Elysian Gallery & Café

10/10/2026

October is bringing two different kinds of open mic nights to Elysian!

Whether you're someone who loves the written word or prefers the sound of live acoustic music, there's a little something different happening this month.

October 14: Literature Open Mic Night
October 23: Acoustic Open Mic Night

Two nights, two different vibes, and plenty of room for creativity, expression, and community.

Which one sounds more like your kind of evening? Or would you come to both?

Event details are in the comments!

10/10/2026

Book signing!
In the shop!
Tomorrow 1 to 4 p.m.!
Purchase The Reedy Chronicles 1 or 2 and get 10 percent off the entire store!

10/09/2026

Tonight 10/9 Ahna at The Gramophone - 2nd Fridays! 5:30-8:30pm!

10/09/2026

10/08/2026

"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” Henri Cartier‑Bresson

We mention this and are using photography as a base for this educational moment but it applies to all disciplines in art and in life.

Photography isn’t about perfection, it’s about expression, as is all art. Some images come out sharp, some come out soft, and some surprise us completely. We believe in celebrating the full creative process. We share pieces like these because we hope to reach those who are just beginning their journey in photography, or any art discipline, and remind them that even professionals create work that’s less than perfect. Every shot, brush stroke, written word, or assemblage teaches something.

Your work is beautiful, important, and worth creating no matter where you are in the process. Keep practicing, keep exploring, and keep chasing your creative dreams.

Photographs by Jeff Bohnert

10/07/2026

Your words deserve a place to be heard.

Next Wednesday, October 14, Elysian Gallery & Café opens the microphone once again for Elysian Night’s Literature Open Mic Night.

This is a night for poets, writers, storytellers, and anyone who has something they’d like to share.

Bring us your:
Poetry
Flash fiction
Creative nonfiction
Memoir or personal reflections
Short dramatic readings
Public-domain pieces
Experimental or hybrid writing

Pieces should be approximately 3–5 minutes, keeping the evening moving and giving more voices a chance to be heard.

And if you're not ready to step up to the microphone?

that's perfectly okay. Come listen, maybe discover a new writer, hear a poem that stays with you, and enjoy an evening surrounded by art, conversation, coffee, and community.

Non-alcoholic café drinks will be available, along with pastries and sweet treats. You're also welcome to bring your own snacks or food.

Most importantly, this is a welcoming, respectful space for literature and spoken creative work.

So, whether you've been writing for years, scribbling in a notebook no one has ever seen, or simply love hearing other people tell their stories…

Come share your voice or come listen to someone else's.

Elysian Gallery & Café
419 E Broadway • Alton, IL

Wednesday, October 14
6:30–8:30pm
Sign-up begins at 6:00pm

Let us know if you're planning on coming!

Event detail link in the comments.

10/04/2026

We had a good night last night at Blood & Glitter. Everyone had a good time and seeing all the costumes and every one just being themselves was amazing..

Thank you to Zach Welborn of Willow Tree Photography for taking the attached photos. If anyone else has pictures from the night to share we would love to see them!