It’s time, once again, to help choose the poems, essays and stories that will be read at this year’s ASAP Celebration of Young Writers. For those of you who are new here, The Celebration of Young Writers is an annual event to raise money for the After School Arts Program in Washington, CT. Local writers and performing artists read the works of children in the community, ages 5-18. Over the years, Denis, Christine Baranski, Peter Gallagher, Mia Farrow, Rose Styron and many others have been readers and Frank McCourt, whom we all dearly miss, always ended the evening with a tribute to teachers.
This year, the event will be on Saturday, May 14th. For tickets, you may click here.
Last year, I noticed something special about the writing of eleven-year-olds. This year, I am just captivated by all the work. We don’t know the names of the kids, their ages, or even the schools they attend – it’s a blind selection process – and we don’t necessarily choose the best pieces, but rather the pieces that will be most entertaining. I wish we could choose them all. I have laughed and cried and then laughed again for the past hour reading this stuff. What a gift it is to me to be allowed to read these wonderful words from the precious and, I fear, transient imaginations of young minds. I’m amazed at the way some very small children seem to understand and appreciate the lyrical beauty of words placed just so. Some let loose with words and phrases that they just just seem to love because they’re funny or pretty and they seem to weave them together with no self-doubt, no inner critic nagging away at them. They are little masters of little masterpieces and I just find myself falling in love with them all, though I don’t know who they are. They’re writers, that’s all.
such a great event!
This event was so much fun last year, especially with Partner in Crime Cynthia!
Is this the event some of our blog readers attended last year and took pictures? I hope if there’s a contingent from the blog attending again this year that someone will get pictures, or do a little video to share with the rest of us! Okay, I just took the time to read KC’s reply…so someone take pictures!!
I will be there, and will be the unofficial videographer. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Didn’t you do a great video last year, Aislinn, including the drive here?
Yes-sir-ee! She did a great video!
Yep. I even threw in some snappy background music, and got a close-up of Bev’s shoes. But the piece de resistance was Candace Bushnell’s ring. Oh, and Cynthia’s necklace. Oh, and Alan’s ear.
hahaha! Aislinn, you are too cute!!
Is this the event where Cynthia’s head was on a stick?
Or was it Catherine’s?
Aislinn,I will be very excited to see this year’s sequel. I remember last year’s flick fondly…Thank you! (From those of us who are unable to attend!!).
I’ve attended this event twice, and it’s heartwarming, funny, and lots of fun. Last year was simply the best because, in addition to all of those talented and creative kids, I was in the company of Bev (and her husband Mark), Lisa (and her husband Tom), KC, Colleen, Cynthia, Aislinn, and Arliss, perhaps collectively the funniest (and nicest) group of people I know.
Some of us will be there again this year. I’ve already bought my ticket and am really looking forward to the entertainment, both on and off the stage. I’ll be bringing my camera and taking pictures again but am particularly pleased that Aislinn will once again be our unofficial videographer.
And yes, Sandra, it was Catherine’s head-on-a-stick, courtesy of Cynthia.
Thanks Alan!
Really really enjoyed this event and all the wonderful people last year!
Of course you enjoyed it. You ate all the baby quiches.
You have to move on from this Colleen, Did the peace offering of Spinach and Feta pie mean nothing at all????
It’s been difficult to move on, Bev. There were a LOT of quiches I missed out on. But you’re right. Your spinach and feta cheese pie was a delicious peace offering. So, feel free to eat another party’s worth of baby quiches if it means more pie.
Colleen, you can have my pie anytime.
that is an event I would’ve loved to attend, but being here in Mpls there are obvious logistic problems. Young writers are so great, and to get recognized is so fantastic for them. I hope you all have a wonderful time- wish I could join you!