The summer season is in full swing, and the calendar is packed with things to do. Here’s a look at some of the events, book discussions, readings, open mics, and workshops coming up this week.
Thursday, July 20
10:00 AM – Writing Workshop with James Preller @ Voorheesville Public Library
Local author James Preller will conduct a writing workshop at the Cole Summer Writer’s Institute. The library will be partnering with the Institute for this guest author portion of the week-long writing camp. Grades 6 and up, please register.
1:00 PM – Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It: Author Talk with Ethan Kross
The most important conversation we have each day isn’t with our boss, spouse, or friends: it’s the one we have with ourselves. When facing a challenging task, our inner voice can motivate us and help us keep our focus. But often, we come up against the nagging voice that tells us we can’t do it or that people will laugh at us if we try. The million-dollar question is how can we transform our self-saboteur, determined to undermine our success, into an internal life coach that will buoy us up and help us expand our potential?
6:00 PM – Book Launch: Carol Goodman, “The Bones of the Story” @ Oblong Rhinebeck
Celebrate the launch of a twisty locked-room mystery from two-time Mary Higgins Clark Award–winning author Carol Goodman, about a group of former classmates trapped on their college campus—with a murderer among them! Carol will talk with author Lisa Unger about this spine-tingling new novel.
6:00 PM – Shorts out Loud: Caity Gallagher @ Troy Public Library – Lansingburgh Branch
Join the library for the fourth session of our annual Shorts Out Loud series! This special program is one that the library hosts each year. We have changed the format *slightly* and each evening will now consist of 30 minutes of live music followed by 30 minutes of poetry or short stories read aloud.
6:45 PM – A Writer’s Night in July @ The Longmeadow Adult Center
Join Longmeadow Adult Center and Straw Dog Writers Guild on Thursday, July 20, 6:45-7:45pm for A Writer’s Night with featured reader Howie Faerstein. Howie is the author of 5 books (Play a Song on the Drums He Said, Out of Order, Dreaming of the Rain in Brooklyn, Googootz and Other Poems and STAY). His poetry & reviews can be found in numerous journals. A multiple Pushcart nominee, Cutthroat Discovery Poet, & recipient of the NOVA 2022 poetry prize, he’s co-poetry editor of Cutthroat & lives in Florence, MA.
7:00 PM – CAPS Be the Feature Open Mic
CAPS Be the Feature Open Mic is always a fluid evening. Maybe participants read 6 poems. Maybe 5. Maybe 3. Maybe 2…
7:00 PM – Online Summer Poetry Reading
Word Thursdays Online featuring Jack Bedell and Megeen Mulholland will broadcast live on Thursday, July 20 at 7 PM EST.
7:30 PM – Third Thursday Poetry Night Featuring Gordon Davis @ Social Justice Center
Writer Gordon Davis will read from his work at the Social Justice Center in Albany, NY, with an open mic for community poets.
Friday, July 21
9:00 AM – Early Literacy Storytime! @ Troy Public Library
Kids ages 0-5 are welcome to this early literacy story
10:30 AM – Storytime @ Waterford Public Library
Open to kids of all ages, but geared towards 2-5-year-old. No registration is required. Storytime consists of 2-3 stories and a related craft.
6:00 PM – Samantha Hunt – “The Unwritten Book: An Investigation” @ Northshire Manchester
Hunt, the award-winning author of the perennial Northshire staff favorite The Seas, will join us to discuss her first work of nonfiction – a genre-bending creation that explores the importance of books, the idea of haunting, and messages from beyond.
6:30 PM – The Trouble with Kim: On Transcending Despair and Approaching Joy with Seth David Branitz @ Inquiring Mind Bookstore & Cafe, Saugerties
Join us for a unique in-store appearance by Seth David Branitz, a local writer and musician, in which he blends live music and readings from his collection of personal essays, The Trouble With Kim.
7:30 PM – Hudson Valley Writers’ Center Open Mic @ Sleepy Hollow
Featured Poets + open mike for poets, fiction writers, essayists with rotating hosts at the Hudson Valley Writers’ Center.
7:30 PM – Open Mic & Slam @ Cafe Euphoria
A laid-back open mic and fun slam at a cafe founded and run by trans and gender non-conforming folks.
Saturday, July 22
6:00 PM – Airea D. Matthews – “Bread and Circus” @ Northshire Manchester
Yale Young Poets Award Winner and Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate Airea D. Matthews will join us to read poems from her powerful collection of autobiographical poems about the economics of class and its failures for those rendered invisible by it.
7:00 PM – Poets in the Park featuring James Duncan and Natalya Sukhonos @ Washington Park
Poets in the Park is celebrating over 30 years of bringing poetry in July to the Robert Burns statue in Washington Park, Albany, NY.
