Amy Krzanik reports from Lenox. Berkshire County's literati packed Edith Wharton's former stables at The Mount on Friday, September 20, as WordFest 2013 brought Literary Death Match to the region for the first time. The reading series/story slam is a high-octane, laugh-out-loud competition that gives readers seven minutes to woo three judges, who will then grade them on literary merit, performance, and intangibles. Round One pitted Steve Almond's reading of his hate mail and responses against Brando Skyhorse's story of his mother's unique career choice, with Skyhorse coming out the winner. Round Two featured Rachel Shukert's short story mash-up of the movie Three Men and a Baby with Toni Morrison's Beloved (yes, really) followed by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz's hilariously dramatic slam poems featuring our largest president and some drug-addicted NYC squirrels. Aptowicz, the winner of that round, then squared off against Skyhorse to see which of them (with the help of audience participants) could Pin the Edith on the Mount, a variation of the popular party game Pin the Tail on the Donkey. It was a close game, but Aptowicz came out the winner and received her well-deserved Death Match medal. (Pictured L to R: Death Match creator and host Adrian Todd Zuniga, Death Match judge Jim Shepard, and Death Match reader Steve Almond.)
Death Match winner Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz with Karen Chase; Emily Goldsher-Diamond, with judges Ophira Eisenberg and Jason Diamond.
RI founder and contributor Dan Shaw, Bob Morris, and Rachel Shukert; WordFest Director Christine Hensel Triantos and Brando Skyhorse.
Laura Paige Kyber and Alex Tasak; Author Karen Shepard with Courtney Maum and Diego Ongaro.
The Mount's Communications Director Rebecka McDougall with Margaret Keller and Brendan Mathews; Heather Lane and Michael Astore.
Christine Kalafus and Karen Chase; Poet Stan Spencer, Jan Spencer, and columnist Bruce Garlow.
Walter and Mary Taylor with Eva Schuster; Jim Shepard and Lucy Ferriss.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
