For Immediate Release October 4, 2005

For More Information Contact: Diane Brown, 317-274-7711 habrown@iupui.edu

Public Conversation Complimentary Tickets Available, Spirit & Place Headliner features Poet, Journalist and Religious Leader

INDIANAPOLIS - A nationally recognized poet, an award-winning journalist and a national religious leader will highlight the 10th annual Spirit & Place Civic Festival beginning Friday, Nov. 4, and lasting through Sunday, Nov. 20

"Moving and Staying" is the theme for this year's Spirit & Place, the city's largest collaborative festival. All festival programs will deal with the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of living in today's mobile society.

The 17-day festival will host nearly 100 programs that will take place in collaboration with approximately 150 partnering organizations. Events will consists of films, lectures, exhibits, concerts, discussions, tours, demonstrations, performances and workshops.

The Public Conversation, considered the centerpiece of the festival, will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 6 at Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, 4602 Sunset Ave. Speakers are: Wendell Berry, an author of more than thirty books who is a strong defender of rural communities and family farms; A'Lelia Bundles, an award-winning journalist who is the great-great granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker; and Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, a lecturer and teacher who is widely regarded as one of the most creative religion writers in America today.

Berry, an American poet, conservationist, philosopher and visionary who has written more than thirty books, is one of America 's leading writers. A strong defender of rural communities and family farms, Berry still lives and farms in his native Henry County, Kentucky. He is presently a member of the faculty and a professor at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

Bundles is an award-winning journalist and, currently, the director of talent development for ABC News. She was born and raised in Indianapolis and is the great-great granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker, the famous African American entrepreneur, philanthropist and political activist. Bundles maintains close ties to the area.

Widely regarded as one of the most creative religion writers in America today, Rabbi Kushner is a highly sought after lecturer and teacher. Through his retreats, articles and many books, he has helped shape the agenda for personal and institutional renewal in America. Also a storyteller and humorist, Kushner is familiar to millions of listeners through his contributions to "All Things Considered" on National Public Radio.

"Wendell Berry has been long-requested by our audience, and so we're absolutely thrilled that he was able to help celebrate our 10 th anniversary year," said Judi Ryan, Spirit & Place Festival manager. "We're also very happy to have Rabbi Kushner with us. As a former resident of Indianapolis, A'Lelia Bundles certainly has a unique tie to this year's 'Moving and Staying' theme."

Indiana University professor and author Scott Russell Sanders will moderate the Public Conversation. The Tenth Anniversary Public Conversation is free of charge, but tickets, available at the Clowes Hall box office now, are required.

Immediately following the Public Conversation, a first-ever Public Conversation Dinner Table Dialogue will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Atherton Union Building at Butler University. Tickets for the dinner, $9, are available at Clowes Hall box office on a first-come, first-served basis. This is a convenient dinner option for those planning to attend the special Sesquicentennial Celebration of Diversity Distinguished Lecture Series later that same evening at the nearby Hinkle Fieldhouse. Visit www.butler.edu/150 for more details on this event.

The Polis Center, a part of the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI, manages the Spirit & Place Festival on behalf of hundreds of community partner organizations, including the city's universities and colleges, museums, congregations, arts and civic organizations. For a complete listing of 2005 events, visit www.spiritandplace.org. For a free program guide or more information, call The Polis Center at (317) 274-2455.

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