It's Philly phact and Philly phiction, poetry and prose, past and present, literary luminaries and hidden treasures.
It's "A Celebration of Philadelphia Writers" - a two-day festival March 26 and 27 celebrating the city's rich literary heritage and its continuing tradition of producing outstanding novelists, poets, playwrights, journalists, essayists and screenwriters.
More than 60 writers with ties to the city, including such well-known figures as Steve Lopez, Diane Mc-Kinney-Whetstone, Chaim Potok and Sonia Sanchez, will give free readings, lectures and discussions at sites of literary significance such as the Edgar Allan Poe House and the Rosenbach Museum and Library.
As one might expect of an event organized by the Penn Humanities Forum, the University is well-represented among the celebration's participants. Among the Penn people scheduled to participate are journalist Buzz Bissinger (C'76, photo), author Lorene Cary (C/G'78), poet and Afro-American Studies Program director Herman Beavers, English professors Peter Conn and Wendy Steiner, and Pennsylvania Gazette editor John Prendergast (C'80).
In addition to the readings, the celebration features panels on the literary business, films, performances, and walking tours of literary Philadelphia.
-S.S.
A CELEBRATION OF PHILADELPHIA WRITERS: March 26 and 27 at various locations in Center City and University City. All readings and exhibitions are free; performance events, breakfast and luncheon discussions and walking tours charge admission. For a complete schedule of events, visit the Penn Humanities Forum Web site or call 898-8220.
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It's Philly phact and Philly phiction, poetry and prose, past and present, literary luminaries and hidden treasures. 
