Father and Daughter duo Ian Frazier and Cora Frazier, both humorists who write for The New Yorker magazine as well as a host of other prominent publications, will join Patty Limerick for a discussion—and many demonstrations!—of techniques for applying humor to contemporary issues that often carry strong emotional and political charge. With a principled absence of flowcharts, spreadsheets, cryptic theories, and quantitative analytics, the evening will feature free-roaming conversations, jokes, readings, plenty of laughter, unexpected insights, and perhaps even a surprise treat for the audience!

“Ian and Cora Frazier lead the nation—and maybe the planet—as sharp observers and original thinkers,” Patty Limerick, Faculty Director of the Center said. “An evening in their company will reaffirm the value and power of humor, especially in difficult times.”

The Fool for a Day Award was created to celebrate those individuals whose temperaments support the central conviction of the Center of the American West: a dose of good humor is essential to constructive public discussion, and not coincidentally, to public health. This event is made possible by the generosity of Bill and Jane Reynolds and is part of the Center of the American West’s Humor Initiative.