This Week in Saint Paul: Monday, January 6–Sunday, January 12, 2014
January 6, 2014
This is the time of year when things are quiet on the literary front. Booksellers are bundling up in front of the fire with their publisher catalogs and dreaming of which authors will stock their shelves and visit their stores, hopefully before winter leaves us. Meanwhile, around town, there is still more than enough happening to tempt us out of our hibernation and keep us connected to the pulse of the city.
This Week in Saint Paul: Monday, December 31, 2013–Sunday, January 5, 2014
December 23, 2013
One holiday is over, but the kids are still out of school. Maybe you were able to take in “History Center Holidays” at the Minnesota History Center. If not, the festivities continue through the last day of the year. Whether you already checked that one off your list, or if your family is moving at a slightly different speed, there are several other ways to ring in the new year.
This Week in Saint Paul: Monday, December 23–Sunday, December 30, 2013
December 23, 2013
Chances are, your neighborhood is now filled with young people who are starting an extended winter break from school. It is a hard time for grown-ups and near grown-ups to find a real break in this season, whether we have to go to a job or not, but maybe some of you are still lucky enough to be able to grab a little bit of a break. “Break” might not be the correct term, but we are here to suggest a few things that might “break” the stress of your holiday week.
This Week in Saint Paul: Monday, December 16–Sunday, December 22, 2013
December 16, 2013
UPDATED with more weekend activities! It is supposed to warm up this week, and many of us will show more courage venturing out into the world without the sharp cold that nipped our noses last week. We have lost our excuse to sit inside, and this week's arts calendar shows us we can't be caught saying, “There's nothing for me to do.” In part, thanks to three remarkable women of words and letters, and some other talented neighbors, we will not be bored.
This Week in Saint Paul: Monday, December 9–Sunday, December 15, 2013
December 9, 2013
It has been a true Minnesota Winter week, with more to come. Even so, we have found several things that’ll make you want to venture outside to where the coziness and heat will make it worth the neighborhood trek.
Minneapolis Star Tribune calls us “fat”—and we’re okay with that
December 3, 2013
On November 30, Minneapolis Star Tribune books editor Laurie Hertzel published an article, "Holiday books: 10 that reflect Minnesota and the region", which included a review of the 2014 Saint Paul Almanac. "From collected letters to collected stories, from memoir to adventure, these 10 books reflect Minnesota and the region", goes the byline, which introduces a variety of fiction, nonfiction, photo books, and several items of literary interest.
This Week in Saint Paul: Monday, December 2–Sunday, December 8, 2013
December 2, 2013
Literature, music, theater, arts, and family events taking place around the city this week. Last week, we suggested some great ways to avoid the seasonal megashopping madness. This week, we change our tune...or perhaps just tune in differently, encouraging you to explore gift ideas by local artists. Readings and book launches include events at the History Center, Common Good Books, and the Red Balloon Bookshop. Holiday theater offerings include plays by the Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company, the Historic Mounds Theater, and the History Theatre. Kids and family have a lot to look forward to some Santa appearances, kid's drawing circles, and more.
This Week in Saint Paul: Monday, November 25–Sunday, December 1, 2013
November 25, 2013
Literature, music, theater, arts, family and special events taking place around the city this week. Highlighting readings by Kristal Leebrick and Heid Erdrich; music by The Other Country Ensemble, the Saint Paul Public Libraries "Musical Notes from Europe", and Kevin Kling; Minnesota Hmong New Year; Highland Park Library's Siesta Fiesta; T. Mychael Rambo at Park Square Theatre; "Saturday Live!" at the Central Library; Addendum's "Indies First program" and The Stuffed Animal HOLIDAY Show!
Union Depot highlights Lowertown artists from the 2014 Saint Paul Almanac
November 18, 2013
The Union Depot, the restored transportation hub and key Lowertown landmark, is featuring the 2014 Saint Paul Almanac in a display inside its entrance hall. The latest edition of the Almanac features artwork by many Lowertown artists including Ken and Roberta Avidor, Ta-coumba Aiken, Michael McColl, Chad Hambright, Sarah Marie Wash, Josh and Amy Hosterman, Patrick McCutchen, Tom Dunn, Serena Mira Asta, Frank Brown, Rachel Whacker, Alex Kuno, Shelley Rolhf, Kristi Abbott. Tom Reynen, Tom McGregor, Lisa Mathieson, Mike Hazard, and Nigel Parry.
This Week in Saint Paul: Monday, November 18–Sunday 24, 2013
November 18, 2013
Literature, music, theater, arts, and family events taking place around the city this week. Highlighting readings by Carol Connolly, Andrea Jenkins, Robert Karimi, Nimo H. Farah, JP Arcani, Tracine Asberry, and Joe the Great One; music by The Cory Wong Quartet and Dean McGraw; family events at the Red Balloon bookstore; a veterans theater event; and Public Art Saint Paul's annual gala.
Soul Sounds: an open mic for nurturing arts, building community
November 15, 2013
I recently had the opportunity to attend Soul Sounds Open Mic where the featured artist was Danez Smith, who is a spoken word artist, slam poet, and author. It was an intimate crowd of about 40 people, with some attendees even dressed in Halloween costumes. Soul Sounds Open Mic takes place at Golden Thyme Cafe in St. Paul every week, and is community collaboration between the Saint Paul Almanac and Golden Thyme Coffee Café. The goal of Soul Sounds is to create a safe, multigenerational, and diverse space for people to create and share work while engaging in active dialogue that promotes connection and community.
Videos from the 2014 Saint Paul Almanac Literary Festival
October 22, 2013
To celebrate the launch of the 2014 Saint Paul Almanac, Cracked Walnut, with sponsorship from the Saint Paul Almanac, put together 25 daily readings from September 18th to October 12th, 2013. Each reading featured an average of five writers and poets who were published in the Saint Paul Almanac, and took place in a different location around the city to enable more people to attend from our neighborhoods and introduce our regulars to new watering holes. Most of the writers who took part are published in the 2014 edition of the award-winning Saint Paul Almanac. Cracked Walnut's Satish Jayaraj also invited previous Saint Paul Almanac contributors and other writers to take part in the Saint Paul Literary Festival. Many thanks from the Almanac to Satish for his amazing work in putting together 25 readings in 25 days!