Book Fair draws a crowd on Dearborn Street

Posted by Mark Chapman on February 21st, 2010 at 7:25 pm,
with photos by Eric Chapman and Nancy Guenther Chapman

Mary Lou Williams presents a children’s storybook hour Saturday at Mystic See, part of Saturday’s book fair on West Dearborn Street. (Photo by Nancy Guenther Chapman)

Dearborn Street Book Fair organizer James Abraham was unequivocal in his stated expectations for Saturday’s downtown event.

“It’s got the best opportunity for a good turnout I’ve ever seen” (for a book fair), he said.

And the people did turn out. Hundreds of people came and went throughout the day as more than 30 authors old and new lined the street, their books displayed for sale.

Some did better than others. New Age author Priscilla Hurd, who was hawking her book, “The 13th Goddess,” had a good day. Firsttime author Donn Fleming, offering the murder mystery “Sarasota Sunrise,” sold a handful. Some authors sold nothing, but made a lot of contacts.

In addition to the authors, painters worked on their art, belly dancer Nancy Kevorkian shook and swiveled, and various musicians played and sang in the 400 block of West Dearborn. Grandma Tickletoes was there; so was storyteller Mary Lou Williams, who enthralled a gang of little ones at Mystic See.

At one point, a caravan of cars displaying posters bearing Tea Party slogans moved along Dearborn, loudly honking and drawing a decidedly mixed reaction from onlookers.

The crowd on Dearborn Saturday seemed not of a mind to get riled up. It was more laid back, with lots of snowbirds looking to take advantage of the first hint of really good weather they have had in a while. Even then, early clouds and a couple of brief, light showers threatened to send authors and painters scurrying. But the sun finally broke through, the air warmed and spirits lifted.

And, as the official 3 p.m. end of the festival drew near, it seemed as if no one was in a hurry to leave. But, as some authors began to fold their tables about 3:15, the crowd began to dissipate, some heading up the street to the Sarasota’s Littlest Heroes fundraiser concert in Pioneer Park.

Abraham and the organizing committee led by Englewood author Diana Harris and Village Gifts and Gallery owner Shelly Stout were happy with the day.

“Things went great,” Abraham said. “Sales varied, but the regulars did well. Diana Harris sold 21 books, for example. The workshops were a big hit — people were saying a lot of good things about them.”

Children make themselves comfortable on the pillows at Mystic See as Mary Lou Williams tells another story. (Photo by Nancy Guenther Chapman)

Lezele Crispin, 7, and Isanna Crispin, 7, listen to a story. (Photo by Nancy Guenther Chapman)

Holly Bielanski and Coral Rodriguez listen to a story. (Photo by Nancy Guenther Chapman)

Coral Rodriguez listens to Mary Lou Williams theatrically read a children’s story. (Photo by Nancy Guenther Chapman)

Children make themselves comfortable on the pillows at Mystic See as Mary Lou Williams tells another story. (Photo by Nancy Guenther Chapman)

Lezele Crispin, 7, and Isanna Crispin, 7, listen to a story. (Photo by Nancy Guenther Chapman)

Mary Lou Williams’ frequent contemporary embellishments of children’s favorites helped make her audience attentive. (Photo by Nancy Guenther Chapman)

Mary Lou Williams looks at the witch. (Photo by Nancy Guenther Chapman)

Children punish the witch Mary Lou Williams used to augment her storytelling after the stories were done. (Photo by Nancy Guenther Chapman)

Holly Bielanski and Coral Rodriguez react to the description of food offered by the witch in the woods of Hansel and Gretel. (Photo by Nancy Guenther Chapman)

Mary Lou Williams presents a children’s storybook hour Saturday at Mystic See, part of Saturday’s book fair on West Dearborn Street. (Photo by Nancy Guenther Chapman)

Coral Rodriguez listens to Mary Lou Williams theatrically read a children’s story. (Photo by Nancy Guenther Chapman)