Blog

Pen on Fire Speaker Series and Salon
08.20.19
The next Pen on Fire Speaker Series and Salon on Tuesday, August 20 at 7 p.m. features novelists Janet Fitch and Leland de la Durantaye with their novels. Janet's new book, (Chimes of a Lost Cathedral, was just released). Both Janet and Leland are articulate about the writing process and about their novels.
For more info or to register, click here. Seats are $20 and include nibbles and sips. The event will take place at Lido Village Books. Free parking in the parking structure nearby; remember to ask for a voucher at the bookstore.
This monthly series, hosted by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, features authors, literary agents, and others involved in the field of writing. Happening at Lido Books in Newport Beach, the salon is a mecca for literary devotees who listen to readings, take part in discussions, and attend book signings.
Janet Fitch is the best selling author of the White Oleander, an Oprah’s book club pick, translated into 28 languages and the subject of a feature film; Paint it Black, widely translated and recently made into a film directed by Amber Tamblyn; The Revolution of Marina M. an epic novel of a young woman’s coming of age during the Russian Revolution, and Chimes of a Lost Cathedral, the novel that resumes the story of Marina M. Her short fiction and essays have been published in anthologies and journals such as Black Clock, Black Warrior Review, Los Angeles Noir, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and Real Simple. Her popular Writing Wednesday writing tip videos can be found on her author Facebook page. For more about Janet, check her website, janetfitchwrites.com.
Leland de la Durantaye is a writer, critic, translator, and professor of comparative literature. He has taught at the École normale supérieure and Harvard University and is currently Professor of Literature at Claremont McKenna College. His articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Village Voice, The London Review of Books, Bookforum, Artforum, The Believer, and other newspapers and magazines. He serves on the editorial boards of the Harvard Review and Cabinet. His first novel, Hannah versus the Tree, was published by McSweeney’s in November 2018.
Lido Village Books is at 3424 Via Oporto in Newport Beach.
Blog

Storytime at Cilek Kids Room
08.20.19
In a partnership with the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, Cilek Kids Room at SOCO is holding monthly Storytime events from now through October. These hour-long interactive activations all feature live music, dance, and storytelling with each Storytime event finishing with a parent and child activity that relates to the subject of the story told. Once Storytime is complete, families are invited to the SOCO Farmers’ Market to take part in a tasting tour with Market Bucks-tokens that can be spent on anything inside the market.
Cilek Kids Room’s second Storytime event will take place on Saturday, August 24 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. inside the showroom and will feature a Corduroy reading along with a bear ear construction craft.
All Storytime events are free to attend and registration is required. Please sign up for any and all Storytime dates by visiting: chuckjonescenter.org.
Cilek Kids Room – SOCO is at 3315 Hyland Avenue, Suite B in Costa Mesa.
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 08.26.25 – Celebrate California Wine Month at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
- 08.26.25 – Musco Center Hosts Free Heartbeat of Mexico Festival Sept. 14
- 08.24.25 – Rufus Wainwright Brings Solo Tour to Musco Center Sept. 12
- 08.22.25 – Tender Greens Introduces Limited-Time Mediterranean Steak Bowl
- 08.22.25 – INI Ristorante Debuts Summer Table Menu
- 08.20.25 – Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort Unveils New Enhancements
- 08.20.25 – The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe Completes $42 Million Renovation
- 08.20.25 – Cozy Earth Hosts Exclusive In-Store Promotion
- 08.17.25 – Buena Vista Orchestra Live in Costa Mesa
- 08.17.25 – Award-Winning Chef Ralph Estrada Joins IL Girasole in Costa Mesa
- 08.05.25 – Puesto Unveils Flavor-Packed Summer Menu Across SoCal Locations
- 08.03.25 – One Night in Asia – An Immersive Culinary and Entertainment Experience
- 08.01.25 – MoonGoat Coffee Roasters Opens Fifth and Largest OC Location at Pacific Arts Plaza
- 08.01.25 – Fritz and Friends Set for One-Night Show in Orange County
- 07.29.25 – A Botanical Bug Spray That Smells Like Summer
- 07.27.25 – Hotel Maya Celebrates 50 Years as a Long Beach Icon
- 07.24.25 – darkroom Pop-Up: Spanish AF
- 07.16.25 – ABT’s ‘Giselle’ Returns to Segerstrom Center This Summer
- 07.16.25 – Hotel del Coronado Unveils Restored Victorian Building
- 07.07.25 – Bardega to Open in Laguna Hills with Bodega-Style Market and Custom Cocktails
More Daily Doses
- 08.24.25 – An Evening at The Lido Theater to Benefit the John Wayne Cancer Foundation
- 08.20.25 – Seafolly Opens First U.S. Flagship in Corona del Mar
- 08.16.25 – Stone Groove Stillhouse Brings World’s First Audio Distillery to Anaheim
- 08.14.25 – Harvest Restaurant Showcases Seasonal California Cuisine
- 08.06.25 – ClubSport Aliso Viejo Debuts Recovery Upgrades and New Friends Membership
- 08.05.25 – A Taste of Japan in Irvine: Izakaya Osen
- 08.01.25 – Bubble Blast Brings Summer Fun to The District
- 07.24.25 – Exciting Additions at Anaheim Hills Festival: Egg Tuck, Story Bar + Kitchen, and More!
- 07.21.25 – Gala of the Stars Returns to the Irvine Barclay Theatre
- 07.17.25 – Beats & Brews: Outdoor Concert Series at The District at Tustin Legacy
- 07.12.25 – Studio Mediterranean Debuts at Montage Laguna Beach with Reimagined Coastal Dining Experience
- 07.12.25 – World Taste Returns to Anaheim Packing District July 16
- 07.11.25 – Pacific Waters Spa Introduces Innovative Wellness Therapies at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
- 07.11.25 – Chef Jason Yamaguchi Debuts Konpa Nikkei in Corona del Mar
- 06.30.25 – Sip Into Summer at The District Tustin’s Cocktail Tour
- 06.25.25 – Where to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks in Orange County
- 06.22.25 – Surf & Sand, Laguna Beach Unveils Property-wide Transformation
- 06.17.25 – RELISH Food, Wine and Spirits Experience Debuts in Newport Beach June 27-29
- 06.15.25 – Sweetgreen Welcomes 5th O.C. Restaurant To Laguna Niguel
- 06.15.25 – Casa de Onda Brings Modern Mexican Fusion and Coastal Cool to Triangle Square