Literary Luminaries Will Shine at Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl on Saturday, September 10 in Reno

The 2022 Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl will take place Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm in Reno, featuring an exploratory day of literary events. Over 40 fiction, non-fiction, and poetry readings, as well as panel discussions, book signings, art installations and projects, and creative workshops are part of the 2022 Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl.

Aimee Nezhukumatathil, author of World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments, will kick off the day with the keynote address at 11 am at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno (160 W Liberty Street). An afternoon of events follows the keynote, taking place at venues throughout the California Avenue corridor in Reno and at the Downtown Reno Library. Over 80 artists, authors, scholars, and poets will be presenting. Access to all events and venues is free and open to the public, and all ages are welcome to participate at a variety of family-friendly readings and activities.

“We are thrilled to be back on the streets of Reno, celebrating the written word in all its forms,” said Christina Barr, executive director of Nevada Humanities. “The Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl is one of the most exciting events happening in Reno each year. After a two-year hiatus, our community has been clamoring to gather again to celebrate Nevada’s rich literary talent. The pairing of literature with engaging and interactive activities appeals to people of all ages and really brings the written word to life. We truly appreciate the tremendous support this event receives from our many community partners and local businesses. The Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl would not be possible without them.”

Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl participants will enjoy readings from both recognized and emerging authors and poets as they take to the streets of Reno with a copy of the guidebook for the Crawl. Venues include: the Downtown Reno Library, Lake Mansion Arts & Cultural Center, Matador Lounge, Nevada Museum of Art, Pignic Pub & Patio, Ceol Irish Pub, Sundance Books & Music, The Loving Cup, and 1864 Tavern; events will take place both indoors and outdoors. Event guide books will be available to download in advance of the Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl at nevadahumanities.org/literarycrawl, and printed copies will be available at Sundance Books and Music a few days before the Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl begins. They will also be available at each venue throughout the day.

Some featured Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl events include:

Start the Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl early with The Prologue Launch Party around The Holland Project on Friday, September 9. Tour KWNK Radio, take part in hands-on activities at Laika Press, and explore art and books at The Holland Project. The Prologue will begin at 6:30 pm and conclude around 9:00 pm.

The keynote address will feature acclaimed author and poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil. The keynote that kicks off the Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl will take place on September 10 in the Nightingale Sky Room at the Nevada Museum of Art at 11 am - 12:00 pm and will be followed by a question and answer session with a book signing. This event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. For tickets, visit nevadahumanities.org.

End the day with The Epilogue After Party at Sundance Books and Music, featuring book readings and a musical performance by Charity Kiss. Food will be available for purchase from food trucks. The Epilogue will begin at 6:30 pm and conclude around 8:00 pm.

Family-friendly events include a family story time at the Downtown Reno Library and a poetry experience led by writer Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Create your own art postcard to send to another Nevadan through the mail at the “Nevada P.S. I Love You Postcard Project” at the Nevada Museum of art, and join artist Megan Berner and “Paint with the Sun” as you create original photograms using natural and found objects at the Lake Mansion Arts & Cultural Center. Find Black Rock Press and pull a one-of-a-kind print to create a “Literary Love Note.”

Additional readings and conversations:

- A conversation between authors Jess Walter (The Angel of Rome, The Cold Millions, and Beautiful Ruins) and Michael Martone, author of Plain Air: Sketches from Winesburg, Indiana, on writing about place.

- Writers and artists talk about re-interpreting and re-telling ancient myths and folktales on their own terms; this event features Naseem Jamnia, Eunkang Koh, and Axie Oh.

- Poets Ari Banias and Maxe Crandall read from their new collections A Symmetry and The Nancy Reagan Collection, and they discuss influences, trans poetics, and collaboration across genres.

- A panel about the history of the divorce industry in Reno, and a talk about Black Springs Nevada, and a documentary film project about climate change will also be a part of the program.

- Selected filmed performances recorded from the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, presented from the archives of the Western Folklife Center.

- An open mic event gives Reno residents a chance to share their work at the Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl. Sign up for the open mic will take place at nevadahumanities.org and the day of the Crawl.

- Catch a ride on a BrewBike throughout the day, and listen to poetry, comedy, and other exciting literary insights during a trip across the Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl route. A rotating cast of writers include: Michael P. Branch, David Gamble Jr., Dustin Howard, Heather Lang-Cassera, Mark Maynard, Claire McCully, Pan Pantoja, and Lindsay Wilson. The BrewBikes are alcohol free for the day, and they will be running on a loop all day long and will stop at designated stops outside participating venues, beginning at 12 pm outside the Nevada Museum of Art. A pre-registration waiver is required. Pinecone Pedicabs are also available to bring people to and from venues.

For a full listing of all authors, poets, and artists participating and all venues in the 2022 Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl visit: nevadahumanities.org/literarycrawl.

This program is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Nevada Arts Council, the College of Liberal Arts and Core Humanities program at the University of Nevada, Reno, the City of Reno, University of Nevada Press, Nevada Museum of Art, Lake Mansion Arts and Cultural Center, Washoe County Library System, The Holland Project, Sundance Books and Music, and Renown Health. The Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities’ special initiative "A More Perfect Union." KUNR is the official media sponsor of the 2022 Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl.

For more information about the Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl or to support Nevada Humanities, visit nevadahumanities.org or call 800-382-5023 in Reno or 702-800-4670 in Las Vegas.

About Nevada Humanities: Nevada Humanities is one of 56 independent, nonprofit state and territorial humanities councils affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities. With offices in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada Humanities creates public programs and supports public projects statewide that define the Nevada experience and facilitate the exploration of issues that matter to the people of Nevada and their communities. For more information about Nevada Humanities visit nevadahumanities.org.

Contact at Nevada Humanities: Stephanie Gibson, Assistant Director of Nevada Humanities, sgibson@nevadahumanities.org, 775-784-6537.