On Saturday, March 19, the Library Foundation of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Public Library will host an unprecedented dual language English and Spanish spelling bee in the Mark Taper Auditorium of downtown’s historic Central Library. During this unique event hosted by author, lecturer, OC Weekly editor, and word expert Gustavo Arellano, participants of all ages (12+) will have the opportunity to compete in either or both languages while attendees experience live simultaneous interpretation from language justice collaborative Antena.
As the competition heats up, guests throughout Central Library will also enjoy language-based activities in both Spanish and English, including a dictionary-themed puppet show, word games, and live poetry labs. This very special celebration of language is presented as part of the Foundation and Library’s month-long, city-wide project, Hollywood Is A Verb: Los Angeles Tackles the Oxford English Dictionary.
“Day of the Dictionary” activities at Central Library:
10:30AM – KLOS Story Theater, Children’s Dept.
“The Magic Word” Puppet Show by Tree of Wonders (English)
11:00AM – 12:30PM – Mark Taper Auditorium
A Very LA Spelling Bee
11:30AM – KLOS Story Theater, Children’s Dept.
“The Magic Word” Puppet Show by Tree of Wonders (Spanish)
1:00PM – 3:00PM – 2nd Floor Rotunda
Interactive poetry lab by Melrose Poetry Bureau
2:30PM – 4:00PM – Mark Taper Auditorium
A Very LA Spelling Bee
2:30PM – KLOS Story Theater, Children’s Dept.
“The Magic Word” Puppet Show by Tree of Wonders (English)
3:30PM – KLOS Story Theater, Children’s Dept.
“The Magic Word” Puppet Show by Tree of Wonders (Spanish)
All day – Word Games!
If you would like to participate in the Bee, or attend and support your favorite speller, click here for more information. For those who can’t make it downtown on March 19, Los Angeles Public Library branches across the city will also be presenting a range of exciting language-based and dictionary-themed activities. To learn more about Hollywood Is A Verb, visit lfla.dev/oed.
