Literature & Libations with Author William Hazelgrove

Join us for an unforgettable evening exploring with local author, William Hazelgrove, how Orson Welles’ broadcast on a warm Halloween Eve, October 30, 1938, caused massive panic in the United States. During a broadcast of H G. Wells’ War of the Worlds, a twenty-three-year-old Orson Welles held his hands up for radio silence in the CBS studio in New York City while millions of people ran out into the night screaming, grabbed shotguns, drove off in cars, and hid in basements, attics, or anywhere they could find to get away from Martians intent on exterminating the human race. 

Sit back and enjoy a glass of wine, beer, or a non-alcoholic beverage, as well as light refreshments, while he unveils the true, staggering effect that Welles’ opera of panic had on the nation. With meticulous research, Hazelgrove beginning his book, Dead Air: The Night That Orson Welles Terrified America, with Welles’ incredible rise from a young man who lost his parents early to a child prodigy of the stage, Dead Air introduces a Welles who threw his Hail Mary with War of the Worlds, knowing full well that obscurity and fame are two sides of the same coin.

The talk will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience and book signing. Copies of Selzer's books will be available for purchase.

Registrants must be 21 years or older. IDs will be checked at the door.