Emerging Artist Christian Mitchell Launches his First Show Hosted at The Hole NYC October 25, 2011 from 6-9pm

New York, NY (PRWEB) October 05, 2011

Christian Mitchell will present Mental Circus, his first solo show of photograph, prints and installation pieces at The Hole in NYC, 312 Bowery. While this is Christian's first show he is not new to the art scene or its creative world.

His work is an exploration in transformation and self-discovery. His current body of work calls upon technical skill and imagination pushed to the extreme. Meghan Coleman (previously with Deitch Project) has been providing regular feedback on the project. She and others like Kathy Grayson, Kembra Pfahler, and Hagen Linss have encouraged him to refine the body of work by focusing on the transformation of himself only. ?I met Kembra of Voluptuous Horror of karen Black while working on a collaborative event at M?A?C Cosmetics. I had admired her work since the early 90s. She has become a really good friend and mentor.? says Christian. He was recently introduced to curator Donna Kessinger, who is now assisting with the project.

For most of his career, Christian played a key role behind the scenes at fashion shows, productions and events. In the early 1990's he attended FIT to study Fine Arts and Display and Exhibit Design, but quickly realized he was more interested in painting the mannequins than installing exhibits. The club scene and art scene in NYC were extremely colorful. Freedom of expression and experimentation was admired and encouraged. He began to experiment more with make-up, often before going to the Pyramid, Disco 2000 at Limelight and Edelweiss. His style was influenced by the club kids and legends like Boy George, Annie Lennox and Sid Vicious.

During this time Christian found his way into M?A?C Cosmetics and was able to develop his skills further as a make-up artist, however he never abandoned his love of creating art. He was able to merge his interest of art and make-up in both his increasing portfolio as an artist and his reputation as a body painter and make-up artist. He shared some of his work with friend and ?make-up hero? Joanne Gair, who encouraged him to push it further and start thinking about creating a book.

Christian currently resides in New York?s East Village and continues to work in the Artist Relations department at M?A?C Cosmetics.

To RSVP for this event contact RSVP(at)xtian-nyc(dot)com.

For more information about Christian Mitchell or to speak with him about his work, please visit http://www.xtian-nyc.com.

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GBK (GBK Productions) Hosted A Record Breaking Luxury Gift Lounge In Honor Of The 2011 Golden Globe Awards Nominees And Presenters

Los Angeles, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) January 19, 2011

GBK (gbkproductions.com) - the luxury lifestyle gift lounge and special events company, honored the 2011 Golden Globe Awards Nominees and Presenters with its Annual Luxury Gift Lounge on January 14th and 15th at the London West Hollywood. GBK, the recipient of BizBash?s Award for ?Best Gift Bag,? offered its exclusive list of invited celebrities, VIPs, and Media an opportunity to enjoy a luxurious environment with gifts, refreshments, charity fundraising, and a unique experience provided by Nano Magnetics ? The world?s largest magnetic sculpture! Using Nanodots? gold spherical magnets, the finished sculpture was modeled after the famous Golden Globe Award and showcased in the GBK Luxury Gift Lounge. The sculpture was made with over 549,000 magnets and weighed 600 pounds. The team from Guinness Book of World Records made an appearance to perform the inspection and awarded Nano Magnetics the title of ?Largest Magnetic Sculpture.?

The 2011 Golden Globe Award Nominees and Presenters received goods and services ranging from exotic travel destinations to luxury goods and products. Some of the favorite products of the weekend included: Zamani Retreat Kempinski, an 8 night all inclusive Health Package in Africa?s Prime Holistic Health Retreat, which included a safari to the Bilila property and Caribbean Living Magazine 1 week stay in the Caribbean. Beyond The Rack, North America?s premier members-only shopping club, offered guests $ 100 Gift Certificates towards brand name designers like Balenciaga, Tom Ford, and Jimmy Choo. Meebo, providing the easiest way to share across the web with their integration of all social networks and communications channels into a single, simple-to-use solution, showcased their innovative service, serving specialty Meebo-themed drinks from the Meebo bar and donated $ 100 to select charities for everyone attending the gifting lounge. Exclusive Sedan Service delivered celebrities in style and offered gift certificates towards chauffeured luxury ground transportation, while Miracle Details, VIP miracle touch auto detailing featuring ECO-sensitive cleaning systems, provided on-site car detailed and gift certificates.

