Space is limited for ticketed events; early registration is encouraged. Book Fair runs Nov. 13 -20!
Miami, Oct. 31, 2016 – Miami Dade College’s (MDC) world-renowned Miami Book Fair (MBF) opens its star-studded 33rd edition at the downtown Miami Wolfson Campus with a remarkable and exciting program featuring Daily Show host and comedian Trevor Noah, acclaimed journalist and writer Jorge Ramos, international best-selling Children’s author Eoin Colfer, delicious food, games, and great music.
Author Programs on Opening Day:
4 p.m. MDC Chapman Conference Center (Bldg. 3, 2nd floor)
The opening session of the Spanish program features award-winning journalist, syndicated columnist, and acclaimed author Jorge Ramos. In his latest work, Sin miedo – lecciones de rebeldes y poderosos (Penguin Random House), Ramos recalls and examines his interviews with powerful leaders and how they will influence our nation’s political future. This event will be free of charge, in Spanish with English translation.
5 p.m. MDC Wolfson Campus Auditorium (Room 1261)
In his latest Iron Man adventure, Iron Man: The Gauntlet, international best-selling Children’s author Eoin Colfer explores just how invincible the Invincible Iron Man is when he is stripped of everything. The event is free of charge.
6 p.m. MDC Chapman Conference Center (Bldg. 3, 2nd floor)
Trevor Noah is the host of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning The Daily Show. In his first book, Born a Crime (Spiegel and Grau), Noah tells his coming of age story with his larger-than-life mother during the last gasps of apartheid-era South Africa and the turbulent years that followed. Noah was born illegal — the son of a white, Dutch father and a black Xhosa mother, who had to pretend to be his nanny or his father’s servant in the brief moments when the family came together. Noah provides something deeper than traditional memoirists: powerfully funny observations about how farcical political and social systems play out in our lives. Tickets for Trevor Noah’s book presentation cost $40 and include a copy of the book.
“I love the Fair and on the first day I really feel what I know to be true all year round, the Fair builds community, and has been doing so since 1984. Miami has changed tremendously and the Fair along with it, but one thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment to bringing all of South Florida together to participate, and enjoy, the culture of ideas, and to engage with great books, writers, and each other,” said Lissette Mendez, MBF director of programs. “MDC is Democracy’s College, and the Fair is just one example of that.”
“Opening Day of the Fair is the most exciting day of the year. Our team works countless hours to put on this wonderful event, and on the first day we get to see all the work and dedication bear fruit. Experiencing the smiles of the people who have waited all year for the Fair to start again is our prime reward”, said Delia Lopez, MBF’s director of operations. “The support of the College community and the people of our city who volunteer, donate funds, and contribute in many other ways is key to the success of this community event. We remember that, and honor it on this day.”
Opening day events on The Porch, MBF’s Most Chill Spot:
At 4 p.m., The Porch opens with music, food trucks, giant outdoor games, a community coloring wall from Wynwood Coloring Book, large-scale photography murals by Andrew Kaufman and Biscayne Bay Brewing beers. DJ Brian Jones, a favorite resident DJ at Wood Tavern will spin the dance tunes, as the Miami Poetry Collective crafts typewritten poems-on-demand at the Poem Depot. Get your poetry fill in the Silent Poetry Disco, curated by the Academy of American Poets. Don your headphones and switch between three channels of simultaneously spinning poetry to find your favorite genre.
At 5 p.m., make the Miami Book Fair your canvas! Be a street artist of the future and light up the walls with Project Your Idea’s Digital Graffiti Experience. Using video projection mapping, you can draw on your own, or paint a collaborative piece with light projected in real time.
After your author sessions, celebrate Opening Day at the Fair with a community BBQ on The Porch at 7 p.m.
At 7:30 p.m., it’s a party on the Porch! Prepare to move to the sounds of Quantic, featuring Jimetta Rose, presented by MDC Live Arts. DJ, producer, multi-instrumentalist Will Holland is hailed for his adventurous musical productions and skill for marrying a variety of sounds with a modern dance floor aesthetic. British-born, Brooklyn-based and ever globetrotting, Quantic plays with influences from his international travels and arsenal of genres.
The 2016 Miami Book Fair will take place Nov. 13-20 at the Wolfson Campus in downtown Miami and promises to be another exceptional and literary event!
Visit Miamibookfair.com for full schedule. #MiamiReads #MiamiBookFair2016
Miami Book Fair
Widely recognized as the largest and finest literary gathering in the U.S., the Miami Book Fair’s eight-day festival features readings and conversation with the world’s most renowned authors and more than 200 booksellers and exhibitors across various genres and interests. Book lovers are also treated to culinary presentations, live music, dance and theater performances, interactive art projects, fun and educational activities for children, and more! In addition to the annual festival, the Miami Book Fair builds community and promotes reading and writing throughout the year with activities open to all, including creative writing courses taught by local and visiting authors, literary gatherings and happy hours and Read to Learn Books for Free, a partnership with The Children’s Trust that distributes more than 160,000 free books a year to children in Miami-Dade County.
Miami Book Fair is made possible through the generous support of the State of Florida and the National Endowment for the Arts; the City of Miami; Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; Miami-Dade County Public Schools; the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau; the Miami Downtown Development; and the Friends of the Fair; as well as many corporate partners. Miami Book Fair: Building community, one reader at a time.
Miami Book Fair media contacts: Lisa Palley, 305-642-3132 lpalley@bellsouth.net or Deyanira Navarrette, 305-495-7168, deyanavarrette@gmail.com.