Amelia Island Book Festival
Contact RM Fenn
[email protected]
January 17, 2017 6:03 p.m.
Enticing young people to better express their creativity and talents, the Amelia Island Book Festival and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County have teamed up to put on the Tween/Teens Scene, an event featuring four renowned authors, all in one location, covering four areas of the creative arts—poetry, graphics and illustration, fiction novels and playwriting. The Event will be held Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the BGC Miller Freedom Center, 942259 Old Nassauville Road, Fernandina Beach, FL.
The FREE event is open all students grades 6 to 12 across the county, however reservations are required. During this chock-full-of-excitement, two-hour event, students will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with renowned authors in both large gatherings (opening ceremonies and during refreshments) as well as small individual breakout sessions. Students will get the chance to attend at least two sessions of their choice. There will be lots of food, fun, and prizes and surprises.
“It’s all part of our increased efforts aimed at the Tween/Teen population. This is a critical age and we want to help our students succeed in every way possible,” says Marie Fenn, AIBF president. “This event and the expanded Short Story writing contest are devoted to encouraging young people to express themselves through the arts while learning about the World around them through books and other written forms. We are immensely grateful to the sponsors who are making this expanded effort possible – an Anonymous Donor in Memory of Shiela Fountain, the WISH YOU WELL FOUNDATION and the David Miller Family.
“Tweens and Teens are our future”, says Jamie Thompson, Chief Operations Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County. “This fits perfectly with our efforts to help youth create aspirations for their future. By providing opportunities in this core area, we are enabling youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the arts and creative writing. We’re excited about this partnership. We urge students across the county, especially those who have never been inside a Boys & Girls Club to come see what a great place awaits them if they become BGC members; at the same time taking advantage of this unique opportunity to engage with authors, illustrators, poets and playwrights”.
While there is no cost to attend, students must make a reservation either a)At the BGC Miller Club; or B)By calling the Club at (904) 261-1075, or C)By visiting www.ameliaislandbookfestival.org on line and registering there.
Also, Tweens and Teens are encouraged to save the date to attend the Author Expo/Reader Extravaganza at the Fernandina Beach Middle School Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. These authors and more than 100 others will be there to further excite and scintillate students. A special feature of the Expo is an appearance by R.L. Stine, author of Goosebumps and Fear Street. Reservations for the FREE session with R.L. Stine on Saturday will be available a few weeks before the event.
Editor’s note: Attached are photos of the four authors presenting at the Tween/Teen Scene event are available upon request. Below is a short sidebar on the authors and the breakout sessions.
TWEEN/TEEN SCENE – SIDEBAR
Tween/Teen Scene kickoffs with Charles Benoit an award-winning author, musician and advertising executive who has been regaling youth and adults for many years. His thriller stories, his energy, passion and flair for fun through his saxophone are the stuff that intrigues young people and spurs their writing.
The four sessions from which students will choose two are:
RHYME TIME – With Nathan Brooken—Poet, playwright, songwriter and author. Students will feel the magic and learn the advantages of writing poetry. Experience the unique voice of poetry in this interactive exchange with the talented author of My Beautiful Black Sister and other works.
CHILLER THRILLERS – Charles Benoit – Author of Snow Job, Cold Calls, You and others. Students will explore key elements that make a story stand out; how to jump start their writing; and get a few insights into the publishing world.
DRAW 4 BOOKS – Hosted by Mark Wayne Adams, an award winning illustrator of 50 children’s books and an author and publisher. Illustrations and comic sketches are powerful storytelling tools! Students will discover 4 key drawing books and how to apply them in seeking a career as an illustrator. Sketchbooks, journals, and questions are encouraged during this entertaining session.
THEATRE: A ROUND PLACE FOR SQUARE PEGS – David-Matthew Barnes, an award-winning playwright and arts educator presents an interactive session on playwriting. Through collaborative acting and writing exercises, participants will have opportunity to see how theatre can bring important subjects such as a tolerance and acceptance to any community. Participants will explore how
theatre can result not only in creative expression, but make positive changes in the World.