Lit Crawl MN boasts a roster of local authors, artists, and performers at 10+ different events that range from readings, improv, games, interactive story-building, and a hands-on workshop. A celebration of the vibrant literary scene in the Twin Cities, this lively crawl will have something for everyone. Lit Crawl MN is a project of Litquake; Lit Crawl MN 2019 is produced by Bartmann Group and The Loft Literary Center as part of The Loft's First Annual Wordplay!
Lit Crawl MN is FREE and open to the public. Grab a drink and join us for some zany literary fun!
Lit Crawl MN is FREE and open to the public. Grab a drink and join us for some zany literary fun!
Schedule of Events:
Highpoint Center for Printmaking
6 p.m. | Coffee House Press with Frank Bures present Under Purple Skies: Minneapolis Bingo
The Minneapolis literary scene meets bingo—match the quote about our beloved city to the author who wrote it on a special literary bingo board. Prizes and drinks will be on hand—join us!
7 p.m. | Milkweed Editions and Graywolf Press present Whose Pun Is It Anyway: A Play on Words
Join Milkweed Editions and Graywolf Press for a night of the most groan-worthy, on-the-fly literary puns! What do you get when you mix sci-fi with the animal kingdom? Ursula Le Penguin! Literary movements with vegetables? Romaine-ticism! Teams of adventurous writers and editors will face off pudden-death style—but they'll also be able to call on you, the audience, for help. We'll supply the literary prompts and prizes; only you can say whose puns are best (or worst). Are you game? Featuring Mary Laura Philpott, Kristen Arnett and Chris Santiago.
Morrissey's Irish Pub
6 p.m. | Happy Hour with The Asian American Journalists Association and Twin Cities Black Journalists
The Asian American Journalists Association and Twin Cities Black Journalists are reporters and nonfiction authors representing nearly every media outlet in the Twin Cities. Our members write for our food and buy ink by the barrel. Come have a beer and talk with us about craft, coverage, and Minnesota stories.
7 p.m. | Read More Women Heads Up!
Electric Literature, Littsburgh and The Believer/Black Mountain Institute host a Read More Women edition of Heads Up!, designed for maximum audience participation. Featuring Lacy Johnson, and Angie Kim.
8 p.m. | Autoptic Spring Showcase
Autoptic's Reading Series is an opportunity for the public to come see comics and zine creators and experience an excerpt of their work in their own words. Featuring: Gabrielle Bell, Kristin Tipping, Sean Knickerbocker, Peter Faecke, and Maddi Gonzalez.
Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater
6 p.m. | The Current's Rock and Roll Book Club presents: Classic Rock Record Party with Steven Hyden
Dive deep into the era that defined the image of a "rock star," with rock star author Steven Hyden. He'll read from his book Twilight of the Gods: A Journey to the End of Classic Rock, and then spin a few of his favorite classic rock LPs, sharing stories about the albums' origins in conversation with host Jay Gabler.
7 p.m. | Nerd Jeopardy
Just like the game show. Except all the questions concern books, everyone's tipsy, and heckling is encouraged. Multiple teams will tackle categories like Poetry, Drunks, Children's Books, and Debbie Downers of Literature. Anyone can compete! Corral a couple friends for a team of 2-4 people. Prizes include books, drinks, and literary glory. Hosted by Ryan Chapman (author of Riots I Have Known), with special guests Mark Doten, Julie Schumacher, and Jennifer DuBois.
8 p.m. | Literary Death Match
Literary Death Match, now in over 60 cities worldwide, was called "the most entertaining reading series ever" by the LA Times. The live show brings together four authors to read their most electric writing for seven minutes or less before a panel of three all-star judges. After each pair of readers, the judges take turns spouting hilarious, off-the-wall commentary — in the categories of literary merit, performance and intangibles — then select their favorite to advance to the finals. The two finalists then compete in a vaguely literary competition to determine who takes home the Literary Death Match crown.
Zoe's Cafe
6 p.m. | Write on Mamas present: Teachable Moments: Motherhood, A Master Class in Unplanned Learning
Whether we guide our children or learn from them – motherhood is filled with endless 'teachable moments.' For the third year in a row this ensemble of women will take the stage to read personal stories of some lessons they have learned along the way. Featuring: Paula Chapman, Leslie Lagerstrom, Cindy Lehew-Nehrbass, K.M. (Kelly) O'Sullivan, Kate St. Vincent Vogl, Roxanne Sadovsky, and Kate Bratt.
7 p.m. | Lit Crawl Minneapolis: An Evening with Paper Darts and The Rumpus
Join Paper Darts and The Rumpus for an evening of inspiring readings! Featuring performances from Ross Gay, Sagirah Shahid, Lyz Lenz, Lilliam Rivera, 신 선 영 Sun Yung Shin, and Brandon Taylor.
Red Stag Supperclub
6 p.m. | Word Sprout presents: Storysmash
You can't make this stuff up! This show is FULL of true stories. Join us for some of the best live literature in town. Featuring stories from competitive storytellers from Minneapolis' longest running slam, Word Sprout's SlamMN!
7 p.m. | Fisher Cats present: (How) Are You My Mother? Essays on Nature and Nurture featuring Michele Filgate and Lori Gottlieb
Fisher Cats is a collective of women writers who have studied with Minneapolis author, editor and teacher Kate Hopper. Fisher Cats write in the creative nonfiction genre, and often their essays capture the wild ride of motherhood. This will be the Fisher Cats' second appearance at Lit Crawl. Members Ann Kempke, Sara Martin, Heidi Fettig Parton, Joy Riggs, and Kelly Westhoff will read essays that examine the curious, poignant, and (sometimes) hilarious complexities of nature and nurture in the parent-child relationship. They will be joined by authors Michele Filgate and Lori Gottlieb.
