Quoth the Raven "Nevermore....2009"

In celebration of Edgar Allan Poe's 200th birthday next year, the City of Baltimore (where Poe is buried), will hold a yearlong celebration known as Nevermore 2009. Some of the activities include:

* An Edgar Allan Poe tribute by noted actor John Astin (a Baltimore Resident) of “The Addams Family” fame. Mr. Astin will present a spellbinding hour of Poe’s most beloved works interspersed with comments and observations on Poe’s life.

* CASK OF AMONTILLADO WINE TASTING AMONG THE BONES
Sample the wines mentioned in Poe's stories while enjoying the ambience of the Westminster catacombs. Witness Montressor luring Fortunado to a gruesome death in a theatrical
performance of The Cask of Amontillado. Enjoy characters from Poe's stories as they mingle among the living.

* CANDLELIGHT VIGIL AT THE POE MONUMENT
Beginning at midnight, join hundreds of people as a vigil is held at Poe's grave. Throughout the vigil, celebrities and members of the public will get a chance to read excerpts from Poe's works or just read their own tribute to Poe at his gravesite.

* POE'S FUNERAL SERVICE
A horse-drawn funeral hearse will bring Poe's body from his home on Amity Street to the Westminster Hall for burial services. A drum and fife corps will lead the procession. The funeral service will include musical selections performed by a pianist, soloist, violinist and a choir. Guest speakers will include five people who knew Poe, "legacies" such as "Alfred Hitchcock," "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle," "Charles Baudelaire" and "H. G. Wells" will present eulogies. Invited representatives from the literary, stage and movie industries will present their own eulogies for Poe. Tributes from ambassadors from many countries will also be read.

* THE TELL TALE HEART COURT CASE
Did you ever wonder what happened to the narrator in The Tell Tale Heart? Did he stand trial? Was he found guilty or innocent by reason of insanity? Witness the chilling confession of the accused as he relates why and how he murdered an old man. A retired or sitting judge, a prosecutor, a defense attorney and the arresting police officer will conduct the case. The audience will be the jury.

For a complete schedule of the events and other info, be sure check out the official site for Nevermore 2009.
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Just a reminder: Next post I will be announcing the winner of the drawing for Ken Bruen's latest book Once Were Cops.