Middfest exhibit preview
When: 2:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: In and around Donham Plaza, Middletown
Info: (513) 425-7707 or www.middfestinter national.com
MIDDLETOWN — Fans of the “No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” books will find Middfest’s exhibit preview on Sunday, Sept. 26, especially rewarding.
The 11 books are set in the African nation of Botswana, Middfest’s featured country this year. Middfest has held a reading challenge throughout the year to see who read the most books. The challenge participants will be recognized, and they will get to meet a colleague of author Alexander McCall Smith, said Middfest spokeswoman Christina Papakirk.
That colleague is Dr. Neil Parsons, a former University of Botswana history professor and film buff who will talk about movies and Botswana.
Visitors to the “Tea and Talk,” as the preview is called, also will be invited to tour the various Middfest exhibits set up in the City Building this past week. Libby Birch, who has worked on many Middfest displays over the years, said baskets will figure prominently at Middfest.
“It’s an industry and an art that are being presented because they’re gorgeous. They’re beautiful, exquisite works of art,” Birch said, adding that a basket weaver is expected to present demonstrations Sunday, and at the festival next weekend.
Other pre-festival events coming up next week includes “A Taste of Botswana” at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, in the Campus & Community Center at Miami University Middletown.
This event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. A sampler of food from Botswana will include African-style stew, vegetable potjie and seswaaa with ugali.
Call (513) 727-3472 to reserve tickets to be picked up at the door before the event, or visit the MUM information desk in Johnston Hall to pick them up ahead of time.
The festival will run Friday though Sunday, Oct. 1 through 3.
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