A couple of readings for your brain nuggets this week.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 7:00-9:00pm
powerHouse Arena (37 Main Street, Brooklyn)
Read and Drink Night, $15 here

Tonight the powerHouse Arena in Dumbo is having a Read & Drink Night, hosted by Gabrielle Langholtz, who edited Edible Brooklyn. Phoebe Damrosch, author of Service Included, will be reading about her time at Thomas Keller’s culinary hot spot Per Se, and Kara Zuara, author of I Like Food, Food Tastes Good will be discussing the tastes of some of indie rock’s stars and starlets. Finally, David Wondrich of Imbibe!, will be sharing his knowledge of spirits and cocktails in a “special mixing performance.” I don’t know what that last part entails, but if it involved a cocktail being in my hand afterwards, I’d be fine with it. This event is a part of the PS 107 Reading Series Fundraiser, which raises money for a school library, and costs $15.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at 7:00pm
Housing Works Used Bookstore & Café (126 Crosby, just south of Houston)
The Global Graphic Novel Straight out of Angoulême

Words Without Borders and Housing Works Bookstore present the acclaimed graphic novelists Philippe Dupuy (Haunted) and Charles Berberian (Get a Life), moderated by Matt Madden. With Q & A, signing and reception. This event is supported by New York State Council on the Arts. Hot.

There’s something to be said about a woman who can sing the blues. Sass, sadness, and a dash of sultriness are all needed to get the message across, but few can illicit gut-wrenching beauty with their lyrics and stage presence. Like Sharon Jones says, “You gotta be genuine!” and no one knows that more than indie soul-blues two piece She Keeps Bees. It’s hard to deny SKB’s power when you see them perform live, as Jessica Larrabee and Andy LaPlant complement each other in style and presence. With a sense of humor, grace, and charm, the duo can shut a rowdy audience up with one note - and the next minute have them giggling at Larrabee’s self-deprecating riffs. Named one of L Magazine’s Eight Bands You Need To Hear, there’s no telling how far these curb-kickin’ kids will go!