One Book, One Community celebration will have added musical aspect

FAYETTEVILLE — A songwriting contest and concert at Nightbird Books on Dickson Street will be part of the One Book, One Community celebration in October.

The University of Arkansas’ One Book, One Community program is designed to engage readers in a year-long conversation about a selected book and the issues it raises. The 2012 selection is David K. Shipler’s The Working Poor: Invisible in America. From the author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning Arab and Jew, Shipler’s book presents a searing, intimate portrait of working American families struggling against insurmountable odds to escape poverty.

This is just the second year local and area musicians and songwriters are encouraged to get involved in the program with the addition of the musical aspect.

All in the Northwest Arkansas community are encouraged to read the book, thus the concept of “one book, one community.” Then university students, faculty, and staff are invited to write an original song inspired by or thematically related to this year’s book selection. Works will be judged by a panel of local writers and the winner will receive studio time at East Hall Recording in Fayetteville.

Finally, members of the general public are encouraged to bring original or cover songs with related themes/concepts/ideas to share at the event at Nightbird, which will be 7-9 p.m. Oct. 4.

For more informaton, contact Chris Goering at [email protected].