You might have seen the earlier article about the exciting developments with Books & Bars for this fall. Would you believe that there’s more?
Well, there is.
For starters, there is yet another new location at which you can attend Books & Bars. They have finally moved across the river, to hold court at a St. Paul location. You can find out what it’s all about at the Amsterdam Bar and Hall next Tuesday, Nov 15 at 6pm.
This is an earlier time slot than the Minneapolis or Chanhassen events. The idea, says moderator Jeff Kamin, is that those who work in or near downtown St. Paul can enjoy the happy hour for a little bit and then attend the discussion, without having to kill an extra hour. The new Amsterdam Bar and Hall discussion is co-sponsored by the Amsterdam and The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library. I happen to know that this means there will be some librarians there.
This also means that Books & Bars will be in three different locations each month. All locations will discuss the same book. So each month, it’s “One book, three cities.” This month, it’s Friday Night Lights. In December, it is Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. If you can’t make one discussion, you haven’t missed out completely – you can try for another location to discuss the same book. Of course, all of the discussions will be unique, because they will be informed by those who attend. This format will continue November through April, at least.
And that’s not all. Oh no. You may, if you attend Books & Bars at the Aster Café location in St. Anthony Main in Minneapolis, see some film crew activity. Turns out that Kamin has been busy collaborating with partners Kerry McNally and Dale Bluestein to put together – what else? – a Books & Bars reality TV show. Just another example of how Kamin has built Books & Bars into practically an institution, with nothing but savvy and passion.
Imagine this: a book discussion in a bar with a spiffy moderator, and some regulars whose personalities become apparent over time. Beats the pants off of Jersey Shore, I’ll bet. Kind of like Cheers, except everyone is talking about books as they tip their Fultons.
Kamin and crew have filmed one segment and are currently looking for sponsors. This could become your next great television addiction, folks. This could go really wild. We could see the Books & Bars bus coming to towns around the country; groupies, crowds cheering, and here comes Jeff waving to the crowd. Well, okay, so maybe that’s getting a little carried away.
But it’s all a part of Kamin’s diabolical plan. In a recent phone conversation, he likened it to the current political stumping: “Vote for reading!” Kamin says, “This is the inverse of that burrow with your book and then hibernate all winter thing.” He wants to get people out and sharing. “Reading is such a private thing.” But it doesn’t have to be.
You can always find out what the reading schedule is on the Books & Bars website. You can even get into the act, suggest your favorite tomes. Or look for them on Facebook to see great photos of the whole thing in action, reading lists and venue information. Or follow them on Twitter at @booksandbars.
Don't have a clue what Books & Bars is or don't know just who this Jeff Kamin character is? Check here for the earlier profile. Just another great literary tradition here in the Twin Cities...
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