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 4
1:00 PM – Women & The Arts @ Albany Public Library – Howe Branch
The Women & the Arts group at Howe branch of Albany Public Library welcomes Therese Broderick as their guest speaker on Thursday, April 4.
6:00 PM – Owen King – “The Curator” – with Charles Soule @ Northshire Saratoga
New York Times bestselling author Owen King will visit our Saratoga store to discuss his “richly imagined” (The New York Times) Dickensian fantasy of illusion and charm where cats are revered as religious figures, thieves are noble, scholars are revolutionaries, and conjurers are the most wonderful criminals you can imagine with fellow author Charles Soule.
7:00 PM – A Galère of Poetic Autopsies @ Park Theater
Expect the unexpected as poets, writers, and other creatives from the Hudson area and beyond reveal the inspiration and shadows behind their work. April’s readers: Rebecca R. Borrer, Jenniffer Claroscura, and David Lawton.
7:00 PM – Poetry Night @ Noble Coffee Roasters, Campbell Hall
Monthly poetry open mic hosted by Robert Milby. This month’s featured poet is Bill Seaton.
Friday, April 5
6:00 PM – Eric Rickstad – “Lilith” @ Northshire Manchester
Internationally bestselling and local author Eric Rickstad will join us to celebrate the release of his latest work Lilith, an incendiary powerhouse of a novel that strikes straight at the wounded heart of America.
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 Mary Makofske, Mark Fogarty, and Prince McNally
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 6
8:00 AM – WriteAngles Conference @ Northampton Center for the Arts
Straw Dog Writers Guild and our literary partners around western MA are re-imagining the WriteAngles Writers Conference, a local gem for over 30 years. Please save the date, April 6, 2024, for this day-long gathering of writers.
1:00 PM – The Hudson River Poets @ The Wherehouse
Monthly poetry open mic hosted by Hayden Wayne in Newburgh, NY
1:00 PM – Book Signing with Maxwell Eaton III @ The Bookstore Plus
The Bookstore Plus is excited to host local author and illustrator, Maxwell Eaton III, for a book signing event on Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 1 PM – 3 PM at The Bookstore Plus to celebrate the second book in the Survival Scout series, “Survival Scout: Tsunami”.
2:00 PM – Local Author Spotlight Multi-book Signing @ Northshire Manchester
Six local authors will join us in our Manchester store to autograph copies of their books. Please note that this will be a signing only, there will not be a seated author presentation.
3:00 PM – Susan Oringel Reads From “Carnevale” @ The Book House
Susan Oringel, a local writer and psychologist, will be reading from her first full-length book of poetry, Carnevale, at the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza.
5:30 PM – Open Mic @ Ana Bandeira Chocolates
Bring 5 minutes of poetry or prose to the Straw Dog Writers Guild Open Mic after the WriteAngles conference. Enjoy great coffee and chocolate. SDWG member & former Fellow Regine Jackson will be emcee.
Monday, April 8
6:30 PM – Poetry Circle Schenectady @ Congregation Gates of Heaven
Poetry Circle Schenectady, now in its second year, has moved to Congregation Gates of Heaven’s library. A seated “open mic,” we share and reflect one poem at a time. No fee. Bring snacks or dinner.
8:00 PM – Invocation @ The Eleven at Lark Hall
Albany’s monthly open mic for poetry and spoken word, hosted by R.M. Engelhardt and Samuel Maurice. Open to all poets, all styles. Sponsored by Dead Man’s Press Ink.
Tuesday, April 9
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).
6:30 PM – An Evening of Native American Poetry @ Saratoga Springs Public Library
Come out and celebrate National Poetry Month! Saratoga Springs Poet Laureate Joe Bruchac will read and perform, followed by poet Lance Henson.
6:30 PM – Mary Makofske and Donna Reis @ Chester Public Library
In celebration of National Poetry Month, poets Mary Makofske and Donna Reis share their work in Chester, NY
7:00 PM – 2nd Tuesday Open Mic
All-genre open mic out of Bennington hosted by Charlie Rossiter.
7:00 PM – Poets Creating Conversation @ Unitarian Universalist Church, Pittsfield
Not for the faint of heart, Poets Creating Conversation throws out a single word and asks poets to respond. The results defy expectations! The prompt is EDGE. Admission is free.
7:00 PM – Book Launch: Anne Lamott, “Somehow: Thoughts on Love” – in conversation with Elizabeth Lesser. @ The Bardavon
“Love is our only hope,” Anne Lamott writes in this perceptive new book. “It is not always the easiest choice, but it is always the right one, the noble path, the way home to safety, no matter how bleak the future looks.”
Wednesday, April 10
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.
5:30 PM – Poetry Reading with Ivy Raff, Barbara Ungar and Andrew Weatherhead @ Northshire Saratoga
Three poets will join us to read poems from their latest collections: Ivy Raff -”Rooted and Reduced to Dust,” Barbara Ungar – “After Naming the Animals,” and Andrew Weatherhead – “Fudge.”
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 – Howard Horowitz and Harvey Greenwald @ The Book Nook
Poets Howard Horowitz and Harvey Greenwald will share their work in Warwick, NY
6:00 PM – Open Mic Night @ Castleton Public Library
Musicians & poets – come share your talents! If your instrument requires an amplifier, please bring one with you. All ages welcome to perform and to watch.
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.
7:30 PM – Writers Mic
Writers near and far are welcome to join host Jackie Craven for a lively monthly open mic.
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.
