Ragdale's Novel Affair Soiree

Ragdale’s ninth annual Novel Affair features not only eight acclaimed authors and artists, but a rarely visited venue on the private grounds of Crab Tree Farm in Lake Bluff. The Friday, October 2nd Soirée, generously hosted by Neville and John Bryan, begins with an outdoor VIP champagne reception in the exquisite Walled Garden and continues in the Tennis House designed in 1926 by noted architect, David Adler.

Guests will have the opportunity to meet and engage with award-winning authors and artists while enjoying the company of friends, culinary delights and a full bar in this stately ivy-covered building. Following a brief program of their personal stories, the authors are available to sign books. Featured guests are: authors Elizabeth Berg, Gioia Diliberto, Alex Kotlowitz, Bret Lott, and Christine Sneed; award-winning actress/playwright Regina Taylor; radio broadcaster/author Krista Tippett; and respected artist/art educator Jim Duignan.

This year, Ragdale kicks off Tickets for Teachers, which is an opportunity for Novel Affair guests to support the educational community by purchasing tickets on their behalf. This program coincides with Ragdale in the Schools, a new year-round outreach program to bring Ragdale fellows into the schools in underserved local communities.

Ragdale, the nonprofit artists’ residency, hosts over 150 professional writers and artists throughout the year at its historic estate in Lake Forest.

Crab Tree Farm is located at 982 Sheridan Road in Lake Bluff. Tickets for Teachers and general admission are $200 for the Friday October 2nd Soirée at 6:30PM in the Tennis House. Tickets for the VIP Champagne Reception in the Walled Garden at 5:30PM are $275. The two-evening ticket is $500 and includes the Friday VIP reception with all featured authors and a Saturday dinner party in a distinctive venue with a selected author. There are no Saturday-only tickets.

For reservations and more information, visit ragdale.org or call 847.234.1063.