Wednesday, September 24, 2014

IVC's "banned books" event is a blazing success

Virginia Shank (and Lisa Alvarez) at today's event
It attracted wandering studentry
Was a sunny day

The "banned books" event, which occurred at 3:00 p.m. today in front of the IVC Library, went off without a hitch—or bonfire. Faculty, students, and others happily took turns reading from past and present "banned" writings by the likes of Ray Bradbury (a local favorite), Kurt Vonegut, Alan Ginsberg, Alice Walker, and many others.
Above: one of our recent English hires reads as Lisa views her snazzy "Freadom" sign


 Virginia Shank and Lisa Alvarez, both of the English Department and School of Humanities, were the event's presenters. (The event was "presented" by the English Dept. and Library Services but was "sponsored" by ASIVC.) Mostly, Virginia and Lisa had people come up and read—from scraps of paper grabbed at random from two "banned" bags.

Virginia and Lisa having fun

The event was well attended and enjoyed the often ardent participation of students, who seemed to come alive as they read the words of some of their favorite authors.


IVC President, Glenn Roquemore, who supported the event, participated in the readings, wearing, as did all participants, an old-school fireman's helmet emblazoned with "451"—an allusion to the famous Ray Bradbury novel, which became a celebrated film (Francois Truffaut). (The helmet is owned by Lisa, whose father spent 45 years in the LA Fire Department.)
Above: observe two Ray Bradbury posters, signed by Ray, provided by IVC's own Frank Pangborn, who also participated

Our own Diane Oaks also read from a banned work

It was a spectacle, it was

Our good friend Melanie, a reading instructor, intoned pleasantly into a microphone
atop the "soap box," a prop crafted by Lisa,
who harbors many talents beyond writing and teaching and rebelling

Lots of students hung around, taking in the artistic and free-speech loving vibe.

Students, examining some of the books on display.
I heard several students, and others, expressing appreciation 
for the event. No doubt we'll do it again next year.

Bradbury (1920-2012) visited IVC in 2009. See Bradbury event at IVC.
Glenn and Frank sharing a laugh

Lisa speaking with one of the students who went out of his 
way to express appreciation for the event

More students happily soakin' up the literary vibe
Students seemed really to enjoy the displays
Happy campers in the sun

Uh-oh!


Rapt attention
Excitement just outside the library

Roy's obituary in LA Times and Register: "we were lucky to have you while we did"

  This ran in the Sunday December 24, 2023 edition of the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register : July 14, 1955 - November 20, 2...