Letter to a Gentleman who exclaimed bitterly that he would buy no books for Christmas…
" . . . You are quite right in believing that there is no inherent virtue in buying, or even in reading a book. I am unable to affirm that people who buy books are happier, handsomer, wealthier, more amusing, more unselfish, or more inscrutable. . . .
Yet, not to labor the matter, there remains one special reason for hullabaloo-ing the commerce in books.
The more furiously and prodigiously books are put in circulation, the more fluently will they pass into the arteries of the Second-Hand trade; this is where the real glamour of Books (as apart from merely philistine curiosity) has its color and essence.
. . . Buy books, my dear sir, not because they are in the reclame of the moment, nor because they may make you happy, rich, or wise (alas, they won't); buy them because, if they are genuine, they are living human essences and they desiderate human associations. Buy them, read them, mark and confute and annotate; and make haste to die, that they may pass on into the Purgatory of Second Hand. And there, rediscovered by some troubled amorist of life, he may rejoice in the one purest human pleasure; the happiness of inward communication with some vanished mind.
Christopher Morley's Briefcase, 1936
West Side Books Presents: Stories For All Seasons Saturday, Sept 8th @ 7:30 PM
Maiden Tribute: A Life of W.T. Stead
New Book by Grace Eckley tells the intriguing story of the life of W.T. Stead,
a remarkable journalist who dedicated himself to peace, social reform, and women's issues.
Reading, talk and signing take place at West Side Books 3434 W. 32nd Ave.
For more information: 303-480-0220 www.westsidebooks.com
No charge for Admission and Refreshments
Maiden Tribute chronicles Stead's life from his birth in northern England to
his death on the Titanic. As a major player on the national and
international scenes, he almost single-handedly passed England's first child
protection law, the C.L.A. Act, in 1885.
Grace Eckley earned her Ph.D. from Kent State University, 1970. She began
researching Stead because she found him to be a dominant influence on James
Joyce. The present life of W. T. Stead culminates twenty-four years of research.
Jazz for All Seasons: Monday September 17th at 7:00 pm
Rhythmic Void- Ambient Experimental Jazz
Malcolm Lynn Baker, Alan Joseph, Conrad Kehn
Rhythmic Void- Ambient Experimental Jazz; a trio; powerful words that mean
nothing. Ideas are criminal. We're getting old (as we speak; we play). Ideas
are suspect; moans squeaks .collisions, farts, craziness..fun . Ideas
are void. Welcome to the club
Malcolm Lynn Baker is a saxophonist, composer, band-leader, and educator,
who is the Director of the Jazz Studies and Commercial Music program at the
Lamont School of Music, University of Denver. His performing experiences
range from Bellson to Zorn -- seriously he's never played with a prominent
musician whose name began with "A" - weird isn't it? He's at home in a wide
variety of styles; you're as likely to catch him leading a big band as
playing in a saxophone quartet, a hard bop small group, or a sound painting.
Originally from Detroit, Alan Joseph continues to be a musical catalyst in
the Pike¹s Peak Region and Denver. Presently he is instructor of Guitar in
the Jazz and Commercial Music Department at the University of Denver¹s
Lamont School of Music. Along with his studio teaching at Lamont, Alan is
part of the acclaimed Lamont Jazz Faculty Combo ³The Climb.² Listening to
Alan, one can always expect to hear elements of ³Straight Ahead² Jazz, Funk,
Rhythm and Blues, and even some off-beat ³Poetry Jazz² (which at one time
involved placing microphones inside watermelons!).
Conrad Kehn is a performer, composer, improviser, educator, writer and
artist. He is the founding Director of The Playground; a chamber ensemble
dedicated to modern music. Conrad has been spotted on stage with a variety
of acts including the Mystery Children, Kallisti, Skull Flux, and of course
The Playground. As a soloist, he specializes in vocal improvisation and
contemporary music. Conrad is a lecturer of Music Theory, Composition and
Technology at the University of Denver¹s Lamont School of Music, where he
directs the Lamont Composers Series.
Please join us...and mention this e-mail for a 10% discount on any purchase in the month of Sept to celebrate West Side Books' Tenth Anniversary!
December Events 2006
Sunday December 3rd From 5-7pm
NW Denver Literary Challenge Gathering and Prize Presentation!!
Reception with certificates for all entrants and light fare following the presentation of winners
provided by Jay's Patio Café.
Music will be provided by noted violinist Elin Palmer
Wednesday, December 6th is St. Nicolas Day! A holiday we've traditionally celebrated with the gift of a small book. Join us for cider, crackers and cheese from St Kilian's Cheese shop that evening from 4 until 8.
