Tag Archives: Northern Manhattan

Bruce’s Garden Summer Readings

Geoff Wisner on George Tempelton Strong’s Civil War Diaries

George Templeton Strong: Civil War Diaries (Library of America, 2026) Geoff Wisner, editor.

Geoff Wisner is an author and editor whose work is published widely. In his latest book, the noted Thoreau scholar turned his keen editorial insights to the prolific diarist George Templeton Strong’s writings on the Civil War. These writings are remarkably vivid and suffused with novelistic detail. Strong wrote eyewitness accounts of the 1863 Draft Riots, field hospitals teeming with wounded men, and his meetings with both Grant and Lincoln. This book is greatly anticipated by scholars, and should also be a great read for all interested in New York history.

No Name Super Storyteller Party (December 2025)

Tuesday, December 2, 2025 – 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Word Up Community Bookshop / LibrerĂ­a Comunitaria
2113 Amsterdam Ave. & 165th St.
New York, NY 10032

register

No Name Comedy/Variety Show producer Eric Vetter brings New York’s best established and emerging authors and storytellers to Word Up Community Bookshop in Washington Heights for their monthly series “No Name At Word Up Super Storyteller Party”.

Super Story Party is curated and co-hosted by author/storyteller Michele Carlo, the author of FISH OUT OF AGUA: My life on neither side of the (subway) tracks (Citadel Press).

The show will also include a “Magic Hat Open-Mic” where audience members can signup for a chance at four minutes of stage time to share their own stories.

“Rising in the Heights” – Live Music in the Parks

Puerto Rican musicians singer/ percussionist Jainardo Batista of “Buena Vista Social Club” and soprano Carmen Cancél join forces with Leadlights Ensemble for an unforgettable event of music and storytelling, featuring “One Sweet Song” by Jyoti Gapal. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy this fun, interactive performance for all ages!

Rising in the Heights is a festival of free outdoor public arts performances curated by Leadlights Ensemble. The festival celebrates the rich artistic contributions of Latinx and Black cultures and promotes children’s literacy through music and bilingual storytelling. Private support is provided by City Parks Foundation and Partnerships for Parks through the NYC Green Fund.