Garden Party Books

Vintage Market at LTS Brewing Company
2024-04-13 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | LTS Brewing Company, 2001 32ND AVENUE NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Mark your calendars for the LTS Vintage Market on Saturday, April 13th! Garden Party Books will be there with a fun collection of gorgeous vintage books!

And there’s lots of other great vendors: -Kismet-Chappie’s-Refashion-JoJo’s FUNky Threads-Clover & Rose

There’s nothing like vintage shopping with the weather warming up and a drink in hand…cheers!

Local Author Event: All-American
2024-03-23 19:00 - 20:30 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
The All-American is a deeply funny and poignant coming-of-age tale that turns the American immigrant narrative on its head.

In the woods behind a trailer park in rural Washington, Bucky, a Korean-American high school senior, trains alone with a tire tied to his waist to pursue his singular goal: to play college football. But when the U.S. government deports him and the South Korean Army conscripts him, he finds himself alone in the country of his birth and caught in the underbelly of a forgotten yet bitter war. To make it out safely and earn his ticket home, Beyonghak must face tough but essential questions about his family legacy and personal identity, at last parsing the difference between the roles he is expected to play and the type of man he wants to become.

Come meet the author, Joe Milan Jr! He’ll be doing a reading, answer your burning questions, and sign books! Don’t miss it!

Want to learn more? Check out his interview with Kerri Miller of MPR!

Make Ukrainian Easter Eggs!
2024-03-18 18:30 - 20:30 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
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Learn how to make pysanky, Ukrainian Easter Eggs! This process involves dyeing eggs, covering the color you want to remain in melted beeswax using a tool called a kistka, and then dyeing the egg the next color. At the end all the wax is melted away to reveal gorgeous colors and patterns. This beginner class for people age 12 and up will teach you to create two eggs with simplified designs.

$35 per participant

Register Now!

Pill Hill Release Party!
2024-03-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Rochester author and illustrator, Nic Breutzman, invites you to the book release party for his new graphic novel, Pill Hill.

There will be copies of the book for sale, an author reading and signing, and a Q&A session.

Pill Hill, Nicholas Breutzman’s darkly funny and utterly heartbreaking memoir, plunges the reader into a world of horrifying Tinder dates, flea markets, lizard people, child protective services, black holes, time travel, and stress-induced psychosis.

https://uncivilizedbooks.com/pill-hill/

Valentine Craftaganza!
2024-02-05 18:30 - 20:30 | Garden Party Books
REGISTER NOW!

Come for a fun, chill evening making wildly over the top valentines!

We’ve got doilies, we’ve got glitter, we’ve got floral washi tape, we’ve got fun scissors and punches, we’ve got plastic gems, we’ve got everything you need to make the Valentines of your dreams (and that could be froo-froo, dark and weird, or super goofy, these are YOUR valentines.)

Play around with our craft materials, make as many valentines as you want, and leave the glitter on our floor.

All ages (under 12 should attend with an adult), $10 a person

REGISTER NOW!

Postcards for Peace
2024-01-30 18:00 - 20:00
I (Anna) have been feeling pretty hopeless about the situation in Gaza. I’ve emailed my reps, I’ve donated money, and people just keep dying and dying (Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages and more).

Some of you have probably had similar feelings. Let’s join together to let our representatives know what’s important to us. Garden Party is hosting an event to create postcards to send to our representative, our senators, our president, and our vice president. We’ll be asking for a ceasefire so civilian lives can be protected, humanitarian aid can be let through, and hostage negotiations can be carried out.

We’ll provide the postcards and writing/art materials and addresses and will accept donations for postage. Any donations above the postage costs will be sent to Doctors Without Borders.

This event is free, all ages are welcome, and you can come in anytime during the two hour period. We hope to see you there!

50% Off Used Books Sale!
2024-01-27 10:00 - 17:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Guys! We survived the cold snap! We need a treat: a 50% off all used books sale at Garden Party, this Saturday, from 10AM to 5PM!