Sunday Dec 10th from 3 to 6 pm. 32nd Ave Holiday Stroll includes shopping, hay rides, carolers, etc on the block.
Saturday December 16th at 8PM: Ron and Kent have fun playing!
Ron Miles (horn) and Kent MacLagan (bass)
November 2006
West Side Books: Stories For All Seasons
David Grinspoon Peter Heller will discuss the future of the planet and beyond.
Peter Heller and David Grinspoon invite us to be part of their ongoing discussion on the future of the species and the present and future biology of outer space. Their books will be available for purchase and they will sign after the discussion.
Do humans deserve to survive on earth?
Would earth be better off without us?
Should humanity survive to populate the heavens considering the damage done to the home planet?
What is the science and what is the speculation?
And what can humanity do until it becomes clear?
Peter’s background as a writer for Outside Magazine, author of several books and lifelong participant in a life in the outdoors, and David’s background as author, professional Exo-biologist and curator - educator at the Denver Museum of Science and Nature ( Dr. Funky Science), will make their conversations quite an eavesdropping opportunity. Interested folk of all backgrounds are invited to attend, listen and add their thoughts to the informal proceedings. Afterwards, they will sign books and answer questions!
http://www.funkyscience.net/index.html and http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=1601
Thursday, November 16th from 6-7 PM!!!
Kat Valentine King will introduce herself her book “After Dark” at West Side BSide Books, after which the Highlands Celebrity Bar Crawl begins: Three Dogs TavernMeade Street Station Swim Club 32
Directly After Kat's Reading--Join us for
Third Thursday on 32nd Ave:
November 16th @ 7:15 pm
Music with local favorites: Karen Horan, Wayne Massi and Marcella Skogen
Thursday, October 19th at 7PM:
Three Little Words Trio (Mark Harris, Mike Fitzmaurice, and Glenn Taylor)
play Melodies of the 30's and 40's - Join us for a Romantic Evening!
Creative Music Works Presents
 Tatsuya Nakatani - Improvisational Percussionist -
Originally from Kobe and Osaka, Japan, internationally renowned percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani has toured extensively throughout the world, having performed in approximately 80 cities and 10 countries.
Utilizing drumset, gongs, cymbals, singing bowls, metal objects, sticks and bows, he creates collages of sound, which combine the sense of space and beauty found in traditional Japanese folk music with the extended techniques
of New Music, yet with great energy and intensity. Although his music defies category or genre, it can be viewed as a cross-cultural mixture of improvised music, experimental music, jazz, free jazz, and rock.
In addition to live solo and ensemble performances, he has provided sound design for films and television projects.
The latest of these was the performance of an improvised sound score for silent movie- “The Water Magician” (1933, directed by Kenji Mizoguchi), which was part of exhibition of Hiroshi Sugimoto Photograph at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. He is the recent recipient of The Bronx Arts Council Individual Artist grant. Also he has been seIected PennPAT Artist Roster 2007(Pennsylvania Performing Art on Tour). In addition to his work as a percussionist, Nakatani heads HH Production, an independent record label and recording studio based in Easton, Pennsylvania.
Saturday October 21st 8:00PM
Friday, September 22nd at 8pm
Random Axe Trio: Kent Maclagan on Bass, Mark Harris on Sax, and Glen Nitta on Sax: all thatJazz???
Sunday, October 1st @ 6 PM
Two Poets Reading:
Maureen Owen will read from Erosion's Pull
Gia Opris will read from Lapis Sky and Time Pieces
Saturday, October 14th @ 7:30 PM
Stories for all Seasons: Storyteller Renee Fajardo and Photojournalist Todd Pierson, having spent two years researching the Peyote Way Church of God, offer a unique perspective into the world of the sacred cactus known as peyote.
Our Annual Poetry Contest is an open mic night!
West Side Books celebrates Poetry Month!
Our Bake Sale info:
Saturday, April 22th All Day! Celebration of the Anniversary of the Death of Cervantes gives rise to the tradition of giving a Book and a Rose to a special person in one’s life. We’ve named it “Books Roses Day” and will have fine books, lovely roses and our beloved Bake Sale for Poetry. (Monies raised will go to a literary scholarship to be awarded at the April 28th open Mic reading.)
The Bake Sale allows prizes for the open mic!
