WORDS & IDEAS
Phil Bayly, Northshire Bookstore, 424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 5:30 p.m. Friday. Free. 518-682-4200 or northshire.com. The author and former news reporter and anchor for WNYT signs copies of the latest book in his “Murder on Skies” mystery series, “Back Dirt.” Jennifer De Leon, New York State Writers Institute, Multipurpose Room, Campus Center West Addition, University at Albany, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Free. 518-442-5620 or nyswritersinstitute.org. A reading and Q&A session from the writer of the YA novel, “Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From,” and the new essay collection, “White Space: Essays on Culture, Race, & Writing.” There is a 4:30 p.m. craft talk in the same location. Grady Hendrix – The Final Girl Support Group, WAMC’S The Linda Performing Arts Center, 339 Central Ave.,
Albany. 7 p.m. Monday. $15. 518-465-5322 or thelinda.org. The author (“Paperbacks from Hell,” “My Best Friend’s Exorcism”) gives a guided tour of the history of murder books and movies, with an emphasis on serial killers. The talk will be followed by a screening of the 1982 slasher film, “Slumber Party Massacre.”
Shannon Hayes, The Opendoor Bookstore & Gift Gallery, 128 Jay St., Schenectady. 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Free. 518-3462719 or opendoor-bookstore.com. The author signs her book, “Redefining Rich: Achieving True Wealth with Small Business, Side Hustles, and Smart Living."
“History in a Pandemic: Great Hunger Refugees and Disease,” Irish American Heritage Museum, 21 Quackenbush Square, Albany. 7 p.m. Monday. 518-427-1916 or irish-us.org. Dr. Karen Sonnelitter, Assistant Professor of History at Siena College, gives a lecture about "Irish fever" and the widespread fear of refugees and immigrants as disease carriers during the mass immigration following the “Great Hunger.”
“Jack Wilpers of Saratoga, NY: The Man Who Captured Tojo,” Saratoga History Museum, Canfield Casino, Congress Park, Saratoga Springs. 7 p.m. Thursday. Free. 518-584-6920
or saratogahistory.org. A lecture by former Associated Press reporter Chris Carola about the local World War II hero. Evelyn Keplinger , The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, 1475 Western Ave., Albany. 3 p.m. Saturday. Free. 518-4894761 or bhny.com. The author signs “Hairdresser to Cake Designer.”
Brian Kilmeade , The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, 1475 Western Ave., Albany. 5:30 p.m. Friday. $28 gets you a copy of the book and a ticket to the event. 518-489-4761 or bhny.com. The author, radio personality and co-host of the
Fox News morning program, “Fox & Friends,” discusses and signs his new book, “The President and the Freedom Fighter: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Their Battle to Save America’s Soul.” Ticket required.
John Rasile, Market Block Books, 290 River St., Troy. Noon Saturday. Free. 518-3280045 or bhny.com. The author signs his book of short stories, “Paradise for the Damned.” Utica Queen, Palace Theatre, 19 Clinton Ave., Albany. 3 p.m. Sunday. $25-$32. 800-7453000 or palacealbany.org. Following her run on season 13 of “Rupaul’s Drag Race,” Utica Queen is spreading love from here to there, bringing her comedy, whimsy and high fashion to town.