Madison, NJ (September 24, 2014) — Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Words and Music Festival (WAMFEST) returns with another blockbuster lineup of a wide variety of world-class artists from Wednesday, October 15, 2014, through Friday, October 17. You can register by clicking here.
The schedule features award-winning director Neil Burger, celebrated author Neil Gaiman, pen and ink artist Michael Arthur, graphic artist Stefan Bucher, acclaimed author Salman Rushdie (pictured above), award-winning poet J. Mae Barizo, composer Paul Cantelon, and the world-famous American String Quartet. As always, all events will be hosted by songwriter/novelist Wesley Stace, formerly known as John Wesley Harding.
WAMFEST begins on Wednesday, October 15, with a screening of Burger’s film “Limitless” at 2 p.m. followed by an interview with Burger at 5p.m. in Hartman Lounge. On Thursday, “The Illuminated Word: A Conversation with Neil Gaiman” takes place in Lenfell Hall at 4 p.m. This event will be live-drawn by Arthur. In order to attend this, you must pick up a physical ticket – more info on ticketing and registration coming soon. On Friday, join us for “The Art of Illumination: a Conversation with Michael Arthur and Stefan Bucher” at 2 p.m. in Dreyfuss Room 125. At 6 p.m., join us for “Memory Palace: Music Meets the Page,” a world-premier performance by Salman Rushdie, J. Mae Barizo, Paul Cantelon, and the American String Quartet.
Salman Rushdie is perhaps the most recognizable and respected literary figure in the world. His eleven novels have been translated into forty languages and have won a dazzling number of major prizes. The publication of “The Satanic Verses” created a major international controversy, provoking death threats that forced him into years of hiding. In 2007, Rushdie was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
Neil Gaiman is credited with being one of the creators of modern comics, as well as an author whose work crosses genres and reaches audiences of all ages. He is listed in the Dictionary of Literary Biography as one of the top ten living post-modern writers and is a prolific creator of works of prose, poetry, film, journalism, comics, song lyrics, and drama. His more than 30 books include “The Sandman”, “Neverwhere”, “The Graveyard Book”, “Good Omens”, and “The Ocean at the End of the Lane.” His film and television credits include “Coraline,” “Doctor Who,” “Neverwhere,” among many others. Currently, his most recent book, “Hansel and Gretel,” is being developed for a live-action feature by Steven Spielberg. Continue reading
FDU WAMFest! 