It’s super short notice, but the EPX Animation and Gaming Conference is taking place today and tomorrow in the Art Building West on the University of Iowa campus. Looks like there will be representatives from Gazillion, Laika Studios, Marvel, Polytron and more.
EPX Studio, the sponsors of the event, write, “We want to give you an insider’s look into the life of an animator, illustrator, game programmer, 3D character rigger, and 3D character artist. Join our event to see them talk on campus and tell you all about their jobs and how they got there.”
Be sure to check out the event’s Facebook page, as well as EPX Studio’s website and blog for more information.
Looking for a brand new sci-fi series?
Prairie Lights is hosting a book launch party for Zenn Scarlett, on Saturday, May 11 from 5:00-6:00 PM. This new science fiction novel was written by Christian Schoon, a local author, who will be reading and signing books at the event.
According to Tor.com (where you can also read an excerpt from the book):
Zenn Scarlett is a bright, determined, occasionally a-little-too-smart-for-her-own-good 17-year-old girl training hard to become an exoveterinarian. That means she’s specializing in the treatment of exotic alien life forms, mostly large and generally dangerous. But after a series of inexplicable animal escapes from the school and other near-disasters, the Cloister is in real danger of being shut down by a group of alien-hating officials. If that happens, Zenn knows only too well the grim fate awaiting the creatures she loves.
You can find out more about the book at its Goodreads page, and you can find Christian Schoon on Twitter and at his website: http://www.christianschoon.com.
Interested in expressing yourself through poetry, spoken word, or rap?
Register now to participate in a performance master class from 3 – 5 pm on Saturday, April 27th at the Iowa City Public Library, followed by food and a 5:30 pm performance where you’ll take the stage and perform your work alongside amazing spoken word artists! Space is very limited, so register NOW!
Still looking for a cool summer program (you know, besides the AWESOME stuff Brian and I are dreaming up for this summer at the library)?
The University of Iowa’s International Writing Program is hosting “Between the Lines: The Writing Experience,” and “invites high-school students of differing nationalities, ages 16 to 19, to the University of Iowa’s campus for a unique summer program where participants develop their creative writing skills while exploring other cultures.” There are two, two-week sessions, each focusing on a different area of the world. This year, the Arabic World will be the focus for the June 22-July 6 session, and Russia will be the focus of the July 13-July 27 session.
Activities include exploring Iowa City as the great City of Literature that it is (just how much do you actually know about literature in/from Iowa City?), creative writing workshops, mentoring from other writers, and collaboration with students from other cultures.
The due date for the application is April 20.
Want more information? Check out the Between the Lines website, the 2013 Between the Lines information page, check out their Facebook page, and click here for the application. The library has some brochures available in the Young Adult area on the 2nd floor.
United Action for Youth (UAY) is hosting a clothing drive for teens on Wednesday, March 13 from 3:30-6:30 PM at the UAY Youth Center (355 Iowa Avenue, Iowa City). Stop by to freshen up your spring wardrobe for free!
Want a FREE prom dress/tuxedo??
Stop by the East Side Recycling Center (education center), 2401 Scott Blvd. SE, Iowa City between 1-4 PM on Saturday, March 9. According to their Facebook page, ”prom dresses, tuxedos and accessories including handbags, jewelry, dress shoes, etc. will be given away at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. We’ll also have prom-related door prizes from local businesses!”
Questions? Contact Mary at palmberg (at) avalon (dot) net or 319-400-0388.
This summer seems far away when 3-6″ of snow is on the horizon.
But…
The Iowa Young Writer’s Studio is accepting applications for the Summer 2013 session until February 11.
Stephen Lovely, the director of the program, writes “You know you are a writer because you write even when it’s not an assignment for school, because you read insatiably and aspire to write books as amazing as the ones that make you do that reading/walking shuffle to dinner, because hours slip by unnoticed when you engage your imagination. You write because there is nothing in the world like the feeling you get when you finally finish that poem or short story. You write because it’s fun. You write because you have to. Come meet others like you and share your work at one of the most exciting places to write: the University of Iowa, home to the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, the International Writing Program, and the Center for the Book.”
Way cool! Check out their website for more about their curriculum, daily activities, and application process. And check out their Facebook page!
Looking for local authors, photographers, songwriters, filmmakers, and poets? You probably don’t have to look very far in Iowa City, but sometimes it’s difficult to make yourself heard among the sea of other talented individuals, right?
City High has a new literary magazine: City High Review. Filled with submissions by City High students, this seems like a perfect opportunity to spread your literary/artistic wings (or read/experience other folks’ work).
“We are City High’s new literary magazine. We publish the writing, visual art, music, and videos of City High students. The blog . . . is a very inclusive collection of student work, updated twice a week. Our print magazine, the Review, collates the best of the blog every two months or so.”
Also, be sure to check out their Facebook wall and Twitter feed. They update regularly!
A group of West High School students made national news this morning!
Under the Twitter account @westhighbros, Jeremiah Anthony and several classmates are connecting to peers by tweeting positive messages, words of encouragement, and highlights of their classmates’ successes.
So cool! Way to go!
Attention 7th and 8th graders!
The One Book Two Book children’s literature festival and the Iowa Young Writer’s Project are teaming up to host the Jr. High Writing Jam on Saturday, January 12 from 11:30-1:00 PM at the pedestrian mall location of Capanna Coffee and Gelato. You must be in 7th or 8th grade to participate.
The writing jam itself sounds like lots of fun: free Wedge pizza for registered participants, hanging out with other aspiring writers, and listening to their sweet stories and poems in an open-mic format. Plus, first place winners will be awarded ”two free tickets (for the student and one guest) to the Once Upon a Time dinner on Friday, January 11; be acknowledged at the dinner, the Writing Jam! and throughout the festival weekend; and be interviewed and videotaped (with permission) for our On the Fly author series. The interviews, along with the winning stories, will be posted on the City of Literature website.”
Fame, glory, pizza…what’s not to like? Head over to their website to register and learn more!
