EVENT CELEBRATING SPOKEN WORD POET JAE NICHELLE

The event will begin with a performance from Nichelle’s friend and New Orleans-based poet, writer, and multi-inspired artist Sha’Condria  (iCon) Sibley. Afterward, Nichelle will discuss her experiences and poetry process with guests, followed by a performance from God Themselves. Nichelle will then host a short Q&A before signing books for guests.

The event is open to the public and books will be available at The Garden District Book Shop for purchase.

The Garden District Book Shop is thrilled to announce it will host rising star and spoken word poet, Jae Nichelle, to celebrate the release of her new collection of stirring poetry, God Themselves. In her work, Nichelle taps into her experiences of growing up in the South as a queer Black woman to courageously confront the effects of a forced religion and the inherent dangers of living life in a female body. 

God Themselves weaves themes of identity throughout each page, while focusing on the fact that identity, like knowledge, is never rigid. God Themselves encourages readers to keep their hearts and minds open to new thoughts and experiences. For anyone who has ever sought intimacy in the small moments of everyday life, or the existential–who, what, and where God is–they will find comfort within the pages of God Themselves.

God Themselves is divided into three equally moving sections: Everything, Everywhere, and Love. Nichelle braids her wisdom and witty generational humor into every poem. Readers will find heart and humor woven amongst compassion and care in each poem.

The Garden District Book Shop hosts bestselling author Pamela Binnings Ewen for a meet & greet and signing of her latest novel Emilienne, a glittering new novel about youth, beauty, and having the courage to carve your own path in a world on the brink of war.

Ewen's newest novel reveals the story of Emilienne, once the most beautiful, sought-after woman in Paris during the Belle Epoque, the era of peaceful years just before World War I. As a girl, Emilienne fights her way through poverty in Montmartre, drawn to the lights of Paris below. Soon, she stars at the Folies Bergere, mistress of kings and princes, known as the most beautiful woman in Europe.

But, happiness is elusive, and youth and beauty are fragile. And where is love? As clouds of war begin darkening Europe, Emilienne's young friend, Coco Chanel, has other ideas of how to survive in a man's world. Strong ideas. Now, as Emilienne fights to survive, Coco's star rises.

Ewen’s will be at the shop beginning at 12:00 PM. She will be available to chat with guests and sign copies of Emilienne. The event is open to the public and books will be available for purchase.