Schwalbe set to speak at SPAC
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Celebrated author of The End of Your Life Book Club, Will Schwalbe will present his inspiring talk “One of Life’s Greatest Pleasures” at Saratoga Performing Arts Center as the centerpiece of the annual fall Lecture Luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 18.
Books have been the constant in Schwalbe’s life, and he pours his soul into his works and talks, making them undeniably heart-warming and personal. Presented by SPAC’s Action Council, the fundraiser includes a continental breakfast, gourmet luncheon, and boutique shopping at the Hall of Springs.
“Will Schwalbe’s The End of Life Book Club is one of the most moving and affecting books I have ever read. He is a deeply humane, humorous and inspiring speaker, as well. We are privileged to have him as part of this engaging afternoon,” said Elizabeth Sobol, SPAC’s president & CEO. “A special thanks to the Action Council for making this highly anticipated event possible, which directly supports SPAC’s classical programming and educational activities.”
Best known for his memoir The End of Your Life Book Club (2012), which describes Schwalbe’s relationship with his mother through books they read together before her passing, Schwalbe continued his message on the power of literature through his latest work, Books for Living (2016), which features essays about 26 different books, the role they can play in our lives and how they can show us how to live each day more fully and with more meaning.
Schwalbe has spent most of his life in publishing at William Morrow, Hyperion as Editor in Chief. He then founded
and ran a startup called Cookstr.com, which is now part of Macmillan Publishers, where he has worked since 2014. Schwalbe currently lives in New York City with his husband, David Cheng.
“SPAC’s Action Council is looking forward to welcoming author, entrepreneur and journalist, Will Schwalbe to this year’s Lecture Luncheon. The Lecture Luncheon is one of our cornerstone events each year and we know you will be delighted with Will’s presentation to kickoff our day, then boutique shopping and lunch in the Hall of Springs,” said Nicole Sheeler, president of the Action Council. “This popular event completely sold-out last year, therefore we encourage interested attendees to reserve their spots as soon as possible.”
The SPAC Fall Lecture Luncheon is presented by the SPAC Action Council. The Action Council raises more than $250,000 annually for SPAC’s world-class classical music, dance and children’s programming. Past speakers for the event have included New York Times bestselling author Andrew Gross, award-winning NPR host, and correspondent Jacki Lyden, acclaimed novelist Elizabeth Brundage, historian David Garrard Lowe, and literary dramatist Betty Spinelli.
Breakfast begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by the presentation at Spa Little Theatre at 10 a.m. Boutique shopping at the Hall of Springs begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by a 1 p.m. Elegant Fall luncheon.
The cost to attend the fundraiser is $85 and includes admission to the breakfast, lecture, Hall of Springs luncheon and mini-boutique shopping event. Nearly 20 local shops and boutiques will be onsite with an assortment of fine accessories, gifts, apparel and specialty foods for sale.
Tickets may be purchased at spac.org or by contacting Seth Buono at 518.584.9330, ext. 101 or sbuono@spac.org.