The Smart Set is a weekly feature, compiled by Lauren Cerand, that usually appears Mondays at 12:30pm and highlights the best of the week to come. Special favor is given to New York’s independent booksellers and venues, and low-cost and free events. Please send details to lauren [at] maudnewton.com by the Thursday prior to publication, with the event’s date in the subject line.
MONDAY, 1.15: The Reader’s Room at Mo Pitkin’s promises to “redefine the term ‘reading’ with the world debut of Heather Greer’s graphic novel, multi-media extravaganza, Splinters Mosaics and Shards…Greer’s work stands at the crossroads between literature, film, photography, the plastic and graphic arts.” Recommended. 7:00pm, one-drink minimum. And, at Cornelia Street Cafe, the New York Quarterly presents an evening with poets Mark Bibbins, Stephen Herz and Tony Gloeggler. 6:00pm, $6 cover includes one drink.
TUESDAY, 1.16: I need a ticket to one of Amy Winehouse’s sold-out shows at Joe’s Pub (you can see why). Nothing else to do on Tuesday but cry, cry, cry. Alternatively, contributors to She’s Such a Geek celebrate the book’s publication at Bluestockings. 7:00pm, FREE. And, at KGB, “Memoirists Collective members, including Hillary Carlip, Queen of the Oddballs; Maria Dahvana Headley, The Year of Yes; Danielle Trussoni, Falling Through the Earth; and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, I Am not Myself These Days, read from their work.” 7:00pm, FREE.
WEDNESDAY, 1.17: On Wednesday evening, “Please join Tin House Books, Fredericks & Freiser Gallery, and Zak Smith in a celebration of Smith’s new book, Pictures Showing What Happens on Each Page of Thomas Pynchon’s Novel Gravity’s Rainbow.” Highly recommended. 6:00pm, FREE.
THURSDAY, 1.18: From the German Book Office: “Hope you can make it to our next German Shindig: Neujahrsumtrunk, at Loreley (cash bar). Please spread the word. You don’t have to be fluent in German. As long as you can order your beer in German [ed. Ich trinke gern ein Bier, bitte], you are fine.” 6:30pm, FREE. And, “SUPERNOVA brings together acclaimed writers at the Bowery Poetry Club. Suheir Hammad hosts this stellar event, which features Sapphire, Willie Perdomo, and Victor LaValle, with a special appearance by Beau Sia. During this electrifying evening, award-winning writers and veteran performers light up the stage with their unforgettable work in support of VONA (Voices of Our Nations Arts) Summer Writing Workshops for writers of color.” Highly recommended. 6:30pm, $10 – 20 suggested. Additionally, at the Strand, “College buddies Colson Whitehead, author of Apex Hides the Hurt, and Kevin Young, author of For the Confederate Dead; Poems, will share their work with us and reminisce about their crazy parties in Brooklyn.” 7:00pm, FREE.
FRIDAY, 1.19: David Lynch’s new film, Inland Empire, is crazy/beautiful and worth checking out.
SATURDAY, 1.20: On Saturday night, Scandinavian singer-songwriter Ane Brun plays a rare U.S. show at Bowery Ballroom. And, Times junkies take note: you can catch a peek of the new building at the Center for Architecture.
SUNDAY, 1.21: Spend the afternoon making that mix you’ve been daydreaming about (I can’t be the only one): Editors, The Books, The Dirty Novels, My Latest Novel, From Fiction, The Paperbacks, The Playwrights, Bookworm, et al.