Join us at the stunning Woody Creek home of Isa and Daniel Shaw, and travel across landscapes, countries and continents with some of today’s foremost fabled and fabulous storytellers.

In honor of the 2009 Aspen Summer Words authors and the “World of Words” Literary Festival, this festive and unique event will chart a map of the world, featuring fine foods and beverages from India, Africa, Mexico, the United States, Ireland, and other exotic locales. The evening kicks off with the world premier of bestselling and award-winning Irish author Colum McCann’s new novel, Let the Great World Spin. McCann will be joined by Joe Hurley, one of the great Irish songwriters of our time, and the two will perform a song based on, “This is the House that Horse Built,” a chapter from McCann’s new book, co-written by Hurley and McCann exclusively for this evening’s festivities.

Following Colum McCann’s 5pm talk at the Doerr-Hosier Center on the Aspen Meadows campus, the benefit at the Shaw home begins with cocktails at 7pm, and continues with dinner at 8pm. Shuttle service and parking will be available. For information on sponsorship opportunities and tickets ($300/person, $500/couple – reading and talk included).