Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Earshot Reading Series
This monthly Thursday night reading series provides opportunities for MFA students
to be heard. Although that means less polished material, it gives you a great chance to catch a real up-and-comer.
Established writers also make appearances, usually five writers in all. The show does come with a $5 cover, but
then it also comes with a free drink. Lolita Bar on the Lower East Side does the hosting.
266 Broome St., btw. Allen and
Orchard sts.
212/966-7223.
www.earshotnyc.com
.
Subway: F to Delancey St.; J/M/Z to Essex St.; B/D to Grand St.
Franklin Park Reading Series
This converted garage in Crown Heights is long on ramshackle charm.
Culture comes around monthly, with the second Monday dedicated to literature, and the third Monday to films
(see Filmwax on p. 249). Both events start at 8pm, but they're popular, so take advantage of seating at 7:30pm.
Look for up to five writers on the reading series nights.
618 St. John's Place, btw. Franklin and Classon aves., Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
718/975-0196.
www.franklinparkbrooklyn.com
.
Subway: 2/3/4/5 to Franklin Ave.
The Half King
ThePerfectStorm
author Sebastian Junger is a co-owner of this bustling Chelsea bar. He's
also an occasional reader on literary nights here. There are about 50 events a year, often found on Monday nights.
505 W. 23rd St., near Tenth Ave.
212/462-4300.
www.thehalfking.com
. Subway: C/E to 23rd St.
Rooftop Refrains
The
AcademyofAmericanPoets
sets up a poesy idyll every summer on the roof of the arsenal in Central Park. High
above the city bustle, find four sessions of declaiming versifiers. Lovely views accompany, select Thursday nights at
6:30pm. (The readings move inside in case of rain.) 830 Fifth Ave., at 64th St.
212/408-0100.
www.poets.org
.
Subway:
F to 63rd St./Lexington Ave.; 6 to 68th St.
Happy Ending
This Chinatown lounge, whose name advertises a salient detail about the services of the
former tenant (a massage parlor), is home to ambitious reading and storytelling series. Readings start at 8pm;
check the calendar for monthly visits from groups as disparate as Southern writers and sex workers.
302 Broome St.,
at Forsythe St.
212/334-9676.
www.happyendinglounge.com
.
Subway: B/D to Grand St.; F to Delancey St.; J/M/Z to Essex St.
KGB Bar
Hidden away in a former speak-easy on the second floor of an East Village tenement, KGB has
the most comprehensive reading series in the city. Sunday night brings fiction, Monday poetry, Tuesday nonfic-
tion, and some Wednesdays feature the fantastic, in the form of sci-fi authors.
Drunken!Careening!Writers!
(third
Thurs) is a long-running series with the ethos of presenting 1) good writers, 2) who read their work well, and
3) something in it makes people laugh. And 15 minutes tops. The bar was once the clubhouse of the Ukrainian
Labor Home, and the commie kitsch adorning the walls completes the literary atmosphere. Most readings start
at 7pm.
85 E. 4th St., near Second Ave.
212/505-3360.
www.kgbbar.com
. Subway: F to Second Ave.; 6 to Bleecker St.
Secret Science Club
With the whole dying-planet thing going on these days, science is enjoying a re-
surgence in the popular imagination. This monthly series attracts physicists, mathematicians, and even Nobel
Prize-winning biologists. In addition to a free lecture, there's music, Q&As, and science-themed cocktails. It hap-
pens once a month at 8pm, doors open at 7:30pm, and the limited seats go fast.
The Bell House, 149 7th St., btw. Second and
Third aves., Park Slope, Brooklyn.
718/643-6510.
www.secretscienceclub.blogspot.com
.
Subway: F/G to Smith/9th St.; F/G/R to 9th St./Fourth Ave.
Triptych Readings
These poetry nights evolved from the long-running Reading Between A&B series.
Emerging poets are the focus, usually three per night. The neighborhood bar that hosts couldn't be more congeni-
al. The readings are held monthly at 7pm; check the calendar.
510 E. 11th St., btw. aves. A and B.
212/982-3929.
www.readab.com
.
Subway: L to First Ave.
9 Talking Points
New York's most famous television shows are incredibly popular, and waits of 6 months or longer are common-
place (to see
TheView,
you'd better break out your appointment book a year or two in advance). Often you'll have
