Beyond the Burden of Elegy

Lawrence Jackson Poster

Lawrence Jackson is the Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of English and History at Johns Hopkins University. He has recently published Shelter: A Black Tale of Homeland Baltimore (Gray Wolf Press, 2023), a memoir about his search for housing in the city of Baltimore as a single Black male parent. He will deliver a lecture on the competing narrative strategies that have shaped his memoir writing and other developments in Black literary history.

Juneteenth: A Discussion of the Ralph Ellison Novel

Book discussion of Juneteenth, Ralph Ellison’s second novel published posthumously in 1999, created by Ellison’s friend and biographer John Callahan from more than 2,000 pages written by him over a period of 40 years. Callahan edited the novel in the way he believed that Ellison would have wanted it to be written. RSVP HERE

Poughkeepsie Library Holiday Book Sale (in person)

The Holiday Book Sale features thousands of gift-quality books and media, sorted into multiple categories and most priced at $4 or less per item. All items will be half-price on Sunday. This year’s sale again offers an additional room for specially priced vintage items, coffee-table books, items, and books of local interest, collectible books and books signed by authors.

Poughkeepsie Library Holiday Book Sale (in person)

The Holiday Book Sale features thousands of gift-quality books and media, sorted into multiple categories and most priced at $4 or less per item. All items will be half-price on Sunday. This year’s sale again offers an additional room for specially priced vintage items, coffee-table books, items, and books of local interest, collectible books and books signed by authors.

Meet the Authors with Rhinebeck Writer’s Retreat (in person)

Rhinebeck Writers Retreat serves a crucial role for writers, in the long developmental process for their musicals. We give a writing team a weeklong residency in a private home just outside of Rhinebeck, where they live together for one week and do nothing but write their new musical. We ask for no money from Rhinebeck writers, take no share of future royalties, give each writer a stipend, and cover all costs of the retreat. Come meet the authors! Free and open to all. You’ll enjoy food, drinks, and conversation with the writers, learn more about the creation of their musical, and hear a few songs.

Email RSVP@rhinebeckwriters.org to let us know when you can join us. Once we hear from you, we’ll send more info about each event.

Discussion on: HERE AND THEIR

Sam O’Malley of Butte, Montana is happily engaged and running the family pizza parlor when a carefully guarded family secret is unearthed. Not only does Sam have an estranged aunt no one has ever mentioned, but it turns out she’s lesbian punk rock icon Vikki Vektor! While online stalking, er, research, Sam stumbles across the term “nonbinary” and digs deeper into a world that is simultaneously completely unknown and innately familiar. Is thirty-three “too old” to learn something new about yourself?

JASMINE JOSHUA (Book, additional Music & Lyrics | they/them)

Jasmine Joshua is a writer, producer, actor, and director.  Jasmine’s solo show BREAD CRUMBS premiered at ACT’s Solo Fest and was included in Ars Nova’s ANTFest in 2021. Their nonbinary musical HERE AND THEIR is currently being workshopped at the Seattle Rep. Jasmine graduated magna cum laude from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Creative Writing and a minor in Jewish Studies. They also studied with the Larry Moss Studio and the Groundlings. Directing: Intiman; Reboot Theatre; Cafe Nordo; assistant director at 5th Ave; associate director at Village. On stage: SPT, Book-it, SMT. Jasmine is the Artistic Director of Reboot Theatre Company.

HEATHER RAGUSA (Music & Lyrics | she/her)

Heather Ragusa has worked as songwriter and recording artist for over a decade, including fronting Heather Rae and Tumbleweed and opening multiple times for punk legend Exene Cervenka. Heather’s freshman album “Slow Down Woman” inspired the queer country musical LET’S BE SILVER, another collaboration with writing partner Jasmine Joshua. Heather has roots in both musical theater and commercial music production, and has collaborated and performed with members of Social Distortion, Steppenwolf, The Abiders, The Pullmen, The Side Show Preachers, Whiskey Chimp, and more. Also, not to name drop, but she once rode on the back of Nick St. Nicholas’s motorcycle, stole beer from Hoobastank’s green room, and squatted in Glenn Danzig’s trailer. Heather raises chickens and children in Eagle Rock with her husband, Jon-Paul.

Writer’s Lab (virtual)

Jumpstart or support your writing process at The Hudson Valley Performing Arts Lab “Writer’s Lab”! Writers who workshop their work in the month of June will have the opportunity to continue development with actors in the July Actor’s Labs.
Register here!

Poughkeepsie Book Festival (in person)

The Poughkeepsie Public Library District hosts its annual Book Festival! Meet and greet over 40 authors and illustrators (covering reading ages from preschool to Young Adult), costumed book characters such as Elephant and Piggie, Estaban the Magnificent from The Day the Crayons Came Home, Curious George, and more! There will be fun crafts and activities for the kids. Books will be available to purchase and to have signed by the authors and illustrators who made them. Free to attend. No registration required.
Masks may be required based on local conditions.