Garden Party Books

Murder Room Madness!
2023-04-01 10:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
As March Madness draws to a close, you’ll need something new and exciting to occupy your leisure time. We suggest the books in our Murder Room: mystery, thriller, horror, and true crime.

On Saturday, April 1, from 10AM-5PM, every book in the Murder Room is only $2. That’s right, $2. Hardcover, softcover, newer releases, all of it. You’ll be able to get plenty of books to keep your heart pounding and your adrenaline up long after March Madness ends.

Make Ukrainian Easter Eggs!
2023-03-27 18:30 - 21:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Register now!

Our last Ukrainian Easter Egg Class sold out, here’s a second chance!

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 person!

Register now!

Winter Endurance Book Sale
2023-03-18 10:00 - 17:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Winters in Minnesota are long, and you are doing a fantastic job of enduring. You’ve done a lot of shoveling, dealt with a lot of crappy weather, and you deserve a fabulous book sale!

50 percent off all used books at Garden Party Books on Saturday, March 18!

New Book Event! Out of Character
2023-03-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Registration Required! Register here!

Minnesota author Jenna Miller will be at Garden Party celebrating her new YA book, Out of Character!

If you asked seventeen-year-old Cass Williams to describe herself, she’d happily tell you she’s fat, queer, and obsessed with the Tide Wars books. What she won’t tell you—or anyone in her life—is that she’s part of an online Tide Wars roleplay community. Sure, it’s nerdy as hell, but when she’s behind the screen writing scenes as Captain Aresha, she doesn’t have to think about her mother who walked out or how unexpectedly stressful it is dating resident cool girl Taylor Cooper.

Jenna will talk about the book and answer your burning questions. Copies will be available for purchase and signing.

This is a free event but it is ticketed so it doesn’t get too crowded. Register for tickets here by clicking “Attend” and then checking out your cart (no credit card info is required). At the event your name will be on the list! Please register separately for every attendee. Can’t wait to see you there!

Make Plates & Platters (2 Classes)
2023-02-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
Register now!

The first night of class you will learn four techniques for handbuilding plates and platters: slump molds, hump molds, push molds and pinching.

The second class we will finish the edges, add a foot if desired, and learn several ways to decorate your work: painting, carving, and sgraffitto.

Expect to make 3 to 5 gorgeous plates and/or platters that are microwave, oven, and dishwasher safe!

Saturday, February 18, 1-4 PMSaturday, February 25, 1-4 PM

$59 for classes

$13 for supplies (clay, glazes firing)

All the example pictures are made by Karen Flynn, the excellent instructor for this class! See more on instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ceramics_by_karen/

Register Now!

New Book Event: She's Still Here
2023-02-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Join us on February 11th from 6:30 – 8:00pm to celebrate local author Caitlin Alexander’s paranormal middle grade novel, She’s Still Here! There will be an author Q&A, a book signing, snacks and drinks, and plenty of spooky fun!

The event is free, and books will be available for purchase at the event. We hope to see you there!

Kate is new in town. Jane has been there for what seems like forever. Can Kate find out the truth? The one that is keeping Jane tethered to Ravendale Middle School? Find out in book one of the Kate Sablowsky Paranormal Investigator Series … And know life’s not just the here and now. For fans of Mary Downing Hahn and the Nancy Drew mystery book series, you’ll love Caitlin Alexander’s debut middle grade paranormal horror, filled with the perfect combination of ghostly mystery and adventure.

Author Meet & Greet: Amy Gregg
2023-02-11 13:00 - 16:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
We’re excited to host Minnesota author Amy Gregg! Come buy a copy of her new cozy mystery, Farmed and Dangerous, set in southern Minnesota farming country! Amy will be here to chat and sign books. Support a local author!

Minneapolis socialite Lilly Schmidt thought she had her life figured out… until her world came crashing down with the one-two punch of divorce papers and news of her grandparents’ deaths.

