This week in New York, Sapphire reads from her new book, The Kid; Kick Assonance poetry reading; Tayari Jones reads from Silver Sparrow; The Center for Fiction reading of No Rest for the Dead; the Akashic All-Stars party at Greenlight Bookstore; music at MoMA PS1 and Harlem Stage; and Eat, Drink and Think Like…Mark Twain at 92Y Tribeca.
MONDAY 7/04: It’s the 4th of July. Go to a cookout, watch the fireworks, or stay at home and watch the Twilight Zone marathon.
TUESDAY 7/05: Sapphire, author of Push, will discuss her new book The Kid with journalist Katherine Lanpher. Singer Imani Uzuri will perform from her “The Gypsy Diaries,” with guests from the Dance Theater of Harlem. Barnes and Noble Union Square. 7 p.m. Free.
WEDNESDAY 7/06: Go Kick Assonance tonight with a night of poetry hosted by Leslie Goshko. Poets Kyle Erickson, Steven Leyva, Christian Ericson, and Sei Shiroma will read their work. $1 drink special and limited edition handmade books. The Sackett. 7:30 p.m. Free.
THURSDAY 7/07: Author Tayari Jones reads from her new book Silver Sparrow and will be interviewed by Sara Nelson, Books Editor at O: The Oprah Magazine. McNally Jackson. 7 p.m. Free.
FRIDAY 7/08: The Center for Fiction presents a reading of No Rest for the Dead, a collaborative novel by 26 writers. Contributors who will be in attendance are: Peter James, Marcia Talley, John Lescroart, RL Stine, Diana Gabaldon, Jeffery Deaver, Michael Palmer, Jonathan Santlofer, and Gayle Lynds. 7 p.m. $8 (Ticket proceeds will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society).
Greenlight Bookstore will host the Akashic All-Stars Party, celebrating the work and success of the Brooklyn-based publisher. The party will feature an introduction from publisher Johnny Temple and feature Kevin Holohan, author of The Brothers’ Lot; David Unger, author of The Price of Escape; Persia Walker, author of Black Orchid Blues; Mr. Fish, author of Go Fish: How to Win Contempt and Influence People; Kathleen George, editor of Pittsburgh Noir; and Adam Mansbach & Ricardo Cortes, author and illustrator of Go the F**k to Sleep. 7:30 p.m. Free.
SATURDAY 7/09: Saturday is the day for music. First Warm Up 2011 at MoMA PS1, the series that showcases experimental live music, featuring Four Tet/Domino/London, UK; Falty DL/Planet Mu/New York, NY; SBTRKT/Young Turks/London, UK; Bronze/RVNG Intl/ San Francisco, CA; Matthewdavid/Brainfeeder/Los Angeles, CA; TURRBOTAX® DJs/New York, NY. 2 p.m. $15 (which includes access to all exhibitions).
And then head to Harlem, where Harlem Stage will present a free outdoor concert with original music, covers of unreleased J. Dilla tracks, and a tribute to Gil Scott-Heron with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and special guests Jose James, Pharoahe Monch, and Zap Mama. Opening act is Taylor McFerrin with DJ J. Period, the Mixtape Assassin. Annunciation Park on Amsterdam Avenue and 134th St. 5 p.m., gates open at 4 p.m.
SUNDAY 7/10: Today, go learn how to Eat, Drink and Think Like…Mark Twain. Food writer Andrew Beahrs, author of Twain’s Feast: Searching for America’s Lost Foods in the Footsteps of Samuel Clemens and Patti Philippon, chief curator of the Mark Twain House and Museum will talk about Twain’s favorite American dishes. There will be a sampling of Twain’s favorite food and drink. 92Y Tribeca. 2 p.m. $55.
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