June is here, and things are heating up in the regional literary community. Here’s a look at some of the lit events, readings, open mics, and workshops coming up this week.
Thursday, June 1
10:30 AM – Storytime Learn & Play @ Troy Public Library
Join us at the Main Library for your child’s enrichment
7:00 PM – Poetry Reading Featuring Ellen White Rook @ Shambhala Meditation Center of Albany
Join author Ellen White Rook for a reading from her newly released collection of poetry Suspended, which was selected by Cathexis Northwest Press as winner of their Unpublished Author Contest.
Friday, June 2
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.
10:30 PM – Story Time with our Booksellers @ Northshire Saratoga
Join the staff in person in the Northshire Saratoga Springs, NY store for story time where they will share some recent favorite picture books with your little ones.
6:00 PM – Author Brian O’Hare @ Northsire Manchester
The author will discuss his rich collection of coming-of-age stories, a journey into the heart of the American hero myth, from the Friday night football fields of Western Pennsylvania to a battalion of Marines in the Persian Gulf and beyond.
6:30 PM – Calling All Poets Series
CAPS is monthly poetry series with featured poets reading new and selected works followed by an open mic. This month’s featured poets are Eddie Bell, Bertha Rogers, and George Wallace.
Saturday, June 3
12:00 PM – Libby Rose Books Signing @ Market Block Books
Libby Rose signs and discusses her new book, “The Cowbatross and Other Very Real Creatures,” a bestiary & coloring book for all ages. This book has something for everyone – silly pictures; scientifically plausible facts; jokes, puns, portmanteaus, and other wordplay; and of course, very real animals like the cowbatross, the smoth, the narwhallaby, the basshopper, and more.
1:00 PM – Prose Writers Showcase @ Albany Public Library
The Hudson Valley Writers Guild will resume the Prose Writers Showcase featuring writers Richard Matturro, Mary Murphy, and Heather Schwartz.
5:00 PM – Lissa Kiernan Book Launch Party @ The Poetry Barn
Celebrate the launch of Lissa Kiernan’s new book of poetry, “The Whispering Wall.” Free with registration. Celebration to follow.
Sunday, June 4
4:00 PM – An Afternoon with Jessica Cuello, Matt Donovan, and Jennifer Martelli @ Hudson Valley Writers Center
Join us in person at the Hudson Valley Writers Center or live on Zoom as we welcome Jessica Cuello, Matt Donovan, and Jennifer Martelli as they read from their most recent collections. This reading is the launch of our HVWC Summer Reading Series! Masks are encouraged but not required. Tickets are free but donations towards the poets’ honoraria are welcome and appreciated.
Monday, June 5
1:30 PM – Monday Memoir Writing Group (In Person) @ Albany Public Library – Howe Branch
Participate in a group of memoir writers and get feedback
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, June 6
10:30 AM – Story Time at North Albany @ Albany Public Library
Please join us in the Large Meeting Room for stories, fingerplays, songs and rhymes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, and their caregivers.
1:00 PM – New Book Tuesday + Coffee @ Albany Public Library – Pine Hills Branch
On the first Tuesday of each month, visit the Pine Hills Branch and explore their cart of the week’s newest books! The library will also provide coffee to fuel your search for your next read!
6:00 PM – Writers Night Out @ Coolidge Museum Forbes Library
Join the Straw Dog Writers Guild for Writers Night Out with featured writer Shanta Lee Gander at Forbes Library. If you want to participate in Open Mic and read, please sign up by 5:50pm. Ten names will be randomly selected.
7:00 PM – Ephemera Book Launch with Sierra DeMulder @ The Albany Barn
An evening of poetry and performance to celebrate the release of Sierra DeMulder‘s fifth book, “Ephemera,” followed by a Q&A hosted by author Caitlin Conlon.
Wednesday, June 7
7:00 PM – Caffe Lena Poetry Night Featuring Jeffrey Stubits
The first Wednesday of every month is Poetry Night at Caffe Lena, hosted by Carol Graser, with an open mic reading and a featured poet.
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.
