News

July 25th, 2012: Katie Ka Vang presents “Many Hats” at the Lowertown Reading Jam

The Saint Paul Almanac is pleased to announce the final in its 2011–2012 season of acclaimed Lowertown Reading Jams, which celebrate the rich literary history of Minnesota’s capital city. The “Many Hats” Lowertown Reading Jam will be presented on Wednesday, July 25th, 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 Katie Ka Vang, features performances by Joua Lee, Katie Hae Leo, Sai Chang, Linda Nguyễn, Kathy Mouacheupao, Iris Shiraishi and Simi Kang.

June 28th, 2012 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Sheronda Orridge

The fourth “Soul Sounds Open Mic” is presented on Thursday, June 28th, 2012, and features Sheronda Orridge. 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. Sheronda Orridge is the owner and operator of Loving Spirit Life Coach Academy LLC, a life coach for the Network for Better Futures, a writer, a spoken word artist, and a community organizer. She holds a variety of certifications including doula (birth coach), life coach trainer, and facilitator. She is the host of Loving Our Life, aired on SPNN. All ages are welcome, and there is no cover charge.

June 21, 2012 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Jake Virden

The third “Soul Sounds Open Mic” is presented on Thursday, June 21st, 2012, and features Jake Virden. 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. Jake Virden is an aspiring popular educator and poet from N.E. Minneapolis. Currently, Jake is working with the Youth Education Justice Initiative to encourage popular education for racial and economic justice and asking critical questions about his supposed indebtedness. All ages are welcome, and there is no cover charge.

June 14, 2012 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Brittany Delaney

The second “Soul Sounds Open Mic” is presented on Thursday, June 14th, 2012, and features Brittany Delaney. 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. Brittany Delaney is an activist and spoken word artist who was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. Brittany has been writing since she was 8 years old and traveling/performing since she was 13. She has participated in various spoken word groups including the MN Spoken Word Association, Mama Mosaic, Quest for the Voice, Brave New Voices, Teens Rock the Mic, and University-based establishments across the country. All ages are welcome, and there is no cover charge.

June 7, 2012 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Ahanti Young

The Golden Thyme Coffee Café and the Saint Paul Almanac are pleased to announce the first “Soul Sounds Open Mic”, hosted by Tish Jones! The “Soul Sounds Open Mic” series is held every Thursday, with a special pre-performance writing workshop on the first Thursday of each month. The first “Soul Sounds Open Mic” is presented on Thursday, June 7th 2012, and features Ahanti Young. The event takes place from 6pm-8pm at the Golden Thyme Coffee Café at 921 Selby Avenue (corner of North Milton Street) in Saint Paul. All ages are welcome and there is no cover charge. The First Thursday writing workshop will be held an hour before the open mic begins, from 5pm-6pm.

June 27th, 2012: David Vu presents “Life’s Lessons Learned” at the Lowertown Reading Jam

The Saint Paul Almanac is pleased to announce the eighth in its 2011–2012 season of acclaimed Lowertown Reading Jams, which celebrate the rich literary history of Minnesota’s capital city. The “Learning Life’s Lessons” Lowertown Reading Jam will be presented on Wednesday, June 11th 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 David Vu, features performances by Olivia Baker, Dua Saleh, Laurine Chang, Rebecca Song, Tsimnuj Hawj, Kurt Blomberg and Rodrigo Sanchez-Chavarria.

Saint Paul Almanac wins Midwest Book Award!

The 2012 Saint Paul Almanac was the winner of the “Travel” category in the 22nd annual Midwest Book Awards. Each year, the Midwest Independent Publishers Association holds the Midwest Book Awards competition for excellence in books published the year before. The awards recognize creativity in content and execution, overall book quality, and the book’s unique contribution to its subject area.

May 23, 2012: Sheronda Orridge presents “Raising Consciousness and Healing Through Words” at the Lowertown Reading Jam

The Saint Paul Almanac is pleased to announce the seventh in its 2011–2012 season of acclaimed Lowertown Reading Jams, which celebrate the rich literary history of Minnesota’s capital city. The “Raising Consciousness and Healing Through Words” Lowertown Reading Jam will be presented on Wednesday, May 23rd, 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 Sheronda Orridge, features performances by Akeeylah Watkins, Angel Myatt, Monique Crusoe, Karyssa Jackson, Kashimana, Dianne Moore, and Fanond Burnett.

April 25, 2012: M.anifest presents “ROUTES TO ROOTS: ‘Sankofa’ and uncovering our histories through our artistic journey” at the Lowertown Reading Jam

The Saint Paul Almanac is pleased to announce the sixth in its 2011–2012 season of acclaimed Lowertown Reading Jams, which celebrate the rich literary history of Minnesota’s capital city. The “Routes to Roots: ‘Sankofa’ and uncovering our histories through our artistic journey” Lowertown Reading Jam will be presented on Wednesday, April 25th, 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 M.anifest, features performances by poet and playwright Lisa Marie Brimmer, producer and community organizer Owen Duckworth, and M.anifest.

Call for Visual Art submissions for 2013 Almanac: Deadline April 4th, 2012

The Saint Paul Almanac, the friendliest tourist guidebook and cultural window into Saint Paul, seeks artists with work that reflects diversity in media, mind, and heritage. Images will be published in full color in the 2013 issue. The Almanac will be celebrated in an exhibition in September of 2012 spanning the AZ gallery and Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar. Accepted artists will be awarded $10 per image, one free issue of the 2013 Almanac, and artist’s bio and link listed in the 2013 Saint Paul Almanac book. Note: Artists will retain full copyright to any of their images published in the Saint Paul Almanac.

Mar 28, 2012: Tou SaiKo Lee presents “Stories from O.G.s” at the Lowertown Reading Jam

The “Stories from O.G.s: Honoring the O.riginal G.eneration” Lowertown Reading Jam will be presented on Wednesday, March 28th, 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 eclectic series, curated by Tou SaiKo Lee, features Fresh Traditions (Tou SaiKo Lee and Grandma Youa Chang), Chilli Lor, Abdi Phenomenal and Louis Alemayehu. “Stories from O.G.s” is a dynamic, cross-cultural, cross-generational evening of youth honoring elders’ stories and passing them on through music, songs, hip hop and spoken word poetry. Youth and Elder artists with roots from all over the world collaborate to express the connections we have and to immortalize these stories. This show is dedicated to the memory of Deborah Torraine who has always requested to see grandma Youa Chang perform.

Feb 13, 2012: Alexander Wanna presents “Poetry & Comedy” at the Lowertown Reading Jam

The Saint Paul Almanac is pleased to announce the fourth in its 2011–2012 season of acclaimed Lowertown Reading Jams which celebrate the rich literary history of Minnesota’s capital city. The “Poetry & Comedy” Lowertown Reading Jam will be presented on Monday, February 13th, 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 eclectic series, presented by Alexander Wanna, features Marlene Moxness and Andrew Cahak.