Writer Amy Dickinson talked about coming of age in Freeville, NY during a public event at DestinyUSA. She read from her book “Strangers Tend to Tell Me Things.”
Seamus Kirst, writer
Sean Kirst, columnist
Philly had Steve Lopez; Detroit had Mitch Albom; New York had Jimmy Breslin; and here in Syracuse, for nearly 30 years, we’ve had Sean Kirst. He has been the kind of local journalist who, if we could somehow take soul out of his body, and convert it to an mp3 audio file, what you would hear, if you listened close, is the heartbeat of this city.
Today is Kirst’s last day at The Post Standard, and he will be truly missed.
We are not sure of the salary for a mid-sized city columnist these days, but when it comes to stepping up to the plate to represent the common man (or woman), and making a difference using the written word, Kirst is one of our best story-tellers, and he exits as one of the richest men in town.
Writer/Editor Russ Tarby (left) and Music Executive/Drummer Larry Luttinger have made some great contributions to Central New York arts scene. We first met Russ when he was the go-to-guy for music at the New Times about two decades ago; we met Larry when he was first putting together the Jazz Arts Foundation. They are pictured here at Tuesday’s Jazz Central Holiday Reception.
Author Georgia A. Popoff read and discussed her poetry Thursday night at the new Point of Contact Gallery. She is the workshop coordinator for the Downtown Writers Center.
Point of Contact (Punto de Contacto) is still located on the Connective Corridor,but the gallery has officially moved to the Nancy Cantor Warehouse on West Fayette Street. The street-level location was buzzing last night for the poetry reading and book fair kick-off. The audience included students, local authors, artists and SU staff members.
We found the lighting less adequate than the former location (East Genesee Street), but the new space is more inviting and eclectic.
Each Thursday this month, the gallery will host a new writer to celebrate National Poetry Month.
Michael Sickler, poet + painter
Sometimes the word style just doesn’t give enough description.
We had the pleasure of meeting dapper professor Michael Sickler at a poetry event along the Connective Corridor last night. He is one of the featured poets who will be presenting at the Downtown Writers Center next week (April 11).
Author Sondra Denise Roberts at a Go-On-Girl Book Club event in 2007.
University College Dean Bea Gonzales and award-winning author George Saunders Friday morning at the Orange Central event (Newhouse 3).
Blame it on Amarillo…or maybe Asia.
SU Creative Writing Program professor George Saunders said it was in one of those places where he decided to become a writer and avoid what he called a “shadow” life. The Guggenheim and MacArthur fellow participated in a conversation with fellow professor Dana Spiotta this morning.
Saunders talked candidly about his experience in the short story genre and grooming the next generation of fiction writers by growing their talents and awakening their artistry the way it was done when he arrived as a student in the writing program (1980s).
“Talent doesn’t change, only the flavor of the talent changes, ” he said.
In the clip below, Saunders talks about Syracuse as a good place to practice the craft of writing.
Poet Sonia Sanchez spoke at Syracuse University about a decade ago.
Here’s a new documentary will explore the work of poet Sonia Sanchez. The film is in pursuit of crowd funding.