Our Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak

As a precaution to help limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and care for our community, Just Buffalo Literary Center has postponed a number of events, and we will follow the guidance of Buffalo Public Schools in terms of Just Buffalo Writing Center programming.

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On March 21, 2024, Just Buffalo Literary Center welcomed best-selling author John Irving to BABEL. Mr. Irving shared multiple excerpts from his forthcoming novel tentatively titled, Queen Esther. He shared more about the book than we think he wanted to. Thank you to everyone who joined us which created the atmosphere for a remarkable evening.

On November 9, 2023, Just Buffalo Literary Center presented another BABEL with the frontwoman for the acclaimed indie pop band, Japanese Breakfast, and author of bestselling memoir, Crying in H Mart, Michelle Zauner. We had an up close and personal conversation with the lovely Zauner on grief, loss, Korean food, finding joy again, Lord of the Rings couples costumes and so much more. Thank you to everyone who joined us for another spectacular evening

On October 20, 2023, we hosted our first reading and performance since 2019. Poet Micheal Dumanis read from his newest collection Creature (Four Way Books, 2023) and Sandra Simonds shared poems from her book Triptychs (Wave Books, 2022), as well as some new work. Musician Brian DeJesus gave us his first solo performance. It was a moving night. Thanks to everyone who came out to support poetry and music in downtown Buffalo.

On October 6, 2023, we started the new season of BABEL with the inspiring Jhumpa Lahiri. We had a lovely conversation on language and belonging and even got to hear a reading from her forthcoming book Roman Stories! Thank you to everyone who came out to Kleinhans & to our at-home viewers. You are what makes BABEL so magical.

The Silo City Reading Series continued on July 22, 2023 on a beautiful night at the grain silos. Poets Ana Božičević and Sean Thomas Dougherty shared their work with a musical performance by the band Wild Pink who performed a stripped down set during the reading and a full band show at Duende afterwards with a moving projection installation by the artist Mizin Shin.

On March 30, 2023, Anthony Doerr wowed the BABEL audience with his humor, expansive knowledge & inspiring perspective. His kindness & radiating warmth touched us all from the students at the JBWC to the very last fan in the book signing line. Thank you to everyone who came out to Kleinhans & our at-home viewers, too. The BABEL magic is because of all of you. Photographs by Pat Cray and Nancy J. Parisi