RED CLAY SUZIE | A Busboys and Poets Books Event
Date and Time
Jun 25, 2023 6:00 pm
Location
Baltimore
3224 St Paul St, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218, United States
Jun 25, 2023 6:00 pm
Baltimore
Author Jeffrey Lofton writes the coming-of-age story of Philbet, a gay, physically-misshapen boy in rural Georgia, who battles bullying, ignorance, and disdain as he makes his way in life as an outsider—before finding acceptance in unlikely places.
Fueled by tomato sandwiches and green milkshakes, and obsessed with cars, Philbet struggles with life and love as a gay boy in rural Georgia. He’s happiest when helping Grandaddy dig potatoes from the vegetable garden that connects their houses. But Philbet’s world is shattered and his resilience shaken by events that crush his innocence and sense of security; expose his misshapen chest skillfully hidden behind shirts Mama makes at home; and convince him that he’s not fit to be loved by Knox, the older boy he idolizes to distraction. Over time, Philbet finds refuge in unexpected places and inner strength in unexpected ways, leading to a resolution in the form of a letter from beyond the grave.
Jefferey Dale Lofton and Betty O’Hellno are joining the Busboys stage to celebrate and discuss a literary phenomenon. This event is free and open to all. Our program begins at 6:00 pm, and will be followed by an audience Q&A. Copies of RED CLAY SUZIE will be available for purchase before and during the event. Please note that this event will not be livestreamed.
We ask that guests RSVP in order to receive direct updates about the event from Busboys and Poets Books.
Jeffrey Dale Lofton hails from Warm Springs, Georgia, best known as the home of Roosevelt’s Little White House. He calls the nation’s capital home now and has for over three decades. During those early years he spent many a night trodding the boards of DC’s theaters and performing arts centers, including the Kennedy Center, Signature Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, and Studio Theatre. He even scored a few television screen appearances, including a residuals-rich Super Bowl halftime commercial, which his accountant quipped “is the finest work of your career.”
Ultimately he stepped away from acting for other, more traditional work, including providing communications counsel to landscape architects and helping war veterans tell their stories to add richness and nuance to historical accounts. At the same time, he focused on pursuing post-graduate work, ultimately being awarded Master’s degrees in both Public Administration and Library and Information Science.
Today, he is a senior advisor at the Library of Congress, surrounded by books and people who love books—in short, paradise.
Betty O'Hellno is a queer drag artist and burlesque performer. Over the past decade, she has performed on every stage imaginable! Betty has been the sparkling diamond descending from the ceiling of Victorian theaters and has had the honor of gracing the cover of Baltimore Magazine in June 2019. She is the first drag queen to perform with the Washington Wizards during a half-time show and has graced numerous stages including the Kennedy Center and the Baltimore Center Stage. Betty believes whole-heartedly in the incredible healing power of rhinestone sparkle and the positive celebration of the human body in all of its beautiful forms. Follow her on Instagram @bettyohellno for more sparkle!
