This week, we have another great lineup of literary events in the region. Here’s a quick look at the upcoming book discussions, readings, open mics, and workshops.
Thursday, April 18
1:00 PM – Women’s Issues and the Arts @ Albany Public Library – Howe Branch
“Women’s Issues and the Arts” discusses women’s issues and the methods through which writers and artists have dealt with the societal challenges facing women.
1:30 PM – Afternoon of Poetry with the Poetry Caravan of Columbia County @ Chatham Public Library
Join the Poetry Caravan of Columbia County and your neighbors and friends at the Chatham Public Library for an open-mic style poetry event.
2:00 PM – Novels After Noon Book Group @ Albany Public Library – Bach Branch
Cozy up with a cup of tea while you discuss notable literary titles in the Bach branch of the Albany Public Library’s newest book club, “Novels After Noon.” They will explore a variety of genres including memoirs, historical fiction, mysteries, and more!
4:30 PM – Writer and Poet Julia Alvarez @ University at Albany
Julia Alvarez is one of America’s most acclaimed and best-loved fiction writers and poets. Her magical new novel, “The Cemetery of Untold Stories,” explores what happens to stories that are left unfinished.
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… This month’s featured poet is Margaret R. Sáraco.
7:00 PM – On Making A Poem @ Rensselaerville Library
Tom Corrado will discuss making a poem by reading and talking about poems by John Ashbery, Louise Gluck, Frank O’Hara, and Mary Oliver.
7:30 PM – Third Thursday Poetry Night featuring Alan Casline @ Social Justice Center
Local poet Alan Casline will read from his work at the Social Justice Center with an open mic for community poets.
Friday, April 19
7:00 PM – Tracy K. Smith: “22nd Poet Laureate of United States and Pulitzer Prize Winner” @ EMPAC
Tracy K. Smith is an award-winning poet, memoirist, editor, translator, and opera librettist. She received the Pulitzer Prize for her 2011 poetry collection, Life on Mars, an elegy for her father, a scientist who worked on the Hubble Space Telescope. Her memoir, Ordinary Light, was a finalist for the 2015 National Book Award for Nonfiction.
7:30 PM – Open Mic @ Hudson Valley Writers’ Center
Featured Poets + open mike for poets, fiction writers, essayists with rotating hosts in Sleepy Hollow, NY.
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, April 20
10:00 AM – Writing Workshop with Katrinka Moore: Writing Poems of Place @ W. Whitman Books
A poem of place may be about your present home in this present time, or it may look to the past or the future. It may be set where you once lived, somewhere you’ve visited, or anywhere you imagine.
11:15 AM – Write-in Workshop: Awakening the Muse @ East Greenbush Community Library
At the next meeting of the Upper Hudson Chapter of Sisters in Crime, held at the East Greenbush Community Library and online, author and instructor Ellen Higgins, Ph.D, will lead a write-in.
12:00 PM – Outliers Poetry with Carol Durant @ Eden Cafe
Come join us for an afternoon of captivating poetry with the talented Carol Durant and friends at Eden Cafe.
12:00 PM – 2024 Lake George Fantasy Festival @ The Barn at French Mountain
The annual Lake George Fantasy Festival is a celebration of all genres of imagination, for all ages coinciding with a great vendor village, games, activities, music, frisbee golf and more.
1:00 PM – Writers in the Mountains: Fiction Writing with Thaddeus Rutowski
Writers in the Mountains (WIM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the literary arts in the Catskill Mountains (Upstate New York) and beyond. The organization serves a diverse community of writers and readers, from native-born residents to the summer visitors who migrate to the region from all over the world.
Sunday, April 21
1:00 PM – Favorite Poem Project 2024 @ Conkling Hall
The Rensselaerville Library and Conkling Hall invite you to a celebration of poetry and community at our 19th annual Favorite Poem Project!
1:30 PM – Create a Word Sculpture Workshop with Ellen White Rook @ Albany Public Library – Bach Branch
Following the guidelines of Beat poet Michael McClure, workshop participants will choose 100 words that represent their personal universe–past, present, and future.
Tuesday, April 23
5:00 PM – Teen Writing Club @ Schenectady County Public Library – Scotia Branch Library
Budding authors are invited to meet for snacks, fun writing prompts, and sharing our work (although sharing is optional).
Wednesday, April 24
12:30 PM – Midday Write Ins @ Mochalisa’s Caffe
Midday Write Ins are a free, shared space to write. No fee, no minimum, no programming. Just a free space to write alongside other writers.
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.
7:00 PM – Straw Dog Writes Weekly Writers Meet Up
Straw Dog Writers Guild members who would like to spend some time writing together can join a Zoom session. We will spend 15 minutes on introductions, a 45 minute writing session, have a 15 minute discussion, then write for a second 45 minute period of time.
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.
