Book Launch & Funny Fund Raiser - Oct. 17th

Posted on October 12, 2008 by Auntie M —

Friday, October 17th at 6:30 pm at Olin Hall, Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson

Press Release: Anthology of Hudson Valley Humor Showcases Local Talent
Book Launch at Bard to Benefit Dutchess County Arts Council

Press Release: Rhinebeck, NY September 9, 2008: Rhinebeck resident and New Yorker cartoonist Danny Shanahan was given the assignment of rounding up writers and artists living or working in the Hudson Valley and asking them to contribute funny material for an anthology of humor. The submissions did not need to be about the Hudson Valley (Residency, not subject matter, was the qualifier) and short fiction, essays, poems, cartoons, art, photography, in short anything that could be printed in a standard size book would be considered for publication by Mr. Shanahan. Providing, of course, that it be funny. And funny he got. The result is the forthcoming Some Delights of the Hudson Valley: An Anthology of Hudson Valley Humor to be published by Epigraph Publishing this coming October. Some Delights features contributions from 50 well-known and not so well-known Hudson Valley neighbors. Fellow New Yorker cartoonist Michael Maslin’s cartoon was selected for the book’s cover. Bard College President Leon Botstein’s essay was chosen for the introduction, and beloved poet Robert Kelly’s prose poem was chosen to close the written portion of the anthology. Of the book as a whole, Shanahan says, “Whether you prefer a sly, knowing grin, a satisfied chuckle or a full-out braying guffaw, all will make you laugh.”

The book’s launch is being held as a “triple hitter”: Book Launch/Fundraiser/Funny Event to benefit the Dutchess County Arts Council. The event will be held in Olin Hall on Bard College campus on Friday October 17 at 6:30pm. There will be a reception before and after the show which will feature readings by contributors (reading their own work) such as stage and screen stars Denny Dillon (”Saturday Night Live”) and Mary-Louise Wilson (”Grey Gardens”),Comedian Tom Davis (Franken and Davis) and poets Robert Kelly and Mikhail Horowitz. In addition to readings there will be a cartoon panel Q&A with New Yorker cartoonist team Shanahan, Maslin, Liza Donnelly and Michael Crawford. Music will be provided by rock legend Graham Parker, also a contributor to the book. There will be a drawing for original cartoon art work from the book, and tickets to “The Daily Show”, courtesy of Comedy Central. Tickets are $35 for an individual and $50 per couple and include 1 copy of the book. Tickets can be reserved by calling the Dutchess County Arts Council at 845-454-3222 or on their website Dutchess County Arts Council.