Events for the Week

4 Monday

Happy July 4th!

5 Tuesday

7:30 P.M. Jehanne Dubrow and Bonnie Nevel read from their work as part of the Joaquin Miller Cabin Poetry Series held at Miller's Cabin, Picnic Grove #6, Beach Dr. at the Military Rd. overpass in Rock Creek Park, 301-587-4954.

7:30 P.M. Barry Eisler reads from and signs his new John Rain thriller, Killing Rain, at Barnes and Noble-Bethesda, 4801 Bethesda Ave., 301-986-1761.

6 Wednesday

7 P.M. Dylan Thomas -- The Man Behind the Myth Lecture & Reading. From his first published collection of poems in 1934, the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas captivated audiences across Britain and America in performance and on the page; but his untimely death at the early age of 39 resulted in the circulation of many myths about the poet. Learn the real story of Dylan Thomas during this evening's lively discussion led by writer and poet Owen Sheers. Then listen to unpublished recordings of Dylan Thomas reading his own work, followed by professional actor David Ponting's one-man show on the poet. Location: The Brickskeller, 1523 - 22nd St., NW This program is sponsored by the Smithsonian Associate Program. $32, general admission; $25, members.

7 Thursday

7 P.M. Mary Alice Monroe will be signing her new book Sweet Grass. Barnes & Noble, 8123 Honeygo Blvd. White Marsh, Md. (410) 933-9670

7 P.M. Poet Laureate of Maryland Speaks The Maryland Writers' Association hosts a reading and discussing about the importance of poetry lead by Maryland's Poet Laureate Michael Glaser. Pre-registered MWA poets will also have a chance to give readings. Event concludes with coffee and dessert. Located in the Studio Theatre. Location: Studio Theatre at The Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane, Baltimore, Md. More info available at the MWA website.

8 Friday

6:30 P.M. Karrine Steffans signs her new memoir, Confessions of a Video Vixen, along with Darren Coleman , who will sign his new novel, Don't Ever Wonder, at Karibu Books-Forestville,. 3289 B Donnell Dr., Forestville, Md., 301-736-6170.

7 P.M. Paul Feig , creator of the Emmy-nominated show "Freaks and Geeks," discusses and signs his new memoir, Superstud: Or How I Became a 24-Year-Old Virgin , at Olsson's-Courthouse, 2111 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. 703-525-4227.

7 p.m. KEVIN SMOKLER & PAUL COLLINS BOOKMARK NOW
Writing in response to the NEA’s 2004 Reading at Risk report, twenty-five writers under forty examine the state of their art in a world of blogs and chat rooms. These authors contend that news of the death of reading is greatly exaggerated. Instead, new technologies offer increased opportunities for literature. Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20008. 202.364.1919 

9 Saturday

9:30 AM-5 PM The Art of Writing the Personal Essay All-Day Seminar
Writing about your own life and experiences is perhaps the most rewarding kind of nonfiction to be mastered. The genre combines the finely crafted prose of the short story with the real-life intensity of journalism. Suzanne Chazin (writing instructor, New York University) discusses various styles of essay writing and guides participants in crafting their personal experiences into publishable works. This event is sponsored by the Smithsonian Associate Program. Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center. $131, general admission; $85, members


9:30 AM-4:30 PM James Joyce and His Dublin All-Day Seminar. Self-exiled from his native Ireland, his Ulysses banned in Britain and the U.S., denounced as an author who both could not and should not be read, James Joyce (1882-1941) ranks today as one of the most fascinating and influential of modern writers. In this illustrated seminar, Robert Nicholson, curator of the James Joyce Museum at the Tower of Sandycove, explores Joyce's life and works, his city of Dublin, and the phenomenal Irish literary renaissance that coincided with the launch of his career. This event is sponsored by the Smithsonian Associate Program. Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center. $131, general admission; $85, members

7 P.M. Television and film writer Adam Meyer reads from and signs his new young-adult suspense novel, The Last Domino, at Borders-Silver Spring, 8518 Fenton St., 301-585-0550.

10 Sunday

6 P.M. Miles David Moore hosts the launch of the Iota Poetry Series summer season with readings by Vladimir Levchev and Yvette Neisser Moreno at the Iota Club & Café, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. 703-522-8340.