Past Events
Staten Island Songwriters’ Circle
Friday, April 17, 2026
Get Ready for a wonderful evening of original music with the return of The Staten Island Songwriters Circle
These talented musicians and creative songwriters who have been making music at ETG for the best part of 2 decades, bring their beat tunes along to enchant you all.
Please join us and bring friends!
Poetic Drip Open Mic
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Open mic hosted by the sensational Cyn, featuring local poet and musical performers.
Our open mics always include some surprises!
Come on down to sign up, or to listen and support the performers!
In the Absence of Peace —A Coffee Hour with Shahd Safi
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Join us as we welcome Shahd Safi, refugee from Gaza, as she shares her poetry from her chapkbook “In the Absence of Peace.”
Proudly sponsored by Staten Island Revolution Library and the Staten Island 4 Palestine Group.
Develop the Ability to Focus with ETG’s James Braten
Thursday, April 2, 2026
I became very good at meditating, focusing on letting thoughts come and go. Then I stopped doing that after a couple of years. Why?
Because what do I do with a calm mind? What is next?
In the last couple of years, I realized that the ability to focus is the first step. Its value is that it increases my ability to get things done, such as …
read an entire book,
do art projects,
complete a class,
listen deeply to a friend,
study spiritual principles.
I want to help people develop the ability to focus.
If this interests you, please join me. If you have questions, I'm usually behind the counter at the Book Cafe serving teas and cookies between 3-6 each afternoon. Do drop in!
Book Launch: “Hotel of the Siren” by local author Antoinette Carone
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Join us to follow the romance and mystery of Hotel of the Siren.
Listening to Antoinette relaxes one.
Join us to hear stories from Antoinette about writing her book.
Book Launch: “We Are One” Children’s Book
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Sky is just eight years old when she finds out her heart is sick and that she needs a new one. This journey makes Sky open her eyes and changes her whole view of people all over the world. Follow Sky as she shows her bravery and makes new friends along the way. Meet author Dr. Tonnette Alcide as she shares the story of the making of the book and reads the book!!
SIAMS Salute to Broadway
Saturday, March 14, 2026
The many talented musicians of SIAMS (Staten Island Acoustic Music Society) return to our stage to pay tribute to compositions from Broadway shows: West Side Story, Hair, My Fair Lady, and more! Very exciting!!
Book Release: “The Rambling’s of a Mad Hatter”
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Join us to celebrate Reginald Simon Dumas’ first published book of poems!
Reginald is an absurd and bustling writer of whimsical woes.
In his words, “The artist that reigns is inspired by the shadows.”
Reginald will read us some of his poems, followed by a Q&A, and book signing.
(Plus a special guest will read some of their poems!)
The Lost Girls of Willowbrook
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Presented by Staten Island OutLOUD
~ a community reading, dialogue & performance project…
Join us for an intimate participatory reading with experienced facilitation by Beth Gorrie.
Staten Island OutLOUD events draw diverse, inter-generational participation.
To get involved, just show up!
“The Lost Girls of Willowbrook”, a novel by Ellen Marie Wiseman, inspired by the true story of the Willowbrook School in the years before Geraldo Rivera and other journalists exposed systemic abuses of patients with developmental issues.
We will read from the novel which focuses on a teenage girl’s search for her missing twin sister, who she fears is being held against her will at Willowbrook. We’ll read and discuss excerpts from the novel. Best for ages 14 and up. A free event.
Read-in Cafe
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Do you love to read but never have enough time? Join us at ETG’s Read-in Cafe. Where we read, share book ideas, and meet kindred spirits! Relax with your own book or one you find in our Book Cafe while enjoying refreshments.
Enjoy the vibes. Bring yourself or friends and have some fun!!
Annual Book Drive in Celebration of Black History Month
Saturday, February 28, 2026
ETG partners with the Staten Island Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. by hosting their 7th annual book drive!
Bring in children's books in good condition from home, and/or you may purchase our second-hand books and donate them to the book drive.
Fiction or non-fiction related to African-American history (or African history) are most appreciated, or fiction focused on people of color. Books written in Spanish and Arabic are also appreciated.
For those unfamiliar with this group, Delta Sigma Theta is a sisterhood of college-educated women committed to serving the needs of their communities through public service programs and events that educate, empower and uplift. We are so proud to partner with them again this year!
For more information please visit their website at dstsialumnae.org.
Participatory Drum Circle
Friday, February 27, 2026
The Return of the Drum Circle with Jo Bongo.
We gather to listen to each other, and to build healing rhythms together.
Bring your own drum or shaker if you can — we have some to share.
Night Music
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Four friends shine their lights on a winter’s night: Featuring Phoebe Blue, Father Crime, Andy Kass and Thomas Patrick Maguire.
Mending Cafe
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Join us for a mending gathering! ~ Bring a favorite garment. Learn how to replace a button, patch a hole, fix a hem, ripped seam or torn fabric. Those beloved mittens knit by your grandma can be mended! A zipper can be replaced! Get help from a pro. Drink tea or coffee, chat and sew. Facilitator Henri Ewaskio is a professional costume maker, puppet builder, teacher and mentor. (Ella tambien habla espanol!)
