Just Buffalo Literary Center’s IN GRATITUDE community-wide initiative culminates with events with poet Ross Gay at Silo City, plus six other events this week in Buffalo.

Tuesday, June 23, 7 p.m.: Gerard Malanga Film and Poetry Program at Hallwalls.

Gerard Malanga will start off with the showing of his film “In Search of the Miraculous” (29 mins, 1967). He will then read selected poems from his latest book, Odie Is Being Called Back & Other Poems (Bottle of Smoke Press, 2024). A Q&A session with the audience and a book signing will follow.

Gerard Malanga’s creative output has spanned six decades. A life-long poet, prolific photographer, filmmaker, archivist and Andy Warhol’s assistant for seven years in the 1960s. Gerard is active with writing poetry, public speaking engagements, and creating special photography projects.

Malanga has been a published poet since his high school years and has authored or has been featured in 26 books of poetry.

Malanga’s portrait photography work has produced some of pop culture’s most memorable images. Rock stars, writers, film stars, artists all were captured with Gerard’s lens. He was friends with many of his subjects, which may be the reason for the comfortable nature of his portraits.

Malanga was Andy Warhol’s assistant and collaborator at The Factory for seven years in the 1960s. In addition to working on some of Warhol’s most prolific paintings, Malanga filmed over 300 “Screen Tests” inside the fabled Factory art studio. He was a stage performer and creative partner for the legendary art-rock band, The Velvet Underground. In 1969, Warhol and Malanga together created Interview Magazine.

$30 general admission, $25 students/seniors, $20 members.
Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center, 341 Delaware Ave., Buffalo.

Thursday, June 25, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Kenmore Village Improvement Society/Made for Good Open Mic Poetry Night hosted by Geoffrey Gatza and featuring poet Dennis Maloney.

An evening of poetry, community, and conversation at KVIS / Made for Good Shop in Kenmore. This month’s audience-chosen optional theme is “The Moon in June.” Whether the theme inspires a poem, a memory, a dream, or something unexpected, we’d love to hear it. All are welcome. Bring a poem to share or simply come and listen.

We are honored to welcome Dennis Maloney as our featured reader. Dennis is an acclaimed poet, translator, editor, and the founder of White Pine Press, one of America’s most respected independent literary publishers. His poetry has been translated into more than a dozen languages, and his work as a publisher has helped bring remarkable voices from around the world to readers for more than fifty years.

Dennis Maloney is a poet and translator. A number of volumes of his own poetry have been published including: The Map Is Not the Territory, Just Enough, Listening to Tao Yuan Ming. The Things I Notice Now, The Faces of Guan Yin and Windows. A bilingual German/English volume, Empty Cup was published in Germany in 2017. Clearing the Stream: New & Selected Poems (2026) recently appeared from Walton Well Press. His work has been translated into over a dozen languages including full length collections in German, Japanese and Bulgarian.

Kenmore Village Improvement Society/ Made for Good Shop, 7 Warren Ave. Kenmore, NY 14217.

Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Pretty When I’m Empty: A Poetry Reading with Yamilla Tate.

The reading is followed by a Q&A session where audience members can inquire concerning her work.. The night ends with an hour long poetry open mic with 12 available 5 minute slots (first come, first served). The event is free and open to the public.

Yamilla Tate (she/they) is a poet/slam poet/writer based in Buffalo. Buffalo born, Puerto Rican raised, Yamilla’s work focuses on themes of cultural identity and pride, queer themes, womxn’s lives, and the confusing but beautiful experience it is to be human. She writes in English and Spanish and she heavily focuses on being proud of your roots,communities, and being unashamed of who you are. Social justice takes a significant role in her writing. Yamilla Tate’s work has been featured by the Just Buffalo Writing Center, and she has forthcoming publications. She has been a featured poet for various events in both the United States and Canada, including: Beyond Boundaries’ screening of Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project, The Pure Ink Tapings, Alt Crawl, among others. Tate is also a slam poet who has competed at the national level and in Canada. She formed part of the Pure Ink 2024 and 2025 Slam Team and traveled to Pompano Beach, FL, and Knoxville, TN for the Southern Fried Poetry Slam. Tate has also competed in poetry slams in Hamilton, Ontario.

