Top 5 Literary Events in NYC

Are you on your way to New York City? Are you looking for a good show? Do you live in NYC and you're wondering what kind of literary events are hosted in here? You are in luck. NYC is filled with literary events once a month that are both entertaining, cutting edge, and educational for adults! Here is a list of 5 of my favorite events that usually happen once a month.

#1 The Happy Ending Reading Series hosted by Amanda Stern. This is a monthly event held at Joe's Pub featuring authors of all types and genres. The authors read pieces of their original work and then take some sort of "public risk" on stage. There is a musical guest. The artist must try to sing a cover song and get the entire audience to sing along. Amanda, your host, sets the stage and tone with humor. The talent she recruits is truly incredible. If you are in NYC at the start of the month- see if her show is playing that night and come check it out! You will leave with a new set of books to read.

#2 Nerd Nite is hosted by Matt Wasowski. This monthly event is held at Galapagos in Dumbo, Brooklyn. This evening features three speakers who give a little lecture (usually with a PowerPoint presentation) about a topic or issue in which they hold some expertise. The presentations can be anything from a PHD thesis (understanding how paint dries) to helping save endangered species of weeds in Staten Island (this presentation was given by the woman in charge of wildflower week in NYC). It is a great event to learn about a topic that you may never really explore on your own. You'll leave smarter than you came.

#3 The Moth is hosted by many different people, Dan Kennedy, Sara Barron and more. This event is held throughout NYC. They also host The Moth in other cities like, Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit. You can submit your name and if it is called you have 10 minutes to tell your story- no notes, no texts, only your memory. The audience then scores you. Yes, by the end of the evening there is a winner. This event definitely resembles a poetry slam. Very fun. Very literary. You may even be persuaded to tell your own story.

#4 The Rejection Show is a hilarious show, hosted by Jon Friedman. Each artist gets up for 10 minutes and talks about/ performs something about a personal experience with rejection. It is also a monthly event at the UCB Theater in Chelsea.

#5 Bowery Poetry Club has weekly and monthly events on their calendar. It is a great place where poets hang out and listen and read to each other.

Need an interesting, intellectual evening out? Head to one of these events!
In your city, what literary events do you have?
What monthly/weekly events/shows are in your two? Please post here!

When on the West Coast, Head North of Seattle

When you come to Seattle, why not travel north. Head up towards Mount Vernon and discover the beauty of small town living! You can drive north to Vancouver, Canada. Be sure to take scenic Chuckanut drive on the way up.

Before you go, eat brunch in Bow, at Rhododendron Cafe or in Edison at the Edison Cafe, the hometown of Edward Murrow. On your way out of town, grab some Tweets for the journey north.

You will pass Bellingham WA, a cute college town. When you are in Vancouver, visit Granville Island and Stanley Park.

On your way back down south, explore Deception Pass - a beautiful bridge, park with trails and beach to visit. Anacortes is a cute little town. Take a stroll and then head over to the ferries. The ferries take you out to: The San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island.

Another great little town is LaConnor. If you want to have dinner, try the bistro Seeds or have lunch at The Calico Cupboard. There is a great independent bookstore in town, The Next Chapter! No worries, they have coffee and WiFi.

As you drive around the Mount Vernon area, there are fields of fruits, tulips and pumpkin patches. In the springtime, enjoy the Tulip Festivals. As you drive up and down the roads, you'll see farms with cows, horses, llamas, and buffalo. In the winter time, the Trumpeter Swans fly down from Canada for warmer weather. Ever wonder why they are called Trumpeters? Yes it is because they sound like trumpets!

Mount Vernon has some antique shops and a co-op. There are many local artists living in the area. Some make beautiful organic toys and clothes for kids like Kristin Loffer Theiss. Check out her products on Etsy. Etsy features other artists selling their handmade things online. Take one of her pieces home as a souvenir.

For dinner you have a few options. Try the Porterhouse. Great locally brewed beer and bar food. There is a Thai place just next door, another dinner option!

Enjoy yourself in the Northwest. If you get a chance, head north and enjoy all that it has to offer.