On the beauty front, some of the top gifts included: 3LAB providing technologically advanced skincare; celebrity-favorite RevitaLash; Jane Cosmetics offered affordable makeup with superior performance; Jessica Cosmetics/Jessica Nail Clinic; all natural ?rejuvenate? daily moisturizer and ?soothe? a spot treatment for minor skin irritations from Diane Lai; Nyx Cosmetics; $ 250 gift certificates from The Shave of Beverly Hills; Vanity Girl Hollywood, offering their high quality lighted vanity mirrors; and Elys?e Scientific Cosmetics gifting Elys?e Youth Span Facial Resurrection Serum and Night Cr?me.

Health and wellness advocates enjoyed products and services including: Attitube, a unique revolutionary functional exercise device that uses water motion as resistance to tone and sculpt the body; custom embroidered yoga mats from My Custom Yoga Mat; and truffles made of straight-from-nature ingredients which are raw, organic and Vegan with no gluten, dairy or refined sugars from ChocAlive!

Designer Fashion included: MENBUR, special occasion evening bags; Essence Bracelets; Have Faith Swimwear with their luxury swimwear for women; 2EROS, showcasing a range of slick and stylish swimwear and underwear apparel for men; Eleven Eleven Watches; Misaki Monte Carlo, the fashion statement of pearls; NYS Collection Eyewear; Ron White Shoes; Rumba Time, water-resistant and easy to wear watches; The indi Exhibit, custom created iPad and iPhone skins, designer handbags, indie designed clothing and jewelry, and collective candle tins; TC Fine Intimates, makers of handmade shapewear and panties; and Umi Children?s Shoes.

Electronic gifts and gadgets were a highly sought-after gift of the lounge, and some of the luxury sponsors included: Looxcie, the easy-to-use wearable camcorder which enables continuous hands-free recording that can be clipped, saved, viewed, and instantly shared; Powermat, the slim, sleek, three position wireless charging mat for home or office; PSYCLOPS silicone skins for the iPhone 4; a portable iPhone stand from MoviePeg; ISOTONER? SmarTouch? gloves, allowing you to operate handheld touchscreen devices; and sophisticated Circolo coffee machines from NESCAF? Dolce Gusto?.

Other great gifts included: Booda Brand; Nulo all natural dog and cat foods; special 25 piece limited edition pens from William Henry Studio; $ 100 gift certificates from Joy Theatre; A Rose of Thanks; fine gifts from Cambria Cove?; luxurious hair-care, skin-care and body-care from Peter Lamas; bamjamz?, women?s bamboo lifestyle lounge and sleep wear; Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.; Kaldi?s Coffee Roasting Co; WineChateau.com; Marquez de Valencia, a limited production tequila; Kingfish Spirits, a cream-alcohol infused whipped cream; Svedka vodka; and delicious cupcakes from Sugar Babies Cupcakery.

As always, charities are a focal point of GBK Gift Lounges and this year?s beneficiaries included:

St. Bernard Project: an organization that rebuilds the Katrina-ravished homes and lives of New Orleans residents using just $ 15,000 and 12 weeks of labor through their Rebuilding Program while addressing the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of our clients at our Center for Wellness and Mental Health. The Lopez Foundation, whose mission is to create positive, permanent change for underprivileged children and adults confronting challenges in education and health, as well as increasing community awareness about kidney disease and organ donations. Rose of Thanks, sending Greeting Cards to the Troops Overseas.

