December 6, 2012 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Matt Carlyon and writing workshop
November 20, 2012
Matt Carlyon is a spoken word artist and music producer in the Twin Cities. He has worked professionally with such artists as Khary "6 is 9" Jackson, Brian "Omni" Dilan, Guante, and "Chance" from the hip hop group "Audio Perm". Matt has been on several different national stages for poetry, including representing Minnesota's youth poetry scene at Brave New Voices as well as competing at the CUPSI with the University of Minnesota, which placed 4th in the nation. He is a member of the spoken word collective Batteries Not Included with Hasani Harris and Damon McBrayer. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Golden Thyme Coffee Café at 921 Selby Avenue (corner of North Milton Street) in Saint Paul, MN 55104. All ages are welcome, and there is no cover charge. First Thursday writing workshops will be held an hour before the open mic begins, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
This November 15th: Click. Contribute. Change your world.
November 14, 2012
On Thursday, November 15, every donation you make gives your favorite organizations the chance to win even more money. Please Give to the Max to the Saint Paul Almanac this Thursday. Besides supporting the important work we do to encourage community engagement through the literary arts and showcasing the city we love—Saint Paul, Minnesota—you will: i) have your donation matched dollar for dollar up to $2,500; ii) be able to schedule your giving ahead of time (as in right now!) and iii) enter the Almanac into an hourly drawing to win an extra $1,000 on Give to the Max day!
Kofi Bobby Hickman featured in Almanac/Irrigate Arts banner project
November 5, 2012
This is the final piece in the Irrigate project "University Avenue Voices." Our team met all summer to curate the written pieces (originally published in the Saint Paul Almanac), design, and find the locations along the light rail corridor for the posters and this one big banner. The banner was designed by Shaquan Foster with professional guidance by Michael Waite. The rest of the team: Lisa Steinmann, Diego Vázquez Jr., Patricia Young and Kimberly Nightingale. Please, walk or drive by the Old Home building at University and Western to see this grand banner.
Behind the scenes: 2014 Community Editors starting at the beginning
October 31, 2012
"There were about 20 of us, seated at a long table inside AZ Gallery in Lowertown. This first evening, I am always aware of what a mixer this gathering is. Except for a few from last year, these are people I have not met before. The group is recruited and selected in a way that ensures diversity of age, gender, neighborhood, community and level of ability. Last night was the first meeting of the Saint Paul Almanac community editor group and my second season as an editor. When our work is done, we will have helped launch the 2014 (and eighth) edition. It will make its debut next year in September." Lisa Steinmann is a Saint Paul–based writer, teacher, and artist. Her work spans both sides of the Mississippi river and other divides as well.
November 29, 2012 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Hieu
October 29, 2012
Hieu Nguyen is a rising star in the Twin Cities' slam scene. He has competed at the National Poetry Slam with both the Minneapolis and Saint Paul teams, placing 5th and 12th respectively. In 2012, he was a Write Bloody finalist and performed with The Good News Poetry Tour. Also, his poems are really, really good. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Golden Thyme Coffee Café at 921 Selby Avenue (corner of North Milton Street) in Saint Paul. All ages are welcome, and there is no cover charge.
November 28th, 2012: J. Otis Powell‽ presents “Three Artists, Three Themes” at the Lowertown Reading Jam
October 29, 2012
The Saint Paul Almanac is pleased to announce the second in its 2012–2013 season of acclaimed Lowertown Reading Jams, which celebrate the rich literary history of Minnesota’s capital city. The "Three Artists, Three Themes" Lowertown Reading Jam will be presented on Wednesday, November 28th, 2012 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar, 308 Prince Street in Saint Paul. This presentation of the popular and eclectic series, curated by J. Otis Powell‽, features performances by Shá Cage, Tish Jones, and J. Otis Powell‽
Video: Nick Nelson finds out more about the Saint Paul Almanac
October 23, 2012
City of Saint Paul videographer Nick Nelson talked with Saint Paul Almanac publisher Kimberly Nightingale about the release of the 2013 Saint Paul Almanac, a travel guide to Minnesota's capital city and a collection of community stories. Also in the video, Joe Spencer from Mayor Chris Coleman's office tells us how the city supports the Almanac and other arts through the Cultural Star Program.
November 15, 2012 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Ashley Gold
October 23, 2012
Ashley Gold is a versatile singer/songwriter whose style ranges from spoken word to neo-soul. Her work is based on everyday struggles and triumphs, and has a universal appeal, with a voice and style that come off as nonchalant yet intentional at the same time. Ashley has worked with local heavyweights, Desdamona, Carnage, and Truthmaze. She is an artist and activist, and has donated her talents to various causes including Take Back the Night, The Great American Sleep Out, and B-Girl Be. She believes that all artists have a social responsibility to engage community and inspire people to create change. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Golden Thyme Coffee Café at 921 Selby Avenue (corner of North Milton Street) in Saint Paul. All ages are welcome, and there is no cover charge.
November 8, 2012 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Spencer Virden
October 23, 2012
Spencer Virden was born in Northeast Minneapolis before that was considered a cool thing to do, so I guess you could say he's a bit of a trendsetter. He spends his time rapping as Unfuh Qwittable with the Audio Perm crew and working the third shift at Rainbow Foods. His passions include reading, teaching/learning, and his family. Above all Spencer is a true representer of the scoundrel nation, lets go. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Golden Thyme Coffee Café at 921 Selby Avenue (corner of North Milton Street) in Saint Paul. All ages are welcome, and there is no cover charge.
November 1, 2012 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Mankwe Ndosi and writing workshop
October 23, 2012
Mankwe Ndosi has been working in the Twin Cities and Chicago for more than 15 years as a musicmaker, performer, educator and culture weaver focused on sound, story, and expanding the vocabulary of singing. She seeks to infuse creative practice back into the worlds of healing, sustainable economic development, education, and new village community building. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Golden Thyme Coffee Café at 921 Selby Avenue (corner of North Milton Street) in Saint Paul. All ages are welcome, and there is no cover charge. First Thursday writing workshops will be held an hour before the open mic begins, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
All Aboard!
October 14, 2012
My dad James Melvin Young Sr. became a second generation “Red Cap Porter” when his uncle William A. Young retired circa 1949. Melvin was 23 years old when the Saint Paul Union Depot at 214 Fourth Street in Lowertown was the gateway to the world. Working there was the spark that ignited a love for world travel for my dad. There were approximately thirty-six Red Cap Porters employed at the Depot, all African American. Their red caps became synonymous with integrity and reliability. Their work was demanding.
October 25, 2012 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Guante
October 9, 2012
Guante is a hip hop artist, two-time National Poetry Slam champion, activist, educator and writer based in Minneapolis. His newest project, a musical collaboration with producer Big Cats!, is called "YOU BETTER WEAPONIZE" and will be released on November 9th at Hell's Kitchen in Minneapolis.