Celebrate creativity, inspiration, and the enduring power of storytelling with Lighthouse this September.
Illumination Program
Join Lighthouse on September 19, 2024, at the Upper Larimer event space as we celebrate creativity, inspiration, and the enduring power of storytelling. The schedule is as follows.
6:00-7:00 PM: Cocktail Hour
7:00-9:00 PM: Program
9:00-9:30 PM: Goodbyes
Auction and Donations
At Lighthouse, we believe writing is a transformative act that everyone deserves access to. Our inclusive programs foster a welcoming environment where individuals can discover their voices and share their stories with the world.
As we gather, our goal is to raise $120,000 in vital tuition assistance for aspiring writers eager to deepen their craft in our inclusive and nurturing workshops. In 2023, Lighthouse proudly awarded over $100,000 in writerships and fellowships to individuals of all ages and backgrounds who wouldn’t have been able to join summer camp, weekly workshops, or advanced workshops without it. These awards remove financial barriers to high-quality writing education and ensure that all voices contribute to our literary community. Many folks who’ve received assistance from Lighthouse have gone on to publish books on major presses, edit literary magazines, and give back to Denver’s literary community, and all are able to share their valuable stories through our programs. With your generous support, we aspire to extend this opportunity to hundreds more, empowering them to explore their creativity, tell their stories, and experience the life-changing power of creative writing.
Special Guests
On September 19, 2024, Lighthouse will welcome the fearless, radically empathetic, best-selling author Cheryl Strayed as our special guest. Strayed is known for her beautiful works, including Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, Tiny Beautiful Things, Brave Enough, Torch, and the beloved “Dear Sugar” column. This event transcends the ordinary keynote; Cheryl is planning a heartfelt conversation crafted for the Lighthouse community, promising an intimate and enriching experience for all.
We will also be honoring two treasured members of our community, Connie Zumpf and Ellin Rosenthal, with our annual Lumineers award!
Book Projecteer Ellin Rosenthal is a lifelong writer, journalist and lapsed lawyer. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University Law School and Georgetown University Law Center, she covered Congress and the IRS for Tax Notes Magazine in Washington, DC. After moving to Denver, she headed up the membership department at Colorado Public Radio. She has also taught middle school students the art of the persuasive essay. She is writing a memoir that explores the many ways her ancestors were Jewish in America and her own complicated relationship to her identity. She is also working on a poetry collection on these themes. A passionate music appreciator, Ellin sings in a rock ‘n roll cover band and, since 2010, she and her husband, Ron, have hosted nearly 100 concerts in their home through their listening room series, Gilpin Street House Concerts.
Educated as a developmental psychologist, Connie Zumpf took up poetry, which seemed a hopeful way through the maze of human experience. In 2017, Connie graduated from the Poetry Book Project with a cohort of Lighthouse poets who dubbed themselves “The Wyrd Sisters,” and who continue to study poetry together to this day. Connie’s poetry has appeared in literary publications that include New Ohio Review, Christian Century, North American Review, and Pilgrimage, and was shortlisted for Concrete Wolf Press’s Louis Award. Her chapbook, Under This Sun, was published in March 2020, just as the global pandemic erupted. Connie has served as an editor for the Hard Times writing workshop and has facilitated writing groups at a women’s day shelter and for seniors who find themselves at a “write age” in life. Most recently, Connie, along with Lighthouse members Ginny Hoyle and Kirsten Morgan, co-edited the anthology An Uncertain Age: Poems by Bold Women of a Certain Age. Connie has been a supporting member of Lighthouse since 2007.
Menu
Tonight's dinner is catered by Love Pop!
The Cocktail Hour Passed Bites:
Smoked Venison Sausage “Pigs ‘n Blanket”: Spicy Mustard
Love Pop Chile-Cinnamon Roasted Veggie Empanadas*: Chile-Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, Eliote and Soyrizo, Chile-Lime Crèma
Crab Toast: Sesame Ginger Crab Salad, Crispy Pancetta, Tobiko, Brioche Toast
Elevated Campfire Eats:
Family-Style Caprese: Heirloom Baby Tomatoes, Persian Cucumber, Burrata, Chile Pepitas, Cracked Pepper, Sea Salt, Olive Oil, Balsamic Syrup with Styria Bakery Green Chile-Cheddar Bread
Crispy-Tender Chimichurri Brisket: Serrano Chimichurri
Seared Atlantic Salmon: Charred Eliote Salsa, Guac, Cotija
Grilled Greek Lamb Skewers: Souvlaki Marinade, Tzatziki, Fresh Feta
Roasted Campfire Fingerlings: Truffle Butter, Sea Salt
Grilled Veggie “Caponata”: Roasted Anaheim Mirepoix, Marinated Eggplant, Portobello, Squash, Zucchini, Asparagus, Capers, Goat Crumbles
The Treats:
S’mores ‘n Mores: Chocolate, Marshmallows, and Graham Crackers
Become a Sponsor!
Sponsorships are available for individuals and businesses who want to support Lighthouse and enjoy a memorable evening with friends, family, and fellow writers. To learn more check out our sponsorship brochure and contact Shelley Popke at [email protected]. Table sponsorships start at $2,500 and can be purchased on the event website.
Location
Upper Larimer Event Space is located in Denver's RiNO neighborhood at 3034 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80205. There will be a cocktail hour on the private patio, followed by dinner and presentations in the ballroom. “Torch” and “Campfire” sponsors will be invited to an exclusive reception in the charming historic hospitality suite.