Sunday, July 23
5:00 PM – Walkin’ with WordXWord #1 aka Sculpture Walk @ The Mount
Wear your walking shoes and follow along as poets offer an exploration of The Mount’s grounds and selected works in the SculptureNow exhibition. Using a sculpture, or multiple sculptures, and/or the natural or built environment – past, present, or future – as prompts, poets are challenged to offer new ways of “seeing” what is before us. Each of the three dates will offer a unique combination of poets and poems. Rain or shine. In the case of rain, Walkin’ with WordXWord will take place in the large event tent on the grounds of The Mount.
Monday, July 24
1:30 PM – Monday Memoir Writing Group (In Person) @ Albany Public Library – Howe Branch
Participate in a group of memoir writers and get feedback on your work. This is a support group for aspiring writers who want to tell their story in creative and engaging ways. Get critiques of your work, find out how to self-publish, or learn about writing from fellow writing enthusiasts! All are welcome!
2:00 PM – With Pen in Hand @ Albany Public Library – Howe Branch
Paul Lamar, College of St Rose professor (retired) and South End writer, leads this popular series of writing workshops. Learn how to express yourself clearly and imaginatively, share your work, and respond to the stories of others. Attend any or all sessions.
3:00 PM – Teen Workshop: So You Want to Write A Novel? @ Hudson Valley Writers Center
Starting a novel can be overwhelming for even the most experienced writers. Through this workshop, teen writers will participate in outlining activities, character explorations, and conversations about plot structure. By the end of the week, writers will leave the workshop with a variety of tools to get them started on a longer project.
7:00 PM – Poetic Vibe @ The Fish Market
Poet, artist, and performer D. Colin hosts the weekly Poetic Vibe series, a dynamic night of poetry and spoken word.
7:00 PM – How I Revise: Nonfiction with Athena Dixon @ Adirondack Center for Writing
Drafting an essay takes creativity, but revising it often requires vision, risk, and guidance. Take your writing to the next level with the help of author Athena Dixon, and get your stories in their best shape before you send them out.
Tuesday, July 25
12:15 PM – FFAPL Tuesday Book Review: “Hickstown from the Heart: A Family Memoir” edited by Antoinette Joyner @ Albany Public Library – Washington Ave. Branch
Please join us for a review of “Hickstown from the Heart: A Family Memoir” edited by Antoinette Joyner, reviewed by Reverend Antonio Booth, MATS, co-pastor, Riverview Baptist Church, Coeymans; & member, UHLS board. The Friends and Foundation of Albany Public Library host regular book reviews, author talks, and special presentations.
2:00 PM – Book Club @ Schenectady Public Library – Woodlawn Branch
Join the Niskayuna book club for a discussion of The Rent Collector by Camron Wright. New book club members are always welcome. Request a copy of the books online or at any SCPL location.
4:00 PM – Crying in the Bathroom: A Memoir: An Author Talk with Erika Sánchez
Join the Bethlehem Library virtually as they chat with award-winning writer Erika Sánchez about her utterly original, moving, and disarmingly funny memoir-in-essays Crying in the Bathroom.
5:30 PM – Book Club @ Schenectady Public Library – Rotterdam Branch
Join the Niskayuna book club for a discussion of The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd. New book club members are always welcome. Request a copy of the books online or at any SCPL location.
6:00 PM – Book Launch: Wendy Chin-Tanner, “King of the Armadillos” @ Oblong Rhinebeck
Celebrate the launch of Wendy Chin-Tanner’s transcendent debut novel about family, love, and belonging.
7:00 PM – Howl Story Slam @ Keene Fire Hall
The Howl Story Slam is a live storytelling competition. Anyone can sign up to tell a story the night of the event. The rules: true stories, no notes, under 5 minutes. Theme: FALLING FOR IT. No tickets needed. Admission is a suggested $10 donation at the door. Your donation supports Adirondack Center for Writing and North Country Public Radio, two nonprofit organizations who believe everyone has a story worthy of being heard.
Wednesday, July 26
2:00 PM – Adult Contemporary Book Discussion @ Troy Public Library – Lansingburgh Branch
Join this afternoon book group as we explore newer adult fiction as chosen by the group. Meets on the last Wednesday of each month. No registration is necessary. July book discussion The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow.
5:45 PM – Writers Group @ Schenectady Public Library – Central Branch
Whether you’ve been doing it forever or just starting out, bring your written words to this volunteer run community group and receive feedback from fellow wordsmiths as time permits.
Did we miss anything? Let us know at info@hvwg.org, and be sure to check out https://hvwg.org to find out more about our vibrant literary and arts community.
