South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Literary Feast, Matlin, ‘Evan Hansen’
The Broward County Library Foundation’s annual Literary Feast has grown since its first event in 1984 to include free public panel discussions; author discussions at three venues for high schoolers; dinners for donors and authors; and the LitLunch!, a currently sold-out event on Feb. 9. Proceeds from the Literary Feast underwrite the foundation’s literacy programs. The author dinners kick off at a cocktail party March 2 at Bahia Mar in Fort Lauderdale. For more information on any of the Literary Feast events visit bplfoundation.org/literary-feast.
Free panel discussions with the authors occur from 6 to 8 p.m. March 1. Seats fill up quickly so reservations are a must. Here’s the schedule:
"Fiction in Fort Lauderdale" with moderator Gail Bulfin at Barnes & Noble, 2051 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale,
954-561-3732. Authors are: Ronald H. Balson, “The Girl from Berlin”; Pam Jenoff, “The Lost Girls of Paris”; Lydia Millet, “Fight No More”; Beatriz Williams, “The Summer Wives.”
“Mystery in Plantation” with moderator Oline Cogdill at Barnes & Noble,
591 S. University Drive, Plantation, 954-723-0489. Authors are: James O. Born, “Ambush”; Peter Hellman, “In Vino Duplicitas: The Rise and Fall of a Wine Forger Extraordinaire”; Shari Lapena, “An Unwanted Guest”; Lori RaderDay, “Under a Dark Sky”; James Swain, “The King Tides.”
“Panel in the Pines” with moderator Mim Harrison at Barnes & Noble at Pembroke Crossings, 11820 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, 954-441-0444. Authors are: Dave Cullen, “Parkland”; Beck DoreyStein, “From the Corner of the Oval”; Ben Fritz, “The Big Picture: The Fight for the Future of Movies”; Senator George LeMieux, “Florida Made: The 25 Most Important Figures Who Shaped the State”; Daniel Stone, “The Food Explorer: The True Adventures of the Globe-Trotting Botanist Who Transformed What America Eats.”
Playwright heads Jewish Book Festival
The Diane & Barry Wilen Jewish Book Festival starts again with a theater tie-in. For tickets and information call 954-434-0499, ext. 336; visit www.dpjcc.org/culturalarts. Playwright and TV writer Steven Levenson, who won the 2017 Tony Award for best book of a musical for “Dear Evan Hansen,” discusses his work at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 in the Orlove Auditorium at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center, 5850 S. Pine Island Road, Davie.
Levenson co-wrote the novel “Dear Evan Hansen,” which is based on the Broadway musical. The coming-of-age story plays at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts March 26 to April 7. Levenson’s event will be moderated by Kelley Shanley, president/ CEO of the Broward Center, and includes a performance by Broward Center’s Youth Ensemble The Spotlights. Ticket-holders for this program will have a chance to win two tickets to the opening night performance at the Broward Center or show souvenirs. Admission is $30 for one ticket and one book; $40 for two tickets and one book.
Alyson Richman will discuss her novel “The Secret of Clouds,” an emotional story about the connection between a mother, Levenson
a teacher and a child, at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 21 at a private residence. Address will be given out at time of ticket purchase. Tickets are $36 and include author presentation and a light lunch. Books will be available for purchase at the event. An international bestselling author, Richman is best known for “The Lost Wife” and “The Velvet Hours.”
And fashionistas, get ready. Designer Isaac Mizrahi — and judge on the Lifetime network show “Project Runway” — will speak at 7 p.m. March 12 in the Orlove Auditorium. By then we should know who won the latest “Project Runway All Stars.”
French author in Boca
Controversial French author and activist Bernard-Henri Lévy will discuss his work at 2 p.m. Feb. 16 in the Florida Atlantic University Theatre,
777 Glades Road, Boca Raton. Tickets are $20; visit www.fauevents.com or call
561-297-6124. FAU and the Palm Beach Book Festival are co-presenting Lévy’s presentation.
