Margot Barry – The Metropolitan

Raymond Strom reads from his debut novel, “Northern Lights,” at Subtext Books in St. Paul on Feb. 27, 2019. Strom is a 2008 alumnus of Metropolitan State University. (Margot M. Barry / The Metropolitan)

Alumnus Raymond Strom debuts novel ‘Northern Lights’

Post Author:Margot Barry
Post published:May 26, 2019
Post Category:Arts

To promote his first novel, Metro State alumnus Raymond Strom returned to familiar ground: Minnesota. His home state provided the inspiration for the coming-of-age story in “Northern Lights.”

Ed Bok Lee reads his latest book of poetry, “Mitochondrial Night,” at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis on March 16, 2019. His reading was part of Literary Witnesses, a series that features nationally recognized poets. The event was co-sponsored by Rain Taxi Review of Books and Korean Quarterly. The book launch opened with poets Saymoukda Vongsay and Donte Collins. DJ Nak provided music and sound. (Margot M. Barry / The Metropolitan)

Q&A: Professor Ed Bok Lee powers ‘Mitochondrial Night’

Post Author:Margot Barry
Post published:April 12, 2019
Post Category:Arts

The Metropolitan talked with Professor Ed Bok Lee as he launches his third book of poetry, “Mitochondrial Night."

Library employee Emily Myanna waits to make her move in a card game at Game Night in the Library and Learning Center on Feb. 19, 2019. (Margot M. Barry / The Metropolitan)

Library offers open invite to Game Night

Post Author:Margot Barry
Post published:March 28, 2019
Post Category:Arts

Every third Tuesday of the month, the Library gives gamers of all stripes a night to unite.

The stage is set on opening night of “From Behind the Sun” at the Whitney Theater in Minneapolis on Friday, Feb. 21, 2019. The play is a co-production of Metropolitan State University and Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Photo by Margot Barry

Theater department premieres play revealing racist housing policies of the past

Post Author:Margot Barry
Post published:March 8, 2019
Post Category:Arts

A joint production of Metro State’s Theater Underground and MCTC puts the spotlight on the racist housing policy called redlining---and shares the playwright's remarkable family history. "Behind the Sun" premieres Feb. 21.

Photo by Dom J / Canva

Read it and weep: Wipe out winter woes with librarian reading recommendations

Post Author:Margot Barry
Post published:March 2, 2019
Post Category:Arts

Feeling weather-beaten? Metro State librarians endorse the best books to take your mind off meteorological conditions (and midterms).

Minnesota author Sarah Stonich, center, discusses her memoir “Shelter: Off the Grid in the Mostly Magnetic North” with members of the Dayton’s Bluff Book Club at the Metropolitan State Library and Learning Center on Nov. 7, 2018. Photo by Margot M. Barry

Bonding over books

Post Author:Margot Barry
Post published:January 22, 2019
Post Category:Arts

The Dayton's Bluff Book Club picks books by Minnesota and Midwest authors, with a particular eye to social justice. Members meet monthly in the Metro State Library.