LIBERTY, NY — On Saturday, August 4 at 7:30 p.m., The Liberty Free Theatre will present “A Celebration of Rivers” as part of its First Hearing Series. Poet Ken Hada, whose poems have been read on Garrison Keillor’s Writer’s Almanac, will read from and sign “The River White.” Presenter Paul Austin said, “The book itself is destined to become a collectors’ item. It is an extraordinarily beautiful book about Ken’s journey with his brother Duane, down the length of the White River in Arkansas. Duane Hada has provided an exquisite series of watercolors to accompany the poems.”

In addition to an active scholarly life in eco-criticism, western regionalism and ethnic literature, Hada’s poetry appears in numerous regional journals and is currently published in three volumes: “Spare Parts” (winner of The Wrangler from the National Western Heritage Museum), “The Way of the Wind” and the recently released “River White: A Confluence of Brush & Quill.”

Austin will open the evening with readings from Joseph Freda’s novel “The Patience of Rivers,” about coming of age on our own Delaware River. Admission for the performance is free. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. The audience is invited to gather after the performance for food, drink and music. The theatre is located at 109 South Main St., Liberty. Call 845/292-3788.