Literati Roundup: Dollars Well Spent

It's not a great week for the slim of pocketbook, as we've dug up some gems that will cost you. We hope they're worth it, though! There's funny, slightly arty, and just plain bookish. Take your pick.

We mentioned this last week, but considering the comedy punch it's going to pack, it's worth mentioning again: tonight is the reincarnated Ritalin Readings, starting at 8PM at Mo Pitkins House of Satisfaction (34 Ave. A, between E. 2nd and 3rd Sts.) and hosted by Lindsay Robertson, Alex Balk, and Jon Friedman. There are a host of other comedians getting up to read four minutes worth of funny and it'll cost you $7.

This Friday the 13th, over the river in Williamsburg, Galapagos Art Space is hosting BARFLIES, with five new stories by writer/performer Clay McLeod Chapman. We went to college with Chapman and his live performances just enhance his fascinating stories, so this one is well worth the $12 cover charge ($10 advance purchase). Galapagos Art Space seems like another important one to watch this year.

And to wrap up your weekend, Sunday Salon hosts its first gathering of 2006 on January 15th at 7PM. The reading series, which happens at Stain Bar (766 Grand St., Brooklyn), features writers Cheryl Burke, David Harlan Webber, Elizabeth Harris, and Brett Leveridge. The writers will be reading from new work and the event is free.