Event: The Gathering
Dates: Friday July 18 - Sunday July 21st
Location: LaPlume, Pennsylvania
Location: LaPlume, Pennsylvania
If
you’re looking for a summer conference in which you can escape to a bucolic
setting within driving distance of NYC, and immerse yourself in the company of
creative and compatible people, come to The Gathering at Keystone College in
LaPlume, Pennsylvania. Each day, participants are treated to a
combination of writing workshops, panel discussions, lectures and
performances--all of which link up with a theme. (Past Gatherings have
focused on the metaphorical meaning of food, the connection between chaos and
creativity, and interpretations of “Starry Night.”) You’ll also
have time to explore the wooded trails adjacent to the campus, to meander
through a real labyrinth and to wine and dine with like-minded individuals.
If you’re an amateur writer, you’ll come away with practical tips and
loads of support; if you are only a “consumer” of literature, you will feel
inspired and rejuvenated.
Here are a few of the highlights that I myself experienced while attending past Gatherings:
- Listening to Salman Rushdie and Gregory Maguire converse informally about the Fatwah, the Wizard of Oz and other scintillating topics
- Laughing along with the charming Billy Collins as he read his poems
- Learning from the experiences of Chris Abani, a novelist and poet whose writings were inspired by the time he spent in prison in his native country, Nigeria
- Hearing Katherine Patterson talk about writing and the world
- Eating food prepared by Michael Ableman, a master of sustainable agriculture
And
just in case you are still not convinced that you would enjoy yourself, each
Gathering culminates in a delightful outdoor brunch held at a local farm a
short distance from campus.
This sounds great, Eve! Thanks so much for sharing.
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