just Buffalo Literary Center’s mission is to create and strengthen communities through the literary arts. And for more than 45 years, we have brought the world’s greatest writers to Buffalo, hosted poetry events and readings, and supported the development of young writers.
We believe in the love of reading, the art of writing, and the power of the literary arts to transform individual lives and communities.
Just Buffalo is a registered 501-c-3 non-profit organization, and your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Make a Donation Today
Your generous gift to Just Buffalo Literary Center can help write the next chapter! Make a donation online today.
BABEL 2023–2024 Tickets
& Other Upcoming Literary Events
Racial Healing Circle (Virtual)
The National Federation for Just Communities (NFJC) and Just Buffalo Literary Center cordially invite you to participate in a virtual racial healing circle.
UB Poetics + Just Buffalo Present: Asiya Wadud, Travis Sharp, + Katie Weissman
Join us for an evening of readings from poets Asiya Wadud & Travis Sharp, with a musical performance from Katie Weismann.
Racial Healing Circle
Join National Federation for Just Communities for a racial healing circle in connection to Kiese Laymon’s book Heavy and his recent BABEL visit.
JBWC Open Mic
Come to perform or to simply be inspired by your talented peers.
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Tonight’s BABEL Sponsors
BABEL Presenting Sponsors
With Major Support From
Allan & Melissa Baumgart
Mark Chason & Mariana Botero Chason
Robert J. & Martha B. Fierle Foundation
Library Foundation of Buffalo & Erie County
Elsie P. & Lucius B. McCowan Private Charitable Foundation
Julian R. & Varue W. Oishei Foundation
Corinne Rice & in memory of Victor Rice
Sponsor Organizations
Year-End Donors
$2,500+
Gillian M. McCain
The James D. & Victoria B. Newman Foundation
Michelle Parrish
Maria Scrivani & John Lipsitz
$1,000+
Connie Arena
Sabina Daley Deaton
Adele & George DeTitta
Fisher Family Fund at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
Alice & Jeremy Jacobs, Jr.
Sam Magavern & Monica Angle
Simple Gifts Fund
$500+
Lauren Belfer and Michael A. Marissen
Anne E. Conable
Mary Frances & James Derby
Hastings + Cohn Real Estate
Thomas & Sharon Hewner
Kenneth L. & Katherine G. Koessler Family Foundation Inc.
Pfizer
Scott & Deborah Shiffner
$200+
Richard C. Baer
Lucas A. Baumgart
Dianne Bennett & William Graebner
G. Alexander Cole
Ravi Desai & Angela McLennan-Desai
Amy Downing
Brooke Durland
Donna Fierle
Sandra J. & William R. Geary
Peter Hall & M.E. O’Leary
Dan & Barbara Hart
Jane Hartney
Will & Debra Keresztes
Kester Family Philanthropic Fund at the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies
Jon & Veronica Kraus
Jeffrey Lebsack & Blythe Merrill
Susan B. Lee
Catherine Lincoln
Sanford & Margery Nobel
Patricia Polowy
Jennifer Read & Craig Colder
Kerry Reynolds
Elaine C. Rubenstein
David & Cynthia Silverstein
Rev. Scott & Gwen Thomas
The Official Bookseller of BABEL
Other Contributors & Credits
Sign Language Interpretation Provided By
Shannon McGuire & Barbara Meyer
Playlist Curated by Govindan Kartha
Flowers by Maureen’s Buffalo Wholesale Flower Market
The Literary Leadership Circle
The Literary Leadership Circle is a distinguished group of supporters who have made a commitment of $5,000 or more over 3 years to support Just Buffalo Literary Center’s work.
A Special Thank You to:
Paul A. Battaglia
Allan & Melissa Baumgart
Dianne Bennett & William Graebner
Sandra Block, M.D. & Patrick Long
Mark Chason & Mariana Botero Chason
Adele & George DeTitta
Kanika & Spencer Durland
Geri Grossman in loving memory of Jimmie Gilliam
Thomas & Sharon Hewner
Lynda G. Kaszubski
John N. Lipsitz & Maria Scrivani
Kevin & Janet O’Leary
Elizabeth Pascal & Family
Corinne Rice & in loving memory of Victor Rice
John Spears
Anne & Dave Taylor
Silo City Reading Series Anthology
ON SALE NOW!
This limited-edition anthology features a poem from each poet who has read in those historic grain silos over the past ten years, including such literary luminaries as Ocean Vuong, Maggie Smith, Jericho Brown, Morgan Parker, Hanif Abdurraqib, Vievee Francis, and a slew of others.
Upcoming Youth Writing Workshops
JBWC Drop-In Hours
At Drop-in Hours, you’ll find writing support, prompts, typewriters, reading recommendations, access to our unique library, publication opportunities, and good snacks.
PRISM at JBWC
PRISM is a monthly creative writing workshop in collaboration with GLYS WNY, Teen Reality Theatre, and Just Buffalo Literary Center. All LGBTQ+ youth and friends are welcome to participate!
Discovering Your Inner Zinester with Pride David
We’ll learn about zines and create our own collaborative and personal zines to be featured at Zine Fest!
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For over 45 years, Just Buffalo Literary Center has brought the world’s greatest writers to Buffalo, hosted poetry events and readings, and supported the development of young writers.
We believe in the love of reading, the art of writing, and the power of the literary arts to transform individual lives and communities.
Whether you’re a new friend or a familiar face, become a member today & discover just how much is happening at Just Buffalo Literary Center.