The Art of The Wire: A Discussion with Cast and Creators

On Friday, October 14, at 7:30 p.m., kick off the Boston Book Festival with a thoughtful and timely exploration of The Wire with its cast and creators. The Wire's creator, David Simon, referred to this powerful, gritty, and all-too-realistic exploration of urban poverty as a "visual novel." The Wire, perhaps the most critically-acclaimed series in television history, has been compared to Dickens, to Greek tragedy, even to Shakespearean drama. It is both high art and social commentary. Join several cast members and writer/producer George Pelecanos in a conversation about The Wire and issues of race, class, institutional failure, and the visual novel. The discussion will feature Donnie Andrews (the real "Omar"), Fran Boyd (the inspiration for David Simon's The Corner), Tray Chaney ("Poot"), Robert Chew ("Prop Joe"), and Jamie Hector ("Marlo Stanfield") and will be moderated by Reverend Eugene Rivers, co-founder of the Ten Point Coalition. Click here for all the details. 

While you're here, take some time to explore our newly redesigned website. We've recently updated our list of BBF 2011 presenters, announced the lineup for the Berklee Stage, and developed a new list of benefits for members at all levels. 

We'd also like to take this moment to welcome WBUR 90.9, Boston's NPR news station, as our Presenting Partner. This new partnership will enrich both our organizations and enable us to jointly provide interesting and exciting programming year-round. We're looking forward to a fruitful collaboration.