Talks & Entertainment

Peter Manseau

In One Nation, Under Gods: A New American History, Manseau explores an America shaped by people of all religions, cultures, and languages and questions why our nation’s founding has been so profoundly whitewashed as uniformly “Christian.”

Emily Spivack

In Worn Stories, Spivack presents clothing-inspired first-person narratives from cultural icons, offering a revealing look at the clothes that protect us, assert our identity, or bring back the past—clothes that are encoded with the stories of our lives.

Erin McKeown

with Maryleigh Roohan

The eclectic multi-instrumentalist known for her effortless ability to bridge genres brings her compelling and energy-packed performance style to our Downstairs stage.

Kevin Devine and Into It. Over It.

with Laura Stevenson

The songwriter known for alternately introspective and political lyrics and melodic acoustic guitar tunes returns to play our main sanctuary stage.

Simon Shaheen

On a mission to incorporate and reflect a history of Arabic music, the Palestinian oud and violin virtuoso also infuses his compositions with jazz and Western classical styles.

Coffee Talk

A panel of local baristas, brewers, and roasters lead an interactive coffee tasting and offer tips and techniques for a better brew.

Simon Doonan

In The Asylum: True Tales of Madness From a Life in Fashion—an unabashedly hilarious collection of autobiographical essays now out in paperback—Doonan gives us the inside scoop on the kooky, cut-throat—but always fabulous—fashion world.

Money Matters

For women in their 20s and 30s

A salon-style conversation exploring the joys and anxieties of the financial interactions experienced throughout the course of a woman’s life.

Nick Thune

featuring Ben Kronberg and Kate Berlant

The comedian’s VERY TOUR! MUCH COMEDY! comes to our Downstairs stage with special guests Ben Kronberg and Kate Berlant.

David Axelrod

In Conversation with John Dickerson

In Believer: My Forty Years in Politics, the political strategist and former senior adviser to President Obama reveals the roots of his faith in democratic change and shares stories from the inner workings of American democracy.