Author Patricia Hampl and Pianist Dan Chouinard to Perform at Mayo Clinic

Friday, May 15, 2009

WHAT: Noted author Patricia Hampl will read from her literary works at two upcoming events at Mayo Clinic.

During the first event, Hampl will read from her most recent novel, The Florist's Daughter. The book is included in The New York Times' "100 Notable Books of the Year" and received the 2008 Minnesota Book Award for Memoir and Creative Nonfiction.

Hampl's fiction, poems, reviews, essays and travel pieces have appeared in The New Yorker, Paris Review, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Best American Short Stories, and Best American Essays.

Hampl also will collaborate with pianist Dan Chouinard in a performance of Life on the Mississippi, a collection of stories, observations and impressions about traveling down the Mississippi River. Chouinard will play music as an underscore to Hampl's reading. Chouinard, a St. Paul, Minn., native, performs frequently on the American Public Media radio show A Prairie Home Companion.

WHEN: Monday, May 18, 2009 The Florist's Daughter from 12:10 to 1 p.m. Life on the Mississippi with pianist Dan Chouinard at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Phillips Hall, Siebens Building, street level, 100 Second Avenue S.W. Both presentations are free and open to all Mayo staff, students, patients and the community. Tickets are required. To ensure seating, early reservations are recommended.

Email: humanitiesrochester@mayo.edu.

###

About Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit worldwide leader in medical care, research and education for people from all walks of life. For more information, visit MayoClinic.com or MayoClinic.org/news.