Suddenly single and the new owner of her family’s farm, Lilly finds herself thrust back into the old life she’d left far behind in her rural hometown of Lone Tree, Minnesota. The simple restart Lilly looks for on the farm is anything but when she is caught up in the fight between land developers hoping to bring new business and growth to the town, and the locals who want to keep their country life simple. She also, begrudgingly, must keep the peace with the farm’s hired hand Ryan, who also happens to be her old high school boyfriend—and is he still nursing a grudge!

When one of the land developers is found dead on her farm, Lilly faces a mix of small-town feuds and family secrets that proves deadlier with each turn. Can Lilly figure out the killer before she “buys the farm” permanently?

Author Meet & Greet: Jason Lee Willis
2023-01-28 13:00 - 16:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
We are so thrilled to have Minnesota author Jason Lee Willis in store this Saturday to chat with readers and sign copies The Alchemist’s Map and his new book, The Fire Handler. The Alchemist’s Map is a fantastical adventure through historical Minnesota and has been a reader favorite in store!

To meet Jason, stop into Garden Party this Saturday, January 28th, from 1:00-4:00!

Paint & Carve Pottery Class
2023-01-21 13:00 - 15:30 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
Register now!

Learn the sgraffitto decorating method by painting and carving two premade plates or bowls.

We will paint them with underglaze (used like watercolors/acrylics), dry and then carve the design to reveal the clay beneath. There will be lots of design templates you can use, or you can create your own design. We will give them a clear glaze and then fire them to create foodsafe, oven, dishwasher and microwave safe dishes.

You’ll later pick up your beautiful pieces, and you’ll learn a fun new artistic technique!

$29 for class

$10 for supplies and firing

Register now!

All the example pictures are made by Karen Flynn, the excellent instructor for this class! See more on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceramics_by_karen/

Make a FREE Ceramic Ornament!
2022-12-10 12:00 - 16:00 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
Handbuild an ornament for your tree or for the window or as a wonderful gift for that special someone you love so much.

The first ornament is completely free, and it’s only $5/each for additional pieces.

We’ll dry them thoroughly and bisque fire them. After that, we’ll clear glaze each one to make them shiny. Lastly, we’ll high fire them so they’re strong.

Guaranteed to be ready for pick up by December 23 at the latest.

All ages welcome – kids 6 and under should have an adult helper (who may also make their own ornament).

No need to register – just show up and we’ll help you through the process 🙂 Stop by as you enjoy Christmas in Zumbrota, with Santa at Dwell and lots of fun holiday magic at all the downtown stores!

Marie Marvin and Karen Flynn, instructors.

Canceled: Story Time at Nana Gogo Toybrary
2022-12-06 10:30 - 11:30 | Nana Gogo Toybrary, 2300 Superior Drive NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
We’re so sorry! If you were planning on going to this story time, definitely go and play anyway, and the next time you’re in Garden Party reference this cancellation for a free children’s book!

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Garden Party Books will be at Nana Gogo Toybrary on Tuesday, November 1 at 10:30 AM! We’ll read fun stories together, and we’ll also have a small children’s book sale (all books are $3).

This event is free for Nana Gogo Toybrary members and will be included in a day pass for non-members ($7.50 per child). A day pass allows your kids to play as long as they want with all of the fabulous toys!

Fox Pointe Publishing Book Fair at Garden Party!
2022-11-19 10:00 - 15:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901
Fox Pointe Publishing is based in Austin, Minnesota, and they will be at Garden Party Books with 60+ titles along for the ride! They publish many SE Minnesota & regional authors.

Come find your new favorite book!

Beginning Pottery Wheel Course (4 Classes)
2022-11-12 11:00 - 14:00 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
Register Now!

Want to learn the art of making functional pottery on the potter’s wheel? Pottery Wheel Instructor Daniel Kim Lee will teach students to center on the wheel, shape and trim pots, and more.

