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!
Dec 12, 2011: Nimo Farah presents “Nomadic Expressions” at the Lowertown Reading Jam
November 12, 2011
The Saint Paul Almanac is pleased to announce the second of its 2011–2012 series of acclaimed Lowertown Reading Jams, celebrating the rich literary history of Minnesota’s capital city. This "Nomadic Expressions" Jam from the eclectic series, curated by Nimo Farah, features readings by Louis Alemayehu, Nahid Khan, Jake Virden, IBé, Marisa Carr, Abdifatah Farah Ali, Adrienne Maiers, and Hersi.
Nov 14th, 2011: Lowertown Reading Jam: J. Otis Powell! presents “Duende and the Sound of Soul”
October 2, 2011
The Saint Paul Almanac is pleased to announce the first of its 2011-2012 series of acclaimed Lowertown Reading Jams, celebrating the rich literary history of Minnesota’s capital city. The November 14th presentation of the eclectic series, curated by J. Otis Powell, features readings by eight spoken word performers living in Minnesota—Louis Alemayehu, e.g. bailey, Andrea Jenkins, Tom Kanthak, Leah Nelson, Alexs Pate, Katherine Pehrson and J. Otis Powell. The "Duende and the Sound of Sound" Lowertown Reading Jam will be presented on Monday, November 14th, 2011 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar, 308 Prince Street in Saint Paul. The Jams will continue on the second Monday of each month through July.
October 11, 2010 Lowertown Reading Jam: Deborah Torraine presents “Exploring ‘The Sacred'”
October 11, 2010
The first of a brand new series of Saint Paul Almanac Lowertown Reading Jams takes place on Monday, October 11th, from 7:00-8:30pm at the Black Dog Cafe. Curated by Deborah Torraine, the theme of this reading jam is “The Sacred.” Deborah says that when she reads the word “sacred,” she stops to re-read it again because at first glance it looks like the word “scared.” Also reading will be Dara Beevas, Natalie Delgado, Q, Nimo Farah, Shane Hawley, Sheronda Orridge and Mickey Rich.
Putting a SPNN on Saint Paul
September 17, 2010
The segments could be about any subject we chose—as long as it pertained to Saint Paul. I learned that more than a few of those on hand already had extensive experience as television producers and/or videographers. For complete novices like me, SPNN planned to offer crash courses in video camera operation, lighting, and editing. The classes were quick but comprehensive, and gave me enough confidence to take the plunge into shooting my first video. I submitted my proposal for the project and felt ready to check out the necessary equipment and start filming.
June 7th, 2010 Lowertown Reading Jam: Tish Jones introduces the Minnesota Quest Youth Slam Team
June 7, 2010
The Saint Paul Almanac continues its year-round literary celebration of Minnesota's capital city with a provocative and inspiring spoken word performance by the Minnesota Quest Youth Slam Team. The Minnesota Quest Youth Slam Team is a talented group of multi-cultural poets, writers and performers from urban Minnesota high schools who give voice to an art form that honors and brings forward the stories, experiences, dreams, convictions and perspectives often silenced by the dominant culture.
April 5th, 2010 Lowertown Reading Jam: Desdemona presents “Poetry & Activism” with award-winning artists & poets
April 5, 2010
The April 5th Lowertown Reading Jam, curated by internationally acclaimed artist, Desdamona, will also feature performances by Reggie Harris, Tish Jones and Ibé. The Almanac has been hosting the monthly Reading Jams since October 2009, and they have been steadily gaining in popularity as excited audiences spread the word about their powerful shared experiences. The Jams provide an opportunity to explore and bridge the cultural and social breadth of Saint Paul throughout the year as stories are both given and received.
Mar 1st, 2010 Lowertown Reading Jam: Saint Paul Poet Laureate Carol Connolly presents a Quintet of Irish Poets
March 1, 2010
In anticipation of St. Patrick's Day, five local Irish-American writers will be reading in a popular monthly event sponsored by The Saint Paul Almanac and curated this month by Saint Paul Poet Laureate, Carol Connolly. Presented Monday, March 1, 2010 at the Blackdog Coffee and Wine Bar in Lowertown, Connolly brings together a quintet of acclaimed Irish Poets to read from new and selected works. Joining Carol for the reading will be Kevin Fitzpatrick, Ethna McKiernan, Tim Nolan, and Mary Kay Rummel.
Feb 1st, 2010 Lowertown Reading Jam: Tou SaiKo Lee presents “Hmong Male Writers take the Mic”
February 1, 2010
The Saint Paul Almanac continues its year-round literary celebration of the capital city with an entertaining and thought-provoking schedule of free author events throughout February. The events kick off with the Monday, February 1, Lowertown Reading Jam from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Black Dog Cafe, 308 Prince Street, by the Farmers' Market in Saint Paul's Lowertown. Hosted and produced by Tou SaiKo Lee, this month's Reading Jam features the voices of more than a dozen local Hmong men.
Jan 4th, 2010: Marcie Rendon presents Native American Literature at the Jam
January 4, 2010
The Saint Paul Almanac celebrates the start of the New Year with its first literary program of 2010, an event of the monthly Lowertown Reading Jam Series featuring emerging Native American writers. Hosted by Marcie Rendon, Anishinabe, the Monday, January 4 Lowertown Reading Jam takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Black Dog Café, 308 Prince Street, located across the street from the Saint Paul Farmer’s Market. Rendon has been instrumental in creating a viable Native presence in the Twin Cities artistic community, and she wears many hats including those of poet, playwright, children’s author, freelance writer, and performance consultant.
Nov 2nd, 2009 Lowertown Reading Jam: May Lee-Yang presents fresh voices, new works by Hmong Women and Girls
November 2, 2009
If you’re interested in hearing fresh new voices by emerging Hmong American writers and new works-in-progress by more established Hmong American writers, check out the Lowertown Reading Jam at the