GBK, formerly GBK Productions, is a luxury lifestyle gifting and special events company, specializing in entertainment marketing integration. Formed in 2000 by Gavin Keilly, the company?s Founder and CEO, GBK consists of five divisions: GBK Celebrity Gifting, GBK Special Events, GBK Weddings, GBK Charitable Consulting and GBK Marketing/Public Relations. Widely known in the entertainment industry for bringing that little extra something into the Gifting Lounge environment, GBK offers its clients a full range of marketing services. For more information on Gavin B. Keilly (CEO), Carla Domen (VP) or GBK, please go to gbkproductions.com.

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PBS Reality Docu-Series and Title Sponsor for the PGA Heritage Golf Tournament Adds Up to a Banner 2011 Season for Hilton Head Island, SC, Announces The Vacation Company

Hilton Head Island, SC (PRWEB) July 13, 2011

The mood on Hilton Head Island has changed from cautiously optimistic in the early part of 2011 at the dogged upward climb of the economic numbers in the travel and tourism industry, to outright cheers these past few weeks as the news of two outstanding events were confirmed by officials from South Carolina and Hilton Head?s Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitor?s Bureau.

The first, long-awaited announcement came at a press conference where Governor Nikki Haley confirmed rumors that the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) had signed a five-year title sponsorship deal with The Heritage Tournament, a PGA event established in 1969. The surprising bonus of that announcement was that The Boeing Company had also signed on as the local presenting sponsor, a move greatly appreciated by tournament officials. Both corporations fit the cultural framework, which defines The Heritage tradition as evidenced by the many historical markers and Scottish highland references thematic throughout the week of play. The news of this sponsorship package came as a welcome relief for the PGA, sports enthusiasts, island residents, visitors, and touring players alike. The Heritage Foundation generates over $ 1 million for charities each year.

The second event, brewing since early 2010 between the Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA), PBS, and Pine Ridge Productions?, is a new season of the reality show/documentary, Getting Away Together, about the growing trend of vacation home rentals as an affordable alternative to more traditional family vacation destinations like theme parks, cruises, and hotel resorts. Last week, it was announced that Hilton Head Island, South Carolina would be the next location for filming of the show.

?What better channel than PBS, known for its commitment to family programming, could possibly give Hilton Head Island the well-rounded coverage it deserves?? Asks Charlie Clark, Vice President of Communications, Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau.

Adding to the excitement, is the casting call sent out by Pine Ridge Productions for home video submissions from guests who stay in vacation rentals on Hilton Head Island during the month of July. One showcase oceanfront home will also be chosen from a field of submissions from 10 area vacation rental companies, all of who donated money to PBS to help sponsor the program. Chosen guest candidates will be placed in the showcase home for filming at the end of September.

?This is a wonderful opportunity to draw attention to Hilton Head?s gorgeous shoulder season, which typically runs September ? mid-November, when the climate is still temperate, the water is warm, and the island is uncrowded,? states Beth Henzler, partner, The Vacation Company, a vacation home rental agency on Hilton Head Island.

Hilton Head Island is renowned for endorsing an outdoor-geared lifestyle, long-term conservation efforts, as well as an enduring family-friendly atmosphere. These goals have been maintained by strict town building codes (trees and salt marshes left alone throughout major development), and an agenda of promoting outdoor, family-oriented activities such as tennis, golf, fishing, kayaking, swimming, parasailing, paddle-boarding, endless miles of paved bike trails gliding through lush woods and golf courses, and outdoor live entertainment for children, like Gregg Russell and Shannon Tanner.

The Vacation Company is a rental agency committed to providing top-quality service and accommodations to island visitors, family vacationers, sports enthusiasts, and property owners. With over 20 years experience managing Hilton Head?s luxury home and villa rentals, The Vacation Company continues its own tradition of supporting The Heritage Golf Tournament, recognizing its place as the island?s seasonal springboard into the summer vacation rental season, and PBS family programming, a critical component in the media age to helping children maintain a sense of strong family culture.