All are welcome! Basic supplies are provided.
Poetic Drip Open Mic
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Open mic hosted by the sensational Cyn, featuring two Staten Island performers: poet Gabriella Stella and musician D3nsity.
Our open mics always include some surprises! Come on down to sign up, or to listen and support the performers!
Book release event: “Dress Whites” by John Phillips
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Local author John Phillips shares his debut short-story collection with us.
John Phillips has led many lives, among them as sportswriter for Reuters, covering events around the world.
This collection focuses on the Vietnam war era.
"A powerful collection of short stories from a tumultuous time in America. These are stories of people left behind in the years during and after the Vietnam War. Whether they served or remained at home, they are haunted years later by the far-off war that impacted so many."
Pluto and the Forms
Saturday, January 31, 2026
ETG discovered Pluto & The Forms when they played at an Open Mic. The audience loved what they heard. They are comprised of Anthony, the Inquisitor, Michael, the Lumberman and Tate, the Sailor —a musical conglomerate of family and friends. With brief beginnings on Staten Island at the tale end of the 2010s, covid-19 moved the band's location into the air itself — making their first album entirely online. After years of patience, the band finally began playing live in late 2023, and their body of work has grown twofold ever since.
A flavor of their music can be found in their Snug Harbor Show.
Staten Island OutLoud presents “Smilla’s Sense of Snow”
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Join us as we read excerpt's from Peter Hoeg's novel, and then discuss some of the issues covered therein.
From Wikipedia:
"Smilla's Sense of Snow, (published in the UK as Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow) is a 1992 novel by Danish author Peter Høeg tracing the investigation into the suspicious death of a Greenlandic boy in Denmark. The novel is ostensibly a work of detection and a thriller, although beneath the surface of the novel, Høeg is concerned with rather deeper cultural issues, particularly Denmark's problematic post-colonial history, and also the nature of relationships that exist between individuals and the societies in which they are obliged to operate."
Banisher — A Different Type of Game Experience!
Friday, January 30, 2026
Banisher, a creation of Hypothesis, is a psycho-spiritual table-top board game for liberating humanity from sinister forces. One of the game designers, Joe Quinn, will be guiding us through the experience. Joe describes himself as an underground video and performance artist, a mathematician, a curriculum designer and a teacher.
Are you up for a challenge? Come learn how to play.
Staten Island History Hub Welcomes Janet Medoro
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Staten Island History Hub at ETG Book Cafe is pleased to welcome Janet Medoro as our special guest.
Janet Medoro, a fourth generation-born native of Staten Island, has written a book about Staten island history, entitled Our Staten Island. We look forward to learning more about the history of the island, and to hearing more about her journey as an author. Copies of the book will be for sale.
Fiber Art Meetup
Saturday, January 24, 2026
We connect with our projects. Some folks knit, others crochet. Some craft assorted creations.
We all enjoy sharing stories, chatting and listening! We would love you to join us with yours!!
Friday with Tinka
Friday, January 16, 2026
Come bring your questions to Tinka the Clairaudient who uses Tarot, numerology, and Spirit guides to bring you guidance. 20 minutes for $20.
Caroline and Kay Strum and Sing
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Caroline Cutroneo is a talented singer, songwriter and guitarist who has performed in the New York City area for over 25 years. Inspired by Judy Collins, Sandy Denny, Patsy Cline and other iconic performers in folk, country, blues and rock, Caroline has sung solo performances and with ensembles, many times at ETG Book Cafe and lots of other local venues. You can find some of her music and show announcements on Soundcloud or at her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/carolinecutroneomusic/
Kay Ashley is a talented singer, guitar player and songwriter. Author and music critic Andrew Hultkrans had this to say specifically about Kay's debut album, Heliotrope —
“Kay Ashley's gorgeous, moving "Heliotrope" occupies a charmed point triangulated by Joni Mitchell's "Hejira,” Paul Simon's "Graceland," and Nick Drake's “Pink Moon." A master of stacked vocal harmonies and alternate guitar tunings, Ashley's melodies are instantly memorable yet devoid of cliche ... At once a love letter to Africa, India, and men in her past, “Heliotrope" is a travelogue of the soul — betraying the influence of far-flung cultures while remaining both recognizably American and distinctly universal.” Copies will be available on the night.
Liberation Open Mic
Friday, January 9, 2026
Liberation Open Mic invites you to sense liberation —
To express yourself richly
To be heard by fellow humans
Sound off about the state of the world,
Imagine a better one.
Bring a poem, a song, your guitar or ukelele, an artwork or anything at all that you wish to share with us, your local community.
$5 suggested donation. No one turned away.
Staten Island Meeting — The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Sunday, January 4, 2026
Visitors welcome!
Meeting for Worship, children’s story, worship sharing
More Info: StatenIslandQuakers.org