Help City of Asylum celebrate the Freedom to Create at its annual fundraising Gala and Keynote event! Renowned authors and founders of the Cities of Asylum movement, Salman Rushdie and Russell Banks, will be this year’s keynote speakers.

Although this year’s event will take place virtually, there will still be an opportunity to celebrate together with other friends and supporters of City of Asylum. The gala component of the evening will feature intimate zoom “tables” and a chance to spend some time with a well known author. You will also experience a special version of COA’s placard ceremony led by Russell Banks.

The keynote presentation will start with a conversation between Rushdie and Banks about the Cities of Asylum movement. This will be followed by Rushdie reading from his most recent novel, Quichotte. The evening will wrap up with the world premiere of a new composition written by saxophonist Oliver Lake in honor of the occasion and performed by the Flux String Quartet.

The Freedom to Create Virtual Gala and Keynote will be held on Friday, October 9 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. For more information on ticket pricing and benefits, visit the Freedom to Create Gala 2020 ticket page.