What to KnowRare Books LAOct. 3 and 410 a.m. to 4 p.m.The Ticket Concourse at Union Station Los Angeles$23.18 and up”Interview with the Vampire” is in the celebratory spotlight, while vampire-related literary treasures will be on view
Union Station, though built less than a century ago, possesses an elegant aura that speaks to centuries long past, at least poetically.
That striking tower that greets people as they enter from Alameda Street is just the start of its lightly supernatural splendor; there are all of those atmospheric alcoves to consider, and fanciful tilework, and deep spaces that fill with shadows after the sun’s daily job is done.
It’s the perfect castle, er, train station for a literary party devoted to vampire books, with one special time standing in the spotlight, or moonlight, rather: It’s the 50th anniversary of Anne Rice’s “Interview with the Vampire” and Rare Books LA is throwing a velvet-lined lark to remember.
Tickets for the event, set to rise on Oct. 3 and 4, are available for purchase.
One of the stars of the weekend-long lit-tacular will surely be the 50th anniversary edition of the legendary novel; the book, published by Alfred A. Knopf, “… will be available at the book fair bundled with a fundraiser ticket benefiting the Library Foundation of Los Angeles,” share organizers.
Dozens of exhibitors and vendors, over 50 in all, will present some of their most gorgeous and readable and talk-about-able vintage books in Union Station’s Ticket Concourse.
If you’re familiar with this spacious and cinematic room, then you know that it looks a bit like a capacious and well-detailed entry hall, the sort of foyer that might be found in a vampire’s manse.
Other beyond-the-veil works will also receive their vampiric due at the toothy to-do, with “a special exhibit of vampire-related memorabilia on view.” Look for a first edition of “Interview with the Vampire” and other treasures of the night to be some of the main attractions.
And while “night” is an eternally alluring theme when it comes to the vampireverse, do keep in mind that Rare Books LA is a daytime event. Be sure to arise from whatever cellar you’re occupying when the stars are high by 10 a.m., when the event begins.
If you fly by Union Station, or rather the nearby Union Station Apartments a day early, on Oct. 2, there is a blood drive; find information about signing up here.
Updated Sept. 22