When “Safe Space” opened on January 9, the idea was to try to break down the too often atomized cultural world of New York City and open a conversation about the intersection of music and literature. Pianist Jonathan Biss played two Beethoven sonatas and novelist Adam Haslett read an unpublished story about Barack Obama. The two then discussed the difference in audiences and the challenges of creation versus interpretation. The low-impact setting allowed these two authors to explore territory that were unfamiliar to them. It was a chance for classical fans to hear musicians in a new setting and perhaps become acquainted with a new favorite writer; and for literary types to sample classical music in a familiar, comfortable setting and to witness writers in a unique context. It’s also a chance to marvel at a grand piano inside of Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, which is impressive.

On February 13, “Safe Space” continues with pianist Jeremy Denk and author James Wood. Denk will play a short (thirty minute) concert, Wood will read, and the two artists will have a conversation and answer questions. The event is a great date night for valentines platonic and romantic, and all for a good cause.

A third Safe Space event will be held this spring.

James Wood is one of most prominent literary voices alive today. As a staff writer at the New Yorker, a senior editor at the Guardian, a frequent contributor to the New York Review of Books, the New York Times and others, and a professor at Harvard University, Wood has shaped the critical conversation of his generation. He is the author of two essay collections, The Broken Estate and The Irresponsible Self, one work of nonfiction, How Fiction Works, and a novel, The Book Against God. He lives in Boston with his wife and two children.

American pianist Jeremy Denk has steadily built a reputation as one of today’s most compelling and persuasive artists. After the successful recording of Bach Partitas, he released an album of French Impressionism with violinist Joshua Bell in January of this year. Denk’s career is marked by an ability to engage in an unusually broad repertoire—switching easily between Beethoven and Mozart to Ives and Stravinsky to contemporary composers such as Jake Heggie. Denk’s blog, “Think Denk”, features sly insights and sensitive social commentary and has drawn praise from Alex Ross of the New Yorker.

Doors will open at 6:30PM and the event will begin at 7:30PM.