Holiday Craft Class: Christmas Stars
2023-12-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
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Learn how to fold a Christmas star, a traditional Christmas ornament. We have all kinds of colors of paper, and you’ll be able to make up to 5 stars before the night is over! They make wonderful gifts, gift tags, or beautiful decorations for your own home. These can be a little tricky, and finally getting it right is deeply satisfying. We’ll make sure you get there!

This is our third year of doing this class, and it keeps getting better and better. This year I have the best instructional method yet! You don’t want to miss it!

For ages 10+$15 per person

Register Now!

No spots left! Holiday Craft Class: Christmas Stars
2023-12-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
There are no longer spots in this class, but there are still spots in the Monday night class!

Learn how to fold a Christmas star, a traditional Christmas ornament. We have all kinds of colors of paper, and you’ll be able to make up to 5 stars before the night is over! They make wonderful gifts, gift tags, or beautiful decorations for your own home. These can be a little tricky, and finally getting it right is deeply satisfying. We’ll make sure you get there!

This is our third year of doing this class, and it keeps getting better and better. This year I have the best instructional method yet! You don’t want to miss it!

For ages 10+$15 per person

Register Now!

Zumbrota Literary Society Small Business Saturday
2023-11-25 10:00 - 17:00 | Zumbrota Literary Society, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
Get a whole grocery bag of books for $9! Plus lots of amazing gifts (photo frames, ceramic coasters, decorative ceramic tiles, flower frogs) are 50% off!

You can fit SO MANY books in a grocery bag! And we have amazing books! Don’t miss it!

Garden Party Books Black Friday
2023-11-24 10:00 - 17:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
For Black Friday, get 25% off your most expensive item, OR get 20% your purchase of $100 or more! We rarely discount non-book items, this is your chance!

Holiday Shopping Kickoff!
2023-11-14 18:00 - 21:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
On November 14 we are putting out all of the holiday everything! Christmas books, many in perfect condition, for kids and adults! Gift wrap! Christmas and Hanukkah cards! New vintage state puzzle ornaments! Needlepoint ornaments! Garlands! Restocked gifts perfect for gift lovers: book earrings, bookmarks, book candles, book tea, all of it!

To get first dibs, come that evening! We’ll have Christmas music, hot chocolate, glogg (Scandinavian mulled wine), and a really fun time. You could have all your Christmas shopping done by mid-November! Go you!

And if you miss this event, we’ll still have so much good stuff! Come when you can!

Local Rochester Poetry Reading!
2023-10-26 18:30 - 20:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
We have eight local poets coming to read at Garden Party Books as part of the Agates IndyBookStore Tour, sponsored by the League of Minnesota Poets.

League of Minnesota Poets (LOMP) will be in Rochester celebrating its “Agates IndyBookStore Tour,” the statewide book tour for their 86th volume of poetry, Agates. Rochester LOMP members Christina Flaugher, Lisa Higgs, Susan McMillan, Jean Prokott, Pam Sinicrope, Steve Vogel, Bob Vogt, and Nancy Hengeveld, our featured artists, will read from their work.

Agates will be for sale, along with the poets’ books. The poets will also be happy to sign them! Come celebrate local art!

FREE!

Garden Party Books's Second Birthday!
2023-10-14 10:00 - 17:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Come celebrate Garden Party Books’s second birthday!

On Saturday, October 14, from 10AM-5PM, we’ll have so many fun things to do:

1. A $1 book sale on the patio!2. A bookstore scavenger hunt. Complete it and get a $5 coupon for your next visit!3. Rochester’s Poet Laureate Jean Prokott will be at the Literary Help Booth from 1-3PM!4. Megan of The Rooted Pine will do another Send More Mail activity. Write letters to the people you love!5. We’ll have free confetti cookies!

Can’t wait to see you there!

