San Diego Bird Alliance and Zeiss Present:
A Conversation with Amy Tan
Saturday, March 1 @ 6 PM
Join us for an evening of storytelling, inspiration, and, of course, birds, with award-winning author, Amy Tan at the USD Shiley Theater!
A Conversation with Amy Tan
Saturday, March 1
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
USD Shiley Theater
Amy Tan will take the stage for a unique conversation about her literary journey and her recent work, including The Backyard Bird Chronicles. Moderated by author Tammah Watts, A Conversation with Amy Tan will offer the opportunity to delve into the ways in which her life, experiences, and observations of the world have shaped her work.
The event will be followed by a book signing where attendees can meet Amy Tan personally and have her sign copies of her books. Warwicks will be on-site selling her works, including The Backyard Bird Chronicles and other releases, for those who wish to purchase a copy.
Pre Show Program
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet Amy Tan in person!
Purchase tickets to join us at 5 PM for an intimate reception with Amy before the main show. You’ll enjoy one hour of complimentary cocktails and heavy appetizers, as well as reserved seating for the main event.
About Amy Tan: Born in the U.S. to immigrant parents from China, Amy Tan rejected her mother’s expectations that she become a doctor and concert pianist. She chose to write fiction instead. Her novels are The Joy Luck Club, The Kitchen God’s Wife, The Hundred Secret Senses, The Bonesetter’s Daughter, Saving Fish from Drowning, and The Valley of Amazement, all New York Times bestsellers. She is also the author of two children’s books, The Moon Lady, and Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat and numerous articles for magazines, including The New Yorker, Harper’s Bazaar, and National Geographic, as well as a short story “Rules for Virgins” published as an audiobook. Her work has been translated into 35 languages, from Spanish, French, and Finnish to Chinese, Arabic, and Hebrew. She has written a memoir, The Opposite of Fate, and a book about writing titled Where the Past Begins: A Writer’s Memoir. In keeping with her love of science in the wild and childhood love of doodling, she recently took up nature journal sketching. Her new book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles (Knopf, April 23, 2024), debuted at #1 on both the New York Times and the Indie bestseller list. She serves on the board of the American Bird Conservancy.
Get to know moderator Tammah Watts
Tammah Watts (she/her) is a Best-selling Author, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Certified Kripalu Mindful Outdoor Guide, birder, and an advocate for the equitable accessibility of nature, health, and mental health for all. She has served communities for over 35 years in managerial, clinical, and consulting roles for private, non-profit, colleges, and public sectors.
KEEP LOOKING UP: Your Guide to the Powerful Healing of Birdwatching, with Hay House, is her first book–a narrative memoir and guidebook with contemplative exercises– that chronicles her journey towards healing by meaningfully connecting with birds.
She brings that same passion to conservation and birding by serving on the Audubon CA Advisory Board of Directors as the Southern California Audubon Chapter Council Representative, Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Project FeederWatch + DISES Project Advisory Board, and her local San Diego Bird Alliance Board.
Tammah has appeared in various media outlets including the New York Times, Psychology Today, Therapy For Black Girls, MetroUK, The Authors Guild, Ray Brown’s Talkin’ Birds, and Hay House’s You Can Heal Your Life podcast and Empower You app.
She lives in San Diego, California with her husband, Harrison, and their little dog Sophie Cat, all the while trying to combat empty nesters syndrome by visiting (and birding) with their children and grandchildren whenever possible.
USD Shiley Theater
5998 Alcala Park Way | San Diego, CA 92110
Enter the Campus via the West Entrance off Linda Vista. Take Marian Way to top of hill. Free parking is available at the West Parking Structure. Street parking closer to the venue is limited.
SHILEY THEATRE:
Proceed to Camino Hall (on the east side of Copley Library). Enter through Camino’s Main Double Door. Pass through hallway and courtyard. Enter Shiley Theatre at the end of the courtyard.
Transportation from Marina Village to the Shiley Theater is available. Learn more and purchase tickets HERE.