The Wake

Contemporary Art in Conversation:
Elizabeth Alexander and Kerry James Marshall
Oct. 13, 7:00 p.m.
The Walker Art Center

The poet Elizabeth Alexander and visual artist Kerry James Marshal come together to discuss the written and visual representation of contemporary African American culture. Alexander writes about African American figurative painting, while Marshal creates intense canvases depicting the history of African American life.

James Kakalios
Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m.
University of Minnesota
Physics Building, Room 150

Superheroes obey the rules of physics too, and in his book “The Physics of Superheroes,” James Kakalios writes about the physical rules behind beloved superheroes. The book focuses on the physically accurate portrayal of superhero feats in comic books. Kakalios demonstrates how comic books are useful for understanding the world around use, while also having fun and exercising the imagination.

Afrofuturism: What Color’s Your Future?
Oct. 13, 8:00 p.m.
The Soap Factory
110 5th Ave SE, Mpls.

This spoken word event centers upon an art exhibit looking at Afrofuturism, which is how technology influences the physical, social, and spiritual aspects of black lives. The event will feature readings and performances by authors Shelia Bland, Quintin Brown, Ed Bok Lee, Sha Cage, Geoff Herbach and Alison Morse.

Philip Levine: O Taste and See: Poetry in a Consumer Age

Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Coffman Union Theater,
University of Minnesota

Philip Levine won the Pulitzer Prize in 1995 for his poetry, which takes up working class topics. Often writing about Detroit and his immigrant grandparents, Levine has invented his own distinct, but concert voice.

Ray Gonzalez
Oct. 20, 2:00 p.m.
University of Minnesota Bookstore

Poet Ray Gonzalez will read from his new collection of poems, “Consideration of the Guitar,” which track his evolution as a poet. He has published several other editions of poetry, one winning the Minnesota Book Award in Poetry. Gonzalez, a faculty member in the English department, studies in U.S. Latino literature as well as creative non-fiction.

Brian Freeman
Oct. 25, 2:00 p.m.
University of Minnesota Bookstore

Brain Freeman’s novel, Immoral, is set in northern Minnesota and depicts the investigation of a missing teenager. The mystery deepens as the novel follows a detective’s difficulties, both professional and personal. Freeman presents another fine thriller for cold weather reading.

David Bradley
Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.
Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum

David Bradley, a National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowship recipient, comes to the University to share his work in fiction. Bradley also writes non-fiction and literary essays about Jean Toomer and Alice Walker, to name a few. The author has been compared to Toni Morrison and Alex Haley.