- The 518
- Posts
- Brown Girl Book Lover comes to Albany
Brown Girl Book Lover comes to Albany
First Friday Albany leads off a packed weekend of events
Phat Chiem
September 05, 2024
In partnership with
Happy Thursday, Capital District! Today, we’re introducing you to Brown Girl Book Lover, the guest curator for Albany’s art-and-literature space Kiddie Pool. Plus, we’ve got a bonus Home of the Week 🏡 — a spectacular custom-built home on 8 acres in Troy (thanks to our newest advertising partner, Dana Farrell of Hanna Luxury).
We also want to wish a very happy birthday to Fatima Javed, a dedicated reader of The 518 who lives in Cohoes with her husband and a 3-year-old daughter. Fatima is celebrating her birthday on Saturday. Hope you make it a beautiful day, Fatima! 🎂 🥳 🧡
Lastly, watch out for a brand new look to The 518 next week 🦫 🎩
—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan
Today in The 518
Brown Girl Book Lover brings her literary community to Albany ✍️
First Friday Albany kicks off a packed late-summer weekend 😎
Your complete guide to the weekend’s best events and live music 🎟️ 🎸 🌭
📣 TALK OF THE TOWN
Just a girl and her books: Leslie-Ann Murray is Brown Girl Book Lover 📷️ via Facebook
Straight from Brooklyn, Brown Girl Book Lover brings her literary mission to Albany
Leslie-Ann Murray started Brown Girl Book Lover in 2017 when she found herself teaching at a boarding school and living in the tiny hamlet of Hardwick, MA.
“There was a church, the post office and a coffee shop. That’s it,” recalls Leslie-Ann, a native of Trinidad and Tobago who’s now based in Brooklyn. “I started Brown Girl Book Lover to connect to a larger world outside of myself.”
Since then, she has interviewed numerous writers for her monthly interview series highlighting under-appreciated literary books.
“We talk about books that should be at the forefront of our imagination,” she says.
Her latest interview is with Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, a UAlbany grad whose novel, “Chain Gang All Stars,” was a finalist for the prestigious National Book Award. An excoriating commentary on America’s private prison system, the novel takes you into a brutal world where prisoners fight to the death gladiator-style to win their freedom. You can watch the video interview here.
This weekend, Leslie-Ann brings her literary mission to Albany as the guest curator for IN FULL COLOR, a reading and pop-up art exhibition at Kiddie Pool. Readers include Leslie-Ann sharing her own writing; Avery Irons, an Albany-based writer; and Mary McLaughlin Slechta, a writer-editor from Syracuse. Nuveen Barwari, an Albany-based international artist with Kurdish roots, will show her work during the reading and by appointment through Sept. 21.
“New York City wants to be the center of everything, but I like this idea of disbursement,” Leslie-Ann says. “Everyone should have access to incredible writers, artists and ideas. Hosting this event in Albany shifts the narrative a bit, and ensures that these things are possible.”
IN FULL COLOR is produced by Kiddie Pool, a residential project space for art and literature in downtown Albany. Join us this Saturday, from 4 to 7 pm.
Bonus: Meet The 518 publishers—that’s us—at this event. Come say 👋 and meet some fellow book lovers!
🌞 WEATHER WATCH
"A word after a word after a word is power." – Margaret Atwood
Meteorological fall started on Sept. 1, but the autumn equinox isn’t until Sept. 22. Here’s why they’re different dates. At any rate, it feels more like summer than fall this week.
