News

October 23, 2013: Ellena Schoop presents “NU GRIOT’s Gumbo Revolution” at the Lowertown Reading Jam

The Saint Paul Almanac is pleased to announce the first in its 2013–2014 season of acclaimed Lowertown Reading Jams, which celebrate the rich literary history of Minnesota’s capital city and the widely-popular genre of Spoken Word. Meet writers from the Givens Foundation for African American Literature’s Black Writers Collaborative Retreat Program—activists and community artist—as they share their fierce, unapologetic, bold, spicy and healing works. Stirring DNA threads plucked from the bayous of America, Haiti, Nigeria, Brazil, North Minneapolis, and around the globe, into a seasoned and savory word soup, sprinkled with sound and movement.

October 17, 2013 – Soul Sounds Open Mic hosted by Tish Jones

Tish Jones, Community Engagement Director for the Saint Paul Almanac, is a spoken word artist, writer, educator, organizer, and activist in the Twin Cities. She has worked as a teaching artist with Pillsbury House Theater, Intermedia Arts, Plymouth Christian Youth Center, MacPhail Center for Music, Minneapolis Public Schools (Arts for Academic Achievement), Kulture Klub, and many other arts organizations. She received the 2009 Artist of the Year Award from City Pages and was Female Spoken Word Artist of the Year at the Minnesota Spoken Word Association’s Urban Griots Awards in 2009.

What Do You Love About Saint Paul?

One of the things that I love about Saint Paul is its wealth of authors, poets and storytellers. As much time as I spend basking in the solitary glow of my screen, I love to break away, get out, and hear real people tell real stories and read from real books. We are so lucky here in Saint Paul. Maybe it’s something in the water…we have so many good writers and an audience that loves and supports them. Tonight was just one of 25 coming nights of literary treasure.

Soul Sounds Open Mic 4th quarter events announced

The Golden Thyme Coffee Café and the Saint Paul Almanac are pleased to announce the “Soul Sounds Open Mic,” hosted by Tish Jones! Every Thursday from 6 p.m.–8 p.m., first Thursdays also see a special writing workshop at 5 p.m. All ages are welcome, and there is no cover charge. This is a listing of the 4th quarter events in 2013.

Photos from the 2014 Almanac Launch Extravaganza!

2014 Saint Paul Almanac photo contributor George Roedler (pages 331 and 394) came to our launch party on September 12 with his camera, and shared the following images with the Almanac. Access Jack Steinmann’s 30-image album from the launch party. Expect more blog posts about the photographers and illustrators of the 2014 Almanac soon!

Sept. 12, 2013—Experience the 2014 Saint Paul Almanac Book Release Art and Music Extravaganza!

Be among the first to own the eighth edition of the award-winning Saint Paul Almanac on Thursday, September 12, 2013! Come to our launch party for the 2014 Saint Paul Almanac on Thursday September 12th, 2013 at 7 p.m. til late. Hear 2014 Almanac authors read their work, check out the opening of our month-long art exhibit, and listen to live music!  The launch party will takes place in Lowertown, Saint Paul, at the AZ Gallery, Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar, and Clouds in Water Zen Center, at 308 Prince Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101. Food and refreshments available. All are welcome. No cover. Donations gratefully accepted.

Photostory: Mizna at the Lowertown Reading Jam

Mizna brought a diverse group of established and emerging writers and performers to the Lowertown Reading Jam stage. With that Homeland Security dictum “if you see something, say something” ringing in their ears, Mizna’s group of Arab American and Muslim writers gave voice to their own experience of diverse homelands. The evening was hosted by performance artist and Mizna rep Moheb Soliman, who presented his own work along with the work of Robert Farid Karimi, Kathryn Haddad, Nimo Farah, Willie Nour, Niny Salem, Jna Shelomith, Sarah Thamer and percussionist Khaldoun Samman.

June 26th, 2013: Marcie Rendon presents “Anishinaabe Song/Poems for the New Millennium” at the Lowertown Reading Jam

“Back at the turn of the last century there were folks who traveled around this country documenting Native people’s demise. They took photos, painted pictures and recorded our songs. This evening is about Us singing our songs/reading our poems at the beginning of this new millennium to be recorded by Us for future generations. We continue to live. We continue to create.” The “Anishinaabe Song/Poems for the New Millennium” Lowertown Reading Jam will be presented on Wednesday, June 26th, 2013 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar, 308 Prince Street in Saint Paul. This presentation of the popular and eclectic series is hosted by Marcie Rendon.

June 13th, 2013: Launch party for Rondo Arts and Cultural Business District

Come join the World Cultural Heritage Development Partners for the launch of the Rondo Arts and Cultural Business District, highlighting African American Businesses on the Green Line’s Central Corridor (University Avenue in Saint Paul), and to celebrate the Elder Kofi Bobby Hickman Banner (now hanging on the site of the future Old Home Plaza development)—an Irrigate Project of the Saint Paul Almanac.

June 13, 2013 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with D’Allen White

D’Allen White is an artist to look out for. Hailing from Minneapolis, D’Allen White is a South Side Emcee that is making music fresh again. D’Allen White’s music is reminiscent to Hip Hop’s Boom Bap Era. Brought up on the likes of J Dilla, NaS and Black Star, D’Allen uses rap to speak to his generation. Having released two projects, the last being the stand out EP “The Commencement”, D’Allen White is working on his newest album due out in 2014 titled “Not a Single Damn Was Given”.

June 6, 2013 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with the (K.)N.E.W. MN Youth Poetry Slam Team

In March 2013, five highly esteemed judges selected the six youth that will represent Minnesota in the international Brave New Voices Youth Poetry Slam Festival in Chicago this August. The team consists of six poets, all of whom are between the ages of 13-19 years old. Mhika, Ramaj, Laresa, Luke, Donte and Kayla will be showcasing their work and discussing with the audience their individual writing processes. Please come out, support, and dialogue with these young poets!