Book Launch & Concert with Gaelynn Lea

Name: Book Launch & Concert with Gaelynn Lea
Start: 2026-04-14T19:00:00-05:00
Location: Zeitgeist Duluth

Schedule

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026 at 07:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Zeitgeist Duluth | Duluth, MN

Please join Zenith Bookstore as we partner with Zeitgeist Theatre on Tuesday, April 14th at 7 PM. We will celebrate musician and author Gaelynn Lea as she launches her new book, It Wasn’t Meant to Be Perfect: A Memoir (Algonquin Books). Gaelynn will share her beautiful music, be in conversation with Claire Kirch and Walt "Dizzo" Raschick, and personally autograph her book for those in attendance. Book + Event Tickets and Event Only Tickets are available through Zenith Bookstore. Additional books will be available the night of the event. Seating is limited so get your tickets early!
Date: Tuesday, April 14th
Location: Zeitgeist Teatro Zuccone - 222 E. Superior St. Duluth
Doors open: 6:30 PM Show begins: 7 PM Book Signing: After in Atrium
Tickets: Purchase at Zenith Bookstore (318 N Central Ave. Duluth) or online at zenithbookstore.com/gaelynn
*Please note: Tickets purchased online can be picked up at the store (by 5 PM April 14th) or at the Zenith book table the night of the event.
Cost: $40 for Book + Event Ticket, $15 for Event Ticket Only
Accessibility: There will be ASL interpreting for the event. Zeitgeist is committed to providing accessible and inclusive programming. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible. If you have questions or would like to request accommodations, please contact: [email protected]
About the book:
Gaelynn Lea was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a genetic condition that causes brittle bones and a smaller stature. When she was completely enamored by an orchestra performance in 5th grade, she knew that her shortened limbs would make playing the cello challenging. But what if she held a violin upright in her wheelchair, like the world’s tiniest cello? Ultimately, it wasn’t a matter of if Gaelynn could play the violin, but of how. It Wasn’t Meant to Be Perfect: A Memoir is a love letter to every kind of body, to music, and to making it work––no matter what hand life has dealt us.
At its heart, Gaelynn’s book provides an intimate look at the life of a musician, the everyday hurdles of living with a disability, and the unwavering energy Lea shows up with in every moment to share her art and positivity with the world. This is a must-read for anyone looking for a warm, funny, deeply felt memoir.
“Gaelynn has written a music memoir like no other. It’s an indie rock tell-all through the lens of disability justice, told with real humanity and humor.” —Colin Meloy (The Decemberists), author of The Wildwood Chronicles
About Gaelynn Lea:
Gaelynn Lea is a classically trained musician, celebrated disability rights advocate, engaging speaker, and author. 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.
About Walt “Dizzo” Raschick:
Walt 'Dizzo' Raschick has been actively promoting the talent of local artists for over two decades as a journalist, festival director, radio presenter, DJ and non-profit consultant. He is currently open to exploring new opportunities and collaborations with like-minded organizations.
About Claire Kirch:
Claire Kirch, Publishers Weekly magazine’s Midwest Correspondent since 2003, is a lifelong reader and writer. A California native, Kirch, moved to Minnesota in 1994 and lives in a big old house filled with books half a mile up the hill from Lake Superior. During a brief stint working for the Duluth Children’s Museum in 1994-1995, Kirch met Gaelynn Lea and remembers well in later years attending Lea's shows early on, when the audience consisted of Lea’s parents, Kirch, and Lea’s future husband.