News

December 26th, 2012: Dakota Writers Speak to Presence

On the 150th anniversary of the largest mass execution in the history of the United States—the hanging of 38 Dakota men in Mankato for their role in the U.S. Dakota Conflict—and in the 150 anniversary year of the Dakota conflict, Dakota writers speak to Presence. Although our presence is often erased or misrepresented in mainstream media, we are here. Join us as we reflect, remember and share. Featuring Nick Metcalf, Monique Leith (reading poems by her grandpa Ron Leith), Richard Merlin Johnson Jr., Terri Yellowhammer, Colleen Casey, and Lisa Yankton.

Colleen Casey

Submission deadline for 2014 Almanac extended til year end

The Saint Paul Almanac is happy to announce that its submissions deadline has been extended until the end of the year. Submissions for the 2014 Saint Paul Almanac will now be accepted until midnight on December 31st, 2012!

Two Murray High School Eighth Graders

Tonight it was my honor and pleasure to chauffeur local lit legend Phebe Hanson. I told her that I remember her from high school when my English teachers Sara Sexton and Larry Risser (Southwest HIgh, Mpls) brought her in to speak to our class about journal writing. I even brought out my copy of 25 Minnesota Poets (from 1974), in which she is featured, and asked her to sign it. In it she noted that today is Emily Dickinson’s birthday. She told me in the car that she has been throwing parties for Dickinson since 1972.

A Wealth of Poetry

Last night Parthenia and I made the rounds of poetry readings. After making the scene in Minneapolis, we shot over to Lowertown in St. Paul to attend the Saint Paul Almanac-sponsored Lowertown Reading Jam at the Black Dog Cafe. “Three Artists, Three Themes” was curated by J. Otis Powell‽. He was joined by Tish Jones and Shá Cage. The cafe was warm and full of friends as three very different artists took the small stage and brought their best and most beautiful voices to their stories.

December 26th, 2012: Aimee Renaud presents “By Chance By Choice: Radical Writings on Family” at the Lowertown Reading Jam

The Saint Paul Almanac is pleased to announce the third in its 2012–2013 season of acclaimed Lowertown Reading Jams, which celebrate the rich literary history of Minnesota’s capital city. The “By Chance By Choice: Radical Writings on Family” Lowertown Reading Jam will be presented on Wednesday, December 26th, 2012 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, curated by Aimee Renaud, features performances by Danez Smith, Laura Nuckols, Hieu Nguyen, Melinda Lee, Chantz Erolin and Aimee Renaud.

The Winter Saint Paul Farmers’ Market opens on December 1st!

On December 1st, the Saint Paul Farmers’ Market’s winter market opens, following the end of the fall season. Open every Saturday (except March 16th) from 9am-1pm, the market offers both an outside location—in the regular market at 4th and Wall Street—and an inside location, in Golden’s Deli. You may be tempted to think not much is still being produced by local farms during the winter, but the Saint Paul Farmer’s Market’s winter version offers a not inconsiderable variety and quantity of food during the chilly months…

December 20, 2012 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Lewis Mundt

Lewis Mundt is a poet, performer, organizer, and recent graduate of the creative writing program at Hamline University — but that says little about who he is and more about what he is. His work has been featured (textually) in the Mas Tequila Review, Bestiary Magazine, and the forthcoming Poetry City, USA: Volume 3; (visually) in the Poetry Observed and Amani Media video projects; and (audibly) at the Indiefeed Performance Poetry Podcast and on the Button Poetry CD compilation. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Golden Thyme Coffee Café at 921 Selby Avenue (corner of North Milton Street) in Saint Paul, MN 55104. All ages are welcome, and there is no cover charge.

December 13, 2012 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Aimee Renaud

Aimee Renaud strives to be full of joy. Winner of the Urban Griots New Spoken Word Artist of the Year Award in 2009, and recipient of the 2011 VERVE Grant for spoken word artists, Aimee occasionally likes to read her poetry out loud, and hopes to spend the next year learning how to effectively foster her creative tendencies. When she isn’t getting paid to sling espresso for motorcyclists, she can usually be found playing with boisterous kittens, devouring the pastryarchy, reading books, traveling everywhere, sending letters, and trying (sometimes desperately, yes) to feel free. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Golden Thyme Coffee Café at 921 Selby Avenue (corner of North Milton Street) in Saint Paul, MN 55104. All ages are welcome, and there is no cover charge.

December 6, 2012 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Matt Carlyon and writing workshop

Matt Carlyon is a spoken word artist and music producer in the Twin Cities. He has worked professionally with such artists as Khary “6 is 9” Jackson, Brian “Omni” Dilan, Guante, and “Chance” from the hip hop group “Audio Perm”. Matt has been on several different national stages for poetry, including representing Minnesota’s youth poetry scene at Brave New Voices as well as competing at the CUPSI with the University of Minnesota, which placed 4th in the nation. He is a member of the spoken word collective Batteries Not Included with Hasani Harris and Damon McBrayer. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Golden Thyme Coffee Café at 921 Selby Avenue (corner of North Milton Street) in Saint Paul, MN 55104. All ages are welcome, and there is no cover charge. First Thursday writing workshops will be held an hour before the open mic begins, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

This November 15th: Click. Contribute. Change your world.

On Thursday, November 15, every donation you make gives your favorite organizations the chance to win even more money. Please Give to the Max to the Saint Paul Almanac this Thursday. Besides supporting the important work we do to encourage community engagement through the literary arts and showcasing the city we love—Saint Paul, Minnesota—you will: i) have your donation matched dollar for dollar up to $2,500; ii) be able to schedule your giving ahead of time (as in right now!) and iii) enter the Almanac into an hourly drawing to win an extra $1,000 on Give to the Max day!

Kofi Bobby Hickman featured in Almanac/Irrigate Arts banner project

This is the final piece in the Irrigate project “University Avenue Voices.” Our team met all summer to curate the written pieces (originally published in the Saint Paul Almanac), design, and find the locations along the light rail corridor for the posters and this one big banner. The banner was designed by Shaquan Foster with professional guidance by Michael Waite. The rest of the team: Lisa Steinmann, Diego Vázquez Jr., Patricia Young and Kimberly Nightingale. Please, walk or drive by the Old Home building at University and Western to see this grand banner.

Behind the scenes: 2014 Community Editors starting at the beginning

“There were about 20 of us, seated at a long table inside AZ Gallery in Lowertown. This first evening, I am always aware of what a mixer this gathering is. Except for a few from last year, these are people I have not met before. The group is recruited and selected in a way that ensures diversity of age, gender, neighborhood, community and level of ability. Last night was the first meeting of the Saint Paul Almanac community editor group and my second season as an editor. When our work is done, we will have helped launch the 2014 (and eighth) edition. It will make its debut next year in September.” Lisa Steinmann is a Saint Paul–based writer, teacher, and artist. Her work spans both sides of the Mississippi river and other divides as well.