News

Upcoming Almanac readings; R.I.P. Eyedea; Giant Halloween puppets; New poetry and writing; and…a bed spring fire escape?

Well, we’re back, with more events and literature from the capital of Minnesota Nice, Saint Paul. The Almanac is looking for your best “Minnesota Nice story”. We’ll send the winner either a copy of the 2011 Almanac and/or a T-shirt and we’ll send the runner-up whatever the winner didn’t want. The Saint Paul Almanac’s Celebration through Stories readings are ongoing until early December in coffee shops around the city. And more, in the third edition of our blog.

October 11, 2010 Lowertown Reading Jam: Deborah Torraine presents “Exploring ‘The Sacred'”

The first of a brand new series of Saint Paul Almanac Lowertown Reading Jams takes place on Monday, October 11th, from 7:00-8:30pm at the Black Dog Cafe. Curated by Deborah Torraine, the theme of this reading jam is “The Sacred.” Deborah says that when she reads the word “sacred,” she stops to re-read it again because at first glance it looks like the word “scared.” Also reading will be Dara Beevas, Natalie Delgado, Q, Nimo Farah, Shane Hawley, Sheronda Orridge and Mickey Rich.

Stories/Events/News: Deborah Torraine; Twin Cities Black Film Festival; ZooBoo; Taste of Minnesota troubles?

Welcome to the second edition of the Pig’s Eye Post, the Saint Paul Almanac weekly blog. For those of you who think our blog name is some cute and folksy Midwestern farm thing that we thought up while milking Bessie a couple of mornings ago, let us tell you that—you betcha—we’re going to shock the lint off your socks! Also in this edition: Upcoming Almanac Events, Also Happening this Week in the City, New Almanac writing, Saint Paul Facts and, of course, some shameless begging.

Our first blog entry: Welcome to the Pig’s Eye Post!

It has been a busy end of summer for the Almanac! In August we launched our new website, with the most comprehensive City Guide to St. Paul available anywhere on the Internet. In September we held a glorious launch celebration for the 2011 Saint Paul Almanac at a packed event in Lowertown that included readings by a host of contributors from all corners of the city—even the mayor! And this month we launch our new blog, Pig’s Eye Post!

September 16th: Arcata Press to celebrate release of 2011 Saint Paul Almanac

Now in its fifth year, the Saint Paul Almanac again offers its eclectic and quirky mix of essays, history, reviews, photography and poetry about all things Saint Paul, written by the people who know and love the city best. On Thursday, September 16, at 6 p.m., contributors, editors and fans will come together to celebrate the launch of the 2011 Saint Paul Almanac at its annual Celebration through Stories.

Arcata Press launches new Saint Paul Almanac website

Arcata Press announces the launch of its new website designed to turn learning about the people, places, history and “things we love” in Saint Paul into a time-saving, valuable experience for its online visitors and residents. The new site encourages people to become interactively involved with poets, authors and illustrators, restaurants and bars, museums and galleries, parks, libraries and all of the city’s cultural venues—all linked from a brand-new website at www.saintpaulalmanac-staging.bicycletheory.net

July 5th, 2010: Melvin Giles presents “Nurturing the Soil of the Soul”

The Saint Paul Almanac presents an evening of “Nurturing the Soil of the Soul: Intentional Acts of Kindness and Peace Are the Seeds of Liberation and Peace,” the season finale of the Saint Paul Almanac’s Lowertown Reading Jam series. Hosted by Melvin Giles, the evening includes readings and expressions from the godmother of peace, Ms. Bertha Givins; KFAI radio show co-host Andy Driscoll of Truth to Tell; spoken word artist Tish Jones, executive and artistic director of TruArtSpeaks; Yer Kong of Paj Ntuab Voice; community activist and urban farmer, Metric Giles I; and performing artists of Saint Paul Central’s Synergy.

June 7th, 2010 Lowertown Reading Jam: Tish Jones introduces the Minnesota Quest Youth Slam Team

The Saint Paul Almanac continues its year-round literary celebration of Minnesota’s capital city with a provocative and inspiring spoken word performance by the Minnesota Quest Youth Slam Team. The Minnesota Quest Youth Slam Team is a talented group of multi-cultural poets, writers and performers from urban Minnesota high schools who give voice to an art form that honors and brings forward the stories, experiences, dreams, convictions and perspectives often silenced by the dominant culture.

May 3rd, 2010 Lowertown Reading Jam: “Celebrating Local Cultural Workers” with Deborah Torraine

Hosted by Deborah A. Torraine, the Lowertown Reading Jam takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Black Dog Café, 308 Prince Street. Joining Torraine for a lively and inspiring event will be local writers, poets, storytellers, playwrights, a gospel singer and spoken word artists, including Louis Alemayehu, Lisa Brimmer, Claire DeCoster, Lenora Harris, Lynette Harris, Michael Haynes, Q and Leonard Wilkes.

April 5th, 2010 Lowertown Reading Jam: Desdemona presents “Poetry & Activism” with award-winning artists & poets

The April 5th Lowertown Reading Jam, curated by internationally acclaimed artist, Desdamona, will also feature performances by Reggie Harris, Tish Jones and Ibé. The Almanac has been hosting the monthly Reading Jams since October 2009, and they have been steadily gaining in popularity as excited audiences spread the word about their powerful shared experiences. The Jams provide an opportunity to explore and bridge the cultural and social breadth of Saint Paul throughout the year as stories are both given and received.

Mar 1st, 2010 Lowertown Reading Jam: Saint Paul Poet Laureate Carol Connolly presents a Quintet of Irish Poets

In anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day, five local Irish-American writers will be reading in a popular monthly event sponsored by The Saint Paul Almanac and curated this month by Saint Paul Poet Laureate, Carol Connolly. Presented Monday, March 1, 2010 at the Blackdog Coffee and Wine Bar in Lowertown, Connolly brings together a quintet of acclaimed Irish Poets to read from new and selected works. Joining Carol for the reading will be Kevin Fitzpatrick, Ethna McKiernan, Tim Nolan, and Mary Kay Rummel.

Feb 1st, 2010 Lowertown Reading Jam: Tou SaiKo Lee presents “Hmong Male Writers take the Mic”

The Saint Paul Almanac continues its year-round literary celebration of the capital city with an entertaining and thought-provoking schedule of free author events throughout February. The events kick off with the Monday, February 1, Lowertown Reading Jam from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Black Dog Cafe, 308 Prince Street, by the Farmers’ Market in Saint Paul’s Lowertown. Hosted and produced by Tou SaiKo Lee, this month’s Reading Jam features the voices of more than a dozen local Hmong men.