Ray Bradbury week in Los Angeles: Something special this way comes
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Ray Bradbury, a true lion of literature and an icon of the national bookshelf, is turning 90, and the milestone is being marked in Los Angeles with an impressive array of events. You can find a list below. I’m enthused to be part of the programming -- I’ll be interviewing Bradbury and Hugh Hefner together on stage on Aug. 24; I hope to see a lot of Hero Complex readers there, and please do say hello if you get a chance. All the events below are free and open to the public. For more information go to the Ray Bradbury Week Facebook page where you can RSVP for each event, which is a must. -- Geoff Boucher
SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2 P.M.
A birthday party for Bradbury at Mystery & Imagination Bookshop at 238 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. There will be an open microphone for roasts and toasts to the guest of honor.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 10 A.M.
The Los Angeles City Council will consider the resolution for official declaration of ‘Ray Bradbury Week.’ Louis Friedman of The Planetary Society and Steven Paul Leiva, the driving force behind the Bradbury events, will be among the speakers appearing on behalf of the resolution. City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, 3rd Floor.
MONDAY, AUG. 23, 7 P.M.
The Diversity Department of the Writers Guild of America, West presents a stage reading of Bradbury’s one-act play ‘The Better Part of Wisdom,’ starring James Cromwell. At the Shavelson-Webb Library at the Writers Guild offices, first floor, 7000 W. 3rd Street.
TUESDAY, AUG. 24, 7 P.M.
The Playboy Foundation presents a special screening of ‘Fahrenheit 451’ preceded by a discussion with Bradbury and Hugh Hefner, moderated by Los Angeles Times writer and Hero Complex blogger Geoff Boucher. At the Writers Guild Theatre, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. A selection of Bradbury’s books and books about Bradbury will be on sale. The author may autograph some of these books on-site and, if not, some pre-signed books will be available for purchase.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 25, 7 P.M.
The City of West Hollywood and Green School of Hollywood present a play based on ‘Fahrenheit 451,’ adapted for and performed by children. Fiesta Hall at Plummer Park, 1200 N. Vista St., West Hollywood.
THURSDAY, AUG. 26, 7 P.M.
The downtown Central Library will host a special screening of Bradbury’s ‘The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit’ (1998), starring Joe Mantegna, Esai Morales, Edward James Olmos and Clifton Collins Jr. Special guests: Mantegna and Collins. Also, ‘architecturally inspired’ ice cream sandwiches will be sold out front by Coolhaus. At Richard J. Riordan Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. 5th Street.
SATURDAY, AUG. 28, 1 P.M.
The Paley Center for Media presents ‘Ray Bradbury on Television,’ three television productions based on works by Bradbury — ‘Ray Bradbury Theater: The Banshee’ (1986), starring Peter O’Toole; ‘American Playhouse: Any Friend of Nicholas Nickleby Is a Friend of Mine’ (1982), starring Fred Gwynne; and ‘The Electric Grandmother’ (1982), starring Maureen Stapleton. At the center at 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills.
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