Book Launch Party!
2023-10-07 19:00 - 22:00 | Thesis Beer Project, 1929 2nd St SW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55902, United States
We’ll be back at Thesis Beer Project on Saturday, October 7, for a book launch party for Just Stay Away, a thriller by Rochester author Tony Wirt!

The book has been available on Kindle prior to paperback release, reaching #1 in Horror Suspense, and #26 in the ENTIRE KINDLE STORE!

At the party we’ll have books available for purchase, Tony will be there to sign them, and everyone who buys a copy will get a free beer from Thesis. Come celebrate an amazing local writer!

Adult Book Fair at the Brewery!
2023-09-26 15:00 - 19:30 | Thesis Beer Project, 1929 2nd St SW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55902, United States
You know the meme: “The scholastic book fair. For adults. At a bar.”

In collaboration with our friends at Thesis Beer Project, we’re once again making your memes come true! Join us for a back to school event, where teachers receive 20 percent off everything from Garden Party! Have a fun autumn day browsing books and drinking beer. We’ll also have lots of book fair treats like bookmarks, stickers, pins, and more!

Local Author Festival!
2023-08-19 10:00 - 17:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
We’re hosting a new event!

We’re bringing together a whole crew of local authors! Check out the wide variety of literary talent we have in our town–it’s going to be a fun day!

[Image description: The words “Local Author Festival – Come celebrate local authors! They’ll be on hand to sell and sign their books. Meet your new favorite writer! Saturday, August 19, 10AM-5PM.” On the right there’s a graphic of a stack of books, and two titles read “Taco Food Truck!” and “Spend $100, Get a Free Indie Bookstore Tote!]

Stephen King Documentary!
2023-08-14 12:00 - 21:00 | Pop’s Art Theater, 619 6th Ave NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Pop’s Art Theater (right next to Garden Party Books) is playing the new documentary Stephen King on Screen! It’s about the man himself and the film adaptations of his work.

It’s one day only, Monday, August 14. Garden Party will be open till 5:30PM so you can pop in before the 5:30 showing!

SHOWTIMES: 12:15pm, 2pm, 3:45pm, 5:30pm, 7:15pm, 9:00pm

Tickets and more at popsarttheater.com. Also give them a follow on social media, they’re awesome!

Zumbrota Literary Society First Birthday Party!
2023-07-15 10:00 - 19:00 | Zumbrota Literary Society, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
Join us to celebrate one year of the Zumbrota Literary Society! We’re going to have a massive outdoor $1 book sale, free confetti cookies and lemonade, and an overall fantastic time.

We’ll also be open till 7:00PM instead of 5:00PM so we can party on!

Printing Ceramic Scenes and Patterns (2 Classes)
2023-07-11 18:30 - 20:30 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
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In the first class you will learn how to create intricate patterns and scenes on clay by using all kinds of found objects, and then taking your beautifully stamped clay and turning it into either a plate or a wall hanging. Then the clay will be bisque fired.

In the second class you will glaze your creations, using the color to highlight the patterns you made in the first class. After the second firing, you’ll be able to pick up your gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces!

This class is suitable for beginners and up, and children from 11-15 can attend with an attending adult.

Class one: Tuesday, July 11, 6:30PM to 8:30PMClass two: Tuesday, July 25, 6:30PM to 7:30PM

$57 for classes$11 for supplies (clay, glazes)$3 firing fee per piece

This class is taught by Charlie Putnam, a retired art teacher who taught for 29 years in a K-12 public school and taught at Mankato State as an adjunct instructor for 28 years. He’s currently active and pursuing his own interests in art including painting, printmaking and ceramics. Check out his work at charlieputnam.com!

Make sure you wear something that can get messy!

Register Now!

Indoor Fountain Course (3 Classes)
2023-06-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
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Water plays an important part in our lives. Bringing bubbling, flowing water into our living spaces helps bring a natural feeling back to our lives and may help reduce stress. Nothing compares to the feeling you’ll get from creating your own fountain with the help of instructor Marie Marvin. Select the shapes and materials that make the sculpture your own and even add something of importance to you, like a crystal, figurine, or shell to give it a special meaning. Please bring any items you may want to incorporate on the first day of class so that we can prepare.

