The annual East Hampton (New York) Library’s annual Authors Night fundraiser is going to look a little different this year.
For one thing, it kicks off this afternoon—but with everyone in quarantine, the distinction between days and nights isn’t really what it used to be. And instead of one night, this year’s celebration goes on for several days, drawing to a close on Sunday.
The event—typically held under a big white tent, with cocktails flowing—will take the form of several hour-long, interactive Zoom events, featuring authors and celebrities including Alec Baldwin, Julie Andrews, and Robert A. Caro. The online audiences will be able to ask the authors questions in QA sessions.
Bridget LeRoy will interview Andrews and her daughter/coauthor Emma Walton Hamilton about their new book, Home Work, on Friday, while Baldwin will talk to comedian and author Mike Birbiglia (The New One) on Saturday.
Caro (Working) will talk with Douglas Brinkley on Saturday, and the series of events will conclude on Sunday with Scott Alves Barton interviewing author Darryl Pinckney (Black Deutschland).
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to translate the spirit of Authors Night to an online platform and to continue the tradition,” said East Hampton Library director Dennis Fabiszak. “Transforming Authors Night to a multiday online experience will provide the Library with a dynamic new way to connect our community with the literary world.”
Tickets to this year’s events are available here.
Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.
