O.K., I admit it, I was lazy on my little weekend and didn’t come up with anything for RADIOFREEUBU. I’m working on a couple of critical appreciations but they’re just not camera ready at press time. But rather than slothfully pasting in a link to a clip of some lame old T.V. show on You Tube I’ll use this opportunity to beat the drum for the 6^th annual Kerrytown BookFest which in ON in less than a month, Sunday, September 7 at the Farmers Market. We’ve got well over a hundred vendors, ten book panels including Loren D. Estleman, Rob Kantner, Peter Leonard, Theresa Schwegel, Suzanne Arruda, Megan Abbott and many more. There’s a lot more stuff too which you can check out on the BookFest homepage:

http://www.kerrytownbookfest.org/

You know, as hard as it is to believe, I used to be bitter about the fact that because it’s not hip or connected enough the Fest gets about a third of the publicity of other local events that have half as many vendors and much less attendance. The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti media/hipocracy always goes for pretension over substance, BUT (and I’m getting to the not bitter part) I really take great consolation from the fact that when I mention the Fest to customers, vendors and authors they all tell me how much they love it and how much fun it is. Though the cool crowd who doesn’t like the smell of old books may sniff derisively at it, it really does have a great buzz on the street where it counts, as well as a growing reputation among publishers and authors, since unlike similar local events it’s actually about selling books rather than feeling superior about literacy.

During the Fest, there’s also these way cool demonstrations at Hollander’s, which is another local institution that gets little press or general recognition. But talk to a book binder or other book arts person and you’ll be surprised at their worshipful attitude. Even though it gets slight honor in its hometown, nationwide it’s regarded as a rare and unique treasure, as well as having an amazing retail store. I could run down a couple of overrated headline hogging businesses around here but that’s not the point. Just dig Hollander’s.

http://www.hollanders.com/

And of all the pictures my blood brother and official BookFest photographer Gregory D. Anthony brilliantly took during last year’s Fest, this is the one I think is best for advertizing it. Mark the date on your calender now!