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Ascott's Citadines On Bourke Melbourne Wins Best Suite/Apartment Style Hotel At The 2011 AHA (Vic) State Awards For Excellence

(PRWEB) July 08, 2011

The Ascott Limited (Ascott)?s first Citadines Apart?hotel in Australia, Citadines on Bourke Melbourne, was awarded the ?Best Suite/Apartment Style Hotel? at the recent 2011 Australian Hotels Association (AHA) State Awards for Excellence (Victorian Accommodation Division). The AHA?s Awards for Excellence are the industry?s highest honour with only outstanding hotels being recognised for their premier standards.

According to Mr Dean Minett, Ascott?s Country General Manager for Australia, this award recognises the unmatched offering that Citadines on Bourke Melbourne brings to the city.

?At Citadines on Bourke Melbourne, we offer guests the privacy and flexibility of a serviced apartment with the convenience and amenities of a hotel. Our committed and passionate team of staff work very hard to ensure our guests not only have a unique Melbourne adventure, but also enjoy that personalised home-away-from-home experience by Ascott.?

?Having only opened in July of last year, Citadines on Bourke Melbourne has created a buzz for not only its smart design and central city location, but for the unique flexible floor plans and services that enable guests to create their own stay experience. Every apartment has separate areas for sleeping, dining and contains a multi-functional living area that can hold a meeting, cocktail party or fit in a yoga mat with equal ease.?

?Winning the AHA award for excellence in the first year of our operations confirms that Citadines on Bourke Melbourne is a progressive accommodation offering, providing our guests with everything Melbourne has to offer right on the doorstep,? said Mr Minett.

Located in the heart of the Central Business District at 131-135 Bourke Street, Citadines on Bourke Melbourne is well served by public transport and is within walking distance to restaurants, caf?s, cinemas, high-end shopping as well as parks and gardens. The property is also at the midpoint of Melbourne?s renowned theatre district and close to major office towers.

Designed by one of the world?s leading design studios, Woods Bagot, Citadines on Bourke Melbourne reflects the vibrancy of Melbourne. Inspired by the city?s distinctive laneways of boutique caf?s, shops and galleries, the lobby of the serviced residence is designed as a laneway connecting two renowned shopping strips. The property also showcases the works of Melbourne artists, providing a local contemporary edge to the serviced residence.

Citadines on Bourke Melbourne offers choices of studio, one- and two-bedroom executive and deluxe apartments. All apartments boast floor-to-ceiling windows, with the units on the higher floors offering panoramic views of the city. In addition, travellers can choose to enjoy a range of facilities in the serviced residence including a swimming pool, sauna, gymnasium, launderette and services such as dry cleaning and room service.

To experience Citadines on Bourke Melbourne?s award-winning brand of hospitality, visit http://www.citadines.com.au, call 1800 183 251 (AUS toll-free) for reservations or email enquiry.australia(at)citadines(dot)com.

About The Ascott Limited

The Ascott Limited is the world?s largest international serviced residence owner-operator with about 22,000 operating serviced residence units in key cities of Asia Pacific, Europe and the Gulf region, as well as over 6,000 units which are under development, making a total of more than 27,000 units.

The company operates three brands ? Ascott, Citadines and Somerset. Its portfolio spans over 70 cities across 20 countries, 14 of which are new cities in Ascott?s portfolio where its serviced residences are being developed.

Ascott, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Limited, is headquartered in Singapore. It pioneered Asia Pacific?s first international-class serviced residence in 1984. In 2006, it established the world?s first Pan-Asian serviced residence real estate investment trust, Ascott Residence Trust. Today, the company boasts a 27-year industry track record and serviced residence brands that enjoy recognition worldwide.

Recent awards include DestinAsian Readers? Choice Awards 2011 ?Best Serviced Residence in Asia Pacific?, TTG China Travel Awards 2011 ?Best Serviced Residence Operator in China', Business Traveller UK Awards 2010 ?Best Serviced Apartment Company?, Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards 2010 ?Best Serviced Residence Brand? and ?Best Serviced Residence in Asia-Pacific? and TTG Travel Awards 2010 ?Best Serviced Residence Operator?.

