FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / Friday, March 5, 2004

Press Contact:
860.232.1006, info@realartways.org

REAL ART WAYS PRESENTS STEVE ALMOND: CANDYFREAK

Saturday, February 17, 8pm

HARTFORD, CT — On Saturday, February 17 at 8pm, Steve Almond makes his triumphant return to Real Art Ways. Almond will read selections from his latest book, Candyfreak, and lead his undoubtedly charmed audience in a candy tasting.

"Last year's erotica reading was great and all, but this one is gonna be pretty sweet," said Dan McKinley, . For more information call 860.232.1006.

Driven by his obsession, idealism, and the promise of free candy, Almond took off on a quest to discover candy's origins in America, to explore the little companies that continue to get by on pluck and perseverance, and to witness the glorious excess of candy manufacturing. The result is Candyfreak: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America (Algonquin, 2004), a bittersweet story of how Almond grew up on candy — and how, for better and worse, candy has grown up too.

To read excerpts from Candyfreak visit http://www.stevenalmond.com.

"Steve Almond is the Dave Eggers of food writing." — John Thorne, author of Outlaw Cook and Pot on the Fire

"I got a real sugar rush and cluster headache reading this bittersweet book by Steve Almond-joy, the sugar daddy himself. I won't sugar coat it — this book is one sweet treat." — Amy Sedaris

Steve Almond is the author of the acclaimed story collection My Life in Heavy Metal. He has published stories and poems in publications ranging from Playboy to Tin House to Zoetrope, and they have been widely anthologized. He is a regular commentator on the NPR affiliate WBUR in Boston, teaches creative writing at Boston College, and has eaten at least one piece of candy every single day of his entire life.

Real Art Ways is a 28-year-old alternative, multi-disciplinary arts organization that presents and supports contemporary artists and their work, facilitates the creation of new work, and creatively engages and informs audiences and communities.

real art ways: 56 arbor st, hartford ct 06106, 860.232.1006, www.realartways.org, email us