Leslie Gray Streeter: "Beignets and Big Feelings"

When Grandma Olivia Hollis passes away, her funeral reunites four generations of heirs, complete with a surprise will. Grandma has orchestrated a New Orleans scavenger hunt for her female relatives, determined to bring her family back together if it’s the last thing she does. Everyone game? If not, no one gets a dime.

Of course, Grandma, bless her meddling heart, has other motives in mind for all of them. Especially for her guarded sister, Mona, who fled decades ago and never looked back. Following a preplanned itinerary for one revelatory week, the women find themselves on a Mississippi River jazz cruise, braving a bayou swamp tour, uncovering forgotten histories in old cemeteries, rekindling former flames, and, just as grandma planned, unlocking what they’ve hidden from each other for far too long.

Amid beignets, popcorn shrimp, and chicory coffee―so bitter and sweet―these women just might discover that no matter what awaits them at the end, the real treasure is becoming the family they were meant to be.

About the Author:

Leslie Gray Streeter is the author of the novel Family & Other Calamities and the memoir Black Widow: A Sad-Funny Journey Through Grief for People Who Normally Avoid Books with Words Like “Journey” in the Title. In addition, Leslie is an award-winning journalist and columnist for The Baltimore Banner, a cohost of the podcast Fine Beats & Cheeses, and a frequent speaker on grief. She is also a slow runner, an amateur vegan cook, and a fan of Law & Order. Leslie lives in Baltimore with her son, Brooks. For more information, visit www.lesliegraystreeter.com.

About the Moderator:

Lynne Streeter Childress is a playwright, actor, teaching artist, singer, director, and the founder and artistic director of Building Better People Productions, an organization based in Annapolis. This is her 31st year in professional theater, with much of that experience in theater for young audiences. This includes performing at the Kennedy Center, Arena Stage and Adventure Theatre, and teaching for institutions like the Folger Shakespeare Library, Everyman Theatre, and Baltimore School for the Arts. Through all those experiences, Lynne has seen firsthand how theater can communicate the most important things in the clearest and most interesting of ways, especially to young people. Lynne is on the Arts In Education roster for the Maryland States Arts Council and the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, and through Building Better People Productions, has served students served by the Arlington (VA) Humanities Project, Arts Every Day, and the Howard County Arts Council, among others. She also co-hosts the podcast “Fine Beats and Cheeses” with her twin sister, Leslie Gray Streeter. Lynne lives in Annapolis with her husband and her son.

About the Program:

• Doors will open to registered attendees at 1 pm.
• A local bookseller will be on-site and have books available for purchase.
• Free parking lot available along the side of the building.