For decades, the Tattered Cover Book Store has played a crucial role in the literary scene of the Denver area. Between off-site and in-store locations, the independent bookstore hosts around 500 events every year.

And now in its 21st iteration, Writers Respond to Readers is back to connect authors with those who read their work.

“Where else are readers going to get a full, uninterrupted day with four fantastic authors?” asked Suzanne Gutierrez, promotions manager with the Tattered Cover. “This is a literary event that means a lot to many of us at the bookstore and readers alike.”

This year's event will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, 650 15th St. The featured authors are Melanie Benjamin, Tim Johnston, Ausma Zehanat Khan and Cynthia Swanson.

Attendees will kick off the day with a literary-themed breakfast buffet, followed by a full day of author presentations, and it all concludes with a cocktail hour and book signing. The presentations give the authors the opportunity to discuss their process, inspiration and latest work, as well as answer questions from attendees.

It is important that a diverse range of authors participate in this event, Gutierrez said. The Tattered Cover is particularly excited about this year's lineup, with well-known and best-selling authors like Benjamin (“The Aviator's Wife”), Johnson (“Descent”), Khan (“The Unquiet Dead”) and Swanson (“The Bookseller”) devoting a full day to meet their fans.

“Not only is this the chance to meet some great authors, but attendees can meet fellow literary fiction fans,” Gutierrez added. “It's really an awful lot of fun for everybody.”

For tickets, visit www.tatteredcover.com.

The DMNS glows in the dark

It will come as a surprise to no one who has spent even a little bit of time with me that I was the type of kid that would've much rather spent time at the museum than playing or watching sports. Which is why I would have killed (figuratively, not literally) to spend time at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science after dark.

Teenagers have just that opportunity as part of an event at the museum, 2001 Colorado Blvd. — Teen Lounge: Things That Glow event. The teen-only evening will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 25.

The free event provides an illuminating evening with minerals that glow, glowing art walls, creepy glowing slime, and more, according to the museum. There will also be a DJ, a chance to win door prizes, and free snacks after hours.

For more information, visit https://secure1.dmns.org/teen-lounge-things-that-glow.

Clarke's Concert of the Week — YG at the Ogden Theatre

Los Angeles' Keenon Jackson (otherwise known as YG) is a great example of a rapper who tapped into the power of the internet just when it was becoming the powerful musical tool we know today.

Since releasing his major-label debut in 2013, YG has become one of the most exciting voices to hear jump on a track. Even better, he's stayed true to himself, his city and his musical sensibilities. Last year's album “Stay Dangerous,” was as reliably solid as ever.

Now YG will be bringing his tour to the Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave., at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 30 and 31.

Take this chance to see one of the best rappers working and get your tickets at www.ogdentheatre.com.

Get the full picture with the Denver Film Society

If you pay attention during the film awards season, it will be no surprise that women filmmakers rarely receive the recognition showered on their male peers. Despite the fact that women and men attend film schools in equal numbers, women direct only 4 percent of top-grossing feature films in the US.

A recent documentary called “Half the Picture” tackles this very problem and will be screened at the Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7. The screening is part of the Denver Film Society's Women+Film series, a year-round program that showcases films by and about women.

“Half the Picture” features some of the most well-known current women directors, like Ava DuVernay, and gives them a chance to get candid about the gender inequality in the industry.

Visit www.denverfilm.org to get your tickets to this enlightening film.

Clarke Reader's column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.