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Every July, on the final day of our Rhinebeck Residency, we host a celebration showcasing the work of our residents alongside local writers, artists, and performers. 

Formerly known as the Sunset Soirée, the newly rebranded Birches Lit Fest is now a day-long literary extravaganza that includes a silent auction, live music, food trucks, wine tasting, and of course, powerful readings in a gorgeous barn setting.

We are thrilled to invite you to join us for this special summer celebration on Sunday, July 21, the last day of the residency. It will feature readings from our four residents and from our friends over at the Same Page Reading Series. New this year, the Lit Fest has been expanded so that events such as a children’s reading will kick off earlier in the day, at noon, with featured readings beginning at 4 p.m. and wrapping up by 7 p.m., so that guests have ample time to make their way back into the city if need be. There will be food and drinks provided by local sponsors, and live music to enjoy in the fresh upstate air.

And if weekend getaways, signed books, or deep-tissue massages are your jam, be sure to place your bids at our popular silent auction, which will boast an array of great experiences and products for writers, readers, and patrons of the arts.

Our Lit Fest also serves as our big annual fundraiser, and a chance for us to share with our community what we’ve been up to over the past year. We’re deeply indebted to those who have donated to our efforts so far, and are so looking forward to continuing to expand our reach and our programming efforts with your support.

For those who haven’t had a chance to experience The Seventh Wave In Real Life (#TSWIRL), do join us Upstate this July for a taste of the grand outdoors and a whole smorgasbord of conversation and community.

Tickets are $20 for students and $40 for general admission. Any questions, feel free to give us a shout at info@seventhwavemag.com.

More info (and tickets!) available at our EventBrite page here.

We can’t wait to see you in July, and til then, enjoy a few windows into the last two years’ hootenannies below. To see the full album of images, click here for 2017 and here for 2018.

Questions or concerns? Interested in sponsoring or partnering for our outdoor extravaganza? Just want to say “hey”? Feel free to reach out to us at any time, at info@seventhwavemag.com.

En route to the barn from the Crystal Cottage. (2018)

Resident Paulette Jonguitud reads from her harrowing short story, “Female While in Mexico.” (2018)

The Seventh Wave editors & 2018 Rhinebeck residents: (from l-r) Editor Krista G., resident Paulette Jonguitud, resident Tara Rose Stromberg, resident Chris Kojzar, resident Bianca Ng, editor Joyce Chen, and editor Brett Rawson.

A shot of the inside the barn, featuring food & the not-so-silent auction, for our first-ever soirée in 2017.

The Seventh Wave editors & 2017 Rhinebeck residents: (from l-r) Editor Joyce Chen, editor Brett Rawson, resident Angela Brussels, resident T.B. Grennan, resident Lauren Friel, resident Anna Fridlis, former editor Zeina Abi Assy, editor Krista G.

Rhinebeck resident Angela Brussels (2017) reading from her piece, “The Surgeon.”

Post-performance, we gathered upon the hilltop to watch the sun sink behind the Catskills.

… and to all a good night.