Another great lineup of literary events in the region as we settle into the first full week of October. Here’s a quick look at the book discussions, readings, open mics, and workshops coming up.
Thursday, October 5
6:00 PM – Caffè Lena Presents 60 Years of Banned Books @ Caffe Lena
Caffè Lena and the Saratoga Springs Public Library come together to celebrate Banned Books Week with a night of music and reading from books that have been banned or challenged throughout the last 60 years.
6:00 PM – Lâle Davidson – “Beyond Sight” & M.G. Bell – “The Cursed Towns of Jericho” @ Nothshire Saratoga
Two authors will visit our Saratoga store to celebrate their latest tales of the supernatural. In “Beyond Sight,” Julie Syke must unlock her long-repressed supernatural abilities to save her best friend. “The Cursed Towns of Jericho” brings readers to a fantastical untamed world where ancient magic and dark intentions collide in the necromantic Wild West.
7:00 PM – Poetry Night @ Noble Coffe Roasters
Monthly open mic in Campbell Hall, NY, hosted by Hayden Wayne. This month’s featured poet is Robert Milby.
Friday, October 6
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’s. No registration required. Storytime consists of 2-3 stories and a related craft.
6:00 PM – Friday Night Talks @ Adirondack Center for Writing
ACW’s Meet reporter and author, Tim Rowland (Jay, NY) to learn about his new series reporting on the regional housing crisis for the Adirondack Explorer. Tim will answer audience questions and share stories about his experiences reporting, writing, and finding an audience for his work.
6:00 PM – Wanda Fischer – “A Few Bumps” @ The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza
Wanda Fischer will sign and discuss her new book, “A Few Bumps.”
6:30 PM – 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 Kate Hymes, Harvey Soss, and Maria Lisella.
7:30 – 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, October 7
10:00 AM – Banned Book Giveaway @ Saratoga Springs Public Library
While celebrating Banned Books Week, the SSPL is giving away copies of books that have been challenged and/or banned because they address sexuality, race, gender, and other controversial topics.
1:00 PM – Deb Manikas – “Fishing with Grandpa” @ The Open Door Bookstore
Deb Manikas will be signing Fishing with Grandpa. Deb Manikas is a retired educator having taught sixth grade reading and was also a middle school principal.
3:00 PM – As to Water: A Poetry Reading and Collaboration with Artist Audra Wolowiec @ Newburgh Waterfront
STRONGROOM is pleased to present As To Water, a poetry reading and collaboration between Elena Alexander, Jiwon Choi, Jon Curley, and Edwin Torres, and visual/conceptual artist Audra Wolowiec.
3:00 PM – Kathleen Smith – “Let the Stone Grow Soft” @ The Books House of Stuyvesant Plaza
Kathleen Smith will sign and discuss her new book. “Let the Stones Grow Soft” explores the journey from the wilderness of childhood through the wounds and wonders of love, family, and more. Kathleen Anne Smith writes with a clear, lyrical voice that brings beauty and insight to troubled times.
5:00 PM – Richard Loranger Reading + Open Mic @ Woodstock Shivastan Poetry Ashram Bookshop
It’s a community garden poetry party with the featured reader Richard Loranger, bonfire, open mic sharing circle, & a vegetarian potluck.
Sunday, October 8
10:00 AM – Second Draft Sunday @ The Poetry Barn
Members, drop in each second Sunday of the month for a peer-critique workshop. Enjoy coffee, tea, and conversation.
2:00 PM – 2nd Sunday @ 2 – Poetry + Prose @ Collar City Mushrooms
The 2nd Sunday @ 2 open mic for poetry and prose is in its 11th year, supporting emerging, published and writers in-between.
Monday, October 9
1:30 PM – Howe Monday Memoir Writing Group @ Albany Public Library – Howe Branch
Participate in a group of memoir writers and get feedback.
2:00 PM – With Pen in Hand @ Albany Public Library
Learn how to express yourself clearly and imaginatively, share your work, and respond to the stories of others. Attend any or all sessions. Facilitated by Misty Yarnall. This event is virtual and held through Zoom. Please register with your email address to recieve the Zoom invite.
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.
Tuesday, October 10
12:00 PM – Friend Book Talk @ Albany Public Library – Washington Ave. Branch
Gene Damm, former journalist & current board member, FFAPL presents “The Land of Hope and Fear: Israel’s Battle for Its Inner Soul” by Isabel Kershner.
12:30 PM – Memories to Memoirs @ Halfmoon Senior Center
A writing workshop for adults who would like a gentle, supportive atmosphere and thought-provoking assignments. Participants can request editorial suggestions to improve their writing. Stories submitted at the end of the workshop are bound into a booklet and added to the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library’s book collection and can be checked out.
1:00 PM – Book Club @ Schenectady Public Library – Scotia Branch
Join the Scotia branch for a discussion of “This Tender Land” by William Kent Kreuger. New book club members are always welcome. Request a copy of the books online or at any SCPL location.
1:00 PM – Book Club @ Schenectady Public Library – Central Branch
Join the Central branch for a discussion of “The Five Wounds” by Kristin Valdez Quade. New book club members are always welcome. Request a copy of the books online or at any SCPL location.
4:00 PM – Virtual Author Talk with Rick Steves, author of “Europe Through the Back Door”
Join guidebook author and TV host Rick Steves as he shares the latest in smart European travel. In this entertaining, information-packed slideshow lecture, Rick will teach you the secrets of safe, smart, inexpensive travel — low on stress and high on fun.
5:00 PM – Teen Writing Club @ Schenectady Public Library – Central Branch
Kids in grades 6-12 that love to write are invited to join. We usually pick a writing prompt, do some writing, and then share; but sharing is not mandatory. We are very welcoming to new members. This club meeting will be held in person and virtually. A meeting link for remote participants will be sent a day before the event. Snacks will be served.
5:30 PM – Autumn (W)rites: A Poetry Reading @ The Ston Dock Cafe & Golf Course
Poets Tina Barry, Cathy Arra, Lissa Kiernan, and Lisa St. John share their work in High Falls, NY.
7:00 PM – 2nd Tuesday Open Mic
All-genre open mic out of Bennington hosted by Charlie Rossiter on Zoom.
Wednesday, October 11
1:00 PM – Writing Basics @ Albany Public Library – Howe Branch
Writing class for adults looking for structure improving their craft. This is a creative writing class for those who need a springboard to writing poetry and prose, and will focus on memoir. Taught by Christine Zacher, former Sage professor.
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.No registration required. Ages 18+
6:30 PM – Empowered by Poetry @ Hart Cluett Museum
Empowered by Poetry is a new open mic for poetry and spoken word in Troy sponsored by The Arts Center of the Capital Region.
6:45 PM – Fiction Book Discussion @ Voorheesville Public Library
“Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderer’s” by Jess Q. Sutanto. This program is subsidized by the Friends of the Library. A limited number of copies will be available in print for $5.00. There will also be library copies and digital formats available. Please Register.
7:00 PM – A Writing Workshop for Everyone: “Making Sense of the Sensorial” with Suzanne Rancourt @ Adirondack Center for Writing
Using a combination of Expressive Arts and Amherst Writers & Artists methods, author Suzanne Rancourt will dive deep into current metaphor practices that engage readers with the Natural World. Participants will learn refreshing strategies to awaken our senses and hone our craft. Simple, experiential, and human. All skill levels and genres welcomed.
7:00 PM – Straw Dog Writes Online Weekly Meetup
Each Wednesday at 7 pm, whenever there is not another scheduled Straw Dog event, any Straw Dog Writers Guild members who would like to spend some time writing together can join a Zoom session.
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.
