BAM launches Unbound: A Literary Series with Greenlight Bookstore, Sep 18—Nov 20

Literary talks with Andrew Zolli and and a Gary Shteyngart Roast

Brooklyn, NY/August 6, 2012—BAM hosts a series of unique talks in conjunction with Brooklyn independent favorite Greenlight Bookstore to celebrate contemporary books and authors from across the literary spectrum. Unbound builds on the success of BAM’s past literary series Eat, Drink & Be Literary and its innovative partnership with Greenlight Bookstore to create inspiring evenings around contemporary luminaries.

Greenlight Bookstore Co-Owner Jessica Stockton Bagnulo said, "Greenlight is thrilled that our relationship with BAM as its official book vendor has given rise to this new level of collaboration, and the chance to co-host a spectacular new series in Unbound. Brooklyn's audiences are primed for literary events on the grand scale that only BAM can offer, and we are proud to be involved in curating the series this season and beyond."

BAM Vice President of Education and Humanities Stephanie Hughley adds, “We are so excited to continue building our relationship with Greenlight Bookstore. With the new series, Unbound, we will cultivate a spectacular series around acclaimed authors and their work. BAM’s commitment to develop spaces for creative dialogue and Greenlight’s dedication to celebrating innovative, contemporary artists, makes for a dynamic partnership between our institutions. Unbound marks the first literary series to be presented on our main stages allowing us to expand our literary programming to an even broader audience.”

Andrew Zolli (Sep 18), author of Resilience: Why Things Bounce Back, is joined by Malcolm Gladwell and Jad Abumrad at BAM Rose Cinemas. Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk (Oct 16) will discuss his newly translated novel, Silent House, with Lila Azam Zanganeh at the BAM Harvey Theater. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Gary Shteyngart’s (Nov 20) novel The Russian Debutante’s Handbook, Unbound hosts a Friars Club-style roast with Kurt Andersen, Jay McInerney, Sloane Crosley, and others. Tickets to Unbound: A Literary Series with Greenlight Bookstore are $20 and attendees receive 25% off featured books.

Andrew Zolli is a futures researcher who studies the complex forces at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and global society. He is the curator and executive director of PopTech and has served as a fellow of the National Geographic Society. His work and ideas appear regularly in dozens of leading publications and media outlets. He is the author of Resilience: Why Things Bounce Back, a new book that explains how companies, communities, and individuals adapt and flourish in volatile environments. Orhan Pamuk was born in Istanbul in 1952. He has written 13 books, including , Other Colors, , and Fragments of the Landscape. His work has been translated into more than 40 languages. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2006, becoming the first Turkish citizen to win a Nobel Prize. He divides his time between and Istanbul.

Gary Shteyngart was born in Leningrad in 1972 and came to the US seven years later. His debut novel, The Russian Debutante’s Handbook, was named a New York Times Notable Book, a best book of the year by , and one of the best debuts of the year by The Guardian. His novel, Absurdistan, was published in 2006 and was chosen as one of the 10 best books of the year by Book Review and Time magazine. His fiction and essays have appeared in numerous leading publications and media outlets. He earned a degree in politics from Oberlin College and an MFA in creative writing from Hunter College. He teaches creative writing at and Princeton University and lives in .

Andrew Zolli With Malcolm Gladwell and Jad Abumrad Sep 18 at 7:30pm BAM Rose Cinemas Tickets: $20 Andrew Zolli is joined by bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell and radio host Jad Abumrad to discuss resilience, the emerging field of study explored in Zolli’s new book, Resilience: Why Things Bounce Back. Uncovering the hidden interconnectedness of both natural and man-made failures, Zolli shares paradigm-shifting lessons in recreating stability in our increasingly volatile world.

Orhan Pamuk Moderated by Lila Azam Zanganeh Oct 16 at 7:30pm BAM Harvey Theater Tickets: $20 The Nobel Prize-winning writer Orhan Pamuk (Snow, ) comes to BAM for the official New York launch of his newly translated novel, Silent House. Published in his native Turkey in 1983—this is a moving story about a family gathering that occurs the summer before the Turkish military coup of 1980—the English translation becomes available in the US October 9th.

