UA English Faculty To Perform Reading And Book Signing

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Dr. Sidney Burris & Dr. Michael Heffernan, of the University of Arkansas English department, will be performing a poetry reading and book signing. The reading will take place from 2:30-3:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21 at RZ's Coffeehouse in the Arkansas Union. The event is in celebration of local artists’ day, as part of Arkansas Union Week 2000 taking place September 18-22.

The University Bookstore will have Dr. Burris' book, "Doing Lucretius" (2000), and Dr. Heffernan's books, "The Man at Home" (1988), and "Love's Answer" (1994) available for sale following the readings.

Dr. Sidney Burris is an associate professor of English and the director of the Fulbright College Honors Studies Program. His most recent book of poetry, "Doing Lucretius", was published this year by the Louisiana State Press. The book was featured on the Poetry Daily website and his poem "Vanishing Point" was chosen to appear on the website in June. Dr. Burris was one of 40 contemporary Southern writers to be selected for The Millennial Gathering of Southern Writers in April.

Dr. Michael Heffernan is a professor of English. His works have appeared in numerous journals and textbooks. His book, "Love's Answer," was awarded the Iowa Poetry Prize in 1993. He has received several grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, and he was awarded the Porter Prize for Literary Excellence in 1998.

Other events scheduled for Thursday include:

• 10:30 a.m. - Ozark Dulcimer Society
• 11:15 & 1:30 p. m. - Pride of the Ozarks Barbershop Chorus
• 12:00 p. m. - Sir Charles Hammer (classical guitar)
• 1:00 p. m. - Desert Fire (Belly) Dancers
• 2:00 p. m. - Heine Siegel (accordian)
• 2:30-3:30 p.m. - Roving clowns, Maxie and Minnee Mumm (same time as poetry reading, different location)
• 3:45 p. m. - Kondwani Phwanda Phwanda (music from Africa)

All performances will be conducted in the Arkansas Union. They are free and the public is invited to attend.