The Pen Parentis Literary Salon is a unique Downtown series that shatters parental stereotypes as it celebrates the diverse creative work of writers that are also parents. On the second Tuesday of each month September through May, join us at 75 Wall Street (Andaz Wall Street). Each night begins with networking over wine, compliments of Andaz Wall Street. Readings are followed by Q&A moderated by Pen Parentis founder M. M. De Voe and Salons curator Christina Chiu. Each event ends with mingling and book signings. Come join the fun! Pen Parentis Literary Salons are a great place to meet book-loving neighbors as well as industry notables. You don’t have to be a parent or even a writer to enjoy these events – join us!
See below for details of who is reading next and to RSVP!
May 2018
On May 8, 2018, at the glamorous Andaz Wall Street (75 Wall) they will feature the literary song stylings of four moms who write music: Fran Pado, Jenny Merkowitz, Liz Queler, and Kala Pier. Come join the fun as four noteworthy New Yorkers gather on the second floor of 75 Wall Street (at Water) for an evening of literary melodies.
May 8th’s Salon features:
Jennifer Bernard Merkowitz is a composer, pianist, and violist whose diverse inspirations have included liturgical chant, basketball games, and the growth patterns of plants. Her music has been performed in national and international venues Jenny lives in Westerville, Ohio, with her husband, David, and two sons, where she is associate professor of Music at Otterbein University.
Fran Pado is a playwright and musician who writes grim fairy tales for adults. Her dark, one-woman, musical story-plays have been performed at the renowned Dixon Place performance space. She’s the lyricist and singer of Goddess, an experimental psych-pop band whose 2015 full-length vinyl New York Music Daily called “one of the top ten albums of the year.” Her daughter, Violet, and husband, Andy, provide the love and support for her to carry on as an artist.
Three time Grammy Nominee, Liz Queler, has performed on the stages of Carnegie Hall, The Newport Folk Festival, and with the Dallas Symphony. Her most recent CD sets 21 of Edna St. Vincent Millay’s poems to music. Liz tours frequently, performing not only with her husband, Broadway conductor Seth Farber, but also with their son Joey who is now a student at Berklee College of Music.
Kala Pierson co-parents her 8-year old son with her wife and her husband as equals. A composer and a sound artist, she writes poetry and music. Based in Philadelphia, she works worldwide with commissions and performances on every continent and in festivals ranging from the Southbank Centre Biennial to Tanglewood to the International Computer Music Conference.
Pen Parentis Literary Salons break the stereotype of parent-author by presenting the vast diversity of creative writing by authors who happen to also be parents. Audiences are diverse and the evening is inclusive of all book-lovers (21+) — you don’t have to be a parent or writer to enjoy these intimate and popular upscale events.
Held at the glamorous Andaz Wall Street (who also provide refreshments including wine) these inspiring monthly events also include intimate roundtable discussions about writing as a craft and career. Salons are curated by Christina Chiu of Pen Parentis who won a prestigious Wei Look Award for the diversity of the artists she assembles. She co-hosts with Pen Parentis Founder, M. M. De Voe. Both hosts are also writers.
The long-running reading series has recently won a Creative Engagement Grant from New York City and New York State, administered by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. Events are sponsored by the prestigious downtown hotel, Andaz Wall Street, and RSVP is recommended.