Chicago, March 2004 -- The Edible Book Show & Tea is the tongue-in-cheek April Fools' Day event at Columbia College Chicago that pokes loving fun at literature, art and food in equal measure. Once again, the Columbia College Library and the college's Center for Book & Paper Arts will co-sponsor the event, welcoming the public to the third floor of the Columbia Library at 624 S. Michigan Avenue to indulge in the eccentric delight of eating books.
The delicious doings are scheduled for Thursday, April 1, 6-8 p.m. Free to Book Cooks; $10 donation for other attendees.
Artists with a culinary streak and chefs with artistic souls are invited to participate by whipping up an Edible Book to show and eat. Create an edible book to share and the event is free. To participate with an original creation, you must RSVP by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 26 with your name, "book" title and a full list of ingredients - preferably via e-mail - to Melissa Jay Craig at mcraig@colum.edu (312-344-6635).
"This event is every bit as quirky as it sounds," says Craig, Columbia faculty member, artist-cum-cook and co-hostess of Edible Books. "It's a great chance to meet other people with an offbeat sense of humor, not to mention fulfilling two of life's most basic urges -- to create and to eat."
Uninspired or shy -- but curious and hungry? You're still welcome to attend, admire and feast. RSVP to Michelle Ferguson at 312-344-7384 (mferguson@colum.edu) and bring a $10 donation to benefit the Center's bindery.
"Edible Books is one of the favorite events we do at the library," says Ferguson, library staffer and event co-hostess. "Munching amidst the stacks sets an appropriately irreverent tone and gives rise to some memorable jocularity."
Last year's event included more than two dozen creations by artist/cooks who crafted both sweet and savory volumes. Titles included such masterpieces as Codex Interruptus by Suan Hanes, "Pooh" Dora's Box by Felicia Rogers, Book Suey by Lisa Mendez and Pair-A-Dice Lost by Carol Spector. To view books visit http://www.bookandpaper.org/exhbitions2003/ediblebooks.html.
The Chicago festivities are part of an international celebration of books, food, art and fun conceived by California-based publisher, curator and art critic Judith Hoffberg. She devised the plan with friends over Thanksgiving dinner, shared the idea via the Internet -- and the offbeat event took on a life of its own.
Media Contact: Micki Leventhal, 312-344-7383