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Over the past year or so, St. Paul has quietly become a hotbed for the local literary scene. It boasts a healthy number of independent bookstores, such as Garrison Keillor (Prairie Home Companion)’s Common Good Books, Micawber’s Books, Midway Used and Rare Books, Sixth Chamber Used Books, and children’s book store the Red Balloon Bookshop; plus monthly literary clubs and readings at a number of other venues. The third Tuesday of every month, the Amsterdam Bar and Hall hosts the long-running Books and Bars (also held monthly in Minneapolis at the Aster Cafe), while the Artists’ Quarter has long been the home of the Soap Boxing poetry slam, every first Monday of the month. Additional events including the Black Dog Cafe’s Lowertown Reading Jam (held on various days throughout the month) and Readings by Writers at the University Club the third Tuesday of the month.

In honor of Mother’s Day, Keillor is joining with fellow authors Patricia Hampl, Shannon Olson and Julie Schumacher on Sunday for a Common Good-sponsored Mother’s Day reading “Honor Thy Mother” at Macaleseter College’s Weyerhaeuser Chapel, which promises “stories about her, secrets told, sins confessed, and a few songs in her favor.” Donations will be collected for the Jeremiah Program for single mothers. (3 pm Sunday, free, Macalester College, 38 S Snelling Avenue, St. Paul.)

Garrison Keillor

St. Paul Literary Clubs

Readings by Writers
What: Hosted by Saint Paul Poet Laureate Caron Connolly, this month’s installment of the Readings by Writers series will feature readings by haron Chmielarz, Matt McConnell, Kim Ode, James Silas Rogers, Dara Sykrin, Francine Marie Tolf, Tracy Youngblom, and the Announcement of the 2012 Everyday Poems for City Sidewalk Contest Winners by Marcus Young.
When: 7 pm, third Thursdays; next meeting: May 15.
Where: The University Club, www.universityclubofstpaul.com

Lowertown Reading Jam
What: Presented by the Saint Paul Almanac, the acclaimed Lowertown Reading Jams celebrate the rich literary history of Minnesota’s capital city. May 23′s edition “Raising Consciousness and Healing Through Words” is curated by Sheronda Orridge and features performances by Akeeylah Watkins, Angel Myatt, Monique Crusoe, Karyssa Jackson, Kashimana, Dianne Moore, and Fanond Burnett.
When: 7 pm, May 23. Upcoming dates: June 11, July 9.
Where: Black Dog Cafe, 308 Prince Street, St. Paul, 651-228-9474, blackdogstpaul.com

Soap Boxing Poetry Slam
What: Presented by the award-winning poetry slam team Soap Boxing, the Poetry Slam competition is open to anyone (18-plus) and features three rounds of poetic battle. Sign up between 7-8 pm. ($5)
When: 8 pm, first Mondays; next bout: June 4.
Where: The Artists’ Quarter, 408 St Peter Street, St. Paul, 651-292-1359, www.artistsquarter.com

Books & Bars
What: An open public book club show. We provide a unique atmosphere for a lively discussion of interesting authors, fun people, good food and drinks. This month’s selection for the Books and Bars Book Club will be Joseph Heller’s classic, Catch-22.
When: 6 pm, third Tuesdays; next meeting: May 15.
Where: Amsterdam Bar & Hall, 6 W 6th Street, St. Paul, 612-285-3112, hwww.amsterdambarandhall.com

Check out this video in which Books & Bars host Jeff Kamin explains the “new” book club:

For more literary events and readings in the Twin Cities, check out Rain Taxi’s comprehensive online calendar.

St. Paul Independent Book Stores
Many of these book stores host regular readings from local authors.

Common Good Books
38 S Snelling Avenue, St. Paul
651-225-8989
www.commongoodbooks.com

Micawber’s Books
2238 Carter Avenue, St. Paul
651-646-5506
www.micawbers.com

The Red Balloon Bookshop
891 Grand Avenue
St. Paul
www.redballoonbookshop.com

Sixth Chamber Used Books
1332 Grand Avenue
St. Paul
651-690-9463
www.sixthchamber.com

Midway Used & Rare Books
1579 University Avenue W
St. Paul
651-644-7605
www.midwaybook.com

DARA MOSKOWITZ GRUMDAHL: DRINK THIS: WINE MADE SIMPLE

@ Common Good Books

Saturday November 28th / 4pm / Free

The Twin Cities’ most treasured food critic, Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl, has been cleverly quipping about local restaurants and foodstuffs since ye olde 1995. Best known as the longtime food journo for City Pages, and more recently for Minnesota Monthly (as well as numerous freelance stints at Bon Appetit, USA Today, Gourmet, and more), Gruhmdahl brings humor and personal insight to what’s often a rather cut and dry, albeit descriptive,  style of journalism. Always one to shuck the pretentious jive that so many other food and wine writers spew forth, it’s no wonder that Grumdahl’s new book, Drink This: Wine Made Simple, is not an over-your-head wine snob’s tome, but rather a vino-appreciation guide for the common man. The goal? Not simply to educate you on the fancy-pants aspects of wine drinking, but to actually give you a helping hand in figuring out what it is you like and why; how to pair your vino with food in the tastiest possible ways; and how to drink great wine without breaking the bank. The writer draws on her own experience as a former wine ignoramus – as well as a current award-winning expert – and fills in the blanks with interviews featuring some of the world’s savviest critics, winemakers and chefs. Today at Common Good Books you’ll be treated to a reading from Ms. Dara herself, who we expect is as charismatic in person as she is in print. Not to mention, wouldn’t this book make a great holiday gift for the foodie on your list?

