Southwest Festival of the Written Word

A weekend of educational and social events for writers in several locations in Silver City, NM, kicks off with a performance and book signings from 6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26, and continues through a closing ceremony at 12:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 29. Participants have three to four choices of workshops from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Evening activities include a poetry slam, readings, and, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28, a banquet featuring a performance by Mark Lee Gardner, Music of the American West; and a presentation by Denise Chávez, "El Espejo de la Frontera/The Mirror of the Border." The banquet is $30, and tickets must be purchased at one of several Silver City locations in advance. Otherwise all workshops and events are free, except a memoir-writing workshop led by Ana Castillo, which is $125; email chair@swwordfiesta.org for a reservation. Visit swwordfiesta.org for more information about the conference.