Sunday, April 30th 6 pm
Bread and Roses: Open Mic Poetry Contest
On the eve of the (real) Labor Day celebration and in remembrance of Mother Jones, we’ll host the West Side Books Poetry Contest LIVE at the bookstore.
Bring poems! Awards given at the scene!
Stories for All Seasons Wednesday, May 17
Mario Acevedo Lynda Sandoval
VampireDetectives Mystical Romance!
Introductions by Edward Bryant at 6:45-Reading begins @ 7pm
Saturday, April 22nd All Day!
Celebration of the Anniversary of the Death of Cervantes gives rise to the tradition of giving a Book and a Rose to a special person in one’s life. We’ve named it “Books Roses Day” and will have fine books, lovely roses and our beloved Bake Sale for Poetry. (Monies raised will go to a literary scholarship to be awarded at the April 30th open Mic reading.)
Sunday, April 23rd 6 pm
Drew Myron and Friends. Drew joins us from the far northwest “on tour” for the opening of “The Making of Dust” – A celebration of words and art featuring the work of 20 artists from around the world. In collaboration with Weilworks Gallery.
Stories for all Seasons
Featuring Author Melanie Tem with readings from her Play and from her newest short story: “Groupie” among others!
Wednesday, April 19th at 7pm
Comfort Me With Peaches plays at:
The Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo Street, Denver, CO. April 21 through May 7, 2006
For reservations, call 303-995-2467
Ed Bryant's introduction at 6:45
March 2006:
Westside Books Presents
CHAMPAGNE CHOCOLATE and CORSETS
Have you or your friends always wanted a corset?
Want them to drool when you walk by?
Need to surprise that special person in your life?
If you think corsets are old-fashioned and uncomfortable, these fantastic steel-boned corsets will change your mind forever!
Sunday, March 5, 2006
Westside Books (303) 480-0330 - 3434 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 4-7 PM
Seams Like Magik will be at Westside Books with corsets in a selection of sensuous fabrics and a variety of sizes so you can try on one of their terrific corsets. All corsets will be available for purchase or you can order a custom corset.
5:00 PM Corset Basics – Everything you always wanted to know about corsets. Corset myths and history, corset construction and styles, how to fit a corset and more!
SEAMS LIKE MAGIK: Custom designers of Renaissance, Medieval and Fantasy clothing
Call (303) 549-7568 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
to arrange a gift certificate for a corset for that special someone. Perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Stories For All Seasons
Horror Fantasy Writers:
Carrie Vaughn “Vampires, Werewolves, Talk Radio”
Barbara Nickless “A Fly Came By”
Wednesday, March 15th at 6:30 pm
Alaskan Poet Ann Coray
Poet/NovelistLinda Hogan
Intro by Ed Bryant @ 6:30
Thursday, November 17th @ 7:30
2005 Poetry Contest Winners:
Alice Dugan Beth Partin, Michele Harvey, Pauline Wanderer, Tabitha Dial, Isaac Fereirra, Cheryl Loetscher, Gabriel Jesse Patterson, Jaimie Elliott
Wednesday, October 12th at 7pm:
Brian Hodge, Trey Barker, and Tom Piccarelli
Three Colorado Authors of Horror/Fantasy
Sunday October 16th at 8pm
Golda Solomon of the New York Poetry
and Jazz scene (producer of the monthly series: "Po' Jazz) is brought to West Side Books by Creative Music Works.
Tickets: $7 CMW Members/Students;
$10 General Public www.creativemusicworks.com
Monday August 29th 7 PM Creative Music Works Artists Janet Feder Fei Wu
Janet Feder (b. Boulder, Colorado) composes and performs instrumental music for prepared guitar(s) drawing influence from her lifetime of playing folk, rock, punk, and classical music. Papered long ago in Musicology from the University of Massachusetts, Janet has enjoyed sharing the stage more recently with legendary players Henry Kaiser, Fred Frith, Elliott Sharp, and Mike Keneally. She has released one solo recording ‘Speak Puppet’ on ReR Recommended Records (UK) and another is forthcoming on ReR Recommended Records (US). Janet performs solo and with her duo Cowhause (Colin Bricker, programming) nationally and internationally, and is most pleased currently to be exploring new musical landscapes with Fei Wu.
"You are the missing link between the music I loved when I was 18 and the music I love now. It all makes sense..." -Fred Frith
Fei Wu (b. Beijing, China), an accomplished musician and composer of contemporary gu zheng music, will give a performance of traditional Chinese music, folk songs, and world fusion. Fei is a graduate of the China Conservatory of Music and holds a Masters in Composition from Mills College. Fei Wu co-composed some of the pieces on Fred Frith’s newest album of film music entitled “Eye to Ear II” and contributed her unique gu zheng element to the entire album (review published in "The Wire", April 2004.)
