The ’Burgh literary scene may slow down during the summer — but it never stops. Readings, marquee events, and lectures are scheduled this May. (And don’t forget to check the websites of independent bookstores around the city such as Stay Gold Books, Riverstone Books, and Woolly Bear Books and Gifts to see what they have planned, too.)
Book Lover? Add These Pittsburgh Literary Events to Your May Calendar
Jayne Anne Phillips with Christina Parravani
May 1, Mt. Lebanon Public Library
Though Jayne Anne Phillips is best known for her fiction — she’s written six award-winning novels (she received a Pulitzer for Night Watch) and two acclaimed collections of short stories — I’ve always thought of her as a poet. Her prose is lyric, tender, and hard-hitting all at once. Phillips will discuss Small Town Girls, her highly-anticipated memoir-in-essays about growing up in West Virginia upbringing, with author Christa Parravani as part of the Mt. Lebanon Public Library’s Speaker Series. (It’s a series worth noting; the goal is to “provide local access to quality speakers while promoting global understanding and a broader cultural awareness.”) The event is free, but registration is required.
Ed Simon with Jody DiPerna
May 2, White Whale Bookstore
Pittsburgh is truly a writer’s town, alight with literary luminaries. This event features a pairing of bright lights: esteemed journalist and writer of all things Rust Belt and Appalachian, Jody DiPerna, and the notoriously generous and prolific writer, editor, and cultural critic, Ed Simon. DiPerna and Simon will discuss his recent book, Writing During the Apocalypse, best described as the defiant love song of a writer facing the four horsemen — here, political insanity, pandemics, war and climate change—head on. Events at White Whale Bookstore are free, but please RSVP to attend in-store (or you can register for a livestream).
Jazz Poetry Month
Throughout May, Alphabet City / City of Asylum
In addition to being a world-renowned sanctuary for writers in exile — and offering numerous special projects in support of literature, free speech, and social justice — City of Asylum hosts more than 150 free music and literary events in Pittsburgh each year. May is Jazz Poetry Month, where you’ll find a “celebration of experimentation, collaboration and connection between art forms and between artist and audience.” A deeply rooted tradition that springs from City of Asylum’s origins, this year Jazz Poetry Month features: James Brandon Lewis with his punk-jazz fusion band, The Messthetics; Spanish Pianist Marta Sánchez performing with City of Asylum Writers-in-Residence; and poet-vocalist Erika Denae J’s book launch and album teaser. Register to see these free events either in-person (you must register prior to arrival) or via livestream.
Michael Chabon
May 11, Carnegie Music Hall
Michael Chabon isn’t from Pittsburgh, but you’d be forgiven for thinking so. His first two novels, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh and Wonder Boys, both of which were made into films, draw heavily on his time as a student at both CMU and Pitt. He’s been plenty busy since then; you might know him from his Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay or one of his many other books of fiction and nonfiction. As of this writing, in-person seats for Chabon’s appearance with Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures are still available — or you can purchase an online pass and watch at home. If by chance you can’t get seats, be sure to try the box office on the day of the event. And keep an eye out for additional free offerings through Arts & Lectures later this summer.
Hemingway’s Summer Poetry Series
May-August (Second and Fourth Tuesdays), Hop Farm Brewing Company
Founded sometime around 1975 by legendary poet, former police officer and boxing mentor Jimmy Cvetic, Hemmingway’s Summer Poetry Series has always been a labor of love and a celebration of poetry and community. Since Cvetic’s passing in 2019, co-curaters and hosts Joan Bauer and Kristopher Collins carefully tend to the series. Readings, which begin promptly at 7 p.m., take place at Hop Farm Brewing Company on Butler Street. This summer’s readers include Sony Ton-Aime (May 12th), Anjali Sachdeva (June 23rd) and Emily Mohn-Slate (August 25th), among many others. Come for the readings, stay for the open mic — and share that poem you have tucked away!
Pgh Book Fest
May 30, Carnegie Library – Main (Oakland)
Formerly the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books, the Pgh Book Fest kicks off at 10 a.m. on May 30 and runs all day. (Schedules are still developing as of press time.) Pgh Book Fest is free and has offerings for readers of all ages and interests; a cast of thousands (not quite, but almost) will be on hand, so come on out for author talks, poetry readings, workshops, local booksellers, literary exhibitors, vendors and much more. You’ll also be able to hear nationally known authors of various genres of fiction and nonfiction including Steven Rowley (Lily and the Octopus, The Celebrants) and Beronda L. Montgomery (When Trees Testify). The Pgh Book Fest website is under construction as they rebrand and gear up for this year’s event, but you can keep abreast of details on Instagram.
Story by Nancy Koerbel
Featured Photo from White Whale Bookstore
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