ZoraFest

Sunday, March 27, 2011 – Authors Brunch
11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. / PGA Resort in St. Lucie West
Dr. Heather Russell, Florida International University / Guest Speaker
Other authors will be on hand at the brunch
$35 pp / Reservations with Linda Henderson – 772-834-9227
PGA Country Club
951 SW Country Club La.
Port St. Lucie

Go to St. Lucie West Blvd., either from I-95 or U.S. 1, turn south onto Country Club Lane, which is one of the main cross streets on St. Lucie West Blvd.  It is at a traffic light with Bank of America and Coldwater.  There is a guardhouse at that gate and the guard should be able to give you directions to the country club.  It used to be the first street on the right after the guardhouse.  It takes you into the country club parking lot.

Zora Autobiography Topic of Book Review
Five Authors Set To Appear
At Zora Fest! Literary Programs

Zora Fest! Travels with Zora will take festival guests to Fort Pierce, Miami Beach, Belle Glade, Eau Gallie, Cross Creek, and Eatonville as five authors discuss their new books and their research of the late Harlem Renaissance author Zora Neale Hurston.

While Hurston died 51 years ago in Fort Pierce, interest in her literary achievements, her travels and her archeological studies continues to generate new books that will be featured at the 7th annual Zora Fest!, March 21 – 27 at several different venues in Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County.

The City of Fort Pierce Board of Commissioners and the St. Lucie County Board of Commissioners will declare the week of March 21 – 27, Zora Neale Hurston Week to honor one of the area’s most prominent residents.  Hurston arrived in Fort Pierce in 1957 and died on January 28, 1960.

The Zora Neale Hurston Florida Education Foundation will present five authors and four Zora books during a series of literary events, beginning with a book review, Zora Scholars day, Zora Fest! literary discussions and an Authors Brunch.

Dust Tracks on A Road: The Book Review, hosted by The Sunrise Theatre in downtown Fort Pierce and the Hurston Education Foundation, kicks off the literary schedule.  The event is Wednesday, March 23rd at 7 p.m. at the Sunrise Theatre Black Box in downtown Fort PIerce.  Admission is $10 per person.

Thanks to the Okeechobee Book Club and Friends, panelists will discuss a variety of topics found in Hurston’s autobiography.  On hand will be a display of Zora paintings from Fort Pierce mosaic artist Anita Prentice.

Among the authors introducing their Hurston books at Zora Scholars Day and Zora Fest! are: Victoria Bond and Tanya Simon, authors of Zora and Me, a detective story for young readers; Dr. Anna Lillios, author of Crossing the Creek, a study of the friendship between Hurston and noted Cross Creek and The Yearling author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings; Dr. Donna Weir-Soley of Florida International University, author of Eroticism, Spirituality, and Resistance in Black Women’s Writings; and Lynn Moylan, author of Zora Neale Hurston: Final Decade.  Released during the last two and a half years, the books concentrate on Hurston’s life, literature and friendships and will introduce guests to personal stories they’ve never heard about the famed author of Their Eyes Were Watching God.

On hand for the Zora Scholars program on Thursday, March 24 will be Victoria Bond and Tanya Simon, Dr. Anna Lillios, and Lynn Moylan.  The program will be from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Indian River State College Treasure Coast Public Safety Building on Kirby Loop Road in Fort Pierce.  There is no charge for the program.  Each author will spend an hour discussing her specific book.

On Saturday, March 26, Lynn Moylan, Dr. Donna Weir-Soley and Victoria Bond and Tanya Simon will discuss their books as part of the Zora Fest! Festival Day at Lincoln Park Academy in Fort Pierce.  The day’s activities, besides the author discussions, will include entertainment from student and community groups, vendors, and music by The Council band.  The St. Lucie County Health Department and the Florida Blood Bank will also be on hand.  Friends of the St. Lucie Library will have books for sale, as well as distributing FREE books to children.  There is no charge for festival event.

An Authors Brunch is planned for Sunday, March 27 between 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the PGA Resort in St. Lucie West.  Dr. Heather Russell of Florida International University will be the guest speaker, discussing Zora’s Fort Pierce connections and her “home” experience.  The luncheon is $35 per person. RSVPs are available by calling Linda Henderson at (772) 834-9227.

The Zora Neale Hurston Florida Education Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization.  Sponsors for all Zora Fest! events include:  The Sunrise Theatre, Friends of the St. Lucie County Library, Florida Power & Light Co., St. Lucie County, City of Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County School District, Indian River State College, WQCS / 88.9 FM, the St. Lucie Regional History Center, Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, the Police Athletic League, St. Lucie County Health Department and the Florida Blood Bank.  Check out more events and scheduling at www.zorafest.org.

This year’s art for the 2011 Zorafest Poster