January 16, 2014 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Clara Yonge
December 5, 2013
Raised in New Jersey and currently living in Minneapolis, Clara Younge works in Saint Paul as a math tutor and a pastry chef. Her work has been published in the Feminist Wire and in 2010 she won Macalester College's Cultural House poetry slam. Clara is an alumn of the Voices at VONA writing workshop. Her poetry is obsessed with sound, seeks truth through themes of identity and ancestry.
January 9, 2014 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Marisa Carr and Writing Workshop
December 5, 2013
Marisa Carr is a multidisciplinary artist, poet, composer, and performer. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she now lives in Minneapolis. Marisa believes in art as a vital tool to engage, challenge, and mobilize by intersecting the personal, political, and spiritual. Her work is situated physically, emotionally, and intellectually within the various communities of which she is part. Marisa especially enjoys facilitating projects with youth, and helping young people learn to use art as a tool to speak back to power and explore their hopes and visions for themselves and their communities. She is Turtle Mountain Ojibwe from the turtle clan.
Soul Sounds Open Mic Winter 2013-2014 Season
December 5, 2013
The Golden Thyme Coffee Café and the Saint Paul Almanac are pleased to announce the Winter 2013-2014 Season of the "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 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. All ages are welcome, and there is no cover charge. Every first Thursday, a writing workshop will be held an hour before the open mic begins, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
December 19, 2013 – Soul Sounds Open Mic’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Mic
December 5, 2013
Being that Soul Sounds is a community event we feel it important to create a space for dialogue around issues facing our community. Rooted in the arts, this evening will focus on addressing HIV/AIDS in our various communities. Perhaps you have written a piece paying homage to a loved one who lost their battle with HIV/AIDS? Maybe you have a poem of encouragement, a song that educates, or more? Tonight is the night for us to address a major issue in the Twin Cities community, through art and creative expression, while maintaining our sense of mutual love, adoration and respect.
December 18, 2013: Heid Erdrich presents “Double Hungry: Sustainable Poems” at the Lowertown Reading Jam
December 5, 2013
The "Double Hungry: Sustainable Poems" Lowertown Reading Jam will be presented on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar, 308 Prince Street in Saint Paul. "Double Hungry: Sustainable Poems" gathers four diverse poets who will read on food in a changing world. This presentation of the popular and eclectic series is hosted by Heid E. Erdrich, whose newest book is Original Local—Indigenous Foods, Stories and Recipes from the Upper Midwest, and features poets GE Patterson, James Autio, and Kristin Naca.
December 12, 2013 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Chia ‘Chilli’ Lor
December 5, 2013
Chia 'Chilli' Lor graduated from Saint Paul Central High School as an active participant in the social justice performing arts program, Synergy, and is currently attending St. Catherine University. Her poems have been published in local literary journal, Paj Ntaub Voice (“Storycloth Voice”) and the 2012 edition of the Saint Paul Almanac. Chilli has been invited to perform at open mics, reading series, conferences, racial equity trainings, the Minnesota State Capitol, and a variety of community events. Chilli is part of an APIA spoken word group, Speakers of the Sun (SOS). Her work has taken her into schools, nonprofits, and district planning councils. As an emerging community organizer, poet, and hip-hop artist, Chilli has a vision of impacting the lives of youth, communities of color, and women through the performing arts.
December 5, 2013 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Hieu Minh Nguyen with Writing Workshop
December 4, 2013
Hieu Minh Nguyen was born and raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota, by a Vietnamese-American single mother. He is the author of This Way to the Sugar (Write Bloody Press, 2014) and co-coached the 2011 University of Minnesota poetry slam team, which placed fourth at the College National Poetry Slam. In 2011, Hieu was also a member of the 5th-ranked Minneapolis adult National Poetry Slam team. Today, Hieu is a member of the Good News Poetry Tour, which travels across the country performing at colleges and universities. He is a proud alumni of the Central Touring Theatre and also works at a haberdashery.
Not Afraid of the Dark
December 3, 2013
My father has “old age of the eyes.” That means he’s going blind slowly from the inside out. He says I look like a model with my hair swooped back. He points out a covenant of blackbirds....
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.
Kwvtij/Brothers
December 2, 2013
Wang Ger, also called Joe, has been trying to teach me to speak more words of Hmong. “I have learned English; you can learn more Hmong.” I am not a good student, but he does not give up...
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.
Esoteric
November 25, 2013
She stands with bare feet On a marble bathroom floor The temperature outside has not yet Reached up to the predicted low for today These days she keeps mostly to herself No one else can bear it...