An Evening with Gaelynn Lea

The Book Stall in partnership with Valslist Just Listen Foundation is pleased to present an evening of discussion and music with Gaelynn Lea, author of the new book, It Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect. Folk musician, Broadway composer, and disability advocate Gaelynn Lea's warm, funny, poignant memoir is a love letter to every kind of body, to music, and to making it work––inviting us to embrace all of life's experiences with heart and determination. Ms. Lea will be in-conversation with author Leigh Stein. Following the talk, Gaelynn will perform a few songs for the audience!

Tickets include a copy of the book.

Gaelynn Lea is a composer, musician, and disability rights advocate. The winner of NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest in 2016, Lea has collaborated with Michael Stipe, The Decemberists, and Wilco. In 2022, she composed an original score for Macbeth on Broadway, starring Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga, and later released the album Music From Macbeth. Lea is a sought-after public speaker about disability culture, inclusion, and accessibility in the arts. She was awarded a Disability Futures Fellowship in 2024.

Leigh Stein is the author of six books, including the national bestseller If You’re Seeing This, It’s Meant For You and the critically acclaimed satirical novel Self Care. She is also the creator of the Attention Economy newsletter on Substack.

Valslist is a music discovery platform launched by Val Haller in 2007 that helps busy adults stay connected to new music through curated playlists, intimate concert experiences, and the nationally recognzed Winnetka Music Festival. The newly launched Just Listen Foundation supports touring artists and enaged audiences who want to just listen.

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