What’s Happening at Writers & Books?

February 2009 Programs & Events

First Fridays: Slamathon

Friday, February 6 6:30 pm
In the Verb Café at W&B
$5 suggested donation

Along with other local galleries and performance spaces, W&B will be open on the first Friday evenings of each month hosting a series of readings and performances in our Verb Café and Performance Space.

The W&B Adult Slamathon is a fundraiser to support travel and professional development activities for the Slam High Rochester Teen Slam Team and scholarships for youth workshops. February’s First Friday has been set aside for poets to share their works in a short public reading or performance. They raise money to sponsor their performance. In addition, they compete for the title of 2008 Slam High Slamathon Champion, judged by teen slam team members. To participate, obtain a form from Wendy Low, wendyl@wab.org or (585) 473-2590 x109, or download the form at wab.org. Audience members are urged to attend and cheer on the contestants at no cost, but donations in any amount are welcome and greatly appreciated.

Genesee Reading Series

Hosted by: Wanda Schubmehl
Featuring: Jeremy Fernaays and Katherine Gale DaCost
Tuesday, February 10 7:30 pm
In the Verb Café at W&B
$3W&B members, $6 general public

Now in its 23rd year, the Genesee Reading Series presents writers from the greater Genesee Valley region reading in the Verb Cafe. Learn more about our featured authors.

Senior Reading Group

Tuesday February 10 2:00 pm- 4:00p.m.
In the Verb Café at W&B
Free and open to the public

Share your writing with other seniors in a comfortable, supportive atmosphere at W&B.

The Bertrand Russell Society

Hosted by: Dr. David White
Thursday, February 12, at 7:00 pm
In the Verb Café at W&B
Admission: Free to W&B Members; $3/General Public

The Bertrand Russell Society was formed shortly after Russell’s death in 1970. Russell was born in 1872 and worked in fields such as mathematical logic; philosophy; social, religious, and educational reform; anti-war protests and politics. An accomplished writer, Russell received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950. This ongoing lecture series promises to enlighten and entertain. Monthly meetings are open to everyone, not just to members of the society.

This Month: Tim Madigan on “Russell’s Evasion of Evolution”

David White
Dr. White teaches philosophy at St. John Fisher College, is president of the New York State Philosophers Association, and is a founder of the Greater Rochester Russell Set.

For further information, call 415-5925 or e-mail: tmadigan@rochester.rr.com

25 And Under

Hosted by: Sally Bittner Bonn
Tuesday February 17 7:00 pm
In the Verb Café at W&B
Free to W&B members, $3 general public

More than a quarter century ago W&B first opened its doors. To celebrate that milestone anniversary we initiated a brand new monthly reading series featuring writers who are 25 and younger. Join us as we discover a new generation of writers for the next quarter century.

Neal Holtschulte is 25 years old (as of january 14th). He graduated from Williams College in 2006 with a B.S. in math and a cognitive science minor. He then spent a year in Indiana teaching high school math, before moving to Rochester to work as an analyst at Klein Steel. Neal began writing at a very young age after watching The Empire Strikes Back and feeling the need to release / reproduce the sense of awesomeness it filled him with. By attending writing courses during high school, in college, and now at Writers and Books, Neal advanced beyond stories that would attract cease and desist orders from Lucas Arts. Recently he reached a cherished milestone when he received his first rejection letter, this from Fantasy and Science Fiction magazine.

Though it would not be inaccurate to say that Neal primarily writes science fiction, he generally tries to let the stories come out of their own accord, whatever genre they may be. Neal aspires to someday join the pantheon of great science and science fiction pioneers named Neal: Stephenson, Gaiman, and Armstrong. Besides writing, Neal spends a lot of time training and is well known among local distance runners. Neal writes first person non-fiction about races, which (along with lots of other random non-fiction) can be found on his blogsite: www.smartamusement.com.

Open History Reading Group

Hosted by: Steve Huff
Thursday, February 19, at 7:00 pm
In the Verb Café at W&B
Free to W&B members, $3 general public

Join us for meetings of an open history-reading group. In these gatherings we choose historical topics rather than specific books, and then you choose a book on the subject that most interests you. The discussions are convivial, exciting, and informative.

Wide Open Mic

Hosted by: Norm Davis
Monday February 23 7:30 pm
In the Verb Café at W&B
Free to W&B members, $3 general public

W&B is proud to sponsor Rochester's largest running open mike, hosted by Norm Davis, poet and editor of HazMat Review. Known for its eclectic mix. Wide Open Mike welcomes poets, performers, and writers of all kinds.

2009 ESU National Shakespeare Competition, Rochester District Finals

Hosted by: Wendy Low
Saturday, Feb. 28, 1:30 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public
In the Verb Café at W&B

In a competition designed to develop high school students’ speaking and critical thinking skills, young actors and actresses explore the beauty of the language and the timeless themes in Shakespeare’s works. By preparing a monologue and a sonnet for public presentation, students bring Shakespeare to life in their own way and learn to express his words with  understanding, clarity, and feeling. There are prizes in store for all competitors, and the winner goes on to the National Competition in April in New York City. Come cheer the students on! For more information about entering the competition, contact Wendy Low: Wendyl@wab.org, or 473-2590 x109.

This program is sponsored by the ESU Rochester Branch in conjunction with Writers & Books.

Reception to follow.

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