This course occurs:

Saturday, June 24th 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Sunday, June 25th 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Saturday, July 15th 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

All three classes must be attended to complete this course. Building a fountain can be as simple as putting stones and a small pump into a container with water, or it can be as elaborate as a sculpture. The choice is yours! Instructor Marie Marvin will help you manifest your idea into something beautiful to enjoy for many years to come.

Spend this class building an indoor fountain with us and go home with a one of a kind creation!

Register now!

Make a Ceramic Mask! (2 Classes)
2023-06-12 18:30 - 20:30 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
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In the first class you will learn how to create intricate patterns on clay by using all kinds of found objects. You will use these impressions to create a mask, which can be as realistic or as abstract as you like! The clay will then go into a bisque firing.

In the second class you will glaze your creation, using the color to highlight the patterns you made in the first class. After the second firing, you’ll be able to pick up your beautiful mask, which you will be able to hang proudly on your wall.

This class is suitable for beginners and up, and children from 11-15 can attend with an attending adult.

Class one: Monday, June 12, 6:30PM to 8:30PMClass two: Monday, June 26, 6:30PM to 7:30PM

$52 for classes SALE! $36! $11 for supplies (clay, glazes)$3 firing fee per piece

This class is taught by Charlie Putnam, a retired art teacher who taught for 29 years in a K-12 public school and taught at Mankato State as an adjunct instructor for 28 years. He’s currently active and pursuing his own interests in art including painting, printmaking and ceramics. Check out his work at charlieputnam.com!

Make sure you wear something to class that can get messy!

Register now!

Beginning Pottery Wheel Course (5 Classes)
2023-06-07 19:00 - 21:30 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
Register Now!

Learn the process of wheel-thrown pottery from a lump of clay to a fired piece with Kate Sanders and Jenny Walter. We will break down the steps in this approachable class, including wedging, centering, throwing, trimming, firing, and glazing.

The classes are suitable for beginners, even teens ages 16+, as well as for advanced beginners. Come learn in a fun, non-judgmental, and encouraging environment!

This five week class is on Wednesday evenings from June 7 to July 5.

June 7, 7:00 to 9:30 pm

June 14, 7:00 to 9:30 pm

June 21, 7:00 to 9:30 pm

June 28, 7:00 to 9:30 pm

July 5, 7:00 to 9:30 pm

These classes have a maximum of eight students, ensuring plenty of student to teacher contact time. This class also teaches you what you need to know to become a pottery studio member.

Get your hands wet and enjoy the process of clay. Wear clothes to get dirty and get ready to work the wheel!Class fee is $139, + $18 for supplies and $3 per piece for firing.

Supply fee includes one bag of clay (25 pounds), all glazing materials, and use of studio tools.

Register Now!

Printing Ceramic Vessels (2 Classes)
2023-05-25 18:30 - 20:30 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
Register now!

In the first class you will learn how to create intricate patterns on clay by using all kinds of found objects, and then taking your beautifully stamped clay and turning it into vessels: vase, cup, pencil holder, objet d’art, whatever you like! The clay will then go into a bisque firing.

In the second class you will glaze your creations, using the color to highlight the patterns you made in the first class. After the second firing, you’ll be able to pick up your gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces!

This class is suitable for beginners and up, and children from 11-15 can attend with an attending adult.

Class one: Thursday, May 25, 6:30PM to 8:30PMClass two: Thursday, June 8, 6:30PM to 7:30PM

$57 for classes$11 for supplies (clay, glazes)$3 firing fee per piece

This class is taught by Charlie Putnam, a retired art teacher who taught for 29 years in a K-12 public school and taught at Mankato State as an adjunct instructor for 28 years. He’s currently active and pursuing his own interests in art including painting, printmaking and ceramics. Check out his work at charlieputnam.com!

Make sure to wear something that can get messy!