The classes are suitable for beginners, even kids ages 11+ (with an adult) as well as for advanced beginners. Come learn in a fun, non-judgmental, and encouraging environment!

This four week class is on Saturday afternoons from November 12 to December 10. (No class November 26 because it’s Thanksgiving weekend)

November 12, 11:00AM-2:00PM

November 19, 11:00AM-2:00PM

December 3, 11:00AM-2:00PM

December 10, 11:00AM-2:00PM

These classes have a maximum of ten 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 $125, + $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.

(The class time was 12:30-3:30PM but has been changed to 11:00AM-2:00PM)

Register Now!

Trick-or-Treat at Garden Party!
2022-10-31 17:00 - 18:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
On Halloween when you’re out trick-or-treating, stop by Garden Party Books in costume and choose a free children’s book! Open to all ages! We can’t wait to see your costumes!

Canceled: Wall Clock Pottery Class
2022-10-25 18:30 - 21:30 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
Register Now!

Come join us at Comradery Pottery for an evening of fun, designing and creating a working wall clock . . . and yes it will keep time!

This requires no previous experience and your instructor will guide and assist you throughout the process. We have lots of ideas to share and will provide all the materials required. This could be a terrific DIY gift for a family member or friend.

$35 for class, and $10 for fees (clay, glazes, clock parts, and firing fees).

Register Now!

Intermediate Pottery Wheel Bootcamp
2022-10-16 12:00 - 18:00 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
Register Now!

Learn new techniques at “pulling a wall,” and get plenty of time on a wheel to practice. This intermediate class meets at the Comradery Pottery Studio on Sunday, October 16, 12-6pm.

Ceramist and teacher Art Gannett will devote time to helping students better understand pulling/building a wall and focus on exactly how to get from a ball of clay to a specific finished shape. There are important guidelines and understandings for making any given shape, and learning and understanding them makes an enormous difference in progressing beyond the beginning level.

Since this is an intermediate class, students must be able to reliably center and open a ball of clay and have a basic understanding of how to begin pulling up a wall. Anyone 16 and up who has this basic skill level is welcome to join the class.

Price is $59, plus $16 supplies plus a $3 per piece firing fee (paid when picking up finished pots)

Register Now!

Art Gannett has been making pots for over 46 years. As a potter, he is virtually self-taught other than a period of time working with Wendelin Stahl in Germany. Gannett is the senior thrower at Red Wing Stoneware and creates his own work in Pepin, Wisconsin, at the Little Plum Pottery.

FIRST BIRTHDAY $1 BOOK SALE PATIO EXTRAVAGANZA!
2022-10-08 10:00 - 17:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Plus free mini funfetti cupcakes!

You’re Invited! We’re celebrating Garden Party Book’s first birthday on Saturday, October 8! We’re going to have a huge book sale on the patio, and all the books are ONE DOLLAR! ONE DOLLAR! You cannot afford to miss out on this party! Also there will be free mini funfetti cupcakes, the best birthday dessert around.

Garden Party Books: New Book Event! Rochester: An Urban Biography
2022-09-23 19:00 - 20:30 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Come hear local author Virginia Wright-Peterson read from her new book, “Rochester: An Urban History” at Garden Party Books on September 23 at 7PM.

After the reading we’ll have a Q&A time along with a signing. The book will be available for purchase. This is a great way to learn more about the history of the place you call home! This event is free!

In this brief and engaging history of Rochester, Virginia M. Wright-Peterson explores fascinating stories of the community: the area’s indigenous people; the importance of the region’s agriculture on the karst, driftless, prairie landscape; the persistent flooding of the Zumbro River; the hidden histories held in the unmarked graves of Potter’s Field; the cyclone of 1883 and the famous medical center it spawned; the emergence of an increasingly diverse community; and Destination Medical Center, a twenty-year plan to develop the area as a global destination for health care—and the largest public-private economic initiative in Minnesota’s history.
