Overview
The Wheeler Centre is wrapping up the year with a bang, this week announcing the jam-packed program for its fifth and final 2016 season. As always, it's a lineup filled with thought-provoking stories and inspiring characters — and of course, big literary names.
There are some huge Wheeler wins on the bill, including Emmy-winning TV writer, Dan Harmon, who's the brains behind such comedy creations as Community and Rick and Morty. On December 16, he'll be dropping in for a night of fast and loose comedy gold, joined by Jeff B. Davis and Spencer Crittenden.
Elsewhere on the program, you'll have the chance to indulge your inner politics nerd. November 9 will see the centre host a countdown to the result of the US election, while local activists Elaine Pearson, Gary Foley, Tess Lawley and Amelia Telford discuss the prospect of political change in the 21st century for a November 14 event, titled 'What's That Sound? Activism Today'.
Caroline Wilson will deliver the centre's inaugural F Word Address on November 10, Richard Higgins will embrace the humble pun, in all its glory, for 'Pundemonium, One Hour of Solid Puns', on November 9, and formerly imprisoned Australian journalist Peter Greste will explore the plight of writers around the world who are still in detention.
There's no shortage of out-of-town fun either, including Masha Gessen on 'Donald Trump's Lessons in American Democracy', which will take place at Bendigo's Capitol Theatre on December 5, Geelong's Word for Word Non-Fiction Festival on November 20, and the Books and Ideas at Montalto series, which sees foodie greats Stephanie Alexander and Larissa Dubecki in conversation at Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove.
Deng Adut will detail his trajectory from a small village in Malek, South Sudan, to life as a child soldier in the Sudan People's Liberation Army, to the Australia Day stage, in conversation with co-writer Ben Mckelvey at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka, Ballarat. Blockbuster action author Matthew Reilly returns to Australia for his only Victorian event: Matthew Reilly on 'Books, Blockbusters and Blowing Stuff Up' at Frankston Arts Centre, coinciding with the release of his latest book, The Four Legendary Kingdoms.
There's plenty more where that came from — jump on the Wheeler Centre's website to see the program in full.