The Cellar Series was established in 2010 as a special benefit to our supporters. Comfortably situated for a couple years in a basement space at the Old American Can Factory in the Gowanus area of Brooklyn, we wanted to bring dedicated readers together in a way that would allow them to meet authors, editors, and each other, and to see the workshop where printing and binding of many of our books takes place, and editors, staff, interns, and volunteers work together to maintain our mission.

Readers that year included Demosthenes Agrafiotis, Christian Hawkey, Richard Sieburth, Jen Bervin, and Sarah Riggs. The set-up was minimal: a microphone, a laptop, a few chairs, some wine. And a lot of mingling and talking before and after. Once, Amaia Gabantxo sang flamenco. James Copeland and Levi Rubeck, with Matvei Yankelevich hosting, oversaw the readings and set the tone for the future events. In 2012, the series resumed in our new and improved third-floor digs, with Linda Trimbath overseeing and Will Rahilly producing. From May to December 2012, readings in the new space have featured Nancy Kuhl & Gregg Biglieri; Chris Martin & Mary Austin Speaker; Johaness Goransson, Joyelle McSweeney, Tomaz Salamun; Cecilia Vicuña & Gary Sullivan; Sara Wintz & Lawrence Giffin; Vanessa Place & Rob Fitterman.

The UDP Podcast makes recordings of the Cellar Series available to all. Listen on Soundcloud now.

If you’d like to attend the Cellar Series in person, please consider becoming a subscriber or supporter of the presse.