| James McBride in Kalamazoo
 |
"My visit there was
the most fun I've had
as a
'chosen book'
participant."
-James McBride |
|
Thanks to generous community and sponsor support,
Reading Together was able for the first time to
bring its featured author to Kalamazoo. On March
9th and 10th, author and musician James McBride
visited Kalamazoo for two event-filled days
centered around The Color of Water.
Despite bad weather and numerous flight delays, McBride
happily greeted dozens of readers at two informal
book signing events; one in Kalamazoo Public
Library's Van Deusen Room on Thursday, March 9th, and the other at the
Portage District Library the following afternoon.
Wednesday evening, McBride presented his
"Meditation on Identity" at Fresh Fire
AME Church on Bronson Park. McBride spoke of his
life, his family, his thoughts, and his
experiences before opening the session up to
questions and comments from audience members. An
informal reception followed.
His desire to interact with young people was
fulfilled with a powerful visit to the Juvenile
Home on Thursday morning, and a 1 1/2 hour talk
with 300 high school students at Chenery
Auditorium. He found those students to be
outstanding representatives of Kalamazoo and
praised their parents, guardians and teachers.
McBride's visit was capped by a Thursday
evening performance with his jazz band at
First Baptist Church on Michigan
Avenue. The group featured pianist
Sarah Jane Cion, bassist Calvin Jones, and
drummer Charles Hopkins.
McBride was relaxed and sincere as he
conversed with the audience and led his band
through a variety of jazz standards and
originals.
After the concert, McBride remarked that
Kalamazoo had the BEST community reading
program he has participated in! He was
noticeably impressed and humbled by the
reception he received in
Kalamazoo.
Our sincere thanks to Mr. McBride and to all
who made this outstanding event such a
success!
Press coverage of McBride's visit
 Kalamazoo
Gazette, Sunday, March 06, 2005
Reading Together events.
Kalamazoo
Gazette, Friday, March 11, 2005
'Color of Water' author McBride presides over
swinging, soulful jazz concert.
More related press articles
Details
of McBride's Kalamazoo visit
Comments from patrons...
"Thank
you for the opportunity to meet James
McBride. I really enjoyed his input on
his own writing and his supportive
comments about the local library. He
is so right. Keep up the great work
and innovative thinking." -JKW |
"The
opportunity to participate in the
James McBride events was really
wonderful for me, to read the book,
hear the man and then listen to the
music. It felt like such a complete
experience somehow. He was
amazing." -BL |
Questions about the Reading Together program? or call (269) 553-7913. |