☀️ Thursday 81°/53° 💧1% 🌤️ Friday 82°/61° 💧14% | 🌦️ Saturday 76°/61° 💧73% 🌤️ Sunday 69°/57° 💧30% |
🗞️ CAPITAL DISTRICT DIGEST
🥞 The restaurant group that operates Cafe Madison and Junior’s Bar & Grill is looking to expand to new locations in Albany and Saratoga counties. Construction has already started on the new Junior’s at a multi-use complex at 580 Columbia Turnpike/Routes 9 and 20, for a March 2025 opening. The new Cafe Madison is set to open next door by the summer. [Times Union]
🥐 Two well-known bakeries are closing in the Capital District. In Colonie, The Bread Butler will close its doors after Halloween. In Slingerlands, Bake for You will also close for good on Sept. 15 😥 [News10]
🐍 News of the Weird: A 13-foot Burmese python weighing 80 pounds was confiscated last week by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. The owner told the DEC officer that he was not prepared for how fast it would grow. The snake is being donated to a zoo in Rome. Take a gander at this beast. [Facebook]
🍻 BEST BETS: TOP 5 WEEKEND EVENTS
⭐️ First Friday Albany is the city’s monthly arts and culture extravaganza taking place in venues across the city, all in one packed evening. This Friday’s featured event is the Pop-up Beer Garden at Opalka Gallery. Come for a triple threat of bands, craft brews and delicious bites. And fantastic art, of course!
More to explore: The Albany Institute of Art and History is open late with free gallery admission. Don’t miss the Albany Mummies, then take a quick stroll for 2-for-1 margaritas at El Loco Mexican Cafe. Meet and greet the artists at exhibitions hosted at City Hall, Common Roots Albany Outpost, Washington Avenue Armory and the Unitarian Universalist Society. Take a twilight tour of the NYS Capitol building or experience the oldest building in town at Van Ostrande-Radliff House.
For the full schedule of events, visit First Friday Albany.
⭐️ Then & Now: Brian Cirmo | Albany’s art scene is on fire this 1st Friday! Be sure to include Albany Center Gallery on your First Friday gallery crawl. Join the artist’s reception for this internationally acclaimed painter. 5-8p, free.
⭐️ Autumn Glow Festival | Starting Thursday, walk among hundreds of giant artisan-made Chinese lanterns at historic Mabee Farm. Tickets are $26.99.
⭐️ Eastbound Throw Down | Sat-Sun. Tickets start at $50 with overnight camping available. Get your late summer bluegrass fix at Irwin Farm. Watch this recap of last year’s throw down to get excited.
⭐️ All the Street Festivals: This weekend happens to be filled to the brim with cultural street fests. You’re gonna have a hard time deciding between all of them:
48th annual Greek Festival | Fri-Sun, free admission. Get your Greek on with food, music and dance at the Hellenic Center in Schenectady.
19th annual Schenectady Little Italy StreetFest | Sat, 12-9p, free. North Jay Street brims over with the flavors and sounds of the Italian American experience.
Taste of Korea | Sun, 12-5p, free. Experience the global phenomenon that is Korean food and culture with this street fest in Watervliet.
Troy’s Armenian Festival | Sat-Sun, 12-4p, free. Don’t miss all the Armenian culinary delights, live music and dancing, plus rides and activities for the kiddies at Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church.
MORE NOTABLE EVENTS
TODAY
Apt. 3A | Matinee and evening showtimes through Monday. $15-35. A sparkling romantic comedy about finding love right next door, showing at Cohoes Music Hall.
🎼 The Music Studio | 7p, free. This music class for kids ages 3-7 is a great introduction to how art and music can enrich the lives of children and families.
FRIDAY
Clash of the Comics | 7pm, doors open at 5:45, $15. It’s sure to be a riot (the funny kind) as comics compete for their chance to return to Funny Bone, the Capital Region’s top comedy club.
CouncilCon 2024 | Proctors Theatre in Schenectady hosts this tabletop gaming convention with 150 board game, miniatures and tabletop roleplaying games to participate in. Fri-Sun, $65 for full-access badge.
Tugboat Parade | Watch all kinds of cool boats make their way from Waterford to Albany. Click here for locations and times. The parade is just one part of the Waterford Tugboat Roundup, happening all weekend. Get the full schedule here.
