Program Highlight:
Obama: The Prequel
History scholars Joe Crespino, Devin Fergus, Kent Germany, and Brett Gadsen will speak about the eve... Read more
LIve Music and Poetry
Music
Tune into the festival’s live musical performances by nationally touring musicians!
Centennial Celebration
Mary Chapin Carpenter, Caroline Herring, Kate Campbell, and Claire Holley will perform together at Agnes Scott College’s Presser Hall on Saturday, September 5 at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7. The performance celebrates the 100th anniversary of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Eudora Welty’s birth. Tickets to the event are $25 and available at Agnes Scott College’s box office, (404) 471-6430.
Mary Chapin Carpenter is the winner of five Grammy Awards, and is the only artist to win the Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance four years in a row. Her album Come On Come On achieved quadruple platinum status. The multi-talented singer/songwriter also authors a biweekly column in the Washington Times, and has been featured on NPR’s This I Believe.
American folk singer/songwriter Kate Campbell has released 12 albums, most of which explore the topics of race, religion, history, and human relationships through storytelling. Her music has been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Mountain Stage.
Caroline Herring is an Atlanta-based country and folk singer/songwriter who recently released the album Lantana. She has been named Best New Artist by the 2002 SXSW Austin Music Awards and the Austin American Statesman.
Claire Holley, whose voice has been described as “nothing short of achingly beautiful” by the Huffington Post, is a Southern-born singer/ songwriter who has toured within the past year in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, California, Arkansas, and Maryland.
The Good ol’ Girls, Revisited (Almost)
The 2008 DBF featured a hit live performance by Marshall Chapman, Jill McCorkle, Matraca Berg, and Lee Smith––collectively known as the “Good ol’ Girls.” This year, Chapman and McCorkle are returning as a duo for a special Sunday night concert. Tickets for the September 6 event are $20 and available through Eddie’s Attic.
Good Eats, Lyrical Treats
Southern Foodways Alliance presents a picnic Sunday evening at which attendees will be able to explore the intersection of international cuisines in the South as they enjoy live music by Sweet AlizAbeth. Oh, and did we mention the pickled okra contest?
Other Music
In addition to the powerhouse performance to take place at Agnes Scott, three musicians will be performing at nationally renowned music venue Eddie’s Attic Saturday evening at 8 p.m. Diane Durrett (who has performed in connection with music icons such as Tina Turner, Michael Bolton, Sting, and Faith Hill), folk singer/songwriter David Olney (described as “…a true genius of American song” by the Houston Press), and author, guitarist, and singer/songwriter Paul Sanchez, will play an assortment of musical selections.
All three musicians will have readings at Eddie’s Attic during the day, which will be free and open to the public. Tickets to the evening event are $15 and are available through Eddie’s Attic. Doors open at 7:30.
Poetry
Enjoy spoken word performances and poetry readings all weekend long by notable poets, including Pulitzer Prize winner and Decatur native Natasha Trethewey!
In addition, the Local Poetry Stage presented by Java Monkey—dedicated exclusively to an eclectic lineup of local poets—will feature the following:
- Invitational Poetry Slam: This poetry slam will feature metro Atlanta’s best slam poets in competition.
- Java Monkey Speaks: Show up early to participate in this spoken word poetry open mic, or just sit back and enjoy the fun.
Teens may sign up to include their own work as part of the Teen Poetry Slam (Target Children’s Stage). Open to slam poets ages 13 to 18, this competition will include celebrity judges and prizes.
