Book Fest to host a conversation with Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball and Big Freedia

In celebration of Black History Month, the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University is proud to host ‘Vulnerable AF: A Conversation with Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball and Big Freedia’ at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 15 at Dixon Hall on Tulane’s uptown campus. The event is free and open to the public.

Per the city of New Orleans, a proof of vaccination or negative antigen or PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before entry is required at all indoor gatherings. Masks are required in all indoor settings.

Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball and Big Freedia will read and discuss their books with each other and the audience as well. There will also be a question-answer session with the audience.

Last year, poet Tarriona "Tank" Ball of the Grammy-nominated band Tank and the Bangas published her debut poetry collection, Vulnerable AF, about infatuation, love and heartbreak. The real-life story of a relationship in the author's past is told in verse and short prose pieces. Relatable and honest, with Tank's signature mix of whimsy and realness, the book is about the difference between love and infatuation, the danger and confusion of losing yourself in the idea of someone else and coming out on the other side of heartbreak with your sense of self-worth—and your sense of humor—stronger for it.

Published in 2015 and written with Nicole Balin, Big Freedia’s book, God Save the Queen Diva, is a memoir that chronicles the life of a poor choir boy from New Orleans who survived poverty, drugs, and bullying to become a world-famous musical performer and reality TV personality. Channeling his pain through the music and culture of Bounce, Big Freedia is an icon for gender-fluid youth and is credited for bringing the “twerk” mainstream.

Following the one-hour event, both books will be available for purchase and each author will be available for an autograph session.  

For more information on the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University, please visit ​www.bookfest.Tulane.edu or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.