Conference Special Events

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Thursday, July 31

Writers Faire 2008
5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
MT Hood Ballroom
Willamette Writers and Oregon Writers Colony present member authors and their published works. Join the “Win an Hour with an Author” raffle. There will be speakers and slides throughout the Faire. Come buy a book from a local author, chat with your peers, share a cup of coffee and learn about local successes. (Free)

Registration options:  None - you do not need to register for the Writers Faire to attend.

Friday, August 1

Writers & Actors Lab Performance & Buffet
6:00 - 9:00 P.M.
MT Hood Ballroom
Moderated by Gigi Rosenberg and presented by a team of Portland’s top professional actors who read scenes from screenplays submitted by conference participants. Join us for this entertaining evening where you’ll hear your colleagues’ latest scripts and have a chance to offer them moderated feedback in this collaborative, lively theatrical setting. Learn what works and what doesn’t, join in the critique, and have a wild time with live theater. This is the third year for the Writers & Actors Lab, and it is always great fun. The buffet, a Western BBQ, begins at 6 P.M.; performance and dessert begins at 7 p.m. See below for information on how to submit a scene for consideration.

The “Western Roundup” buffet dinner includes BBQ chicken, cheeseburgers, garden burgers, Kielbasa sausages and all the trimmings, corn on the cob, steak fries, coleslaw, potato salad, and baked beans. The dessert includes Grandmas Dutch Apple Pie a la mode.

Registration options:  You must select the option to attend the Writers & Actors Lab and choose either the buffet ($35) or coffee/dessert only ($15). You may also purchase additional tickets ($35 or $15) for guests to attend with you.

Saturday, August 2

Gala Awards Banquet (Dinner / Networking / No-host bar)
6:30 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
MT Hood Ballroom
Willamette Writers will honor writers with these awards:

• Lifetime Achievement
• Distinguished NW Writer
• Humanitarian Award

Join us as we present these awards, the Kay Snow Writing Contest Awards, and the Willamette Writers/Barnes & Noble Kate Herzog Writing Scholarships. Oregon Book Award winner Marc Acito will deliver the keynote speech on how to turn rejection into redemption. Acito, a syndicated humorist, is the author of How I Paid for College and Attack of the Theater People. He is a writer, actor, opera singer, and one of the funniest men alive.

Menu, choice of one; make your selection when you register:

Black Angus Tri Tip

Olive Oil, Garlic and Herb Marinated, Sliced Thin in a Burgundy Mushroom Sauce

Fresh Grilled Pacific Salmon
With Tomato Caper Vinaigrette

Stuffed Portobello Mushroom
Herb Marinated, Filled with Sautéed Spinach, Leeks and Sweet Potatoes

Served with Caesar Salad and dessert. Open bar available.

Registration options:  You must select the option to attend the banquet ($40) and choose your dinner menu selection. You may also purchase additional tickets ($40) for guests to attend the banquet with you.

Writers/Actors Lab & Buffet - Moderated by Gigi Rosenberg
Want to participate in the Actor's Lab? Submit your latest script and have a scene from it read by professional actors in front of a live audience on Friday August 1 at 7 p.m. This cabaret-style buffet and performance is not to be missed. Get feedback from moderator Gigi Rosenberg and your peers. Discover what works and what doesn’t in this collaborative laboratory. We will select eight scripts and read excerpted scenes. While we prefer scenes with two characters, we will consider monologues and three or four person scenes. Scripts may be works in progress.

To apply, submit:
• a story synopsis,
• list of characters and descriptions.
• five to 10 pages of critical scenes from your script in standard screenplay/play format,
• your phone number and e-mail address.

There is no fee for submission. Maximum two entries per event.
Submissions must be received in the Willamette Writers by June 20. NO EXCEPTIONS.

We look forward to seeing you at the conference!