Register now!

Spring Clear Out Sale!
2023-05-20 10:00 - 17:00
Mark your calendars! This Saturday, May 20th, we’re having a spring clear out sale! ALL used books will be 50% off of our already low prices! We’ll be open from 10:00 – 5:00, and our shelves are jam packed with books waiting to be added to your TBR stack!

Bring a friend and browse books for a bit! Will we see you there?

Rochester Author Virginia Wright-Peterson Book Signing
2023-05-13 13:00 - 14:30 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
This Saturday, May 13, Rochester author Virginia Wright-Peterson will be at Garden Party from 10-11:30 AM to sign her three books (all Minnesota Book Awards Finalists)!

A Woman’s War, Too: Women at Work During World War IIWomen of Mayo Clinic: The Founding GenerationRochester: An Urban Biography

These books make amazing Mother’s Day gifts (or Father’s Day gifts if you’re really on top of it!) And Virginia can personalize them for that extra special touch!

Indie Bookstore Day!
2023-04-29 10:00 - 17:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Come celebrate everything that is great about indie bookstores! We’ll have lots of free book swag, the new Midwest indie bookstore maps (also free!) and the Taqueria El Sueno food truck will be here from 11AM to 3PM! Tacos and an indie bookstore, what could be better?

Talk Like Shakespeare Day
2023-04-23 13:00 - 17:00 | Garden Party Books
Tell us a Shakespeare quote at the register (any quote at all!) and get 20 percent off all used books and 50 percent off any book you can conceivably connect to Shakespeare, creativity is encouraged!

Sex, Drugs, and Family Secrets: Three Minnesota Authors Talk
2023-04-15 17:00 - 18:45 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
In three very different books, three Minnesota authors tackle difficult and taboo topics with love, empathy, and humor. All three authors will be at Garden Party to share about their work.

In The Night When No One Had Sex, a YA novel, Kalena Miller tells the story of a group of friends and their prom night experiences. She writes about teenage sexuality in all its glory, mundanity, and awkwardness. Such frankness can get a book banned, and Miller will talk about the impact of book bans on YA fiction.

In Opioid Reckoning: Love, Loss, and Redemption in the Rehab State, Amy C. Sullivan shares her family’s terrifying experience with opioid addiction. She then collected other people’s oral histories and created this excellent non-fiction book that fights the stigma of drug use and focuses on finding solutions to get people the help they need. You’ll come away with an empathetic perspective on the opioid epidemic and how it has impacted Minnesota specifically.

In Evidence of V: A Novel in Fragments, Facts, and Fiction, Sheila O’Connor grapples with the family secret she uncovered: her maternal grandmother is not actually her grandmother. Her real grandmother was pregnant at 15 and was incarcerated for six years for “immorality” by the state of Minnesota; her baby was given to her sister. In this fascinating book she combines the facts of her own story with her grandmother’s life as she imagines it, along with in-depth research on Minnesota’s system of reformatory institutions for “immoral” girls who were victims, not perpetrators.

There will be a time after each author for questions. All the books will be available for sale and the authors will be available for signing.

You don’t want to miss this chance to hear three amazing authors talk about the things we’re not supposed to talk about. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served!

Afternoon on the Wheel for Beginners!
2023-04-08 14:00 - 16:30 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
Register Now!

Have you always wanted to try making pottery on the wheel? This class is your chance! Come for a fun and relaxing afternoon that will introduce you to the pottery wheel. NO experience required!

We will show you the basics and provide time for you to experiment with various shapes. If you create some things you would like to keep, we will fire and glaze them for you to pick up a couple weeks later. So grab your BFF, co-worker, or make it a date! Families are welcome! (grades 4+) Feel free to bring snacks and beverages.

Who knows, maybe you will discover a new love! If so, we offer five-week introductory wheel classes throughout the year, where you can learn all the basics required to become a clay studio member.

Price is $29 plus $9 for supplies and $4 firing fee for each piece you make.

Register Now!