About CapitaLand Group

CapitaLand is one of Asia?s largest real estate companies. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, the multi-local company?s core businesses in real estate, hospitality and real estate financial services are focused in growth cities in Asia Pacific and Europe.

The company?s real estate and hospitality portfolio, which includes homes, offices, shopping malls, serviced residences and mixed developments, spans more than 110 cities in over 20 countries. CapitaLand also leverages on its significant asset base, real estate domain knowledge, financial skills and extensive market network to develop real estate financial products and services in Singapore and the region.

The listed entities of the CapitaLand Group include Australand, CapitaMalls Asia, CapitaMall Trust, CapitaCommercial Trust, Ascott Residence Trust, CapitaRetail China Trust, CapitaMalls Malaysia Trust and Quill Capita Trust.

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Dancing and Bending With The Stars -- Four Seasons Resort Maui Ashtanga Yoga Retreat Set for September 10-15, 2011

Maui, Hawaii (PRWEB) July 20, 2011

Spend a minute watching Shelley Washington move through her Ashtanga Yoga practice and you will quickly come to the conclusion that she must be a professional dancer. And you will be correct.

Washington, a trained dancer, graduated from Julliard School in New York and went on to dance with the celebrated companies of Martha Graham, Twyla Tharp and the American Ballet Theater. After a successful career, she embarked on a different journey a decade ago and discovered a new passion--Ashtanga Yoga.

With heart and soul, she threw herself into the practice. A few years later she traveled to Mysore, India, for the first of many trips to be inspired by and to study with Ashtanga Master K. Pattabhi Jois. In 2005, Washington was officially certified by the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore to teach Ashtanga Yoga.

From September 10-15, 2011, she and her husband, internationally-acclaimed Ashtanga Yoga teacher, David Swenson, will bring their powerful lessons to Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. They will lead and guide students through many poses, offering practical applications and safe adjusting techniques to help build each person's practice. They are a dynamic teaching couple and are known for bringing compassion, joy and energy to the mat each day.

Swenson is recognized as one of the world's foremost practitioners and instructors of Ashtanga Yoga. He started practicing yoga at age 13 and, as a young man, was introduced to and then studied with Ashtanga Master K. Pattabhi Jois as well. He is the author of the bestselling book, Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual and producer of five DVDs.

Four Seasons Resort Maui?s retreat includes five nights in luxurious accommodations; four morning and three afternoon yoga classes; daily "Talk Yoga" sessions; a hospitality lounge; a welcome reception and a final group dinner. Rates start at $ 4,500. For more information, please email: pat.makozak@fourseasons.com or call her at 1 (808) 8674 ?2939.

The Ashtanga Yoga Retreat is one of Four Seasons Resort Maui's Unforgettable Events which also includes a "Tennis Fantasy Camp" (November 16-20) with such top pros as Lindsay Davenport and Tom Gullikson and "Cycling Camp Maui" (December 3-9) led by Tour de France veteran and Canadian Olympian Ryder Hesjedal and Go Cycling Maui. A Surf Camp and a Vinyasa Yoga Retreat are also being planned.

To find out more: http.//maui.fourseasons.com/edition/unforgettable-events

About Four Seasons Resort Maui, (http://www.fourseasons.com/maui)

Maui?s first and only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star resort is nestled on 15 acres of the breathtaking Wailea coast. The 380-room oceanfront property is world-renowned for its comfortable opulence, impeccable service and luxurious amenities. The resort is also home to one of the nation?s top-rated spas and three of Hawaii?s most acclaimed restaurants ? Ferraro?s Bar e Ristorante, Spago Maui and DUO, a premium steak and seafood restaurant.

