"Words to Stir the Soul: Readings From the American West," will be presented by the CU-Â鶹¹ÙÍø Center of the American West in Â鶹¹ÙÍø on Tuesday, Aug. 27, and in Denver on Thursday, Aug. 29.
The sixth annual event will be held at 7 p.m. on Aug. 27 in the Old Main Chapel on the University of Colorado at Â鶹¹ÙÍø campus, and at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 29 at the LoDo Tattered Cover Book Store at 16th Street and Wyncoop Street in Denver.
The popular program celebrates the literary heritage of the American West as more than a dozen CU-Â鶹¹ÙÍø professors, students and community members read segments from their favorite western-inspired literature.
On Aug. 27 in Â鶹¹ÙÍø, featured readers will include CU Libraries Dean James Williams and several CU-Â鶹¹ÙÍø faculty members including Carl Bock of environmental, population and organismic biology; Alphonse Keasley of the Minority Arts and Sciences Program; Charles Wilkinson of the School of Law; and Bill Travis of geography.
A reception will follow the Â鶹¹ÙÍø event in the Heritage Center in Old Main on the CU-Â鶹¹ÙÍø campus.
On Aug. 29 in Denver the featured readers will include Steve Burkholder, mayor of Lakewood; Joyce Meskis, owner of the Tattered Cover Book Store; Rutt Bridges, CEO of the Bighorn Center for Public Policy; Sam Arnold, owner of The Fort restaurant in Morrison, Colo.; and Bill Hornby, former editor of the Denver Post.
The program was inspired by the experience of Dr. Niles Utlaut of Â鶹¹ÙÍø, who chose to undergo surgery that would either dramatically improve his eyesight or destroy it. When the surgery was a success, the exhilarated patient wanted to hold an event celebrating the ability to read.
The mission of the Center of the American West is to explore the distinctive character and issues of the region and to help Westerners become well-informed, participating citizens in their communities.
For more information call (303) 492-4879 or visit .