“Fei’s virtuosity on the gu zheng is breathtaking…” -Fred Frith
Third Thursday on 32nd Ave Jazz at West Side Books
Hal Lewis, Kent McLagan, Ron Miles
Featuring the original music of Hal Lewis
Aug. 18th 8 PM
West Side Books Stories For All Seasons
An evening with: Ed Bryant
Enjoy his pithy musings, his fine writing and some tasty birthday treats as well!
Wednesday, August 17th at 6:30PM
Coming up in August:
The 21st annual Rocky Mountain Antiquarian Book Fair! August 5 and 6th.
See www.rmaba.org for more info.
August 17th: Stories For all Seasons with Ed Bryant!!!
Stories For All Seasons
Wednesday July20th 7pm
Enjoy Local Science Fiction Writers: James Denny Townsend & Wil McCarthy
Books will be available for signing!!
Introduction with Ed Bryant at 6:30pm
May 2005: Stories For All Seasons
Non-Fiction: Biography History
Candy Moulton & Lori van Pelt
Wednesday, May 18th
at 6:30pm
June Stories For All Seasons with
Erika Krouse!!!
April 2005:
There's still time to celebrateNational Poetry Month!
We have new Billy Collins Anthologies, Mary Oliver, Vintage Dickinson and local poets' chapbooks and literary journals! Eat Poetry, Dream Poetry, Live Poetry!!
Don't Forget Mother's day May 8th--Buy her a book!
Our previous poetry contest winners will read and special guest poet:
Sheryl Luna will read from her new chapbook: "Pity the Drowned Horse", MC'd by Poet Ira Slotkin
Also Wednesday, April 20th at 6:30look for our Stories For All Seasons with Connie Willis.
See Connie's web page here!
West Side Books2004 Poetry Contest Winners!
General Audience
1st Place: Andrea Watson (Mythology of Your Nights and The Poem in Which I Revere A Jar...)
2nd Place: Alice Dugan Goble (Silver Plume Lament)
3rd Place: Melanie Tem (Woman Wailing)
Honorable Mentions:
Leland Williams (Confession)
J. Morgan Garroway (Schrodinger's Rondel)
Judy Q. Satterlee (Rapture)
Jari Thymian (Ice Strom)
Short Poems/Haiku:
1st Place: Beth A Partin (Methodology and Palimpsest)
2nd Place: Leland Williams (Match.com)
3rd Place: John Kuebler (Goner)
Honorable Mentions:
Jefferson Navicky (Coefficients in Poetry)
Leland Williams (O Faithful Shadow)
H. Doug Reeves (Janis)
John Kuebler (Small Mountain Lake)
Leland Williams (Prisoner)
Teen/Children:
1st Place: Cora Bondie (Untitled)
2nd Place: Sandina Tanguma (Beyond the Box)
3rd Place: Peter Zhang (Bury Me)
Honorable Mentions:
Tabetha Chapman (Dark)
Heather Prul (Seventeen Minutes)
Natasha Miks (As It Seems)
Jessy Hennesy (The Puzzle)
Kevin Kissler (A Stroll in the Land of Oz)
Friday, February 18th at 7:30pm
Poetry For All Seasons
The Poets:
Renee Ruderman
Cate Wiley
They Will Read, Delight and Enlighten Us!
Friday February 4th at 7:30pm Jazz For all Seasons
Random Axe Jazz Trio: Kent McLagan, Genn Nitta, and Mark Harris create Aural Epicurean's Jazz
Friday February 11th from 7-9pm
Chili Today Hot Tamale Newest Book by the Rocky Mountain Storytellers Conference New Book… Hear the Stories… Meet the Authors… And a Book Signing…
Chili Today, Hot Tamale Other Tummy Tales Complied by Renee Fajardo Carl Ruby – Illustrated by Arlette Lucero
“Chili Today Hot Tamale Other Tummy Tales”, is a delightful collaboration between eleven talented and very lively storytellers from the Rocky Mountain Storytellers’ Conference. It is a warm and personal look into the very culturally diverse culinary taste of the folks that call America home.
Sprinkle in an ample helping of family stories from long ago and far away and you have a feast for all occasions. As they say, “the family that cooks together eats together!” And we all know that the family that eats together laughs together!
Bon appetit! Bon appetite!
