May Festival of the Arts

Best selling author, journalist and baby boomer expert, Gail Sheehy will be making a presentation at the May 16th Books in Bloom event in an early time slot than previously posted.

Sheehy’s talk on her newest book, Passages in Caregiving: Turning Chaos into Confidence, has been rescheduled from the 4:00-4:45 slot and will now be presented in the Conservatory (or Crystal Dining Room in the event or rain) from 1:00 – 1:45 PM. Nevada Barr, New York Times bestselling author and favored speaker to the fine arts community, originally scheduled for 1:00, will be presenting Life’s A Mystery at 4:00 pm.

Events throughout the Festival from Noon – 5:00 will be held in the Faculty Lounge, in The Conservatory and in the Reader’s Tent on the grounds of the 1886 Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs. More details on the website.

The 6th annual Books in Bloom event in Eureka Springs brings together accomplished authors, booklovers, and writers in a lovely, informal ‘garden-party’ setting at the 1886 Crescent Hotel Sunday, May 16th from Noon to 5 PM.

With a reputation for attracting big name authors, Books in Bloom has captured the attention of booklovers throughout the state, and this year is no exception. Gail Sheehy, famed author of “Passages,” will be one of the featured speakers, along with Nevada Barr, Steve Berry, Michael Shelden, and Arkansas historian, columnist and author, Tom Dillard.

“People tell us that they can’t believe the level of talent we are able to present,” said Lin Wellford, co-chair of the festival. “It’s almost a year-round effort, and sometimes it takes years to convince an author to come. Nevada Barr turned us down several times. This year she accepted, telling us she admired our persistence!”

In addition, one of this year’s authors, Steve Berry, has offered his services to present a writer’s workshop while he is in the area. The day-long workshop will benefit the Carroll County Historical Society, and takes place on Saturday, May 15, at the Grand View Hotel on the square in Berryville.

Books in Bloom at 1886 Crescent Hotel

Along with scheduled author talks in the conservatory, the gardens surrounding the Crescent Hotel will be filled with local and regional authors and publishers. There will be on-going readings and book signings throughout the afternoon.

“The University of Arkansas Press always has a booth, and they offer some wonderful bargains during our festival,” said Jean Elderwind, who serves as co-chair and also administrator or the Carroll and Madison Public Library System. “In fact, they’ve told us Books in Bloom is one of their best scheduled events. Tim Ernst will also join us this year. His books are well known and wildly popular among our attendees.”

Festival-goers are encouraged to come early and take advantage of a free shuttle service provided to ease traffic congestion. Refreshments will be available throughout the day, provided by Friends of the Library members.

The festival will take place rain or shine, moving onto the hotel veranda, with additional covered space provided by the hotel in case of showers.

Books in Bloom is a project of the Carroll and Madison Public Library Foundation. Visit website for further details.

A booksigning with Michael “Supe” Granda, of The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, will be at Gazebo Books on May 1 from 1-5pm.

IT SHINED - The Saga of The Ozark Mountain Daredevils

Granda’s book, “IT SHINED – The Saga of The Ozark Mountain Daredevils” is the story of the founding of the Daredevils in Springfield, Missouri, their discovery and recording with A & M records, their decades of concert tours, personal turmoils, and “a cornucopia of tales from the rock-n-roll highway”.

The public is invited to come meet “Supe” Granda at Gazebo Books, 86 Spring Street, downtown Eureka Springs.

For more information, call (479) 253-9556.

Beyond the Page is an art exhibit of handmade books created by the students of local High School art instructor Jessica Cummings. The students created handmade books to honor the impact of their favorite childhood stories.

The exhibit will be featured all month for May Festival of the Arts at the Carnegie Public Library and the Carnegie Library Annex window. For more information call (479) 253-8754 or email info@eurekalibrary.org

“FOOD FOR THOUGHT” is presented by Studio 62 and the Eureka Springs Christian Writers Group (ESCWG).

The writers’ series of presentations on spirituality, life, and love is an evening of pizza and pondering. The best pizza in town provided by Studio 62 and the writers group for FREE. Coffee and tea compliments of The Lovin’ Oven located at Quarter shopping center on Hwy 62 in Eureka Springs. May’s event is scheduled for Saturday, May 15th and starts at 6:00 p.m.