Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival Kicks Off Today

The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival will run today, March 20-24, 2013.

This festival, writers can truly have it all! Hone your ideas and techniques while also exploring the historic French Quarter. The New Orleans Writing Marathon is a flexible activity suited for both the novice and seasoned writer.

Writers meet and split into small groups to go to restaurants, coffeehouses, pubs, and parks, to eat, write, and share their way across the landscape. Groups find their own path, can cross paths, join, and turn into New Groups. Some writers break off to do an hour of writing just by themselves. At the end of the day, writers may gather to share and celebrate their work. While there is always time for socializing, the emphasis remains on the writing, and doing it for yourself.

Director Richard Louth explains the vital role of spontaneous creativity: "whenever something is unpredictable, it's challenging. When you send writers out with strangers and they go to unknown places, you never know what is going to happen...all kinds of different writing emerges - from memoirs to meditations to poetry."

Writing Marathon Schedule:

- Saturday March 23, 9-9:30 am: Introduction and kick-off to Saturday's Writing Marathon (Queen Anne Ballroom of the Hotel Monteleone) -Writing Marathon continues throughout the day with writers writing at various French Quarter locations
- Sunday March 24, 9-9:30 am: Introduction and kick-off to Sunday's Writing Marathon (Queen Anne Ballroom) - continuation of Saturday's schedule
- Sunday March 24, 2:30 pm: Wrap up and readings from Writing Marathon (Royal Ballroom of the Hotel Monteleone) - Writing Marathon participants are invited to share their experiences and writings at this celebration

With the Festival just around the corner, special events are as popular as ever. The team is keeping a close eye on sale counts, so don't hesitate or you might lose your spot. For additional details, check out our full program and schedule.

We've got events to delight everyone, including:

MUSIC LOVERS:

- Wednesday Night Fundraising Gala - cocktail reception and New Orleans's premiere performance of A Tennessee Williams Songbook: Only A Paper Moon.
- A Tennessee Williams Songbook: Only a Paper Moon -three showings of this soulful tribute to the music of Tennessee Williams. Selections are the songs featured in his plays, as well as those he was fond of in his personal life. Limited number of extra tickets available for the previously sold-out Thursday night showtime.
- Day of Music at the Palm Court Jazz Café - discussions and musical performances all Sunday long to move your spirit and your feet.

LATE-NIGHT PROWLERS:

- New Orleans Nocturnes - celebrate the sultrier side of the city's literary tradition with an hour-long burlesque and variety show. Chase it down afterwards with a cocktail party on the rooftop of the Hotel Monteleone.
- Literary Jook Joint - an evening of readings of original works of prose and poetry from fresh, emerging artists of New Orleans, interspersed with a live music set.

READERS & WRITERS:

- Master Classes led by seasoned professionals - jumpstart your writing career with craft lessons from award-winning masters and sagely advice from insiders of the publishing industry.
- Over 30 panel discussions - dive into some of the most relevant issues in the practice and scholarship of literature today. Experts in a variety of fields and approaches await your questions and participation.

FOODIES:

- Restaurant Scoop with John Mariani - wine, wit, and hors d'oeuvres to accompany a tour of the latest dining trends across America.
- Sipping on a New Orleans Afternoon with Kit Wohl and mixologist Hadi Kitiri-Idrissi - a lively sampling and discussion of classic New Orleans cocktails.
- At Tennessee's Table - Learn and sample the cuisine of Williams' canon, his favorite meals, and the way we ate during the late 1940s and early 50s.
- The Breakfast Book Club (extremely limited ticket count; act quickly!) - coffee and light breakfast over a discussion of canonical storyteller Eudora Welty's collected stories.