Each year Baltimore celebrates its literacy with quite an impressive book festival that brings a veritable who’s who in the literary world to “the city that reads.” Reports of other cities attempting to read have yet to be confirmed. As far as we know, we’re still the only one.

Photo by Matt Kelley.

Brian Baker and Heather Joi.

The many Andy Warhol sightings at the Book Festival have little to do with our penchant for the written word and everything to do with the upcoming Warhol exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art.

Photo by Theresa Keil.

Books, Live Music, Art Gallery and more!

Same block as Windup Space, across from Joe Squared. Plenty of room inside for your bike; FREE street parking for your car (well plug your meter before 6, after that its free anyway) – come on over…

30 West North Ave.

Baltimore, MD, 21201

The ‘Creative Control’ exhibit was curated by Jim Lucio and featured over 100 independent arts publications from around the world. On site was a copy machine and informal workshops on zine-making held throughout the weekend. The exhibit produced a number of small zines that were handed out. In addition, Baltimore Book Festival specific zines, featuring the work of Alex Fine and Pat Falco were also produced on site.

Photo by Matt Kelley.

Jesse Ventura with Richard Sher of WMAR-TV ABC Channel 2.

If the Baltimore Book Festival gave an award for best book title, it would have had to go to Jesse Ventura for his book, American Conspiracies: Lies, Lies and More Dirty Lies That the Government Tells Us. It just rolls off the tongue, dontcha think?

The fact that Ventura could stomach the world of professional wrestling for over two decades but voluntarily bowed out of politics after one term as governor of Minnesota says a lot about the state of politics in our great nation. I think Lies, Lies and More Dirty Lies That the Government Tells Us would make a great stocking stuffer this holiday season to go along with the Lies, Lies and More Dirty Lies that parents tell their kids about a kindly old man who keeps an eye on them all year long and holds the key to their happiness.

Photo by Theresa Keil.

Mt. Vernon on one of those days that you absolutely love living in the city.

Photo by Theresa Keil.

Michael Kimball, author of Dear Everybody, hosted 510 Series featuring Paula Bomer, Aryn Kyle, Jen Michalski, Justin Kramon, Jon Cotner and Andy Fitch.

Photo by Theresa Keil.

Books, Live Music, Art Gallery and more!

Same block as Windup Space, across from Joe Squared. Plenty of room inside for your bike; FREE street parking for your car (well plug your meter before 6, after that its free anyway) – come on over…

30 West North Ave.

Baltimore, MD, 21201

Authors Edwina and Lisa Arenas, reading from their childrens book, Baby Obama! Yes We Can! A Touchy, Teachy Patriotic Book.

Photo by Theresa Keil.

I’m certain that a particular group of What Weekly subscribers welcomed New York Times best selling author Daniel Pinchbeck warmly upon his arrival to Charm City. Daniel is the author responsible for Breaking Open the Head: A Psychedelic Journey into the Heart of Contemporary Shamanism, 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl and his highly anticipated new book Notes From the Edge of Times. He’s also co-founder of Evolver, a social networking site that differentiates itself as being a network for “conscious collaboration.”

Photo by Theresa Keil.

It’s amazing how much stubble Andy Warhol grew since the second picture.

Photo by Theresa Keil.

Baltimore Book Festival 2010

Photo by Theresa Keil.

Few celebrities at the festival caused quite the stir that Madeline did. Even after taking precautions like going around the main festival route and being escorted by a highly trained security attache Madeline still appeared to be cornered by an enthusiastic fan hoping to get an autograph.

Photo by Theresa Keil.

And as you all know, any reputable book festival cannot lack an industrial dose of funk. Enter The P Funk All-Stars Let the Monkey Go. Now, go enjoy your books.

Photo by Theresa Keil.