Art gets all the love in downtown Las Vegas. Art, and now a little nightlife with the new entertainment district. But for a few days in November, it is time for the book world to get a little attention.
The Vegas Valley Book Festival, now in its sixth year, is bringing in literary lights like keynote speaker Sarah Vowell and packing Friday and Saturday with author panels, readings and activities for children. Among guests will be "Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs" author Chuck Klosterman and Las Vegas writers like Matt O'Brien, CityLife news editor and author of "Beneath the Neon."
Richard Hooker, senior cultural specialist for the city of Las Vegas' office of cultural affairs, said all who were invited to this year's festival accepted. He suggested part of it was the cache storied Las Vegas holds for those like Klosterman, who trade in pop-cultural lore, and those like Vowell, who trade in lore generally.
The festival started in Henderson, but migrated to downtown Las Vegas after three years. This year's event is a collaboration between the city's office of cultural affairs and Nevada Humanities.
Much of the action will take place at a classic landmark of Old Vegas, the El Cortez, 600 Fremont St., where panelists will talk of pop-cultural history, far off places and the gritty here and now.
Fans of the quirky humor and attention to detail in Vowell's historically obsessed memoirs will have to wait until 7 p.m. on Friday, when the festival closes with An Evening with Sarah Vowell in the old Las Vegas High School auditorium at the Las Vegas Academy, 315 S. 7th St. The auditorium is actually at 9th Street and Clark Avenue.
It is rumored that the acclaimed writer and contributing editor to National Public Radio's "This American Life" will talk about Las Vegas. Vowell has a forthcoming book on the puritans titled "The Wordy Shipmates."
There will be chances to mingle with the authors, Vowell included, when all meet at the historic Morelli House, 861 Bridger Ave., for a closing reception. Still, the schmoozing starts at 7 p.m. on Thursday, with an opening reception at the Downtown Cocktail Room, 111 Las Vegas Blvd. South.
In between those bookends, Alan Hess, who coined the mid-century architectural term Googie, will explore the architectural heritage of Las Vegas, while Chris Nichols will speak of architect Wayne McAllister, who built the Sands, among other long-gone icons and who also helped shape the El Cortez.
O'Brien and Kurt Borchard, author of an in-depth study of homeless men in Las Vegas called "Word on the Street," will discuss the experience of homelessness in Las Vegas.
Travel author Tom Miller will share the revelations of wanderings through the Americas, and Las Vegas journalists Norm Clarke and Heidi Knapp Rinella will examine the special place of celebrity in Las Vegas.
Chris Nichols will join Atomic Age Alliance founder Mary Margaret Stratton for a three-hour double-decker bus tour of Wayne McAllister creations and points of historical interest.
Stratton called Nichols "a great storyteller and a great source of information on mid-century architecture."
The first night of the festival coincides with First Friday and there will be more book fun when the sun goes down, with special exhibits and book signings at Not Just Antiques Mart, 1442 Western Ave., and Las Vegas Paper Doll in the Holsum Design Center, 231 W. Charleston Blvd.
The spoken word will take center stage, with headlining poets Amber Tamblyn, who also is a screen actress, Derrick Brown, who routinely opens for rock bands, and Mike McGee.
Host Dayvid Figler's own poetry, a performance from local musical favorite's The Clydesdale, a high-profile elected official (not the mayor) reading haiku and more author readings will all figure into the night.
Look for more books, comics and writers amid the artist tents at the downtown street fair.
Saturday, Klosterman will discuss Life Through the Prism of Popular Culture, underground comics pioneer Kim Deitch will share his arcane knowledge, media historian Norman Klein will muse on the future of urban culture, and Miller, author of "How I Learned English," will join local panelists to discuss their second language.
Finally, the Target Children's Book Festival will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday in Centennial Plaza at the Lewis Avenue Corridor at Lewis Avenue and 4th Street.
In addition to face painting and refreshments, expect book exchanges, free children's books and scads of local vendors, children's authors and literacy advocates.
Performers from the Strip, including Michael Goudeau from Lance Burton's show, along with Kristi Holden and Brent Barrett from "Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular," will read their favorite children's books. The United States Air Force Band of the Golden West will present patriotic selections and "Peter and the Wolf."
All events are free.
"That's how we really want to build our audience. That's why we moved it to First Friday," said Hooker.
For more information on the Vegas Valley Book Festival or to reserve a seat on the bus tour, call 229-5431.
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