Historic NYC Photos

There's something to be said about the simplicity of black and white imagery... It allows you to focus on the beauty of the actual image, rather than the added spectrum of color that can be distracting.

That being said, the following photographs were released by the New York City Municipal Archives. These pictures depict the ebb and flow of life in 20th-century New York City. Take a look at the soft light illuminating the Grand Central Terminal, or the brave workers suspended on cables above the Brooklyn Bridge, meticulously painting every inch of the cables without a safety line in sight.

Some of the images portray homicide scenes; others capture the "newsies" of New York at work, passing out their papers. Whatever image you come across, you can be sure to find yourself in awe, reveling at the monochromatic glimpse into the past.

Get Lit! Festival Poetry Slams

A poetry slam is an outlet for poets to express their voices—literally and literarily—by performing their work in theform of a competition, scored by an audience of judges. It’s a dynamic event where creative thinkers explore their words on the page and out loud, not to mention have a blast with the audience and with each other!

Youth Poetry Slam (ages 5-12)

Wednesday, April 11 – 5:30 p.m.

Registration begins at 5 p.m.

Kress Gallery, 3rd floor, River Park Square Mall

Middle School Slam (ages 13-15)

Wednesday, April 11 – 6:30 p.m.

Registration begins at 6 p.m.

Kress Gallery, 3rd floor, River Park Square Mall

Teen Poetry Slam (ages 16-18)

Thursday, April 12 – 5 p.m.

Registration begins at 4:30 p.m.

Kress Gallery, 3rd floor, River Park Square Mall

College Poetry Slam (college students of any age)

Thursday, April 12 – 8:30 p.m.

Registration begins at 8 p.m.

Kress Gallery, 3rd floor, River Park Square Mall

Here’s the cherry on top: The first-place winners of the slams will have the chance to perform at headliner events laterin the week. The Youth Poetry Slam’s winning act will perform before Sarah Conover's reading and the Middle School Slam's winner will open for Maureen McQuerry, both of which will take place on Saturday, April 14 at Auntie’s Bookstore. The winners of the Teen Poetry Slam and College Poetry Slam will open for the Ted Kooser event on Sunday, April 15.

The poetry slams are hosted by EWU's Writers in the Community, a program which allows graduate students to volunteer at area schools, correctional facilities, shelters, and other community organizations as creative writing teachers.

Visit our website for more information on the slams.

Get Lit! Festival presents Pie & Whiskey

George W. Bush once famously said, “We ought to make the pie higher.” In honor of that sentiment, Sam Ligon, associate professor of creative writing at Eastern Washington University, and Kate Lebo, Seattle-based poet and renowned pie baker, will host the first ever Get Lit! Pie & Whiskey Reading. Authors will read poetry, short fiction and flash nonfiction inspired by the two greatest after-dinner delicacies: pie and whiskey, which will be served at this event. You must be 21 to attend. 

Readers include: Steve Almond, Elizabeth Austen, Caitlin Horrocks, Chris Howell, Laurie Lamon, Kate Lebo, Sam Ligon, Tod Marshall, Shann Ray, Molly Tenenbaum, Nance Van Winckel, and Jess Walter.

Date: Thursday, April 12

Time: 9:30 p.m.
Venue: Woman's Club, 1428 W 9th. (This venue is not easily ADA-accessible. Please contact us ahead of time if you'd like to attend so we can make the proper arrangements. 509.359.6977 or getlit@ewu.edu)
 Cost: Free admission will include complimentary pie and one beverage. Additional beverages will be for sale. 

Special thanks to Dry Fly Distillery and Woodinville Whiskey Company for supporting this event.

Shann Ray Reading at Gonzaga University

Local author Shann Ray will be reading at Gonzaga tonight at 7:30 p.m. Ray will also be reading during this year's Get Lit! Festival at the Pie & Whiskey event on April 12, and he'll be participating in HooPalousa on April 9.

Ray's collection American Masculine was named by Esquire as one of Three Books Every Man Should Read. It has won the Best Book of 2011, Best Short Story Collection of 2011, Editor's Choice from Kirkus Reviews, along with the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference Bakeless Prize. American Masculine has been called a book of "grace" and "astonishing power," "prophetic," "lyrical," and "fiercely written," forming a "true and pure depiction of sorrow and primer for forgiveness."

What: Shann Ray Reading
Where: Cataldo Hall Globe Room @ Gonzaga University (502 E. Boone Ave., Spokane)
When: Wednesday, April 4 2012 7:30 PM
Cost: FREE!