Gary Shteyngart Roast With Kurt Andersen, Jay McInerney, Sloane Crosley, and others to be announced Hosted by John Wesley Harding Nov 20 at 7:30pm BAM Harvey Theater Tickets: $20 In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Gary Shteyngart’s debut novel, The Russian Debutante's Handbook, Unbound hosts a Friars Club-style roast in which Shteyngart’s friends and colleagues take shots at the beloved and critically acclaimed author of Absurdistan and Super Sad True Love Story.

For press information on Unbound: A Literary Series with Greenlight Bookstore contact Monica Ortiz Rossi, [email protected], 718.636.4129 x8 Brooklyn Academy of Music’s (BAM’s) mission is to be a home for adventurous artists, audiences, and ideas. America’s oldest performing arts institution, it is recognized internationally for innovative dance, music, and theater programming—including its renowned Next Wave Festival. BAM also features an acclaimed repertory film program, literary and visual art events, and extensive educational programs. The institution is led by President Karen Brooks Hopkins and Executive Producer Joseph V. Melillo. www.BAM.org

Founded in October 2009, Greenlight Bookstore is a general independent bookstore located in Fort Greene / Clinton Hill in Brooklyn, and serving the wider literary community. Through knowledgeable staff, curated book selection, community partnerships, and a robust ecommerce website as well as our beautiful Fulton Street space, Greenlight combines the best traditions of the neighborhood bookstore with a forward-looking sensibility. Greenlight has garnered local, national and international press coverage for its innovative startup model and its continuing success. In addition to partnering with BAM on the Unbound series, Greenlight hosts literary events in the bookstore several nights a week; some highlights of our fall programming are listed below. More information and details can be found at www.greenlightbookstore.com.

Sep 6 at 7:30pm: An Evening with A Public Space featuring Robert Sullivan and Amy Leach Sep 17 at 7:30pm: Michael Chabon presents Telegraph Avenue Sep 28 at 8:00pm: Zadie Smith presents NW Oct 4 at 7:30pm: An Evening with The Paris Review featuring contributors to Object Lessons: The Paris Review Presents the Art of the Short Story Nov 13 at 6:30pm: Junot Diaz presents This Is How You Lose Her (in partnership with St. Joseph's College)

Credits Leadership support for Unbound provided by Jonathan F.P. & Diana Calthorpe Rose.

Programming in the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House is supported and endowed by The Howard Gilman Foundation. Programming in the BAM Harvey Theater is endowed by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

The BAM facilities are owned by the City of New York and benefit from public funds provided through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs with support from Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg; Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin; the New York City Council including Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Finance Committee Chair Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., Cultural Affairs Committee Chair Jimmy Van Bramer, the Brooklyn Delegation of the Council, and Councilwoman Letitia James; and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

General Information BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, BAM Rose Cinemas, and BAMcafé are located in the Peter Jay Sharp building at 30 Lafayette Avenue (between St Felix Street and Ashland Place) in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn. BAM Harvey Theater is located two blocks from the main building at 651 Fulton Street (between Ashland and Rockwell Places). Both locations house Greenlight Bookstore at BAM kiosks. BAM Fisher, located at 321 Ashland Place, is the newest addition to the BAM campus and houses the Judith and Alan Fishman Space and Rita K. Hillman Studio. BAM Rose Cinemas is Brooklyn’s only movie house dedicated to first-run independent and foreign film and repertory programming. BAMcafé, operated by Great Performances, is open for dining prior to BAM Howard Gilman Opera House evening performances. BAMcafé also features an eclectic mix of spoken word and live music for BAMcafé Live on Friday and Saturday nights with a special BAMcafé Live menu available starting at 6pm.

Subway: 2, 3, 4, 5, Q, B to Atlantic Avenue (2, 3, 4, 5 to Nevins St for Harvey Theater) D, N, R to Pacific Street; G to Fulton Street; C to Lafayette Avenue Train: Long Island Railroad to Atlantic Terminal Bus: B25, B26, B41, B45, B52, B63, B67 all stop within three blocks of BAM Car: Commercial parking lots are located adjacent to BAM

For ticket and BAMbus information, call BAM Ticket Services at 718.636.4100, or visit BAM.org.

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