Thrity at Jamaica Literary Festival

Former BJ reporter Thrity Umrigar, whose career took a serious turn toward writing notable novels, will be participating in the biennial Calabash International Literary Festival on St. Elizabeth’s Treasure Beach in Jamaica.

The festival, founded in 2001, will begin Friday, June 1 and run through Sunday, June 3. This year’s theme is “Calabash Lit Up.” Double play on the word “Lit,” of course, as in literature and bright lights.

Luminaries there with Thrity include Ishion Hutchinson, the current Joseph Brodsky Rome Prize winner, “The Sopranos” actor Michael Imperioli and British poet Malika Booker.

Female poets laureates Jamaican Lorna Goodison, Canadian/Acadian Georgette LeBlanc, American Tracy K Smith and Carol Ann Duffy from the United Kingdom will read from their work.

Also in Jamaica for this event will be HBO “The Wire” series creator David Simon and his wife Laura Lippman, author of 23 books; Warsan Shire, who wrote poems featured on Beyoncé's visual album “Lemonade;” award-winning hip hop artist Akala; and a tribute to trombonist and composer Don Drummond.