Hello again, Nashville literary lovers. When it comes to events, we have plenty to be thankful for this November.
Patti Smith
The biggest out-of-towner name splash will be made by the wonderful Salon@615 series. Salon@615 welcomes Chelsea Clinton to Nashville On Wednesday, November 11, at the Nashville Public Library at 6:15pm, the series welcomes Chelsea Clinton, author of It’s Your World: Get Informed for a discussion and signing. Salon@615 then welcomes Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer and National Book Award winner Patti Smith for a very special Salon@615 event at OZ Arts Nashville on Friday, November 13 at 7 p.m. Smith will be discussing and signing copies of her new book, M Train. Reviews from other cities have been fantastic. The event at OZ Arts Nashville is a paid ticket event — ticket price includes a copy of the book — and is currently sold out. Find out more about both events, and all upcoming Salon@615 signings, at nashvillepubliclibrary.org/salonat615.
Rita Bullwinkel
Following up the biggest names not living in our city, it’s logical to give you some of the big names that call Nashville home. I am biased, but I’ll start with the biggest celebration on my radar: the next month of East Side Storytellin’ shows. The 70th edition of East Side Storytellin’, on Tuesday, November 3, mark the 3rd Anniversary of the series, which combines the best of Nashville authors and musicians every first and third Tuesday of the month. It features author and Band of Poets leader Rita Bullwinkel and the legendary and local favorite musician, Dutch Whisky. The Tuesday, November 17th’s edition, the 71st, features local poet Joseph Powell and musician Nick Flora. Shows are free, BYOB events, and take place at The Post (1701 Fatherland Street) at 7p.m. sharp.
The aforementioned Band of Poets wraps up its 2015 season on Tuesday, November 10 at 9 p.m. at Bobby’s Idle Hour. This edition includes readings from Luke Wiget, Ciona Rouse, Katie Foster, Katie McDougall, and Whit Field, to name a few. It is free to attend and always a pleasure for all.
In addition to reading at Band of Poets, Rouse will once again be hosting two of the most original writing/reading series around town during the month of November. Every third Thursday, Rouse rounds up some of the best poets in town for Writing’s on the Wall at Atmalogy (2320 West End Ave). This month’s event takes place Thursday, November 19 at 7p.m. Rouse returns on Friday, November 27 at 7p.m. at Barnes & Noble Vanderbilt for her Lyrical Brew show. Details on guests are TBA, but you can always check her Facebook page.
Katie McDougall
The Porch Writers’ Collective is hosting several interesting creative writing workshops this month. On Saturday, November 7 from 2-5 p.m. at The Skillery in Germantown, Porch cofounder Katie McDougall will teach a workshop called Dialogue and Scene. It costs $45 for Porch members and $50 for non-members. On Saturday, November 21 from 2-5 p.m. at the Skillery, local poet and teacher Bill Brown will teach Poetry as Journey. People are asked to bring prepared poetry to discuss, brainstorm and discover the pivotal journeys in their own lives and in the lives of members of their communities. The cost for this workshop is the same as the other above. You can find more information about The Porch Writer’s Collective and its great events and workshops at its website.
The always fascinating Poetry in the Brew takes place every second Saturday of the month at Portland Brew East (1921 Eastland Ave). The open mic poetry event takes place upstairs in the coffeehouse’s loft. A rotating art show provides the perfect back drop for the intimate space. This month’s event, guest hosted by Allison Boyd with featured writer Chris Whitelaw. takes place Saturday, November 14. Sign up starts at 5:30 p.m; reading starts at 6:30p.m. It is free to attend.
Before I let you go for this round of Beard on Books fun, I have two special notes. First, congrats to Nashville authors J.T. Ellison and Mary Laura Philpott, along with Linda Wei and her production team at Nashville Public Television, on their new take on the iconic NPT series A WORD ON WORDS. The revamped series about books and authors, hosted by John Seigenthaler for over 40 years before his death in 2014, premiered this past month and will air on Sundays at 10:26 a.m., alternating with NPT Arts Break and Thursdays at 7:26 p.m., and throughout the NPT and NPT2 schedule. More information can be be found on the A Word on Words website.
Second, there will be a fun event at East Side Story (1108 Woodland Street, Unit B) on Saturday, November 14 from 3-5 p.m. with author Jean Roseman. Roseman will be on site discussing and signing copies of his new book Barney and Clyde, An Illustrated Tale of Murder and Madness. A perfect transition between the Halloween season and local literary fun for the holidays, this historical fiction is about a gruesome murder that took place in 1884 on what was Cherry Street South (now 4th Street across from the Schermerhorn).
Thank you for spending time with me again. I hope you get a chance to visit and experience a few, if not all, of the events mentioned above. Also, please remember to be nice to one another out there. I can’t say that enough. And if you are near East Side Story, drop by and say hello.
Much love,
Chuck
eastsidestorytn.com
For a comprehensive list of upcoming literary events, be sure to check the Books and Poetry section at NowPlayingNashville.com.
As always, Chuck, you find all the best stuff! Thanks for the shoutout!
As always, Chuck, you find all the best stuff! Thanks for the shoutout!
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