Thursday, Feb. 10, is the annual Davidson Reads at Davidson College, putting the focus on local writers. Alan Michael Parker and Shireen Campbell of the college’s English department will be reading from their work.

Shireen Campbell

Dr. Campbell is the author of a memoir, “Frogheart.” Her creative nonfiction has appeared in “Double Lives, Reinvention” and “Those We Leave Behind, Transformations,” “Reflections on Service” and “Mom-Writers Literary Magazine”.

Alan Michael Parker

Alan Michael Parker has written two novels, including his newest book “Whale Man,” and five collections of poems. He is also the editor or co-editor of three scholarly texts. He won the Fineline Prize, a Pushcart Prize and the Lucille Medwick Memorial Award from the Poetry Society of America.

The Feb. 10 reading will be 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the C. Shaw Smith 900 Room in the Alvarez College Union on the Davidson College campus. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, email Nancy Randazzo at narandazzo@davidson.edu or call 704-894-2284.

RELATED LINKS

The Charlotte Observer’s Pam Kelley interviewed Alan Michael Park about his new novel. See Feb. 6, 2011, “Davidson professor’s new novel is a whale of a tale.”

LITERARY CALENDAR

THURSDAY, FEB. 10

Davidson Reads: college authors, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Alvarez College Union Smith 900 Room – 13th annual “Davidson Reads,” a celebration of writing by faculty members. Professor of English Shireen Campbell, director of the writing center, will read from her forthcoming memoir, Frogheart. Professor of English Alan Michael Parker, director of creative writing, is the author of two novels including the just-published Whale Man, and six collections of poems. Free. For information call 704-894-2254.

MONDAY, FEB. 14

Novelist Cris Mazza, 5 p.m., Davidson College Philanthopic Hall, upstairs – A free reading by novelist Cris Mazza, professor in the program for writers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

FRIDAY, FEB. 18

Conversation and Coffee with Velina Hasu Houston: the playwright of “Kokoro (True Heart)”, 4 p.m., Davidson College Alvarez College Union, Sprinkle Room.

Kokoro: Post-Show Talk Back with the Playwright, Director and Cast (time: after performance) – Davidson College Cunningham Theater Center, Barber Theatre. 704-894-2254.

TUESDAY, MARCH 8

Kevin Prufer Poetry Reading, 5 p.m., Davidson College Carolina Inn, Main Street – Free poetry reading with Kevin Prufer, author of “Fallen from a Chariot,” and “The Finger Bone.” He also is co-editor of “New European Poets” and “Pleiades: A Journal of New Writing.” He is Professor of English and Coordinator of the Creative Writing Program at the University of Central Missouri. More information on the college Website.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17

Art and literature: “10 Days”, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Alvarez College Union, 900 Room – Alan Michael Parker, an English professor, and Herb Jackson, an art professor, present an art and literature event titled “10 Days.” Free.

MONDAY, MAY 2
U.S. poet laureate W.S. Merwin, 8 p.m., Davidson College, Duke Family Performance Hall. U.S. Poet Laureate W.S. Merwin, a 2-time Pulitzer Prize winner, gives the annual Joel Conarroe Lecture. For more information call 704-894-2254. Free, but tickets required.

KOKORO ON STAGE

FEB. 16-20 – The Davidson College theatre department invites the public to a production of the play “Kokoro,” written by contemporary Asian-American playwright Velina Hasu Houston. “Kokoro” chronicles the story of a young Japanese mother struggling to adapt to the very foreign culture of the United States, and illuminates the degree to which culture and spirituality shape our perception of truth and morality. The play contains adult language and themes and is recommended for ages 14 and up. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 16, 17, 18 and 19, and at 2 p.m. on February 20. All performances are in The Barber Theatre of Cunningham Theatre Center. General admission is $8, or $5 for seniors and $4 for students. Call the Union Ticket Office at 704-894-2135 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays or purchase online at www.davidson.edu/tickets. For general information call 704-894-2930.