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Our top priority remains the health and safety of our audiences, artists, and staff.

Face masks are highly recommended at BAM. We will continue to update our policies in adherence with the latest health and safety guidelines and protocols.
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Programs

Unbound

 
 
 

Celebrate new releases by renowned authors, artists, and public figures.

Co-presented by BAM and Greenlight Bookstore

 
 
 
 
 
BACK
 
BACK

From fiction to memoir, poetry to photography, this series celebrates new books and their authors. Through a partnership between BAM and independent, local favorite Greenlight Bookstore, Unbound creates a dynamic space for audiences to engage with critical questions facing our society. Past authors range from Nobel Prize-winner Malala Yousafzai to music icon Elvis Costello, from fantasy maverick Neil Gaiman to cultural critic Roxane Gay, giving voice to a wide array of narratives and literary forms.

Books are for sale at each event—either pre-signed or with a signing to follow—with bundled and discounted options, so you can take home the featured author’s work!

Unbound takes place in venues across BAM’s campus. Greenlight Bookstore is BAM’s official bookseller, with kiosks set up in our lobbies, carrying a selection of show-related merchandise and curated books. For more information, visit: greenlightbookstore.com/BAM


 
PAST EVENTS
Bernie Sanders
Talks
Senator Bernie Sanders
 

The senator is joined by Dr. Cornel West to discuss his new book about capitalism.

Mon, Feb 20, 2023
 
 
Jenny Odell
Talks
Jenny Odell
 

The multi-disciplinary artist and author is joined by TKTK to discuss her new book.

Thu, Mar 9, 2023
 
 
Angela Davis
Talks
An Evening with Angela Y. Davis
 

Join the renowned political activist for an intimate conversation.

Fri, Dec 2, 2022
 
 
 Annie B Parson
Talks
Annie-B Parson
 

The Big Dance Theater co-founder discusses her new book The Choreography of Everyday Life.

Thu, Oct 6, 2022
 
 
Ocean Vuong
Talks
Ocean Vuong
 

Ocean Vuong, author of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, launches a book of new poems at BAM.

Tue, Apr 5, 2022
 
 
Janelle Monae
Talks
Janelle Monáe In Conversation
 

Janelle Monáe is joined by Danny Lore and Sheree Renée Thomas to launch The Memory Librarian.

Mon, Apr 18, 2022
 
 
Hanya Yanagihara
Talks
A Conversation with Hanya Yanagihara
 

Hanya Yanagihara, author of A Little Life, launches To Paradise, her new novel, at BAM.

Thu, Jan 20, 2022
 
 
Karen Brooks Hopkins
Talks
A Conversation with Karen Brooks Hopkins
 

Karen Brooks Hopkins shares stories from her new book about her love of art and leading BAM.

Thu, Feb 17, 2022
 
 
Spike Lee
Talks
A Conversation with Spike Lee
 

Spike Lee on his life, career, and book—with David Lee, his brother and on-set photographer.

Sat, Dec 11, 2021
 
 
1619
Talks
The 1619 Project
 

Celebrate the launch of The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story with Nikole Hannah-Jones

Mon, Nov 15, 2021
 
 
Ai Weiwei
Talks
Ai Weiwei
 

Artist Ai Weiwei is joined by Debbie Millman to celebrate his highly anticipated memoir.

Wed, Nov 10, 2021
 
 
Sarah Ruhl
Literary
Sarah Ruhl
 

Playwright Sarah Ruhl discusses her new book, Smile, with writer-actress Mary-Louise Parker.

Thu, Oct 14, 2021
 
 
Unbound: Staceyann Chin
Literary
Staceyann Chin
 

Powerhouse poet and spoken word artist Staceyann Chin celebrates the release of her first full-length collection.

Tue, Oct 1, 2019
 
 
Unbound: N. K. Jemisin and Ijeoma Oluo
Literary
N. K. Jemisin + Ijeoma Oluo
 

The two writers engage in an expansive discussion about the present and future of race.

Tue, Sep 24, 2019
 
 
Dapper Dan
Literary
Dapper Dan
 

The legendary boutique owner and high-end streetwear icon celebrates his new memoir.

Wed, Jul 10, 2019
 
 
Unbound: Anna Deavere Smith
Literary
Anna Deavere Smith
 

The acclaimed playwright celebrates the publication of her play Notes from the Field.

Tue, May 21, 2019
 
 
Ink Knows No Borders
Literary
Ink Knows No Borders
 

Poets discuss the experiences of immigrants and refugees depicted in a new poetry collection.

Thu, Mar 14, 2019
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Unbound Malala
Literary
Unbound: Malala Yousafzai
 

BAM welcomes the Nobel Peace Prize winner to discuss her powerful new book.

Tue, Jan 8, 2019
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Deana Lawson Unbound
Talks
Deana Lawson
 

Photographer Deana Lawson celebrates the launch of her new book.

Tue, Oct 23, 2018
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Unbound Next Wave Book
Literary
BAM: The Next Wave Festival
 

BAM: The Next Wave Festival, an inside look at the storied legacy of BAM’s signature 36-year-old festival.

Wed, Sep 26, 2018
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Unbound Jose Andrew
Literary
José Andrés
 

Award-winning chef José Andrés participates in an evening of discussion about his new book.

Tue, Sep 11, 2018
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Unbound Darnell Moore
Literary
Darnell L. Moore
 

The writer and activist celebrates the launch of his new memoir.

