Literary calendar for week of April 21
LEIF ENGER: Discusses his latest novel, “I Cheerfully Refuse.” 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, Next Chapter Booksellers, 38 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul; 7 p.m. Thursday, April 25, Excelsior Bay Books, Excelsior.
GAY/NEZUKUMATATHIL: Poets/essayists Ross Gay and Aimee Nezhukumatathil discuss their work, presented by University of Minnesota Esther Freier Lectures in Literature. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, Coffman Theater, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Mpls. At capacity, wait list. Go to z.ummn.edu/gaynez224.
SALLY HEPWORTH: Bestselling author of nine novels introduces her latest, “Darling Girls,” a psychological mystery about three girls who bond during their years in a foster home where their foster mother made them play psychological games that left them with trauma that follows them into adulthood. In discussion with Minnesotan Lorna Landvik. Presented by Valley Booksellers Literature Lovers’ Afternoon Out. 11 a.m. Saturday, April 27, Parkway Theater, 1814 Chicago Ave., Mpls. Tickets at $25 available at valleybookseller.com/event.
FREYA MANFRED: Reads poetry and prose from her 10th poetry book, “When I Was Young and Old,” with poets Sharon Chmielarz (“Duet in the Little Blue Church”) and Norita Dittberner-Jax (“World Enough and Time”). 7 pm. Wednesday, April 24, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls. Registration required. Go to magersandquinn.com.
ALICIA D. WILLIAMS: Award-winning author discusses her latest middle-grade novel, “Mid Air,” which deals with grief, loss and a tender-souled boy. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave., St. Paul.
ALICE WINN: Author of one of last year’s most talked-about literary debuts, “In Memoriam,” discusses her story of forbidden first love set against the backdrop of World War I. This international bestseller was released in paperback in March. Presented by Red Balloon Bookshop and MELSA’s Club Book. Free. 7 p.m. Thursday, April 25, Highland Park Library, 1974 Ford Pkwy., St. Paul; 7 p.m. Friday, April 26, with Patrick Nathan, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.
What else is going on
Danny Klecko, St. Paul poet and showman extraordinaire isn’t sure whether he’ll wear a tuxedo when he interviews Isabella Rossellini during Home for Life Sanctuary’s spring gala Saturday, April 27, at International Market Square, 275 Market St., Mpls. Klecko, who has already shed his mullet in favor of a more contemporary look, will be master of ceremonies and do a fireside chat with Rossellini, model, actress, daughter of actress Ingrid Bergman, and ardent animal lover who owns and operates an organic farm in New York where she raises heritage endangered livestock animals and heirloom farm crops. Tickets range from $100 for one admission to $1,000 for a table of 10. Klecko, not one to be shy, says, “There will never be two Isabella Rossellinis or two Danny Kleckos in the entire world.” For information go to info@homeforlife.org.
Don’t forget Saturday, April 27, is Independent Bookstore Day around the country, with 28 Minnesota stores participating in this event that keeps your dollars in the community. A few of the stores have posted their programs, including Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul where there will be an early morning dance party, IBD merchandise available only on that day and a local author game show. IBD hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. IBD passports, to be used at any participating store, will be available, as well as a map showing locations of participating stores at indiebound.org/independent-bookstore-day/map.
Congratulations to Fiona McCrae for going international. McCrae, former director of Minneapolis-based Graywolf Press and board chair of the Anderson Center at Tower View near Red Wing, was awarded the third annual Cesare De Michelis International Award for publishing for her 28 years at the helm of Graywolf. The award is promoted by Marsilio Edtori, the University of Vienna and the Venice Foundation Crossing of Civilizations literary festival. It is given to publishers who have distinguished themselves on the international scene for the vitality and novelty of their editorial projects. She accepted the award this month in Venice.
And more congratulations to Minnesota winners of Guggenheim Fellowships — David Mura, author, poet and playwright, visual artist Dyani White Hawk, and painter Lamar Peterson. Amounts of the grants vary according to projects, but are between $40,000 and $55,000. Mura, who lives in St. Paul, posted on Facebook that his award was based on his recent book “The Stories Whiteness Tells Itself:” His Guggenheim project will be exploring the recent passing of his parents and their lives.
