Five events this in the Buffalo area literary community

Tuesday, Aug. 19, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Reading and book launch event for J.Tim Raymond’s memoir My Year of Marginal Mishaps, 1967.

Stepping back into the analog world of 1967, a turbulent time of change, the author takes a detour from student life to live among his peers, travel across the country, find romance and experience independence. The Vietnam War was on the nightly news and the United States military needed all available men. Caught between the attitudes of a traditional World War II generation and the emerging free-thinking youth culture of the time, he learns about his own abilities to survive and navigate the challenges all with sketchbook, pen and ink.

J. Tim Raymond, is a painter, writer and actor with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting from the Maryland Institute. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War and draws upon a storied life for his creative non-fiction work. He has worked professionally in Washington DC, New York, and Austin, prior to settling in Western New York more than thirty years ago. Visit timraymondstudio.com to learn more.

Caffe Aroma, 957 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo. Free and open to the public.

Tuesday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Tuesday Night Open Mic Series at the Em Tea Coffeecup Café. All are welcome whether new to poetry or a long-time member of the community. 80 Oakgrove Ave., Buffalo, NY. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Aug. 20, 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.: Wednesday Night Live at Caffe Aroma featuring Charlotte, North Carolina Poet Laureate Jay Ward.

Ward is the author of Composition (Button Poetry, 2023) and Sing Me A Lesser Wound (Bull City Press, 2020). His work can be found in Columbia Journal, DIAGRAM, Diode Poetry Journal, Four Way Review, and elsewhere. Ward is a 2018 National Poetry Slam champion and a 2019 Individual World Poetry Slam champion. He currently serves as Charlotte’s inaugural poet laureate. In 2023, Ward received an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship. Open mic hosted by Ben Brindise and Justin Karcher to follow.

957 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo. Free and open to the public.

Friday, Aug. 22, 6 p.m.: Fourth Friday Reading Series at Dog Ears Books. This month’s featured reader is poet Maggie Batt. Additional reading slots available. Dog Ears Bookstore and Cafe, 688 Abbott Road, 2nd floor, in Buffalo. Admission to the event is $5. Proceeds benefit the Dog Ears Bookstore, a 501 c (3) not-for-profit organization.

Friday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m.: Ground & Sky Poetry Open Mic in Bidwell Park hosted by Joel Lesses. Elmwood Avenue at Bidwell Avenue, Buffalo. Free and open to the public.