Fitz Books & Waffles, 1462 Main St. in Buffalo.

Friday, June 26, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Words of Care, a reading and celebration organized by Robin Jordan and Julio Montalvo Valentin highlighting the art/poetry and results of our year-long Communities of Care project for senior artists and community members living in the Buffalo area.

Richmond-Summer Senior Center, 337 Summer St, Buffalo, NY 14222. Free and open to the public. 

Robin and Julio encourage any in the community to join us to listen, make art with us, and be part of the festivities. Join them for collective artmaking, performances, and a publication (zine) celebration sharing words & art of care from senior artists. All seniors are welcome to attend to share poems, songs, stories, and art. Artist Samantha Serrano will also be at the event providing free, blind contour portraits for seniors (donation-based for non-seniors). Light refreshments served.

More about the zine and project:

A Living Zine or the beauty of life, the world, existence, and everything is the result of a series of mixed-media workshops, creative conversations, and intergenerational exchanges that we led for senior artists/community members living in WNY, funded by the University at Buffalo’s Communities of Care grant. Robin and Julio worked with two, senior centers for this project, Delavan Grider Community Center Seniors Program and Richmond-Summer Senior Center.

Friday, June 26, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: 4th Friday Poetry Series featuring Buffalo-based poet Donna Grace, author of the full-length collection of poems Bread & Bisous published by the LitGarden Writers Collective. Additional reading slots available. Dog Ears Bookstore & Café, 688 Abbott Rd., Buffalo. $5.

Friday, June 26, 8:30 p.m.: Buffalo Book Launch for Journeys of Sacred Community: A Collection Anthology of Ground and Sky Poetry Volume II hosted by Joel Lesses, founder of Ground and Sky Poetry and editor of the anthology. Open mic hosted by Ground and Sky to follow. Caffe Aroma, 957 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo.

Saturday, June 27, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Just Buffalo Literary Center invites the public to join In Gratitude: A Community Celebration at Silo City.

The free event marks the culmination of the organization’s six-month In Gratitude initiative, a citywide project inspired by the work of acclaimed poet and essayist Ross Gay.

Bringing together community members, artists, readers, and neighbors, the afternoon will feature interactive art, local vendors, public readings, food, music, and opportunities to reflect on the people, places, and experiences that inspire gratitude in Buffalo.

Throughout the spring, Just Buffalo’s In Gratitude project has invited participants across Western New York to explore gratitude through workshops, creative activities, public programs, and community. The June 27 celebration brings these experiences together in one gathering on the Buffalo waterfront.

The afternoon’s activities include:

3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Stitch Buffalo’s Positive Graffiti, an interactive community art installation

Konbini Buffalo

Fat Daddy’s food vendor

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Ross Gay Gratitude Walk, a guided exploration of the Silo City grounds led by Ross Gay

Bubbles, Breath & Delight with Jessie Mancuso of Uniquely Yourself

The Gratitude Walk offers participants a rare opportunity to experience Silo City alongside Gay, whose celebrated books The Book of Delights and The Book of More Delights have inspired readers nationwide to cultivate attention, joy, and appreciation for everyday life. Participation is limited to 40 people and requires advance registration.

4:40 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.

Community Reading featuring selections from Buffalo’s collective archive of gratitude

5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Ross Gay Book Signing

The event takes place at Silo City, one of Buffalo’s most iconic cultural landmarks and home to the Silo City Reading Series.

The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration for the Ross Gay Gratitude Walk is encouraged due to limited capacity.

For more information and registration details, visit JustBuffalo.org.