“Lone Star” screening | The NYS Writer’s Institute presents a screening of writer-director John Sayles’ contemporary Western. Btw, did you know the acclaimed filmmaker was born and raised in Schenectady? 7p, free.
North Bush Town Fair | Fri-Sun. Enjoy games, rides, food and music all weekend long. Free.
Country Folk Art Show & Artisan Market | Hudson Valley Community College hosts a maker’s market all weekend, starting Friday.
Lord’s Acre Fair | Get to Burnt Hills United Methodist Church for free reptile adventure and pony rides, plus plenty of fair foods.
SATURDAY
The 73rd annual Stockade Villagers' Outdoor Art Show | Saturday, 10a- 4p, at Ferry and Front streets.
Malta Community Day | 10a-3p, free. This kid-friendly event features a bounce house, obstacle course, fire trucks, reptile show, food trucks and more.
Polish Food Sale | Get your pierogi, kielbasa, borscht, and other Polish treats at the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Latham. Pre-order to avoid the long lines.
Damon Darling | 7pm, doors open at 5:45, 21+ to enter, $27. Damon mixes jokes with his true life stories for a sparkling good time at the Funny Bone.
Washington Park Farmer’s Market | 10a-2p, free yoga 9-10a. TBH, this is the best location for a farmer’s market in the Capital District.
Troy Waterfront Farmers Market | 9a-2p, free. Get to one of the best farmers markets in the country while it’s still outdoors.
SUNDAY
Lake George Restaurant Week | The annual dining event offers three-course prix fixe menus for just $35! Starts Sunday and goes through Sept. 14.
Guilderland Farmer’s Market | 10a-2p, free. Guilderland Public Library.
Albany County Farmers Market | 10a-2p, free. Snap recipients get 2x benefits. Shop the best in produce, flowers and more at the MVP Arena.
A word from our partner
New on the market: A magnificent custom build on 8 acres in Troy
True luxury lies in customization. Indulge your farmhouse dreams with this breathtaking tabla rasa of an estate home featuring exquisite milled timber framing and wide plank floors with radiant heating throughout the first floor. Nestled on eight stunning acres, this Troy property includes a serene private lake, plus outdoor AND indoor pools for year-round enjoyment.
The adjacent pool house is 2,500 sq ft and comes complete with its own expansive bathroom. The grand living room features soaring 24-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, fireplace, and a loft area overlooking the entire space. Enjoy tasteful fixtures and walk-in closets throughout the house, and an expansive master suite with private deck. Design your own kitchen with a $50,000 allowance!
The deets: 4 bd, 3 ba. Asking: 1,490,900. Days on market: 4. See the full listing here.
For more information about Dana Farrell of Howard Hanna, click here.
🎸 LIVE MUSIC ROUNDUP
Thursday 9/5 | John 5 | Empire Live |
Friday 9/6 | Goose | SPAC American Aquarium | Levon Helm Studios Hip Hop Jam with Capital Crook | No Fun Eastbound Throw Down | Irwin Farm Candlelight: From Bach to The Beatles | Kenmore Ballroom |
Saturday 9/7 | Honeysuckle | Caffe Lena Ryan Leddick | Troy Music Hall Courtyard Nicole Atkins | Levon Helm Studios Planetarium Party: Virgo Szn | No Fun Pink Pony Club: Chapelle Roan Night | Empire Live Hoods & Southpaw | Empire Live Jacob Shipley | Nine Pin |
Sunday 9/8 | The Gothard Sisters (sold out) | Caffe Lena Capital Region Blues Jam | McGeary’s Pub Pitbull with T-Pain | SPAC The Vapors | Colony Woodstock |
Love The 518? Hire StoryCraft to boost your business!
Do you have a small business that needs more attention? Work with StoryCraft to level up your website and/or social media presence and connect with more of the right customers. Right now, StoryCraft is offering free 30-minute coaching calls for Capital Region businesses. We’ll do a quick audit of your current marketing and see how the right campaign can help you grow.
And work personally with these two beautiful people…
Reply