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Special Events

A Very L.A. Spelling Bee

Presented as part of Hollywood is a Verb: Los Angeles Tackles the Oxford English Dictionary
Date: Mar 19, 2016
Time: 2:30pm

 

Información en español

The Library Foundation and Los Angeles Public Library present a very special day-long, city-wide celebration of language, as part of the Hollywood is a Verb: Los Angeles Tackles the Oxford English Dictionary project.

Join us on Saturday, March 19 at Central Library for A Very L.A. Spelling Bee, an unprecedented dual language English and Spanish spelling bee taking place in the Mark Taper Auditorium. During this unique event, participants of all ages (12+) will have the opportunity to compete in either or both languages while attendees experience live interpretation. As the competition heats up, guests throughout Central Library will also enjoy a dictionary-themed puppet show, word games, poetry and dictionary readings, and a host of language-based activities in both Spanish and English.

For those who can’t make it downtown, activities celebrating words, language, and the Oxford English Dictionary will take place across the branch libraries, as part of the city-wide Day of the Dictionary (Día del diccionario).

A Very L.A. Spelling Bee will be hosted by our Word Expert in Residence, Gustavo Arellano, editor of OC Weekly, lecturer with the Chicana and Chicano Studies department at California State University – Fullerton, and writer of the nationally-syndicated column, “¡Ask a Mexican!”

TO PARTICIPATE:
A Very L.A. Spelling Bee will take place at  2:30pm and will last 1-2 hours.

If you would like to compete in A Very L.A. Spelling Bee, please send an email to rainermack@lfla.org and include the following information:

  • What language(s) you would like to participate in: Spanish, English, or both
  • What age group you are in: Youth (12-17) or Adult (18+)
  • A phone number where we can reach you that day.
  • How many guests (friends or family) will be joining you. Your guests do not need to RSVP separately. Limit 4.

Register Now

 
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Our Panelists

Stacy-Lieberman_headshot_President-and-CEO_LFLA
Stacy Lieberman
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John F. Szabo
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austin-cross
Austin Cross
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Hosted By

Stacy Lieberman
President
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Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsor Level

$100K

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Sponsor Level

$15K

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Sponsor Level

$10K

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Frequently asked questions

Reservations are recommended, as our programs often fill to capacity. Priority is given to reserved guests. Reservations are for attendance only; if you would like to compete, please review the instructions above.

Yes! We often have space available to accommodate walk-up guests without advanced reservations. Check our stand-by policy for more information.

At the downtown Central Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium. There will also be additional language-based activities going on throughout the Central Library and at participating Branch Libraries.

We recommend taking public transportation. Parking for the Central Library is at the Westlawn Garage at 524 S. Flower Street. For more information, visit the Library’s website.

As this event is free of charge, it is our policy to overbook. In the case of a FULL program your free reservation may not guarantee admission. We recommend arriving early. Unclaimed reservations will be released to standby patrons at the start of each program.

Standby numbers are distributed in person only one hour before the program, on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no advance wait list for full programs. Standby patrons will be admitted based on availability.

If you are unable to use your reservation, please email toddlerew@lfla.org

630 W. Fifth St.
Los Angeles, CA 90071

213.228.7500

info@lfla.org

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Stacy-Lieberman_headshot_President-and-CEO_LFLA

Stacy Lieberman

As President and CEO of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles (LFLA), Stacy Lieberman is an innovative and inclusive leader whose career dwells at the intersection of arts and culture, lifelong learning, storytelling, and equitable access. Stacy guides the Foundation’s philanthropic and public-facing priorities to serve the Los Angeles Public Library, embracing the notion that libraries are beacons of democracy where everyone is welcome. She works intentionally with community leaders, donors, and internal and external strategic partners to raise awareness and resources for the Library and its life-changing initiatives.

With more than 20 years of experience as a senior executive, Stacy has left an indelible mark on iconic L.A. arts, non-profit, and educational institutions such as The Broad, the Autry Museum of the American West, and the Skirball Cultural Center. Building on an early career in book publishing, she has dedicated her professional life to sharing stories and broadening the reach of public institutions to welcome visitors and students of all ages and backgrounds to experience educational, arts, and cultural opportunities.