Thu, May 31, 2018
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Leslie Jamison
Literary
Leslie Jamison
 

The New York Times bestselling author of The Empathy Exams discusses her deeply personal new book.

Tue, Apr 3, 2018
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Dave Eggers with Mokhtar Alkhanshali
Talks
Dave Eggers with Mokhtar Alkhanshali
 

Dave Eggers and the subject of his new book, Mokhtar Alkhanshali, discuss war, coffee, and much more.

Sun, Feb 11, 2018
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Patrisse cullors Asha bandele
Talks
Patrisse Cullors and asha bandele
 

The Black Lives Matter co-founder and acclaimed author celebrate the launch of their new book.

Mon, Jan 15, 2018
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Free
Dan Rather, unbound
Talks
Dan Rather
 

The venerated television journalist celebrates the release of a new essay collection.

Mon, Nov 6, 2017
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Unbound Alice Waters
Talks
Alice Waters
 

The iconic chef, author, and food activist talks about her new memoir with Hilton Als.

Mon, Oct 23, 2017
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Masha Gessen, Unbound
Talks
Masha Gessen
 

The award-winning Russian-American journalist discusses her new book with David Remnick.

Tue, Oct 3, 2017
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Unbound: Arundhati Roy
Talks
Unbound: Arundhati Roy
 

The author of The God of Small Things comes to BAM for the launch of her new novel.

Mon, Jun 19, 2017
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Unbound, Roxane Gay
Talks
Unbound: Roxane Gay
 

The author of Bad Feminist celebrates the release of her latest book, Hunger.

Tue, Jun 13, 2017
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Unbound: Alec Baldwin
Talks
Unbound: Alec Baldwin
 

The Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actor discusses his new memoir.

Sun, Apr 9, 2017
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Unbound: Rebecca Solnit
Talks
Unbound: Rebecca Solnit with Teju Cole
 

The author of Men Explain Things to Me is joined by Teju Cole for the launch of her new book.

Sun, Mar 26, 2017
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Unbound Morgan Parker
Literary
Unbound: Morgan Parker
 

The Pushcart Prize-winning writer discusses her new poetry collection, There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé.

Wed, Feb 15, 2017
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Literary
Unbound: David Salle
 

Renowned contemporary artist David Salle comes to BAM to discuss his new series of essays.

Tue, Nov 1, 2016
 
 
Literary
Unbound: Ina Garten with moderator Tina Fey
 

Tina Fey talks with Ina Garten in this celebration of her new book, Cooking for Jeffrey.

Tue, Oct 25, 2016
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Literary
Unbound: Colson Whitehead
 

Bestselling author Colson Whitehead discusses his new novel, The Underground Railroad

Mon, Sep 26, 2016
 
 
Literary
Unbound: Ben Rawlence in Conversation with K’naan
 

The author discusses his new book about the Dadaab refugee camp with Somali-born musician K’naan.

Fri, Feb 12, 2016
 
 
Talks
Unbound: Elvis Costello with Rosanne Cash
 

The London-born singer-songwriter celebrates the launch of his idiosyncratic new memoir.

Tue, Nov 10, 2015
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Talks
Unbound: Sara Bareilles with Ben Folds
 

The five-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter celebrates her new essay collection.

Tue, Oct 6, 2015
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Literary
Unbound: Bryan Doerries
 

Celebrate the launch of Doerries’ new book with readings by Adam Driver, Bill Irwin, and others.

Sun, Sep 27, 2015
 
 
Talks
Unbound: Gloria Steinem
 

The feminist writer, activist, and organizer celebrates the release of her new book.

Tue, Oct 27, 2015
 
 
Literary
Unbound: Elizabeth Gilbert
 

The New York Times bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love discusses her new book.

Thu, Sep 24, 2015
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Literary
Unbound: Philip Glass with Kurt Andersen
 

The influential composer discusses his new memoir with Kurt Andersen.

Mon, Apr 20, 2015
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Literary
Unbound: Kim Gordon
 

The founder and bassist of Sonic Youth discusses her new memoir, Girl in a Band.

Mon, Feb 23, 2015
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Literary
Unbound: Herbie Hancock with Sasha Frere-Jones
 

The jazz legend offers rare insight into his life and career in this expansive memoir.

Wed, Oct 29, 2014
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Literary
Unbound: Lena Dunham with Zadie Smith
 

The creator and star of Girls discusses her new essay collection with Zadie Smith.

Tue, Oct 21, 2014
 
 
Sold Out
 
Literary
Unbound: John Cleese with John Hodgman
 

The brilliant co-founder of Monty Python is given full reign in this rollicking memoir.

Wed, Nov 5, 2014
BOOK RELEASE
 
 
Literary
Unbound: Daniel Kehlmann with Zadie Smith
 

Author Daniel Kehlmann talks with Zadie Smith at the Brooklyn Book Festival.

Sun, Sep 21, 2014
BOOK LAUNCH
 
 
Free
Literary
Unbound: Alain de Botton
 

The essayist and author launches his latest book.

Mon, Mar 3, 2014
 
 
Sold Out
 
Literary
Unbound: Angélique Kidjo
 

The superstar songstress discusses her memoir, Spirit Rising.

Mon, Jan 27, 2014
 
 
Sold Out
 
Literary
Unbound: Richard Dawkins
 

The renowned author of The God Delusion discusses his new memoir.

Mon, Sep 23, 2013
 
 
Literary
Unbound: Jonathan Lethem
 

The author of Motherless Brooklyn launches his newest novel, Dissident Gardens

Tue, Sep 10, 2013