For more info visit www.commongoodbooks.com

WARM POTS FOR COLD TIMES

@ Raymond Avenue Art Gallery

Opening reception: Saturday Nov 28th / 5-7pm
Runs through December 19th

Meander down to the artsy area near Raymond & University this Saturday to check out Warm Pots for Cold Times, an eclectic exhibit of locally made pottery. Featured artists Lisa Buck and Guillermo Cuellar will be on-hand at this Saturday’s opening reception to chat you up as well – and there’s really nothing better than buying art straight from the charming artist themselves, right? The exhibit runs until December 19th, so there’s plenty of time to pop in to the gallery and possibly do a little artsy local gift-shopping.

For directions to the gallery click HERE.

RICE PARK TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

@ Rice Park

Saturday November 28th / 4pm / Free

Christian and Janey plan on reviewing this for the family section, but I thought, just for good measure, I’d repost my write up from secretsofthecity.com as well — as the Rice Park Tree Lighting Cermony is quite the big deal in our fabulous capital city.

With Turkey Day feasting complete, holiday melee goes into full swing. And what’s more iconic than the twinkly lights in our capital city’s own Rice Park? A glowing centerpiece to Downtown Saint Paul’s historic streets, the Rice Park display features a gigantic tree lit with thousands of energy-efficient LED lights alongside holiday decor and dozens of other glittering trees in the park – fittingly powered by Xcel Energy, of course. To make matters more dazzling, the lights are set to go into a twinkle-frenzy for five minutes each hour. Also kicking off this Saturday is the Wells Fargo Winterskate, just adjacent to the park, where locals are invited to show off their fancy ice-skating footwork through January 31st. Skate rental is a mere $2 per person, free for you and your family if you show your Wells Fargo check card or credit card. Festivities kick off at 4pm and will include a tree-lighting ceremony, skating exhibitions, fireworks and more! Just a few more reasons why we love Saint Paul.

For more info visit www.capitalcitypartnership.com.

651 BONUS: Hit up Rivercentre this weekend as well for Saint Paul’s Wild Winter Wonderland, where you can traipse through a forest of artist-decorated trees and wreaths; a gingerbread house-making competition featuring local chefs; model trains of all shapes and sizes; wooden toy-making workshops for the kiddies; holiday treats galore; and of course, vendors shilling all manners of holiday giftery. Hours are Friday Nov 27 11am-7pm; Sat Nov 28 11am-8pm; Sun Nov 29 11am-5pm. For more information click HERE.

CALL FOR ARTISTS: 2010 INAUGURAL WINTER CARNIVAL ART SHOW

From the Black Dog:

Attention Artists: Envision the St. Paul Winter Carnival and all its fun and frivolity. From Royalty and castles to Torchlight Parades and ice carvings. You are invited to submit 2D art capturing the essence of the St. Paul Winter Carnival. First submission is $15.00 and subsequent entries are $10.00 a piece. Limit of three submissions per artist. Size limited to 5’ in length or width. Submissions are due by December 20th. Accepted submissions will be contacted by December 30th. Show will run from January 4th – 30th at the Black Dog Cafe. Awards will be given for top three entries and People‘s Choice. Opening Reception will be January 8th at 6 pm. Closing reception and awards will be January 29th at 6 pm.

Send submissions in jpg form at 300 dpi to amy@amyclarkart.com. Mail images on disk or submit hard copy to Amy Clark at The AZ Gallery 308 Prince Street, #130 in St. Paul, MN 55101. Regular gallery hours are M-F from 10 to 4.  For further information, please call 651-644-9200.

Note: While we’re on the subject of the Black Dog, keep up to date on their continuously good, arts-related events by clicking HERE.

Stop in this Friday for live music with the Fantastic Merlins, and again on Saturday for tunes from folk-rocker Jimmi Langemo. Click HERE for more info.

Recommended Reading: Garrison Keillor’s ’77 Love Sonnets’

Released earlier this Summer, Keillor’s latest book, 77 Love Sonnets, includes “sonnets of praise, some erotic, some lamentations, some street sonnets and a 12-sonnet cycle of months.” Didn’t think Keillor a poet? Well, think again. The local legend has actually put out a few “good” books of poetry in his time. 77 Love Sonnets captures the signature wit and suave wordsmithery that you’ve come to know and appreciate from Keillor, with a romantic, and of course, comedic twist. A clever gift for your sweetheart, or for yourself, 77 Love Sonnets is a definite hometown collectable.

Stop into Keillor’s own St. Paul bookstore, Common Good Books, and pick up a copy today! For more info on the book click HERE

More of my fave bookstores in St. Paul:

Sixth Chamber

Midway Used Books

Half Price Books

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