Two Beacon LitFest Events Draw Sell-out Crowds

Shane Bly Killoran addresses sold out crowd at Vagina Monologues.
Shane Bly Killoran addresses sold out crowd at Vagina Monologues.

BEACON – The Howland Cultural Center(HCC) and Beacon LitFest are thrilled with their most recent success, Hudson Valley Poets Present; the April 19 program featured top writers reading to a full house. In March, LitFest, in collaboration with Hit House Creative, also produced a sold out performance of the award-winning ‘Vagina Monologues.’ These events, and an encore presentation of VM on May 19, are lead-ins to the major Beacon Litfest@Howland Cultural Center slated for June 17 and 18, and take place at HCC at 477 Main Street in Beacon, New York.

The April 19th reading brought together Sean Singer, Amy Holman, Kristen Holt-Browning, Natania Rosenfeld, Janlori Goldman, and Mike Jurkovic. Some introduced work from their debut publications, while others shared poetry from their award-winning books and chapbooks. The reading showcased the range and depth of literary talent up and down the Hudson Valley. “Ruth [Danon] curated an exceptional program. It drew a large, and very appreciative, crowd,” said Howland board president Theresa Kraft. “You could hear a pin drop!”

Curator Ruth Danon during Hudson Valley Poets Present; the April 19 program featured top writers reading to a full house, which was held at the Howland Cultural Center.
Curator Ruth Danon during Hudson Valley Poets Present; the April 19 program featured top writers reading to a full house, which was held at the Howland Cultural Center.

The reading was the second lead-up event that will culminate in the inaugural Beacon LitFest@Howland Cultural Center. The Beacon LitFest was created by Hannah Brooks, Shane Bly Killoran, and Ruth Danon. It feature a stellar line up of accomplished writers, poets, and playwrights and cameo appearances by NYT and NPR Puzzlemaster Will Shortz and accomplished actor Emily Mortimer, and is planned for the weekend of June 17 and 18.
Earlier in March, Beacon LitFest also presented a sold-out performance of the award-winning play The Vagina Monologues (VM), directed by Marjorie Lewit and produced by Ms. Killoran at HitHouseCreative. “Due to popular demand and to avoid disappointing the many community members who could not get tickets for the first go-round,” said Ms Killoran, “ an encore presentation of VM is scheduled at the Howland Cultural Center for Friday May 19.”

Hudson Valley Poets Present was partially supported with grants from Poets and Writers and LitFest sponsors and the actors for the March performance of Vagina Monologues generously donated their time and talent. Tickets for the encore performance of Vagina Monologues on May 19 as well as the upcoming Inaugural Beacon LitFest programs on June 17 and 18 may be purchased in advance through the link at howlandculturalcenter.org or at the door of Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St Beacon, NY. All proceeds support the literary event programming. No one wishing to attend will be turned away due to lack of funds. HCC is a nonprofit organization run by a fully volunteer board and staff. Housed in the historic former Howland Circulating Library in Beacon, it offers a wide array of cultural and community programs throughout the year.

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