Sarah Vowell has a gift for revealing how American history can show up in the most unexpected ways in our modern culture. The New York Times best selling author and contributing editor for Public Radio International’s This American Life (1996-2008), continues to write essays and offers personal, often humorous accounts of everything from presidents and their assassins to colonial religious fanatics, to popular music and the odd cranky cartographer.
Sarah Vowell stops in Fargo, N.D., on Saturday, April 14, 8 p.m., at the Fargo Theatre. Tickets go on sale Friday, December 9, at noon. Reserved seating tickets cost $37.50 (golden circle) and $27.50. Applicable fees may apply. Tickets can be purchased at Tickets300 (300 Broadway, Fargo; open Monday – Friday noon to 6 p.m.), via phone at 701-205-3182 or online at Tickets300.com. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Vowell’s most recent book, Unfamiliar Fishes (2011) tells the intriguing history of Hawaii, annexed in 1898. Replete with a cast of beguiling and often tragic characters, including an overthrown Hawaiian queen, whalers, missionaries, sugar barons, Teddy Roosevelt and assorted con men, the book is another history lesson in Americana as only Vowell can tell it – with brainy wit and droll humor.
The Wordy Shipmates examines the New England Puritans and their journey to and impact on America. Assassination Vacation (2005) is a haunting and surprisingly hilarious road trip to tourist sites devoted to the murders of presidents Lincoln, Garfield and McKinley. Her first book Radio On, is her year-long diary of listening to the radio in 1995
She is the voice of teen superhero Violet Parr in Brad Bird’s Academy Award-winning The Incredibles. She is the president of the board of 826NYC,a nonprofit tutoring and writing center for students ages 6-18 in Brooklyn.
The Fargo Theatre is located at 314 Broadway North.
