presents the 24th annual
Minnesota Book Awards Gala
Another Successful Gala!
Read The Minneapolis Book Examiner recap of this year's Gala Celebration.
This year's award winners can be found here.
Songs Inspired by the Award Winners
"The Minnesota Book Awards Band," as it has affectionately come to be known, The Willie August Project returned this year.
Inspired by the small group jazz of the 1960s and '70s, The Willie
August Project builds its sound around extraordinarily cohesive ensemble
playing, with an emphasis on collective improvisation. This year, the band wrote original works or created adaptations inspired by each of the award-winning titles. The recorded versions of these songs can all be found below. Enjoy!
BookSpeak! Poems About Books
"Read a Book" by Marilyn Linford Listen!
There are many children’s songs out there about books and reading, but none of them ever really became a “hit” like “Twinkle, Twinkle” or “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” I chose the one, I thought was catchiest, and added a polka beat to make it more festive.
Fool Me Twice: Fighting the Assault on Science in America
"Won’t Get Fooled Again," by Pete Townshend and The Who Listen!
Given the book title’s oblique reference to George W. Bush’s legendary, “There’s an old saying… Fool Me Once…” gaffe, this seemed to be the clear choice.
The Law of Miracles and Other Stories
"Last Thought Before," by Ben Siems Listen!
So many of the characters in this are caught suspended in thought, at the threshold of actions they may or may not ever finally undertake. I originally wrote this piece as a portrayal of the conflict between a hyperactive mind and a body and soul held back by fear.
Pioneer Modernists: Minnesota's First Generation of Women Artists
"Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)," by Irving Berlin Listen!
I couldn’t resist going with the world’s best-known “Battle of the Sexes” song.
Whorled
"Paint the Frame" by Ben Siems Listen!
The song is a reflection on not only transcending the boundaries we put around ourselves and our lives, but in fact ignoring the existence of such boundaries altogether. It seemed a good match for this potent book of meditations on deep-seeded divisions in an era of commercial globalization.
A Song at Twilight: Of Alzheimer's and Love
"Last Ember," by Ben Siems Listen!
I originally composed this piece as a soundtrack for a theatrical scene in which characters huddled around a fire that gradually faded away and left them alone and shivering in winter’s cold. As such, it speaks of memory, regret, and loss.
With or Without You
"With or Without You," by U2 Listen!
Sometimes, the obvious choice is the right choice.
Big Wheat
"Transparent Sunrise," by Ben Siems Listen!
I originally wrote this song as a portrayal of the eerie sight of sunrise on a windswept, January day on the open prairie. That imagery, together with its fast-moving, slightly edgy sound, struck me as appropriate for this book.
The Tanglewood Terror
"White Rabbit," by Jefferson Airplane Listen!
It’s not every day that I look for music to celebrate a book about mutant, radioactive mushrooms. This hallucinogenic anthem based on the story of Alice in Wonderland, with its reference to “some kind of…mushroom” seemed a good fit.
Hognander Minnesota History Award Honoree - North Country: The Making of Minnesota
"Lost and Found (Loon Call)," by Ben Siems Listen!
As the title suggests, this is an excerpt from a piece I wrote drawing inspiration from the mysterious, haunting communications of our state bird. More generally, it is simply a meditation on the beauty of The North.
Book Artist Honoree: Cave Paper
"Diamonds in the Darkness," by Ben Siems Listen!
Originally inspired by the sight of little league baseball fields illuminated by a full moon, this piece is a “tone poem” about unnoticed beauties — like unique, hand-made paper.
Kay Sexton Honoree: Allan Kornblum
"Sisters of the Spring," by Ben Siems Listen!
Originally composed as the soundtrack for a theatrical scene filled with the youthfulness and hope of springtime, I found this piece oddly appropriate for a retiring book publisher. After all, books have done more to link present, past and future generations of humanity than any other invention. And a book is “reborn” every time it is read.
The 24th Annual Book Awards were presented to winners in 8 categories, plus:
- The Readers’ Choice Award, sponsored by the Pioneer Press and TwinCities.com.
- The Kay Sexton Award, presented annually to an individual or organization in recognition of long-standing dedication and outstanding work in fostering books, reading and literary activity in Minnesota, sponsored by Common Good Books. 2012 Honoree: Alan Kornblum.
- The Minnesota Book Artist Award. This annual award, sponsored by Lerner Publishing Group and presented with the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, recognizes a Minnesota book artist or book artist collaborative group for excellence of artistic work in the book arts throughout their entire career, as well as significant contributions to Minnesota's book arts community. 2012 honoree: Cave Paper.
- The Hognander Minnesota History Award - a new, biennial award funded by the Hognander Family Foundation which recognizes the most outstanding scholarly work of Minnesota history published during the preceding two years. 2012 Honoree: North Country: The Making of Minnesota by Mary Lethert Wingerd (University of Minnesota Press)
Emcee: Jeff Kamin
Jeff Kamin, Books & Bars moderator and MPR Senior Producer for
Performance Programs. Jeff Kamin produces the Kevin Kling
Original Works Residency which includes original works exclusively for
the Fitzgerald Theater stage,
statewide storytelling workshops, and commentaries for Minnesota Public
Radio. In addition, Kamin has produced shows at the Fitz with authors
Chris
Van Allsburg, Kate DiCamillo, and Dessa. He is known around the Twin
Cities as the moderator of Books & Bars, which brings
readers together in different venues for a public book club show. He
also
hosts various
trivia nights, including a Harry Potter game show at MPR’s State Fair
stage.
