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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Silo City Reading Series

Since 2013, the SILO CITY READING SERIES has brought together poetry, music, and art for immersive, multidisciplinary, and transcendent cultural events at Silo City–a complex of historic grain silos along the Buffalo River.

Previous Readers & Performers

Ocean Vuong // Jericho Brown // Hanif Abdurraqib // Roger Reeves // Solmaz Sharif // Megan Fernandes // Morgan Parker // Maggie Smith // Julie Byrne // Sun June // Wild Pink // Simon Joyner // Florist // Shilpa Ray // Shasti O’Leary Soudant // Mary Helena Clark // Edreys Wajed // Ariel Aberg-Riger // Chuck Tingley // & many more

Press

Poetry Society of America // Literary Hub // Book Riot // Fear No Lit // The Buffalo News // Buffalo Spree

Jericho Brown at Silo City by Pat Cray 08272022
Brandon Lopez Fred Moten performing at the 06152024 Silo City Reading photo credit Pat Cray 500x500
Donika Kelly reading from The Natural Order of Things at the Silo City Reading Series August 30, 2025 photo credit Pat Cray
Ocean Vuong reading at the Silo City Reading Series August 13, 2016 photo credit Joel Brenden
Florist performing at the Silo City Reading Series 08272022 photo credit Pat Cray
poems projected July 2025 photo credit Noah Falck 500x500
Victoria Chang July 30, 2022 photo credit Pat Cray 500x500
Wild Pink performing at the July 22, 2023 Silo City Reading Series credit Pat Cray 500x500
Maggie Smith reading at the Silo City Reading Series August 12, 2027 photo credit Nancy J. Parisi 500x500
Richie Hofmann reading at the Silo City Reading Series June 11, 2022 photo credit Pat Cray 500x500

Previous Readers & Performers

Ocean Vuong // Jericho Brown // Hanif Abdurraqib // Roger Reeves // Solmaz Sharif // Megan Fernandes // Morgan Parker // Maggie Smith // Julie Byrne // Sun June // Wild Pink // Simon Joyner // Florist // Shilpa Ray // Shasti O’Leary Soudant // Mary Helena Clark // Edreys Wajed // Ariel Aberg-Riger // Chuck Tingley // & many more

Press

Poetry Society of America // Literary Hub // Book Riot // Fear No Lit // The Buffalo News // Buffalo Spree

Silo City Reading Series News & Video Archive

Check out Silo City news, including videos from some of our greatest readings.

Announcing “In Gratitude”: A City-Wide Practice of Hope
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Announcing “In Gratitude”: A City-Wide Practice of Hope
We are thrilled to announce "In Gratitude," a city-wide reading and writing initiative designed to bring our community together. This project invites us all to practice "unabashed gratitude"—a concept inspired by the renowned poet and essayist Ross Gay.
Nicole Chochrek dances on the side of the Marine A grain elevator at the Silo City Reading Series
Sunday, August 31, 2025
Nicole Chochrek dances on the side of the Marine A grain elevator at the Silo City Reading Series
Artist and dancer Nicole Chochrek dances on the side of the Marine A grain elevator at the Silo City Reading Series while Charlie Martin performs in Duende's backyard on August 30, 2025.
Charlie Martin performs “Daisy” at the Silo City Reading Series
Sunday, August 31, 2025
Charlie Martin performs “Daisy” at the Silo City Reading Series
At the August 30, 2025 Silo City Reading Series, Charlie Martin (Hovvdy) performed music alongside poets Donika Kelly + Nabila Lovelace with installation art and dance by Nicole Chochrek.
More Silo City Videos & News
All Literary Events News

Upcoming Silo City Reading Series Events

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No events currently scheduled. Check back in 2026 for updates to the calendar for the next season!

Silo City Anthology - Book Cover Sideways - Just Bufalo Literary Center

TEN YEARS OF POEMS IN GRAIN SILOS (AN ANTHOLOGY)

The Silo City Reading Series began as a book release party and grew into a multidisciplinary summer art event featuring national and local artists performing poetry and music inside the Marine A grain silo.

This limited-edition anthology, designed by Joel Brenden, 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.

Get the Anthology

Where & When is the Silo City Reading Series?

Silo City
85 Silo City Row
Buffalo, NY 14203

The SILO CITY READING SERIES is scheduled during the summer months of June, July, and August, usually on Friday or Saturday evenings, with occasional special events at other times.

Accessibility Notice

Silo City is a non-traditional space. Please keep in mind it is an outdoor site with uneven terrain so appropriate footwear is recommended. There is also a lack of ADA accessibility, while steps have been made to make the site more accessible, things are happening incrementally on the over 100-year-old former industrial site.

If you would like to request ASL interpretation, please contact info@justbuffalo.org.

Silo City Reading Series Poster Archive

Check out the artwork of the Silo City Reading Series. Poster designs by Joel Brenden.

Silo City Reading Series - 2025 Season Poster by Joel Brenden - Just Buffalo Literary Center
Silo-City-Reading-Series-2024_season-poster-design Joel Brenden
Silo City Reading Series 2023 Season
Silo City Reading Series season poster 2022
Silo City Reading Series 2021
Silo City Reading Series 2019 Season
Silo City Reading Series 2018 poster
Silo City Reading Series 2017 poster
Silo City Reading Series 2016 poster
Silo City Reading Series 2015 poster

Our Sponsors

In 2025, the Silo City Reading Series was generously supported by:

Erie County Sponsor Logo - Just Buffalo Literary Center
NYSCA Sponsor Logo - Just Buffalo Literary Center
Cullen Foundation Sponsor Logo - Just Buffalo Literary Center
Stenclik Family Charitable Fund Sponsor Logo - Just Buffalo Literary Center
Rich's Products Sponsor Logo - Just Buffalo Literary Center
Dank 716 Sponsor Logo - Just Buffalo Literary Center
OSC Sponsor Logo - Just Buffalo Literary Center
Lawley Insurance Sponsor Logo - Just Buffalo Literary Center

Past Silo City Reading Series Events

Take a look at all of our past readings to date.

Aug 31, 2024
Silo City (Marine A)
Silo City Reading Series August 31, 2024 artwork by Joel Brenden

Silo City Reading Series: Megan Fernandes, Diana Cao, DJ B-Cutz, Dayatra Amber, Sating in Place

Join us for the season finale of the 2024 SILO CITY READING SERIES

readings from Megan Fernandes & 2024 JB Poetry Fellow, Diana Cao
a musical performance by DJ B-Cutz & Dayatra Amber
& an art installation curated by Barrett Gordon, in collaboration with DJ Carr, Mandela Huff, Drew Huff (unrelated), and Aye Thant; paired with a rollerskating performance.

TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY, JULY 29, 2024 @ 9:00 A.M.

85 Silo City Row, Buffalo, New York 14203

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More Silo City Reading Series Events (2019 & Before)