The following is an announcement from the African Atlantic Genealogical Society:
The Harlem Book Fair on Island is set to draw several thousand book lovers to Long Island September 9 through September 11, 2004. The Harlem Book Fair on Long Island attracted over 2000 participants to last year's Book Fair. The African Atlantic Genealogical Society will be hosting the Harlem Book Fair on Long Island on Saturday, September 11, 2004. The book fair was established in Harlem in 1998, by Max Rodriguez, publisher of QBR the Black Book Review. It has been held annually in Harlem, New York City, since then. Other venues have been established in cities across the country (i.e.) San Diego, CA, Boston, MA; Chicago,IL; etc. Long Island became an additional venue in 2003.
The book fair will take place outdoors, from noon until 6:00 p.m., at the Freeport Recreation Center, 130 East Merrick Road, Freeport NY. In case of inclement weather, it will be held in the recreation center's gymnasium. Story-tellers, clowns, face-painters and a balloon-twister will entertain the children.On Thursday, September 9th, at 6:30 p.m., noted author and historian, William Loren Katz, will deliver a lecture and slide presentation based on his book, "Black Indians" at the Freeport Memorial Library, 144 West Merrick Road, Freeport.
An Author's Reception will be held on Friday, September 10th in the Mezzanine Lounge at the recreation center, from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Authors will discuss their work and a buffet dinner will be served. Entertainment will be provided by the phenomenal blues singer/guitarist, Ray "The Blues Man" Schinnery. There is an admission charge of $45.00 for the Authors Reception.
There will be a Writer's Workshop and two panel discussions in connection with the book fair. Elizabeth Nunez, Distinguished Professor of English at City University, New York, is conducting the workshop. Attendees for the workshop must pre-register. Registrants may submit manuscripts by August 13th. Ms. Nunez and staff will choose ten of the submitted manuscripts and critique them. The workshop will be held at the Freeport Recreation Center, Saturday, September 11th from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
The book fair will open at noon and the panel discussions will begin at 1:00 p.m. The first panel of noted authors and radio personalities will discuss "Why You Should Read What I Write". The second panel will discuss Up from Underground: The History of Blacks in America, at 3:00 p.m.
The hosting of the Harlem Book Fair on Long Island is made possible by supporters: Verizon, Freeport C.D.A., and Astoria Federal Savings. For inquiries call 516-867-7480.