Epilogue Celebration
Our Epilogue Celebration was sponsored by Tech Logic and its MediaSurfer. Hundreds of attendees enjoyed complimentary champagne, decadent desserts, live music by The Endband, mingling with the authors, book sales and signings, and more!
The Endband - The name Endband has double meaning: it's part of a book but it also describes their function on this festive literary evening. They describe their sound as "arena rock for libraries..." We can't wait to find out what that means! The Endband features Scott Hefte on bass and vocals, Mitch Miller on drums and Shawn Neary on guitar.
The Book Awards Gala will be taped and rebroadcast at a later date by SPNN-Cable TV and TPT-Minnesota Channel. The 23rd Annual Minnesota Book Awards Gala is now available on DVD, along with interviews of the Award-winning authors. Call 651-222-3242 for more information, or check it out at Minnesota libraries.
Click here for a recap and slide shows from previous years' galas.
24th Annual Minnesota Book Awards Gala - Tickets
Please reserve early, as seating is limited. Individual seats are general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets include complimentary wine and refreshments during the Awards ceremony, with champagne and dessert to follow at the after-party. This is not a dinner event, so please plan accordingly (details on nearby restaurants with special offers for Minnesota Book Awards attendees to come - please check back). Sponsored tables and complete tables purchased together (10 seats per table) will receive priority seating. Tickets are non-refundable.
- Reservations are $45 per person. Members of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library and the Minnesota Educational Media Organization are eligible for a $5 discount.
- All attendees will receive their table assignment at the event. Individuals wishing to sit together should make their reservations together or contact The Friends’ office no later than April 5 to make a seating request. The Friends will do their best to honor seating requests made for tickets purchased at different times, but cannot guarantee fulfillment of these requests.
- Physical tickets are not issued for this event. Instead, confirmation of seat purchases will be provided by email or phone.
- Additional donations to The Friends in support of the Minnesota Book Awards are welcomed and appreciated. Donations will be dedicated to support future Book Awards and/or statewide Book Awards outreach activities. The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
- Parking is available at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, on the street, and in nearby ramps.
Individual seats are $45 each.
Reserved, priority tables (10 tickets @ $45) are $450 each.
Put a table together with your friends so you can all sit together...
Host your favorite clients... Book Clubs welcome!
ARE YOU PURCHASING A TABLE OF TEN? Please download and fill out the table attendee information form (Word.doc) and return it to The Friends’ office no later than April 6, 2012. Thank you!
SUPPORTING THE BOOK AWARDS IS GOOD BUSINESS. Sponsored tables (which include recognition in various Book Awards venues) and priority seating are also available beginning at the $1,000 level. For more information, please contact Wendy Moylan at 651-366-6484 or by email at wendy@thefriends.org.
JOIN THE FRIENDS AND SAVE! If you would like to join The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library and receive a $5 discount on all your Book Awards tickets, as well as other discounts and notification of free events (membership levels: $25, $50, $100 and $500), please call 651-222-3242 and place your order over the phone; or download, print, and mail or fax in your order (Fax: 651-222-1988). Click here to download the order form. (660 KB)
Restaurant Specials
Make a night of it when you attend the Minnesota Book Awards and dine at one of these great nearby restaurants before the awards. Mention to your server that you are attending the Book Awards and receive special offers only for attendees. All promotions are valid pre-gala only, reservations requested.
Phone: 651-224-2019
Address: 111 East Kellogg Blvd.
Parking: Kellogg Square Parking Ramp (Discount parking
available to all guests)
Each diner will receive a complimentary glass of featured wine or craft tap beer with any entrée order. Reservations are requested; please mention the Minnesota Book Awards when making your reservation.
Phone: 651-605-0190
Address: 11 East Kellogg
Boulevard
Parking: In the Crowne Plaza Ramp - no need to move your car between dinner and the gala.
Each diner will receive a complimentary glass of wine or a signature martini (Apple, Mississippi Mud, Dirty – just to name a few) with the order of a dinner entree. When ordering, let your server know that you are attending the Book Awards Gala. Reservations recommended.
We are currently working with other local restaurants to bring you a wide selection of special offers. Please continue to check back for additional details.
Readers' Choice Award
sponsored by
All Minnesotans are invited to take part in voting for the Readers' Choice Award. After the finalists have been chosen, it's your turn to weigh in. Anytime during March 2012, readers can vote online for one of the Minnesota Book Award finalists in eight categories. The finalist with the most popular votes will be awarded the Readers’ Choice Award. Please, only one vote per person.
Here's how to take part:
- Visit your local library or bookseller.
- Read (or read up on) the finalists in contention for the 24th Annual Minnesota Book Awards.
- Choose your favorite book from among the 32 finalists.
- Log in to Facebook and VOTE!!!
The winner of the Reader's Choice Award will be tabulated and announced at the Minnesota Book Awards gala on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Saint Paul. The winner will receive a $500 prize in addition to the Award. Be sure to check back on April 15th for a list of all of this year's Minnesota Book Award winners.
Meet the Finalists at the 2012 Readers’ Choice Event, Friday, March 16, 7 p.m. at Open Book, and get acquainted with their work as they read excerpts or discuss their books. Join us after the program to chat with the authors and enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, wine and refreshments. Finalist books will be available for purchase and autographing. Details>>
The Minnesota Book Awards is a project of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, in consortium with the Saint Paul Public Library and the City of Saint Paul. Outreach partners and supporting organizations include: MELSA, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Minnesota Department of Education—State Library Services, and Minnesota Educational Media Organization.
Contact:
Ann Nelson, Minnesota Book Awards CoordinatorThe Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library
651-222-3242
mnbookawards@thefriends.org
