The sun is out, and there’s a lot to do in the regional literary community. Here’s a look at some of the events, book discussions, readings, open mics, and workshops coming up this week.
Thursday, July 6
10:30 AM – Book Club @ Schenectady Public Library – Glenville Branch
Join the Glenville Book Club for a discussion of The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson. New book club members are always welcome. Request a copy of the books online or at any SCPL location.
6:00 PM – Shorts Out Loud @ Troy Public Library – Lansingburgh Branch
Join the library for the second session of our annual Shorts Out Loud series! This special program is one that the library hosts each year. Each evening consists of 30 minutes of live music followed by 30 minutes of poetry or short stories read aloud. The featured reader for the evening is Rain Whittaker, a Columbia county resident, artist, and poet.
7:00 PM – Poetry Night @ Noble Coffee Roasters
Monthly open mic in Cambell Hall, NY, hosted by Robert Milby. This month’s featured poet is Howard Horowitz
7:30 PM – Howl Story Slam @ Fulton Chain Craft Brewery
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
Friday, July 7
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.
5:00 PM – Danny Freeman Signs and Discusses “Danny Loves Pasta” @ The Book House
In his first-ever cookbook, Danny Loves Pasta, Danny teaches home cooks everywhere how to make their own colorful and creative fresh pasta, unlike anything you can find at the store.
6:00 PM – Friday Night Writes with Elizabeth Izzo @ Adirondack Center for Writing
Meet Elizabeth Izzo, managing editor of the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, the only daily newspaper published in the North Country. Izzo recently earned a 2022 New York News Publishers Association award for Distinguished Editorial writing.
6:00 PM – Ralph White – “Getting Out of Saigon” @ Northshire Manchester
The author will share the remarkable true story of his efforts to save the entire staff of the Saigon branch of Chase Manhattan bank and their families before the city fell to the North Vietnamese Army.
6:30 – Calling All Poets Series
CAPS is monthly poetry series with featured poets reading new and selected works. A two poem open mic follows. This month’s featured poets are Amy Barone, Lissa Keinan, Yuyutsu Sharma, and Don Kreiger.
Saturday, July 8
1:00 PM – Seven Branches Book Talk Series: Author Karin Lin-Greenberg @ Albany Public Library – Pine Hills Branch
Join author Karin Lin-Greenberg (You Are Here, 2023) as we launch the Friends and Foundation of Albany Public Library’s brand new “Seven Branches Book Talk Series.”
2:00 PM – Woodstock Poetry Society @ Woodstock Library
Poets Kateri Kosek and Raphael Kosek will be featured followed by an open mike when the Woodstock Poetry Society meets in-person at the Woodstock Library and virtually via Zoom and Facebook.
Sunday, July 9
2:00 PM – 2nd Sunday at 2 – Poetry + Prose @ Collar City Mushrooms
The 2nd Sunday @ 2 open mic for poetry and prose supports emerging, published and writers in-between.
Monday, July 10
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.
6:00 PM – Story Time for Grownups @ Bethlehem Public Library
If you like The Moth Radio Hour or Selected Shorts, you just might like our Story Time for Grownups. Join us for a relaxing hour of short stories, essays, poetry or excerpts while you unwind with some coloring pages.
6:30 PM – Poetry Circle Open Mic @ Moon and River Cafe
Poetry Circle is an intimate, interactive poetry and spoken-word open mic evening in which participants are invited to reflect on readings.
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.
Tuesday, July 11
11:00 AM – Better Off Read @ Saratoga Public Library
Better Off Read meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 11:00 in the Glasby Room or the Susman Room of the library. “Migrations” by Charlotte McConaghy (Science Fiction). Copies of each selection may be placed on hold or borrowed through the library. Visit the Information Desk for assistance.
12:15 PM – FFAPL Tuesday Book Review: “Black, Blind, & In Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity” by David Paterson @ Albany Public Library
A review of “Black, Blind, & In Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity” by David Paterson, reviewed by Hon. Corey L. Ellis, president, Albany Common Council. The Friends and Foundation of Albany Public Library host regular book reviews, author talks, and special presentations.
1:00 PM – Book Club @ Schenectady Public Library – Scotia Branch
Join a discussion of “Verity” by Colleen Hoover. New book club members are always welcome. Request a copy of the books online or at any SCPL location.
2:00 PM – Book Club @ Schenectady Public Library – Central Branch
Join a discussion of “The Four Winds” by Kristin Hannah. New book club members are always welcome. Request a copy of the books online or at any SCPL location.
6:00 PM – Haiku Highway @ Troy Public Library – Main Branch
A workshop in the practice and history of haiku poetry guided by local haiku poet John Stevenson.
6:00 PM – Mysteries & More Book Group @ Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library
“Blood Grove” by Walter Mosley is a crackling, moody, and thrilling race through a California of hippies and tycoons, radicals and sociopaths, cops and grifters, both men and women. Easy will need the help of his friends—from the genius Jackson Blue to the dangerous Mouse Alexander, Fearless Jones, and Christmas Black—to make sense of a case that reveals the darkest impulses humans harbor.
7:00 PM – 2nd Tuesday Open Mic
All-genre open mic out of Bennington hosted by Charlie Rossiter.
7:00 PM – Writers Night Out @ Forbes Library
Join the Straw Dog Writers Guild for Writers Night Out with featured writer Anne Pinkerton at Forbes Library. NOTE the date change due to the July 4 holiday. No registration required. If you want to participate in Open Mic and read, please sign up by 5:50pm. Ten names will be randomly selected. Each reader will have five minutes. The second half of the evening showcases our Featured Reader.
Wednesday, July 12
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.
6:00 PM – Paul Doiron – “Dead Man’s Wake” @ Northshire Saratoga
Edgar Award-winning author and Northshire staff and customer favorite Paul Doiron will return to Saratoga by popular demand to celebrate his fourteenth Mike Bowditch mystery.
7:30 PM – Writers Mic
Writers near and far are welcome to join host Jackie Craven for a lively monthly open mic.
7:30 PM – Front Parlor Storytelling @ Lucas Confectionery
Storytelling open mic hosted by Julia Cadieux. This month’s theme is revenge.
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.
