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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Tonight’s Program

Friday, October 6, 2023
8:00 PM at Kleinhans Music Hall

WELCOME

Barbara Cole, JBLC Executive & Artistic Director

AUTHOR’S PRESENTATION

Jhumpa Lahiri

CONVERSATION with JHUMPA LAHIRI

Moderated by Barbara Cole

BOOK SIGNING

Kleinhans Lobby

About Tonight’s Featured Artist

Jhumpa Lahiri - Featured Artist Photo - BABEL - Just Buffalo Literary Center

JHUMPA LAHIRI, a bilingual writer and translator, is the Millicent C. McIntosh Professor of English and Director of Creative Writing at Barnard College (Columbia University). She received the Pulitzer Prize in 2000 for Interpreter of Maladies, her debut story collection. She is also the author of The Namesake, Unaccustomed Earth, and The Lowland, which was a finalist for both the Man Booker Prize and the National Book Award in fiction.

Since 2015, Lahiri has been writing fiction, essays, and poetry in Italian: In Altre Parole (In Other Words), Il Vestito dei libri (The Clothing of Books), Dove mi trovo (self-translated as Whereabouts), Il quaderno di Nerina, and Racconti romani. She has translated three novels by Domenico Starnone and is the editor of The Penguin Classics Book of Italian Short Stories, which was published in Italy as Racconti Italiani. Lahiri received the National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama in 2014, and in 2019 she was named Commendatore of the Italian Republic by President Sergio Mattarella.

Her most recent book in English is a collection of essays entitled Translating Myself and Others, published in Spring 2022 by Princeton University Press and the forthcoming collection, Roman Storiesโ€”available tonight courtesy of Talking Leaves Books.

About BABEL‘s Moderator

Barbara Cole

BARBARA COLE is the Executive & Artistic Director of Just Buffalo Literary Center.

A 2011 fellow in Poetry from the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), Cole received her M.A. in Creative Writing from Temple University in Philadelphia and Ph.D. in English with a specialization in Poetics from the University at Buffalo.

About Just Buffalo Literary Center

Just Buffalo Literary Centerโ€™s mission is to create and strengthen communities through the literary arts. And for more than 45 years, we have brought the worldโ€™s greatest writers to Buffalo, hosted poetry events and readings, and supported the development of young writers.

We believe in the love of reading, the art of writing, and the power of the literary arts to transform individual lives and communities.

Just Buffalo is a registered 501-c-3 non-profit organization, and your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

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Make a Donation Today

Your generous gift to Just Buffalo Literary Center can help write the next chapter! Make a donation online today.

BABEL 2023โ€“2024 Tickets

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BABEL 2024-2025 Season Subscriptions

GET YOUR SEASON SUBSCRIPTION TICKETS NOW!
Join Just Buffalo Literary Center for four evenings of world-famous authors at Kleinhans Music Hall—Sandra Cisneros (October 10, 2024), Tommy Orange (November 13, 2024), Cheryl Strayed (March 20, 2025), and James McBride (April 30, 2025). Doors & VIP Patron Reception at 7:00 p.m. | Event at 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
8:00 pm
Kleinhans Music Hall
3 Symphony Circle, Buffalo, NY 14201 (Free Parking)
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Tonight’s BABEL Sponsors

BABEL Presenting Sponsors

With Major Support From

Allan & Melissa Baumgart
Mark Chason & Mariana Botero Chason
Robert J. & Martha B. Fierle Foundation
Library Foundation of Buffalo & Erie County
Elsie P. & Lucius B. McCowan Private Charitable Foundation
Julian R. & Varue W. Oishei Foundation
Corinne Rice & in memory of Victor Rice

Sponsor Organizations

The Official Bookseller of BABEL

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Talking Leaves Books

951 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14222
(716) 884-9524

(Visit Website)

Other Contributors & Credits

Sign Language Interpretation Provided By

Joan Blum & Barbara Meyer

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Playlist Curated by Govindan Kartha

(@g_kartha on Twitter)

Flowers by Maureen’s Buffalo Wholesale Flower Market

(Visit Website)

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The Literary Leadership Circle

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The Literary Leadership Circle is a distinguished group of supporters who have made a commitment of $5,000 or more over 3 years to support Just Buffalo Literary Centerโ€™s work.

A Special Thank You to:

Paul A. Battaglia
Allan & Melissa Baumgart
Dianne Bennett & William Graebner
Sandra Block, M.D. & Patrick Long
Mark Chason & Mariana Botero Chason
Adele & George DeTitta
Kanika & Spencer Durland
Geri Grossman in loving memory of Jimmie Gilliam
Thomas & Sharon Hewner
Lynda G. Kaszubski
John N. Lipsitz & Maria Scrivani
Kevin & Janet O’Leary
Elizabeth Pascal & Family
Corinne Rice & in loving memory of Victor Rice
John Spears
Anne & Dave Taylor

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Silo City Reading Series Anthology

ON SALE NOW!

This limited-edition anthology features a poem from each poet who has read in those historic grain silos over the past ten years, including such literary luminaries as Ocean Vuong, Maggie Smith, Jericho Brown, Morgan Parker, Hanif Abdurraqib, Vievee Francis, and a slew of others.

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Upcoming Youth Writing Workshops

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JBWC Drop-In Hours (October 2024)

At Drop-in Hours, youโ€™ll find writing support, prompts, typewriters, reading recommendations, access to our unique library, publication opportunities, and good snacks.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
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Upcoming Adult Writing Workshops

Open Hours - Just Buffalo Writing Center - Creative Programs for Adults

JBWC Open Hours

OPEN HOURS provides a dedicated time and place for you to focus on your writing. Create new work and improve your writing skills. Get inspired by the non-circulating library at Just Buffalo, and enjoy the company of other writers in one of Buffalo's most beautiful downtown locations.
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
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Writing Group Featuring Jillian Hanesworth

Jillian Hanesworth is an EMMY winning spoken word artist, the Poet Laureate Emeritus of Buffalo, New York and a community organizer and activist. Jillian was born and raised on the East Side of Buffalo where she developed a vision to use art and advocacy to help her community reimagine justice and work together to create a system where all people can thrive. After Jillian Hanesworthโ€™s presentation, writers are welcome to join (or observe) critique groups, or to write in silence.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
6:00 am
Art's Cafe
5 East Main Street, Springville, New York 14141
No event found!

Upcoming Teacher Workshops

November 2024
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Teachers Are Writers

In collaboration with WNYNET, and the Buffalo State English Education program, Just Buffalo Literary Center offers this workshop series for school teachers and educators so they will have the opportunity to explore their own creative work, engage in ongoing conversations about process, and grow as writers.
Thursday, November 7, 2024
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
December 2024
Teachers Are Writers December 5, 2024 700x700

Teachers Are Writers

In collaboration with WNYNET, and the Buffalo State English Education program, Just Buffalo Literary Center offers this workshop series for school teachers and educators so they will have the opportunity to explore their own creative work, engage in ongoing conversations about process, and grow as writers.
Thursday, December 5, 2024
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
No event found!
BABEL Digital Program - Back Cover Logo - Just Buffalo Literary Center

For over 45 years, Just Buffalo Literary Center has brought the worldโ€™s greatest writers to Buffalo, hosted poetry events and readings, and supported the development of young writers.

We believe in the love of reading, the art of writing, and the power of the literary arts to transform individual lives and communities.

Whether youโ€™re a new friend or a familiar face, become a member today & discover just how much is happening at Just Buffalo Literary Center.

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