Contact:

Charlotte Novom - cnovom(at)novom(dot)com

Barbara Barrielle - bbarrielle(at)novom(dot)com

323-882-8333

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2011 All America Laughter Yoga Conference Promotes Cost-Effective Healthcare, Goodwill and Peace

San Diego, California (PRWEB) August 19, 2011

6th Annual All America Laughter Yoga Conference Starts Thursday September 22 at 7 pm and runs through Sunday September 25 until 1 pm at the Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, 500 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, CA 92108. http://2011.laughteryogaamerica.com/

Over 40 motivating Laughter Yoga professionals coming from all over North America and as far as Australia and Ethiopia will share exercises, experiences, expertise and information.

A high point of this conference will be a Levity Project on Saturday (9/24) between 4pm and 6pm. All the 150+ participants of this conference will visit various scenic locations of San Diego traveling in double-decker buses and bring laughter, play and celebration in town!

????Conference Agenda Overview:

???? 4 pre-conference trainings
???? 20 hands-on activities
???? 14 round-table experts
???? 7 Keynote Speakers
???? 5 amazing and life affirming testimonials
???? 4 post-conference workshops

See http://2011.laughteryogaamerica.com/sessions

Laughter Yoga is a unique form of exercise that allows anybody to laugh heartily, alone or in a group, for an extended period of time, for no reason. It follows a body-mind approach to laughter, not mind-body. You do not have to be happy or have a sense of humor to laugh.

The link between laughter and yoga is the breath. Laughter Yoga can rightly be called a form of pranayahahama. Where traditional yoga is a serious and solitary practice (it's you and your mat) that can be physically demanding, Laughter Yoga on the contrary is easy, fun, and aimed at having a direct experience of joy in a group setting, laughing with others and never at them.

Read more at http://www.laughteryogaamerica.com/learn/laughter-yoga-258.php

Numerous scientific studies suggest that laughter is indeed a powerful form of preventive and therapeutic complementary medicine that can even help people in the most critical conditions. Laughter releases stress, strengthens your immune system, helps you sleep better, reduces pain and overall boosts happy chemistry. It also diffuses fear and tension and connects you with others.

Read more at https://media.laughteryogaamerica.com/pdf/scientific-benefits-of-laughter.pdf

Laughter Yoga was created in India in 1995 by a medical doctor. An estimated 1 million people now practice this method on a regular basis on five continents in thousands of free and public Laughter Clubs. There are over 450 known such clubs in the USA, on top of 2,000+ weekly Laughter Yoga classes offered in senior facilities, hospitals, hospices, schools, prisons and in the corporate world. Laughter Yoga has become as worldwide, social, mass phenomenon.

The American School of Laughter Yoga is the oldest and largest provider of Laughter Yoga education in North America. The school was founded in 2004 by Sebastien Gendry, the first American to train as a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher. Our ambition is to support and strengthen the growth of Laughter Yoga to mainstream level in North America through: teaching excellence; pursuing official accreditation (CE Credits) for Laughter Yoga trainings; creating and distributing award-winning educational products; supporting and empowering Laughter Professionals; organizing national and regional Laughter Yoga conferences; and establishing a strong online presence and an industry-leading website.

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Brit Awards 2011 - All Releases Available at Tesco Entertainment

(PRWEB) February 15, 2011

The Brit Awards is just around the corner taking place in London on February 15th 2011. The biggest British music industry event is no longer at Earl?s Court Arena and has moved to the other side of London to the O2 Arena. ITV will be broadcasting and the kick-off is 8pm.

All the new exciting talent are up for awards and many of them will be performing live. The Brit?s boys have done well this year with Take That, Mumford & Son?s, Plan B and Tinie Tempah dominating the nominations. All these artists have shown exceptionally strong CD and music download sales throughout the year.

This year?s great artists will be available on Tesco?s Entertainment website on CD or via music download. New talent like Ellie Goulding is available on CD at the unbeatable price of ?8.99 and Jessie J for ?8.99,Take That?s new album is available for just ?8.99 and Rihanna?s latest album Loud out at ?8.99.