Lévy is the author of more than 30 books including “The Genius of Judaism,” “American Vertigo,” “Who Killed Daniel Pearl?” and his most recent, “The Empire and the Five Kings: America’s Abdication and the Fate of the World.” His Goodwin
opinions, political activism and publications have stirred several controversies over the years. Lévy is co-founder of the antiracist group SOS Racisme and has served on diplomatic missions for the French government.
Kearns Goodwin kicks off Boca arts fest
For the fifth time, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin will kick off the annual Festival of the Arts Boca beginning at 7 p.m. Feb. 28. She will discuss her latest book, “Leadership in Turbulent Times.” The 13th annual festival will be Feb. 28 to March 10 at the Mizner Park Amphitheater and Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center in Boca Raton. It features music, film, dance, concerts and authors. Tickets range from $15 to $150 per person and are available at festivalboca.org or call 866-571-ARTS (866-571-2787).
The Authors and Ideas program features constitutional scholar and author Jeffrey Rosen, who will speak about the Constitution in the 21st century; a panel discussion, “Global Public Health Today and Tomorrow,” featuring Dr. Agnes Binagawaho and Tom Bollyky; “PoemJazz” with former Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, who will read his poetry while accompanied by a small jazz ensemble; and Pulitzer Prize winning writer David Sanger who will talk about his latest book, “The Perfect Weapon: War, Sabotage and Fear in the Cyber Age.”
Obsessed with art
Obsessions are a favorite theme of B.A. Shapiro — art, music, gems and more all play into her novels. In “The Collector’s Apprentice,” it’s art. Set in 1922, Paulien Mertens lands in Paris — broke, disowned and completely alone at 19 years old. She’s suspected of stealing millions in a sophisticated con game. She changes her name and tries to recover her father’s art collection and prove her innocence. Shapiro will discuss “The Collector’s Apprentice” at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at Murder on the Beach, 273 Pineapple Grove Way, Delray Beach, 561-279-7790, murderonthebeach.com.
Marlee Matlin at speakers series
Academy Award-winning actress, author and activist Marlee Matlin continues the Broward College’s annual Speaker Series with a presentation on Feb. 6. Matlin will discuss “Nobody's Perfect: Achieving Inclusion, Diversity and Access,” a topic close to her heart. Deaf since she was 18 months old, Matlin had a successful Hollywood career and has dedicated herself to raising awareness for many humanitarian causes, including diversity and LGBT rights. She is a staunch advocate for children and a champion for those struggling against domestic abuse and addiction.
The series will be held at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Amaturo Theatre, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets range from $60 to $80 and can be purchased at www.BrowardCollegeSpeakerSeries.com. Each discussion begins at 7:30 p.m. The series will continue with sports analyst and broadcaster Terry Bradshaw on March 11 and award-winning actor and bestselling author Hill Harper on April 24.
Romance, mystery writers
Author Jane K. Cleland’s award-winning mystery series about antiques dealer Josie Prescott combines suspense with well-developed characters while giving a master class about old things. So it’s appropriate that she will discuss “Mastering Suspense, Structure & Plots” in her talk with the Florida Romance Writers from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 9 at Tigertail Recreational Center, 580 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach. Cost is $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Pay under meetings tab at frwriters.org. For more information email Rossie Cortes at rossie@ iq-mc.com.
Writers need to hone their craft whether working on a novel or an article. Daphne Nikolopoulos will discuss “Writing for Magazines and Websites” beginning at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 16 at Embassy Suites, 661 NW
53rd St., Boca Raton. Cost is
$25 for members; $30 for non-members. To reserve visit mwaflorida.org or email ray@rayflynt.com. In addition to being a writing instructor, Nikolopoulos is editor in chief of Palm Beach Illustrated magazine and editorial director of Palm Beach Media Group. She also writes historical mysteries under the pseudonym D.J. Niko.