Gentilly Fest Celebrates 10 Years
The 10th anniversary of Gentilly Fest, presented by Capital One Bank takes place Oct. 6-8 at the Pontchartrain Park playground, corner of Press and Prentiss Drive.
“Capital One Bank is proud to return as the Presenting Sponsor of Gentilly Fest, and our associates across greater New Orleans and beyond are excited to be a part of the festival on its 10th anniversary,” said Karen DeBlieux, Southeast Louisiana Market President for Capital One Bank. “At Capital One, we’re proud to be part of the New Orleans community, and to participate in this celebration of things that make our city so special: great neighborhoods, world-class music, artists, and food.”
In addition to mainstage entertainment on each day of the festival, the Gentilly Fest will also feature the Gospel Tent on both Saturday and Sunday, with choirs from throughout the city performing each day.
Delicious fare will be available from local food vendors. Numerous artists and craft vendors will showcase and sell their wares. A Kids Village will provide a video game center, face painting, storytelling, and activities for everyone; and Daughters of Charity will be on site, offering free medical screenings.
Local Organizations Team Up for an Evening of Poetry and Community Outreach
The Crescent City Chapter of The Links, Inc., in conjunction with the New Orleans Public Library and One Book One New Orleans, will host “An Evening with Clint Smith” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the main branch of the New Orleans Public Library, 219 Loyola Ave.
“The Links, Inc. is dedicated to the support of the arts, especially focusing on artists of color in a diversity of disciplines. Our programming includes arts integration within our chapters and partnerships with like-minded organizations, sowing the seed of creativity deeper in our community,” says Natalie Barnes, chair of the arts facet of The Links. “The Crescent City Chapter is proud to present one of our own, Clint Smith, New Orleans native, accomplished writer, poet, and essayist.”
Smith’s first book of poetry, Counting Descent, has been described by author Elizabeth Acevedo as “a tightly-woven collection of poems whose pages act like an invitation to New Orleans, to the spades’ table, to mom’s kitchen, to the kiss on a woman’s wrist, to conversations with hydrants and cicadas.”
Most recently, Smith has received the Best Poetry Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. Additionally, Counting Descent is One Book One New Orleans’ selection for 2017 and is the focus of the city-wide literacy campaign’s community events this fall.
“We are so pleased to partner with The Crescent City Chapter of The Links, Inc. and One Book One New Orleans to host what is sure to be a memorable evening with such a talented and accomplished writer. This is the type of unique, informative, and entertaining programming that the Library strives to provide the community and we look forward to continuing the celebration of the 2017 One Book One New Orleans selection of Counting Descent,” says Charles Brown, executive director of the New Orleans Public Library.
Smith will read from his book, followed by an interview with Michael “Quess?” Moore. He will be available to sign books following the event. Local bookstore Blue Cypress Books will be on site selling copies of Counting Descent. In addition to its focus on literature and literacy, the event will also raise awareness for a cause near to the author’s heart—organ donation. The Legacy Donor Foundation will be on site to share information about the importance of organ transplants and to give guests the opportunity to sign up as organ donors.
Complimentary food and beverages will be available. This event is free, family-friendly and open to the public.
