News

Your story wanted for the 2013 Almanac — Deadline: December 15th, 2011

What is YOUR Saint Paul? The Saint Paul Almanac wants to know! The Saint Paul Almanac is a people’s meeting space for sharing the life of our city—a literary campfire around which our vibrant community gathers to share a unique mixture of stories, history, events and art. Come join our celebration of Saint Paul!

OCT 23: Our Sweet Potato Sister: Celebrating the life and writings of Deb Torraine

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23TH from 6:30-8:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.), SteppingStone Theater, 55 Victoria Street North, St. Paul, MN 55104. It’s a free *event. Spread the word to people you know who knew Deb! *Donations accepted for the Deb Torraine Scholarship Fund for young adults. Please join us to celebrate all things Deb! A colorful and entertaining mosaic of what speaks, sings, delights in all thing… Deb! An evening of short stories, poetry, and spiritual muse set to music, dance and visual reflections of all things… Deb! She would say… “People got to Eat.” So food and refreshments above all things… Deb! Dessert potluck follows the event! We’re making sweet potato pie and stuff. You make whatever you love. And bring it.

Nov 14th, 2011: Lowertown Reading Jam: J. Otis Powell! presents “Duende and the Sound of Soul”

The Saint Paul Almanac is pleased to announce the first of its 2011-2012 series of acclaimed Lowertown Reading Jams, celebrating the rich literary history of Minnesota’s capital city. The November 14th presentation of the eclectic series, curated by J. Otis Powell, features readings by eight spoken word performers living in Minnesota—Louis Alemayehu, e.g. bailey, Andrea Jenkins, Tom Kanthak, Leah Nelson, Alexs Pate, Katherine Pehrson and J. Otis Powell. The “Duende and the Sound of Sound” Lowertown Reading Jam will be presented on Monday, November 14th, 2011 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar, 308 Prince Street in Saint Paul. The Jams will continue on the second Monday of each month through July.

Saint Paul Almanac Readings, coming to a coffee bar near you…

The Saint Paul Almanac Readings series takes place from September to November, in coffee bars around the city, featuring writers who were published in the 2012 Saint Paul Almanac reading their poems and stories. Venues include Ginkgo Coffeehouse, Fresh Grounds, Polly’s Coffee Cove, Cahoots Coffee Bar, Common Good Books, Grumpy Steve’s, Mad Hatter Coffee Cafe and Teahouse, The EDGE Coffee House, Jerabek’s New Bohemian Coffeehouse and Bakery, Amore Coffee, and Groundswell Coffee.

2012 Almanac book release events in September: Fundraiser (8th) & Party (15th)

FUNDRAISER: Thursday, Sept. 8, 6:30-8 p.m., AZ Gallery, 308 Prince Street, Lowertown. Readers: Poet Laureate Carol Connolly, Nimo Farah, Kofi Bobby Hickman and Patrick Coleman. Free book, hors d’oeuvres, wine. Help build our literary campfire! Suggested contributions: Match $50, Log $100, Flame $250, Smore $500. BOOK RELEASE PARTY: Thursday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m. at Black Dog Cafe, Clouds in Water Zen Center, and AZ Gallery, 308 Prince Street, Lowertown. Free. Readers: Poet Laureate Carol Connolly, Kofi Bobby Hickman, Patrick Coleman with Molly Culligan, Michael Teffera, Saymoukda Vongsa, Sharon M. Day, and Louis Alemayehu.

2012 edition of Saint Paul Almanac to launch in September

This September will see the launch of the 2012 Saint Paul Almanac—the well-seasoned sixth edition of the indispensable guide book to Minnesota’s capital city and Saint Paul’s unique and eclectic community storytelling hub of record! This year, the 416-page, 180+ photo 2012 Saint Paul Almanac is available in full color for the first time and—another first—includes gorgeous, hand-drawn, poster-size, pull-out maps of Saint Paul! An experiment in democratic publishing, the 2012 Almanac brought together a multigenerational team of 18 volunteer community editors to blind select from 400 submissions the 129 stories, poems, and recipes chosen to appear in the coming edition.

July 11th, 2011 Lowertown Reading Jam: Tata Diego Slams Again!

Diego Vázquez Jr., the founder of SlamMN, will host a slam competition for the first time in ten years on Monday, July 11, 2011 as the final Lowertown Reading Jam of the 2010–2011 season. Join friends and fans of the Saint Paul Almanac from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Black Dog Café, 308 Prince Street (across the street from the Saint Paul Farmers’ Market), and slam in any genre with Poetry Slam rules (3-minute limit per round). Open to the first 15 slammers to sign up at the door (sign-up sheet opens at 7:00 p.m.). First Prize $150; Second Prize $75; Third Prize $50; and of course – all slammers receive applause and recognition!

From the Saint Paul Almanac: Remembering Deborah Torraine

It is with tremendous sadness that we inform you that Deborah Torraine died last Friday night at United Hospital during emergency heart surgery. Deborah had volunteered for the Saint Paul Almanac as a community editor, hosted slams and reading events, authored short stories for publication and, in March 2011, took on a new role as Director of Community Engagement. Deborah will be dearly missed. She was an incredible force for good in the world.

June 13th, 2011 Lowertown Reading Jam: Melvin Giles presents “Sowing the Seeds of Peace”

The Saint Paul Almanac continues its year-round literary celebration of Minnesota’s capital city with the acclaimed Lowertown Reading Jams. On Monday, June 13, the Jam will be hosted and curated by urban farmer and peace activist, Melvin Giles. Centered around themes of gardening, feeding the hungry, peace and social justice, the evening, entitled “Sowing the Seeds of Peace,” will feature readings and spoken word performances by several community members from throughout the Twin Cities. This penultimate Reading Jam of the 2010-2011 season takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Black Dog Café, 308 Prince Street, located across the street from the Saint Paul Farmer’s Market.

Pig’s Eye Post Spring Edition: Things to do Outside | New and Closing Exhibits

Although the Saint Paul Almanac publishes only yearly, the organization stays active between issues by maintaining its interactive website and putting together cool events, like the Lowertown Reading Jams. Each month, the happening is hosted by a different author of note, who is joined by other up-and-coming artists…. Authors scheduled in coming months include Melvin Giles (June 13) and Diego Vázquez Jr. (July 11). Also: Things To Do Outside… See the city from a fresh perspective or enjoy the City’s free May-August “Music in the Parks” series. Brand New Exhibit: “Underwear: A Brief History”. Last Chance Exhibit: Last month of spectacular woodturning pieces.