Gary Soto to appear at 2014 Wonder of Words Festival
The Downtown Community Alliance (DCA) is pleased to announce that Gary Soto is a featured guest of the 3rd Annual Wonder of Words Festival. “An Evening with Gary Soto” will take place Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014 at 7 p.m. at the Temple for Performing Arts in Downtown Des Moines, sponsored by Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC).
Gary Soto, a poet and essayist from Fresno, California, has authored 13 poetry collections and more than 30 books. His most recent book, What Poets Are Like, is a humorous look at his 35-year writing career. Mr. Soto will draw upon his poetry and prose to entertain and inspire while promoting reading as a means of self-discovery. “An Evening with Gary Soto” is a free public event.
Gary Soto is a 1995 finalist for both the Los Angeles Times Award and the National Book Award. He received the Discovery-The Nation Prize and the California Library Association’s John and Patricia Award [twice], in addition to fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts [twice], and the Guggenheim Foundation. He produced the film “The Pool Party,” which received the 1993 Andrew Carnegie Medal and was selected NBC Person of the Week in 1995 for his work with young people. In 1999 he was honored with the Human and Civil Right Award from the American Education Association, the Literature Award from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, and the PEN Center West Book Award for his young-adult short story collection Petty Crimes. In all, his books have sold nearly four million copies. The Gary Soto Literary Museum is located at Fresno City College, where he got his start as a poet in the early 1970s.
Co-produced by the Des Moines Public Library and the Downtown Community Alliance, The Wonder of Words Festival is a compilation of several events, taking place at various venues in Downtown Des Moines and surrounding communities November 2-16, 2014. All media inquiries should be directed to Jessica Barlow at (515) 286-4907 or (563) 505-9226.
About Des Moines Public Library
Founded in 1866, the Des Moines Public Library is the public library system for the City of Des Moines. With six branches and a collection of more than 550,000 items, the Des Moines Public Library is the largest public library system in the state of Iowa. The mission of the Des Moines Public Library is to be the bridge to a world of information and ideas for personal enjoyment and community growth. The Des Moines Public Library is the recognized leader in expanding the universe of opportunities, imagination, innovation, and lifelong learning benefiting its diverse community.
About the Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,100 Regional Business Members and more than 320 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.