Presented by Kaleidoscope School
Great literature leaps off the page as living performance. Every fourth Thursday, Lit Nite brings stories, poems, and ideas to life through dramatic readings, historical context, close analysis, and the kind of wide-ranging conversation that spirals from literature into aesthetics, politics, Our sixth Lit Nite event is The Russians: from Dostoevsky to Nabokov.
Murder and madness, faith and nihilism, revolution, idealism, and exile: Russian literature wrestles with the darkest questions of the human experience. And alongside all that existential depth runs another tradition: wild comedy, satire, surrealism, and the spectacle of the absurd. The Russians can stare into the abyss and somehow still find it funny and playful.
We’ll journey through the history and culture that produced the great literary explosion of the 19th century. With Dostoevsky at the center, we’ll enter his feverish world of crime, conscience, faith, and moral rebellion, while contrasting this with the regal visions of Tolstoy, and Chekhov, and the fantastical fables of Gogol.
From there, we’ll follow Russian literature through revolution, terror, and exile, discovering Bulgakov, Solzhenitsyn, Nabokov, and a remarkable tradition of censored and lost literature of the absurd.
Why does Russian literature always seem to break all boundaries? Why the obsession with murder, madness, God, revolution, ecstasy? And why does a tradition famous for despair keep erupting into laughter?
An evening of sinners and saints, tragedy and absurdity—and the peculiar Russian art of laughing at the abyss. No advance reading required, but if you’d like to see the text excerpts before we meet, request one after you’ve bought your ticket.
Join us on Thursday October 22nd, 2026 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at THE EXCHANGE at 617 Marin Street in Old Town Vallejo.
As always space is limited and we tend to sell out so sign up early before all seats are gone.
Please understand that buying a ticket to an event or workshop is no different than buying a concert, theater, or movie ticket and we are unable to offer refunds. You are of course always welcome to gift your seat to a friend if you cannot make it!
ABOUT KALEIDOSCOPE
Kaleidoscope brings together curious people and thoughtful teachers to explore ideas in ways that feel human, engaging, and alive. They believe learning doesn’t have to be transactional or traditional to be meaningful - it can be social, creative, and feel like a night out that also leaves you changed.
Education happens in real time, between people, shaped by perspective and curiosity. When people have space to share ideas, listen deeply, and engage with new perspectives, it strengthens individuals and builds more thoughtful, connected communities.
Lit Nights is facilitated by John and Christine Walker, presented by Kaleidoscope, and hosted at THE EXCHANGE.
Presented by Kaleidoscope School
Great literature leaps off the page as living performance. Every fourth Thursday, Lit Nite brings stories, poems, and ideas to life through dramatic readings, historical context, close analysis, and the kind of wide-ranging conversation that spirals from literature into aesthetics, politics, Our sixth Lit Nite event is The Russians: from Dostoevsky to Nabokov.
Murder and madness, faith and nihilism, revolution, idealism, and exile: Russian literature wrestles with the darkest questions of the human experience. And alongside all that existential depth runs another tradition: wild comedy, satire, surrealism, and the spectacle of the absurd. The Russians can stare into the abyss and somehow still find it funny and playful.
We’ll journey through the history and culture that produced the great literary explosion of the 19th century. With Dostoevsky at the center, we’ll enter his feverish world of crime, conscience, faith, and moral rebellion, while contrasting this with the regal visions of Tolstoy, and Chekhov, and the fantastical fables of Gogol.
From there, we’ll follow Russian literature through revolution, terror, and exile, discovering Bulgakov, Solzhenitsyn, Nabokov, and a remarkable tradition of censored and lost literature of the absurd.
Why does Russian literature always seem to break all boundaries? Why the obsession with murder, madness, God, revolution, ecstasy? And why does a tradition famous for despair keep erupting into laughter?
An evening of sinners and saints, tragedy and absurdity—and the peculiar Russian art of laughing at the abyss. No advance reading required, but if you’d like to see the text excerpts before we meet, request one after you’ve bought your ticket.
Join us on Thursday October 22nd, 2026 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at THE EXCHANGE at 617 Marin Street in Old Town Vallejo.
As always space is limited and we tend to sell out so sign up early before all seats are gone.
Please understand that buying a ticket to an event or workshop is no different than buying a concert, theater, or movie ticket and we are unable to offer refunds. You are of course always welcome to gift your seat to a friend if you cannot make it!
ABOUT KALEIDOSCOPE
Kaleidoscope brings together curious people and thoughtful teachers to explore ideas in ways that feel human, engaging, and alive. They believe learning doesn’t have to be transactional or traditional to be meaningful - it can be social, creative, and feel like a night out that also leaves you changed.
Education happens in real time, between people, shaped by perspective and curiosity. When people have space to share ideas, listen deeply, and engage with new perspectives, it strengthens individuals and builds more thoughtful, connected communities.
Lit Nights is facilitated by John and Christine Walker, presented by Kaleidoscope, and hosted at THE EXCHANGE.
