It's about more than just books

In addition to the panel discussions, workshops and author events, this year's Festival of Books features an entire lineup of entertainers for the entire family to enjoy.

Make sure you schedule some time to see the Lindley Lopez Literary Circus. This traveling circus features stilt walkers, clowning acrobats, mimes, contortionists, characters and more working together to bring literary tales to life in an innovative way.

Saturday's circus shows are scheduled for 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the circus stage on The University of Arizona Mall and will feature Lindley Lopez's professional circus troupe enacting the "Greatest Story Ever Told." Sunday's performances, scheduled for 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., will tell the story of "Alice In Wonderland."

For some local entertainment, check out the ZUZI Youth Aerial Company, a local dance troupe composed of youth ages 9-14 who study aerial performance and choreography. In fact, the Youth Aerial Company's choreography is the creation of the young dancers themselves.

There's also a full lineup of music. Check out Tucson's own El Camino Royales, who will play favorites from all eras of American Roots music, including a wide variety of instrumental music. The band just released its debut album, "Ladies and Gentlemen: The El Camino Royales." They have been regular guests on Tucson's Channel 12 "D-Town" and KXCI Radio's "Locals Only" programs.

For a full schedule of the Festival's entertainment, please see our website's event list.

'Your brain on wine' benefit for Diamond Children's Medical Center

Join New York Times best-selling author Michael J. Gelb for a unique wine-tasting, poetry-writing event on Saturday, March 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. The evening also includes three songs performed by his wife, mezzo-soprano Deborah Domanski.

Gelb is an innovator in the fields of creative thinking, accelerated learning and leadership development. He is author of "How To Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day," among other titles. The event will be held at Holsclaw Hall, The University of Arizona School of Music Building.

Attendees will receive a copy of Gelb's most recent book, "Wine Drinking for Inspired Thinking" and a complimentary bottle of red wine selected for the evening by Gelb and event sponsor Total Wine & More.

Tickets are $100. For more information and to purchase tickets, follow this link to the Tucson.com store. Proceeds from the event benefit the Diamond Children's Medical Center. (Gelb will also be presenting a talk from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at the Festival's Arizona Daily Star Pavilion.)

Meet illustrator S.D. Nelson

Illustrator S.D. Nelson is of Norwegian and Lakota descent and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in the Dakotas.

His new book, "Black Elk's Vision," draws upon color and visual images to convey cultural connections and demonstrates the use of bold colors, pictographic symbols, and painted horses to reflect a Lakota worldview.

Nelson's artwork appears on book covers, CDs, greeting cards, in children's books and in public and private collections. Two of his books have received the Spur Award given by the Western Writers of America.

Please join him at the Festival on Sunday, March 14, from 1 to 2 p.m. in The University of Arizona's Education Building, Room 349.

Meet author Christopher Reich

Christopher Reich is the best-selling author of acclaimed thrillers, including "Numbered Account," "The Runner," "The First Billion," "The Devil's Banker" and "Rules of Deception." His latest book is "Rules of Vengeance."

Hear former Parade magazine editor Janice Kaplan interview Reich and also discuss her own book, "A Job To Kill For," from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 14, at the Arizona Daily Star Pavilion.

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