Best bets: Writers speak, vendors are out, Greek food and more

Acclaimed authors Louise Erdrich and Ann Patchett will talk about life right now — both from the perspective of being writers and citizens — and the survival of democracy during an online conversation hosted by nearly a dozen independent bookstores, artists and organizations. The two are friends, and both own indie bookstores — Erdrich has Birchbark Books & Native Arts in Minneapolis, and Patchett has Parnassus Books in Nashville. Also: book recommendations from both.

Erdrich is an Ojibwe artist from Minnesota, a prolific novelist who writes books for children and adults. Some of her award-winning titles include “The Round House,” which won the National Book Award for Fiction, “The Plague of Doves,” which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and “Love Medicine,” her debut. Patchett recently published “The Dutch House,” which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and her first children’s book “Lambslide.” “Bel Canto,” published in 2002, won both the PEN/Faulkner Award and the Orange Prize for Fiction.

The conversation is a fundraiser for the Movement Voter Project, which has a mission of boosting voter turnout.

“Read Vote Win Fundraiser with Louise Erdrich & Ann Patchett” is 5-7 p.m. Oct. 4 on Zoom. Register at movement.vote/events .

Laura Velvet, a band that performs music by The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and more, performs from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Earth Rider Fest Grounds in Superior. The local band is known for its smooth vocals, it’s shimmery lounge fashions, and the range of eras it covers.

Local creatives will show off their vintage finds, handmade jewelry, art, kombucha and more during the Open Air Vintage & Makers Market from noon-6 p.m. Oct. 3 at Back Alley Duluth, 2409 W. Superior St.

Among the featured vendors: Back Alley Duluth, The Ochre Stone, Voula Vintage, Orangecrush Studio, Empressed Threads, Yarrow Mead Metals, Duluth Kombucha and more.

There will be food and drinks available for sale.

Among the annual events thwarted by the pandemic — the Taste of Greece festival. But, like lots of groups flexing creative muscles, Twelve Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church is hosting a take-out version.

The church is offering Greek food: gyros, spanakopita, salad, baklava and cookies from noon-5 p.m. Oct. 3.

Call 218-722-1652, starting at 9 a.m., to schedule a pickup time or, for a more spontaneous trip, order from a tent at the back of the church at 632 E. Second St. The event is a fundraiser for the church.

“Well Tidy Scran” is a collection of Scottish plant-based recipes from a North American vegan — namely artist Allen Killian-Moore, a local artist and activist. The 16-page zine, published by Portland-based Microcosm Publishing, will be for sale at Adeline Inc., 1132 E 9th St. It’s billed as having veganized takes on neeps and tatties, clapshot, stovies, haggis and more.