Tapestry of Tales Festival

Now that the rain is upon us once again and our clocks are effectively turned back, it can be hard to leave the house after 4:00 p.m. If you're like me and need a little extra incentive to get out of bed in the winter months, look no further than the ninth annual Tapestry of Tales Storytelling Festival, sponsored by Multnomah County Library.

The festival runs most of November and features prominent storytellers like Syd Lieberman, Motoko, and Grammy-winner Bill Harley. The kickoff event on November 10th at the Hollywood Library is an especially promising one. Entitled Cringe Down Memory Lane, participants are invited to exploit their cringe-worthy selves by bringing old journal entries, photographs or agonizing love letters, the more embarrassing the better. I personally participated in a similar event last year and read some pretty insightful seventh grade observations on rollerblading and the movie Sister Act 2.

Most events are free of charge, though some special events do charge admission. For more information, visit http://www.multcolib.org/events/tales/.

Portland Literary Events

Date: Friday, October 10–Monday, October 13
Buy books, CDs, DVDs, audiotapes, videotapes, maps, and sheet music at the Friends of the Multnomah County Library used book sale. Children’s books and pocket-sized paperbacks start at $.50. Hardcover and larger paperbacks start at $1.50.
Where: 8150 N Lombard Street, Portland, OR 97203
When: Friday (member only presale, 6:00–9:00 p.m.); Saturday (9:00 a.m.–6:00p.m.); Sunday (11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.); Monday (9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.)
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.friends-library.org

Date: Saturday, October 11
Nobel Peace Prize candidate Dr. Jeff Halper will speak on the Middle East.
Where: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1624 NE Hancock Street, Portland, OR 97212
When: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: (503) 287-1289

Date: Sunday, October 12
View original picture book art from the Caldecott Honor winner Bryan Collier. A self-guided tour of his original picture book art, including books to read and explore, will be available to groups throughout the exhibit. All groups who take the tour will receive complimentary Bryan Collier buttons! To reserve a tour, call (503) 988-5340. Defining Moments: An Exhibition of the Works of Bryan Collier lasts until November 6.
Where: Collins Gallery, 3rd Floor, Central Library, 801 SW 10th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205
When: Noon – 5:00 p.m. (other days and times available on the library’s website)
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.multcolib.org

Date: Monday, October 13
David Macaulay will read from The Way We Work.
Where: Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton, OR 97005
When: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.powells.com

Date: Tuesday, October 14
Sarah Vowell will read from The Wordy Shipmates.
Where: Bagdad Theater, 3702 SE Hawthorne, Portland, OR 97214
When: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $25 (includes a copy of the book)
For more info: (503) 225-5555

Date: Tuesday, October 14
Floyd Skloot will read from The Wink of the Zenith: The Shaping of the Writer’s Life.
Where: Broadway Books, 1714 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232
When: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: (503) 284-1726

Date: Wednesday, October 15
Betty Fussell will read from Raising Steaks: The Life and Times of American Beef.
Where: Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 1005 W Burnside, Portland, OR 97209
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.powells.com

Date: Thursday, October 16
Media attorney Derek Green will discuss online news, the First Amendment, and how the Internet has changed journalism.
Where: Twenty-Third Avenue Books, 1015 NW 23rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97210
When: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.23rdavebooks.com

Date: Thursday, October 16
Don Colburn, Annie Lighthart, and Scot Siegal will read from Windfall: A Journal of Poetry of Place.
Where: Looking Glass Bookstore, 7983 SE 13th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202
When: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://lookingglassbook.qwestoffice.net