Books, Not Bans Night presented by Bel Canto Books x Alder & Sage

Bel Canto Books x Alder & Sage proudly present Books, Not Bans Night, a fundraiser and awareness campaign to encourage community members to fight against book banning.

The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has data documenting book challenges throughout the United States, finding that challenges of unique titles surged 65% in 2023 compared to 2022 numbers, reaching the highest level ever documented by ALA. While the number of challenges decreased in 2024, they still far exceed pre-2020 levels. Even more alarming, 72% of challeges were reported by pressure groups and governmental entities seeking to limit individual choice and our freedom to read.

Join us at Books, Not Bans Night to show your support for the freedom to read!

Your ticket includes:

• wine + snack pairing from Alder & Sage
• game card
• bookish goodies
• $10 donation to local nonprofits

We are partnering with Educate to Empower, a nonprofit group that supports local educators of color, to provide Banned Book Bundles to local teachers and schools. Please join us in supporting this new initiative.

Take advantage of our $45pp Early Bird ticket special (ends 10/12)! General admission ticket $50pp.

PARKING

There is a paid parking lot at the corner of 4th Street and Cherry Avenue and paid street parking along 4th Street. Free street parking is available off Junipero Avenue and in the neighborhood.

ABOUT BANNED BOOKS WEEK

Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. The annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas.

ABOUT BANNED BOOK BUNDLES

Books are being banned in schools across the country, limiting access to stories of love, courage, and possibility. You can take action. Contribute to the Banned Book Bundles project and help us stand with teachers against book banning and censorship. Learn more about Educate to Empower: www.edutoempower.org

ABOUT ALDER & SAGE

Located in the Bluff Heights neighborhood of Long Beach, Alder & Sage serves Breakfast, Lunch and Brunch, featuring a menu with simple yet unique dishes that reflect the freshest of farm-to-fork dining.

ABOUT BEL CANTO BOOKS

Bel Canto Books is a proudly woman- and BIPOC- owned independent bookstore with three locations based in Long Beach, California, hosting author events, monthly book clubs, community events, and more. Learn more at belcantobooks.net.

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Host or Publisher Bel Canto Books - Long Beach, CA