Next Stop: Montreal! Take a Food Tour

I just got back from an amazing vacation to Montreal. Montreal is a charming place to visit in the summer or winter! There are many parks, museums, and wonderful places to eat! If you have a week or even a weekend- you can take yourself around this city and literally eat the world!

My favorite neighborhood to visit in Montreal is the Plateau! Below you find a detailed food tour of a "mock long weekend" of culinary places to visit!

Enjoy!

#1 If you drive/fly into Montreal on Friday night, you may need a place to chill out and have a drink along with some delicious food- Laika is your joint! Each day Laika has a new menu, "menu du jour", which has three to four main dishes the chef creates! There is a disco ball and a little turntable in the corner spinning music. The place is filled with young Canadian Hipsters- often during the days with their laptops and backgammon boards. Check out their website and menu.

#2 Saturday morning you may decide to wake up late and have a delicious brunch. Resevoir is one of my favorite spots. They too, each day, have a new menu written up on their chalkboard. Brunch fills up quickly there, so don't wait around too long. It resides on one of Montreal's most charming streets- Duluth, filled with shops, restaurants, and beautiful arichetecture. In the morning you can have "Thon rouge saisi, courgettes, padano et estragon"- That's right, get your French on! Resevoir is a cool place at night too- fish and chips and a homemade beer (they brew their own!) makes for a fun night here too. In the summer the roof is open!

Spend the day in the plateau, shop on St. Denis, St. Laurent, Mont Royal, Laurier, St. Viateur, Bernard. Great French book shops, furniture stores, galleries, clothes, shoes and jewlery to be had.

#3 Saturday night- you should definately check out- 786- Pakistani food in the neighborhood just north and west of the Plateau, Jean Talon. This resaturant is known for its reasonable prices, large portions, and friendliness to children and families! My family always gets an order of Dahl Mash (Lentils), Butter Chicken, Sarsoon Ka Saag, and a Lahori Fish. Yum yum delicous! I always leave super happy! Must be the chilis in the food! Get ready for super spicy!

#4 Sunday morning- head to Chinatown and get some Dim Sum! We frequent- Ruby Rouge- on the second floor of a mini mall! Huge ballroom space- they allow you brunch/lunch with leisure! This will get you close to the old city. It is a fun place to stroll- go iceskating in the winter and take a boat or bike ride in the summer!

#5 Sunday night- what about visiting the neighborrhood- NDG for some Korean! Hwang Kum. My sister and I have spent a great deal of time looking for some delicious- tofu soups and bool koki! Hwang Kum is one of our favorites. Super small, but super delicious.

#6 Monday Morning- you might feel like brunch- at Beauty's- a jewish delicious diner or you may decide to pick up a coffee and croissant at one of Mont Royal's many boulangeries. Another possible option is lunch at the famous Schwartz- always a line and always long- even in winter. The smoked meat and cole slaw are super yum! A true Jewish deli.

During the day, visit a museum, the botanical gardens or go to the Biodome! Great visits during the day to be had!

#7 Don't eat too much at lunch/brunch- save up for a delicious sushi meal for dinner! Tri Express is my favorite all time sushi place- so far in life. The chef/owner is a creative chef with sushi and has some special rolls and souces that he uses to make your mouth feel like its dancing! It is small, small and is just east of Marquette on Laurier. If you don't eat raw fish- there are great dishes cooked as well, a red snapper and black alaskan cod! If you get some rolls- get number 48- LE FAVORI DE TRI- either tuna or salmon or yellow tail. If you like pieces of sushi- definatley try the "ebi a la tri".

#8 Tuesday may be your last day and you still have so many choices- middle eastern at Rumi, The Outdoor Market in Jean Talon. I suppose I would be remiss if I didn't give you a taste of the Canadian/Quebecoise cuisine- a place to eat, "poutine"! Poutine is a dish consisting of french fries topped with fresh cheese curd, covered with gravy and sometimes additional ingredients. Maamm Bolduc certainly has some delicious choices of poutine to have and share amongst eachother.

There is much to be enjoyed here in Montreal- but this culinary tour of The Plateau will surely leave you filled to the rim with food and happiness! Please post your favorite places to brunch, chill, and eat in Montreal! Happy travels to you!