There has been lots of hype around the event as usual. The hugely funny and entertaining James Corden is to host the event. Breaking tradition, Vivien Westwood has designed the new glamorous Brits statue. Justin Bieber in his trademark style has been spread across Twitter and Facebook giving him the best chance to secure a prize on the night. One other change this year is the Outstanding Contributions Award has been dropped.

At the time of writing The Wanted are odds on favourites to win best single at 4/6 while Take That are solid favourites to win Best Group at 1/4. Tinie Tempah is on course to win British Breakthrough Act at 1/3.

Tesco Entertainment is the online store for Tesco. The Tesco Entertainment site offers all the favourite CDs, music downloads, DVDs and computer games at the very best prices. Tesco Entertainment prides itself on offering quality customer service to customers, upholding its pre-order promise that ensures you get the best prices, and free delivery to UK customers.

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John Grisham Wins 2011 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction

Tuscaloosa, AL (PRWEB) July 28, 2011

For his work in The Confession, #1 best-selling author John Grisham is being awarded the 2011 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction, a new literary award co-sponsored by The University of Alabama School of Law and the ABA Journal, the flagship magazine of the American Bar Association.

United States Attorney General Eric Holder helped initiate this award at a ceremony last September in Tuscaloosa, marking the 50th anniversary of the publication of To Kill A Mockingbird. Ms. Harper Lee, who attended The University of Alabama School of Law, approved of this award.

The Harper Lee Prize will be given annually to a published work of fiction that best exemplifies the positive role of lawyers in society and their power to effect change.

The Confession was declared the 2011 winner by a distinguished Selection Committee, including David Baldacci, Linda Fairstein, Morris Dees, Robert J. Grey, Jr. and Jeffrey Toobin. In the Committee?s view, The Confession, which explores an attorney?s tireless efforts to save his client from being executed for a crime he did not commit, most-deservedly embodies the spirit of the Harper Lee Prize.

Grisham will be presented with the award during a special ceremony September 22, at 2 p.m., at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Following the award presentation, David Baldacci will lead a discussion of The Confession, in relationship to Lee?s To Kill A Mockingbird, including guest panelists Morris Dees, Linda Fairstein, Robert J. Grey, Jr., Laura Miller and Thane Rosenbaum.

http://www.harperleeprize.com

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Archaeological Mystery Novelist Mary Anna Evans Receives 2011 Mississippi Author Award

Jackson, MS (PRWEB) October 14, 2011

Mary Anna Evans has been named the 2011 recipient of the Mississippi Author Award, an annual award given by the Mississippi Library Association. The award is given to living authors who are Mississippi natives or who have lived in the state for five or more consecutive years. Previous recipients include Eudora Welty, John Grisham, and Willie Morris, as well as Charlaine Harris, author of the books on which the Emmy-winning HBO series True Blood is based.

Ms. Evans, a seventh-generation Mississippian, is the author of the Faye Longchamp archaeological mystery novels, which has received recognitions including the Benjamin Franklin Award, the Florida Literature Award, and a Florida Book Awards bronze medal. A current resident of Gainesville, Florida, she says, "I'm so honored to receive this award from some of my favorite people--Mississippians and librarians--and to be in the company of such fine writers. Ellen Douglas was the professor for the writing class I took when I was an engineering grad student at Ole Miss, way back in the 1980s, and Charlaine Harris is a friend, an inspiration, and a wonderful writer. I can't wait to go home for the awards banquet."

The awardwinning book, Floodgates, received a starred review from Booklist, praising its treatment of New Orleans and its history. A previous installment in the series, Effigies, was a nominee for ForeWord Book of the Year for its portrait of Mississippi at the turn of the 21st century.

Ms. Evans will accept the award at the Mississippi Library Association's annual conference. More information on her work is available on her website. High-resolution downloadable photos, are available on her website.

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