Highpoint Center for Printmaking
6 p.m. | Coffee House Press with Frank Bures present Under Purple Skies: Minneapolis Bingo
The Minneapolis literary scene meets bingo—match the quote about our beloved city to the author who wrote it on a special literary bingo board. Prizes and drinks will be on hand—join us!
7 p.m. | Milkweed Editions and Graywolf Press present Whose Pun Is It Anyway: A Play on Words
Join Milkweed Editions and Graywolf Press for a night of the most groan-worthy, on-the-fly literary puns! What do you get when you mix sci-fi with the animal kingdom? Ursula Le Penguin! Literary movements with vegetables? Romaine-ticism! Teams of adventurous writers and editors will face off pudden-death style—but they'll also be able to call on you, the audience, for help. We'll supply the literary prompts and prizes; only you can say whose puns are best (or worst). Are you game? Featuring Mary Laura Philpott, Kristen Arnett and Chris Santiago.
Morrissey's Irish Pub
6 p.m. | Happy Hour with The Asian American Journalists Association and Twin Cities Black Journalists
The Asian American Journalists Association and Twin Cities Black Journalists are reporters and nonfiction authors representing nearly every media outlet in the Twin Cities. Our members write for our food and buy ink by the barrel. Come have a beer and talk with us about craft, coverage, and Minnesota stories.
7 p.m. | Read More Women Heads Up!
Electric Literature, Littsburgh and The Believer/Black Mountain Institute host a Read More Women edition of Heads Up!, designed for maximum audience participation. Featuring Lacy Johnson, and Angie Kim.
8 p.m. | Autoptic Spring Showcase
Autoptic's Reading Series is an opportunity for the public to come see comics and zine creators and experience an excerpt of their work in their own words. Featuring: Gabrielle Bell, Kristin Tipping, Sean Knickerbocker, Peter Faecke, and Maddi Gonzalez.
Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater
6 p.m. | The Current's Rock and Roll Book Club presents: Classic Rock Record Party with Steven Hyden
Dive deep into the era that defined the image of a "rock star," with rock star author Steven Hyden. He'll read from his book Twilight of the Gods: A Journey to the End of Classic Rock, and then spin a few of his favorite classic rock LPs, sharing stories about the albums' origins in conversation with host Jay Gabler.
7 p.m. | Nerd Jeopardy
Just like the game show. Except all the questions concern books, everyone's tipsy, and heckling is encouraged. Multiple teams will tackle categories like Poetry, Drunks, Children's Books, and Debbie Downers of Literature. Anyone can compete! Corral a couple friends for a team of 2-4 people. Prizes include books, drinks, and literary glory. Hosted by Ryan Chapman (author of Riots I Have Known), with special guests Mark Doten, Julie Schumacher, and Jennifer DuBois.
8 p.m. | Literary Death Match
Literary Death Match, now in over 60 cities worldwide, was called "the most entertaining reading series ever" by the LA Times. The live show brings together four authors to read their most electric writing for seven minutes or less before a panel of three all-star judges. After each pair of readers, the judges take turns spouting hilarious, off-the-wall commentary — in the categories of literary merit, performance and intangibles — then select their favorite to advance to the finals. The two finalists then compete in a vaguely literary competition to determine who takes home the Literary Death Match crown.
Zoe's Cafe
6 p.m. | Write on Mamas present: Teachable Moments: Motherhood, A Master Class in Unplanned Learning
Whether we guide our children or learn from them – motherhood is filled with endless 'teachable moments.' For the third year in a row this ensemble of women will take the stage to read personal stories of some lessons they have learned along the way. Featuring: Paula Chapman, Leslie Lagerstrom, Cindy Lehew-Nehrbass, K.M. (Kelly) O'Sullivan, Kate St. Vincent Vogl, Roxanne Sadovsky, and Kate Bratt.
7 p.m. | Lit Crawl Minneapolis: An Evening with Paper Darts and The Rumpus
Join Paper Darts and The Rumpus for an evening of inspiring readings! Featuring performances from Ross Gay, Sagirah Shahid, Lyz Lenz, Lilliam Rivera, 신 선 영 Sun Yung Shin, and Brandon Taylor.
Red Stag Supperclub
6 p.m. | Word Sprout presents: Storysmash
You can't make this stuff up! This show is FULL of true stories. Join us for some of the best live literature in town. Featuring stories from competitive storytellers from Minneapolis' longest running slam, Word Sprout's SlamMN!
7 p.m. | Fisher Cats present: (How) Are You My Mother? Essays on Nature and Nurture featuring Michele Filgate and Lori Gottlieb
Fisher Cats is a collective of women writers who have studied with Minneapolis author, editor and teacher Kate Hopper. Fisher Cats write in the creative nonfiction genre, and often their essays capture the wild ride of motherhood. This will be the Fisher Cats' second appearance at Lit Crawl. Members Ann Kempke, Sara Martin, Heidi Fettig Parton, Joy Riggs, and Kelly Westhoff will read essays that examine the curious, poignant, and (sometimes) hilarious complexities of nature and nurture in the parent-child relationship. They will be joined by authors Michele Filgate and Lori Gottlieb.
