Got Q’s About Our David Sedaris Event? We Have A’s!
Ready to meet David Sedaris? Are you excited? Nervous? Let’s talk logistics to lessen your worries and make sure you're “Happy-Go-Lucky” by the time of the event.
Live Reading Raffle
30 lucky winners will get to attend David’s reading, which starts at 7 pm with doors opening at 6 pm. The reading will be held in the front room of our store with standing spots and chairs available for those needing them. Winners will be drawn on Wednesday, May 17 at 11:30 AM using Eventbrite ticket numbers. We’ll film it on Instagram as it happens so you can join in the fun. Afterwards, we’ll email each winner to ensure we’re accommodating everyone’s needs. If you have not been emailed by 7 pm that evening, you have not been selected.
Please note that we have switched to a raffle due to the high demand of tickets. David asked us to host the event in our store so we are unable to hold it elsewhere to accommodate more. We want to keep things safe and fair for everyone. Therefore we will not have a line for “first come, first serve” to avoid safety concerns on our street and disruption for our neighbors. If you are not selected for the raffle and would like a refund, we understand and you can send the request on Eventbrite.
Check-In
You will check-in at The Athenaeum, just a block down from our store at 201 Prince St, Alexandria, VA 22314, where doors will open at 5 pm and close at 9 pm. The sooner you arrive, the earlier you will meet David but please do not line up before 3 pm.
Now you’ve made it into the Athenaeum building! Admire the art exhibit while waiting for your turn to reach the bookseller table. There you will tell us your name and show your ticket (digitally or printed), get a wristband with an assigned number (pulled in order of check-ins), and be given a goodie bag. Your bag will contain a paperback copy of Happy-Go-Lucky, other David Sedaris titles you pre-ordered ahead of the event, an event program, and a fun Old Town scavenger hunt.
After check-in, you can browse our sales table with OTB merch and extra copies of David Sedaris books. Just a friendly reminder that this event is 19 days before Father’s Day… a signed copy would make a cute gift, don’t you think?
Book Signing
As for meeting David - eep! To ensure that everyone gets special one-on-one time with him, the signing will be done in groups of 35. These groups are determined by the number on your wristband (ie. 1-35, 36-71, etc.). We will begin pulling groups and guiding you to our store at roughly 8 pm. Text 571-541-1OTB (682) for updates regarding which group we are on so you can explore the area and grab a bite or drink while waiting. Please do not stand outside the store as we don’t want to create a safety hazard or disrupt our neighbors.
Beep beep! It’s your turn! Meet us at City Hall (301 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314) and one of our booksellers will guide you to our store. David will be in the back room chatting and signing books so feel free to shop while waiting for your personal number to be called. Enjoy the bliss of a bookstore after hours - we’d love to chat book recs and show you our 2023 Summer Reading Guides for both kids and adults. Be sure to grab this summer’s bingo challenge while you’re at it because who doesn’t want to be rewarded with a free slice of Andy’s Pizza after reading some books?
Have More Questions?
Message our OTB David Sedaris text line - 571-541-1OTB (682) - and a bookseller will get back to you shortly. A week before the event, we will send an email to ticket holders with all the questions and answers we got.