Authors & Musicians Headed to Manayunk This Weekend

After meeting author Robin Slick at the Philadelphia Book Festival, a customer at asked owner Ann Tetreault to organize a book signing. 

But, after Tetreault reached out to Slick, the event became something much bigger. 

"She wanted to invite some of her peers and then she asked if I'd be interested in music," the owner said, adding that it was the customer's inquiry and the author's enthusiasm that created "A Day of Song and Story" that is set for this Saturday from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. in

"Everything just kind of came together," Tetreault said. 

Slick as well as Debra Leigh Scott, Christine Weiser and Robin Black will be at the park for book readings and signings and music will be performed by Springs, featuring members of Dr. Dog, and Norwegian Arms. 

"It's a really nice selection," the owner said. "Some authors are self published, others are from smaller companies and larger, they have had a variety of different experiences."

Tetreault is hoping that the free, family-friendly event will bring residents and visitors together to enjoy a summer day outside. 

"It's our first big event so we're excited," she said, adding that the author's books will be on sale in the store and refreshments will also be served in the shop. 

And to sweeten the deal is featuring a new cupcake in honor of the event, the "Jam on the Yunk." The cupcake, according to the shop's facebook page, is Sweet Elizabeth's signature wicked chocolate cake, raspberry jam filling, Marscapone cream cheese icing and a fresh raspberry on top.

"We want people to grab some food, sit outside and enjoy," she said. "The park is a great community space, it's something that can tie people together. Events like this provide a cohesiveness to communities."

Tetreault is hoping to continue that cohesiveness into the fall with another author event scheduled for September 17. But that, she said, is still in the works. 

In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at The Grape Room. 

Below is information about the authors and musicians attending Saturday as well a schedule of events for the day:

• Slick, of Philadelphia, has penned a number of novels including "Three Days in New York City" and "Daddy Left Me Alone With God." She was nominated for the Best American Short Story Award and former fiction editor at NFG Magazine and Philadelphia Stories. For more information about Slick click here.

• Scott, her website states, "is a professional writer, playwright, educator, dramaturg, arts administrator and activist." A collection of her short stories "Other Likely Stories" has been published and her first novel "Piety Street" is forthcoming. For more information her click here. 

• Weiser's debut novel "Broad Street" follows the fictive all-girl band Broad Street. The Philadelphian is co-publisher of the literary magazine Philadelphia Stories and is managing editor of Tech & Learning Magazine. Click here for more information about Weiser. 

• Black's story collection "If I Loved You, I Would Tell You This" was published in 2010 and received international acclaim by The Chicago Tribune as well as the San Francisco Chronicle. Her stories have appeared in a number of publications including The New York Times Magazine and she was the 2005 winner of the Pirate's Alley Faulkner Wisdom Writing Competition. For more information about Black click here.

• Click here to listen to Norwegian Arms. 

• Springs' first single "Waste My Time" was released in 2010 and, according to its site, "blends 1920s caterwaul with stomping 70s motown. To listen to the band click here.

Click here for a schedule of the day's events.