Saturday, June 27, 4 p.m.: Pure Ink “Anything Goes!”Poetry Slam in Bidwell Park, a monthly, two-round spoken word and poetry slam competition series hosted by Brandon Williamson. Pure Ink Poetry Slam is always an open slam without specific themes or requirements other than the general rules of slam. Sign up is from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Open mic and slam starts at 6:30. $5 for slammers, free for spectators. Cash prize for the winner. Visit the website www.pureinkpoetry.com for more information. Bidwell Park at Elmwood Ave. (near Caffe Aroma).

Saturday, June 27, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: Just Buffalo Literary Center’s Silo City Reading Series featuring poets Ross Gay and City of Buffalo poet laureate Aitina Fareed-Cooke (performing as A.I. the Anomaly) in the first Silo City Reading Series event of the summer of 2026.

About the Poets

Ross Gay is the author of four books of poetry: Against Which (Cavankerry Press, 2006); Bringing the Shovel Down (Pitt Poetry Series, University of Pittsburgh Press, 2011); Be Holding (Pitt Poetry Series, University of Pittsburgh Press, 2020), winner of the PEN American Literary Jean Stein Award; and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2015), winner of the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2016 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. In addition to his poetry, Ross has released three collections of essays—The Book of Delights was released in 2019 and was a New York Times bestseller; Inciting Joy was released in 2022, and his newest collection, The Book of (More) Delights was released in September of 2023.

Ross Gay’s Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2015) is the book of poems that is the inspiration for Just Buffalo Literary Center’s ongoing In Gratitude Project.

Aitina Fareed-Cooke is an accomplished creative arts strategist who has developed a strong reputation for her work with a diverse range of creatives, entrepreneurs, educators, and emerging artists. With a wide range of artistic skills encompassing poetry, creative writing, photography, film, music, and graphic design, Aitina has provided creative services to tens of thousands of individuals, including youth, educators, and nonprofit organizations. Known for her exceptional creative problem-solving abilities,

Aitina’s expertise has proven invaluable in delivering innovative solutions tailored to the specific needs of each project, making her a highly sought-after professional in the industry.Aitina earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Masters in Science & Education from Buffalo State University. With an extensive career spanning nearly 20 years, Aitina has worked with numerous non-profit organizations, companies, artists and entrepreneurs throughout the country. During this time, she has successfully developed, managed, and implemented arts and education programs, effectively mobilizing youth, emerging artists, entrepreneurs, and educators to foster growth in creative problem-solving, social awareness, and entrepreneurship.
Aitina is the Founder and Creative Director at Get Fokus’d Productions, an award-winning Creative Media Arts company. As a nationally recognized recording artist, Aitina has executively produced and written 3 albums that have accumulated over 1 million streams collectively. Her work within music has earned her multiple prestigious awards and has garnered acclaim from esteemed figures in the industry, including Grammy award winners like Lecrae and Derek Minor. Additionally, she serves as a foundation board member at Buffalo State University and as a board member at CEPA Gallery. Aitina’s expertise and exceptional contributions have garnered her multiple awards, accolades, and substantial funding for a variety of creative arts projects.

Aitina has received awards, recognition, and features through NYSCA, CRNY, Citizen’s Bank, Arts Services Inc., 43North’s Ignite Buffalo, Just Buffalo, CEPA Gallery, Buffalo State University, Canisius College, the National Society of Leadership & Success, Kingdom Choice, Buffalo Urban League, NPR’s Buffalo What’s Next, WBFO, Upstart New York, Challenger News, Buffalo News, Buffalo State Alumni Magazine, National Young Audiences Emerging Leaders, DJ Booth, Rapzilla, and Trackstarz.Aitina’s original and curatorial work has been exhibited at Buffalo State University, CEPA Gallery, Jamestown Community College, Thiel College, Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Burchfield Penney Art Center, Buffalo Arts Studio, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House, and the Erie County Public Library.

Silo City Reading Series events take place in Marine A grain elevator, behind Duende at Silo City, 85 Silo City Row. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the events begin at 7:30 p.m. Books by featured poets in the series will be available for purchase by Buffalo bookseller Fitz Books. As of June 1, the event is sold out. Contact www.justbuffalo.org for further information.