Annabelle Forney read a passage from "Maus" by Art Spiegelman, while being accompanied by Jeff Kowalkowski (NORD) -- during the Intergenerational Banned Books Week Performance Event at City Lit Books, on September 27, 2014.
This banned books week event included Beatriz Badikian-Gartler, Annabelle Forney, Caleb Kowalkowski, Henry Kowalkowski, Kathleen Larkin and Deirdre Harrison reading passages from masterpieces such "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, "Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi, "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss, "Beloved" by Toni Morrison, "Maus" by Art Spiegelman, "Sandman" by Neil Gaiman, "A Light in the Attic" by Shel Silverstein, and "Watchmen" by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The readings were accompanied by music -- KG Price (percussion), Jeff Kowalkowski (accordion, NORD), Sam Bradshaw (upright bass) and Dan Godston (trumpet, small instruments).
From the America Library Association website: “Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community –- librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types –- in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.”
This Banned Books Week event was part of the Ninth Annual Chicago Calling Arts Festival and Chicago Artists Month. Chicago Calling is a multi-arts collaboration festival; during Chicago Calling 2014 people in Chicago work with people outside of Chicago -- both here in the U.S. and abroad. These collaborations include a range of art forms, such as music, dance, film, literature, and intermedia -- and they are prepared or improvised. Some Chicago Calling events involve live feeds between Chicago and other locations.
The 19th Annual Chicago Artists Month highlights the work of hundreds of artists throughout Chicago with performances, exhibitions, open studios, tours and neighborhood art walks. September 27 – October 31, 2014, Chicago Artists Month (CAM) will invite residents and visitors to meet artists and see their work at venues across Chicago. The 2014 theme, “Crossing Borders,” showcases 20 featured programs and artists in neighborhoods ranging from Avondale to Andersonville, Lakeview to Little Village, West Town to Wicker Park and Lawndale to the Loop.
CAM is presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in collaboration with the Chicago Park District and numerous community partners.
More info:
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borderbend.org/blog/banned-books-week-2014
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citylitbooks.com
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chicagocalling.org 
