Join Howard County Library System
in person and online for
Evening in the Stacks: Across Africa
as we celebrate the continent of Africa, from the Mediterranean coast and the Nile in the north
to the cities, grasslands, and deserts in Central Africa to the rainforests of the south.
COVID Safety: Due to the increased number of cases, masks are encouraged (but not required).
Join Elsa M. in conversation with award-winning writers Tope Folarin and NoViolet Bulawayo.
more information below
General Information
Evening in the Stacks Events
Virtual Author Panel
Tuesday, May 10 at 7 pm
with Elsa M. in conversation with award-winning writers Tope Folarin and NoViolet Bulawayo.
Watch the discussion here
Evening in the Stacks in person
Saturday, May 14 at 7 pm
Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.
Food & Bar
Koshary Corner | LaPrima Catering | Motherland Kitchen
The Wine Bin | Sobar
Entertainment
African music DJ | African marketplace | African Art Museum | 360 Photo Booth | and more!
Performance by KanKouran West African Dance Company
The African marketplace
Thank you to our marketplace vendors for participating:
- Motherland Kitchen
- Koshary Corner
- Yaa Chic
- Divine Sewing and Fabrics
- Ivy’s Jewelry Box
- Shimmy Sista
Tickets are now $100 or $150 for two
- Tickets include a link to the virtual author panel.
- When purchasing 2 tickets for $150, choose one $100 ticket then scroll down to Additional Guests and choose one ticket for $50.
- If you prefer to avoid the Eventbrite fees, you may mail a check to Howard County Library System, ATTN: Evening in the Stacks, 9411 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042. Please include guest names and email addresses.
FAQ
What is Evening in the Stacks?
Evening in the Stacks is a fun party that raises money for Library initiatives. Our goal is to raise $150,000. This year’s proceeds benefit the creation of welcoming and inviting teen spaces in the Library’s six branches. Please join us in making a very real difference for teens in our community.
What should I wear?
Cocktail attire; black tie optional.
Formal African attire is welcomed for those who are part of or identify with an African culture.
Do I have to wear a mask?
Are children allowed?
This is an open bar event, attendees must be at least 21 years old.
Can I buy tickets at the door?
Yes! Tickets will go on sale beginning at 7 pm.
Check (payable to Howard County Library System), cash and credit card accepted.
Menu
La Prima Passed Apps
- miniature crab cakes
- lamb meatball skewers
- spanakopita
- hummus and pita table
Catering by Season
- Senegal lemon salmon
- Beef Carving Station
- Mango & Cucumber salad
Koshary Corner
- National Dish of Egypt: The Koshary Bowl
- salad & tahini
- falafel poppers
- baklava
Motherland Kitchen
- Nigerian chicken peanut stew
- Eggplant & zucchini vegetarian stew
- Nigerian jollof rice
- fried plantains
Bar by The Wine Bin and Sobar
Coffee and tea from Burundi
Thank you to Tope Folarin and NoViolet Bulawayo for talking about their books and experiences with Elsa M.
If you were one of the first 100 people to receive a free copy of Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo, we will be mailing your book soon.
To purchase their books, please contact The Last Word
Authors & Books
NOVIOLET BULAWAYO
NoViolet Bulawayo is the author of the novels Glory and the award-winning We Need New Names.
We Need New Names was also shortlisted for the International Literature Award, the Man Booker Prize, and the Guardian First Book Award. NoViolet earned her MFA at Cornell University, and has taught fiction writing at Cornell and Stanford Universities. She grew up in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and is currently writing full-time from the wherevers.
TOPE FOLARIN
Tope Folarin is a Nigerian-American writer based in Washington, DC. He won the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2013 and was shortlisted once again in 2016. He was also recently named to the Africa39 list of the most promising African writers under 40. He was educated at Morehouse College and the University of Oxford, where he earned two Masters degrees as a Rhodes Scholar. He is the author of A Particular Kind of Black Man.
Raffle & Donations
Help us provide teens with their own places.
This year’s Evening in the Stacks supports new teen spaces.
Make a directed donation here:
Wine Pull
Purchase a $20 ticket for a randomly-selected bottle of wine that can be picked up on May 14th at Evening in the Stacks.
Raffle Tickets (sale closed)
Buy raffle tickets online and in library branches.
Tickets start at $10
prizes include
- six branch community baskets with donations from area businesses,
- two tickets to Evening in the Stacks on May 14,
- Microsoft Surface Go 3 tablet
Last day to purchase raffle ticket close is April 30. Winners will be drawn on May 2.
Sponsorship Information
Thank you to our generous sponsors
To learn about becoming a sponsor of next year’s Evening in the Stacks, email Christie Lassen at [email protected].
Help raise $150,000 for our teens!
Becoming a sponsor makes a very real difference in Howard County.
Sponsorship Levels
Title – $10,000
Platinum – $7,500
Gold – $5,000
Silver – $2,500
Bronze – $1,750
Couples – $750
Photo Booth Sponsorship – $3,000
Thank you to all who contributed recipes from Africa.
Platinum
Media:
- Columbia Inspire
In-Kind:
- Brown & Associates
- The Wine Bin
- Innovative Party Planners
- La Prima Catering | Seasons
Evening in the Stacks is Howard County Library System’s annual fundraising gala. This event is one of our Howard County’s most anticipated and premier events.
