'Soloist' author to lecture at OC

Oxnard College’s Clock Tower Auditorium will be in for an afternoon of anecdotes when Los Angeles Times columnist and best-selling author Steve Lopez speaks at the Literature, Arts and Lecture Series.

Lopez will discuss the genuine content from his book that inspired the critically acclaimed movie, “The Soloist.”

“The Soloist,” detailing Lopez’s powerful relationship with homeless prodigy musician Nathaniel Ayers, is part of One Book, One Campus program at Oxnard College. One Book, One Campus is a yearly project coordinated by sociology professor Dr. Marie Butler which encourages the campus to get together and read and discuss a book at the same time.

A Mexican journalist having been on the staff of “Time,” “Life,” “Entertainment Weekly,” and “Sports Illustrated,” Lopez has won numerous awards for his writing.

Oxnard College staff and students alike are anticipating the event.

“I'm excited he's going to do a presentation here at Oxnard,” said Shelly Savron, host of the lecture series. “Because of his popularity, and the success of his book, ‘The Soloist,’ I expect a packed-out crowd that day.”

Ana Zuniga discovered Lopez and “The Soloist” after watching the movie starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr.

“After having watched the movie and being hooked on it, I decided to buy the book,” said Zuniga, a 20-year-old criminology major. “Steve Lopez knows how to write well, and I can’t wait when he comes here.”

For more information, contact Shelly Savren at ssavren@vcccd.edu or (805) 986-5800 ext. 1951.