Love books? Litquake shakes the Peninsula on August 26

San Francisco’s legendary Litquake Festival migrates to Palo Alto for the first time when the Oshman Family JCC (OFJCC) hosts an eclectic afternoon of author readings and salons, children’s literary activities and a variety of writer panels on intriguing topics from sex to Silicon Valley to food. The free community-wide event takes place on Sunday, August 26 from 3:00 to 8:00 PM.

“Litquake is thrilled to partner with the Oshman Family JCC in producing its first-ever Peninsula festival,” said Jane Ganahl, Litquake co-founder and a Peninsula native. “Since this is Litquake’s 13th year, you could consider this our bar mitzvah year and the OFJCC as the perfect venue!”

Over 35 local authors, many of them best-selling and award-winning writers, will be sharing their writing and experiences in eight intimate literary salons, including Ellen Sussman, Alan Kaufman, Leslie Berlin, Matt Richtel, Ellen Ullman, Keith Raffel, Rachel Levin and Peter Orner. Additionally, one salon will be in Russian with Russian authors and another will feature acclaimed Israeli writer Maya Arad. Attendees can choose two salons between 5:00-7:00 PM.

For the kids, there will be storytellers, crafts and workshops. Noted children’s book authors Elisa Kleven, Marissa Moss and teen author Frank Portman will read from their latest books and the PJ Library and Society of Young Inklings will engage kids in creative activities. Youth programming will run from 3:00-6:00 PM

For everyone at Litquake, there will be live music and outdoor readings in the OFJCC’s sunny Town Square from 3:00-7:00 PM including book sales by Books, Inc. and hospitality tables hosted by local organizations. Food, snacks and gifts will also be available. Attendees over 21 are invited to a “Blues, Booze & Schmooze” no-host social starting from 7:00-8:00 PM.

“This will be an amazing event for book lovers of all ages,” said Rebecca Siegel, Adult Program Manager at the OFJCC. “We’ve created an exciting afternoon that blends the best of Litquake’s irreverent S.F. sprit with a sunny Peninsula spin.”

The evening culminates with Michael Krasny, bestselling author and celebrated host of KQED’s Forum, who will entertain with “An Evening of Jewish Humor” in the Schultz Cultural Arts Hall. This will be the only ticketed event. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.paloaltojcc.org/krasny.

Litquake at the OFJCC is also sponsored by Moldaw Family Residences, j. the Jewish News Weekly of Northern California, the Palo Alto City Library, the Center for Literary Arts and Harken Spirits.

For a detailed list of authors, salons and the day’s activities, or to register your child for a Young Inklings workshop, please visit www.paloaltojcc.org/litquake.

Find out more about the original Litquake at www.litquake.org.