Wednesday, February 16th at 6:30 pm Rosemary Fetter reads from her book: "Colorado's Legendary Lovers: Historical Scandals, Heartthrobs, and Haunting Romances"
2004 Schedule of Events
February 18th, 2004 -- Mercury Cafe Poets: Six Decades of Erotica
Join poets from the Mercury Cafe as they tantalize the temporal lobes with erotica spanning more than fifty years.
March 17th, 2004 -- Speak Up Press: Teen Writers and Artists
This special edition of Stories for All Seasons focuses on writers and artists associated with Speak Up Press, a non-profit publishing market for teens age 13 to 19. Visit the Speak Up Press website for more information about this great program.
April 21st, 2004 -- MagmaSplatter!
Poems, rants, noise and improvisations by Denver poet Wayne Gilbert. Wayne promises that this performance will include some audience choral improvisation. For more information about Wayne and his unique spoken word style, visit Magmaphonic.
May 19th, 2004 -- Women Writing the West
WSB welcomes Jerrie Hurd and Joyce Lohse as they read from their recent works and discuss the West as seen from a female perspective.
A SPECIAL WEEKEND OF POETRY:
June 12, 2004 (Sat.) -- Poetry in the Mail
Come listen to Posted Poets read from 200 poems sent through snail mail! Over 40 themes!
June 13th, 2004 (Sun.) -- Poetry and Writings from Denver's Beacon for Writers: The Lighthouse Writers
Come experience Denver's wealth of local writers read samples from their works and learn about the Lighthouse Writer's Workshops!
June 16th, 2004 -- James van Pelt and Warwick Downing
Join young adult authors James van Pelt (Strangers and Beggars) and Warwick Downing (Kid Curry's Last Ride and Leonardo's Hand) as they read from their new books!
July 21st, 2004 -- Joanne Greenburg
Joanne Greenburg's I Never Promised You a Rose Garden has become a staple among recommended reading lists across the country. Come see what she's up to now as West Side Books welcomes this very special guest.
August 18th, 2004 -- Writing Group Readers
As Melanie Tem did last year, Ed Bryant will be presenting students from his writing groups to read their original fiction. Readers to be announced.
September 15th, 2004 -- Fantastic Local Writers
Christie Golden and Sarah Hoyt, local fantasy authors, read from their works and discuss fantasy writing.
September 16th, 2004 -- Poet Veronica Patterson
Veronica Patterson, local Colorado Book Award Winner will read from her newest poetr
October 20th, 2004 -- The Art of Storytelling
Renee Fajardo and friends from CHAC (Chicano Humanities and Arts Center) entertain us with the fine art of storytelling.
November 17th, 2004 -- It's a Mystery!
This month's Stories for All Seasons will focus on mystery writers. Mark Irving and Manuel Ramos will read from their newest!
December 15th, 2004 -- Peter Heller and John Calderazzo
A night of creative Non-Fiction--- A signed book is a great Christmas gift! Meet the authors, too!
Event Archives
JOHN CALDERAZZO PETER HELLER A night of Fire and Water!
The Fourth Genre: Creative Non-Fiction
Rising Fire: Volcanoes And Our Inner Lives
Hell or High Water: Surviving Tibet’s Tsangpo River
No charge for admission and Refreshments Coffee provided by Peaberry
Wednesday, November 17th 6:30 pm
Join us for a night of Mystery with Mark Irving Manuel Ramos
(12/23/02) The Rich Chiaraluce Trio stopped by for an informal holiday jazz concert.
Saturday,September 4, 2004 at 9 p.m.
West Side Books & Creative Music Works Presents:
Tom Rainey Tony Malaby Quarte Featuring: Tom Rainey on drums, Tony Malaby on tenor, Eric Gunnison on piano and Kent McLagan on bass.
Taking a chamber music approach to jazz improvisation, two of downtown New York's finest join their friends in Colorado playing originals and jazz standards. Catch this unique quartet together for the first time!
Tickets: $6 CMW Members/Students/Seniors
$8 General public
*seating is limited
Wednesday, September 15th presents a night of Fantasy Writers!
Christie Golden www.christiegolden.com
and Sarah Hoyt www.sarahahoyt.com
read from their newest fantasy novels!!!
Come early for Ed Bryant's intro at 6:30 (Show starts at 7pm)
Thursday, September 16th at 7pm
A night of Poetry: West Side Books is proud to present 2001 Colorado Book award winning Poet Veronica Patterson!!!
See her 2004 Robinson Jeffers Tor House Prize for Poetry at www.torhouse.org/prize.htm
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