At The Rye Arts Center
Saturday, April 27th from 1:30pm – 2:30pm, Free

Click here to RSVP: Soundtrack Book Talk Workshop

Soundtrack: Liner Notes from a Pandemic Mixtape captures the full range of emotions, just like a favorite song. In twenty essays and two bonus tracks written during the heart of the COVID-19 crisis, Alison Cupp Relyea evokes the power of music to inspire, heal, and move us even . . . perhaps especially . . . in our most difficult times. Soundtrack acts as a microphone to amplify the intersection of intimate bonds, surprising nostalgia, and universal meaning that were essential to cope with the defining world event of our era. While the dark early days of an unknown circulating virus are behind us, Cupp Relyea reminds us that the tender exchanges and heightened observation we sought then are, like music, timeless. Whether sharing vulnerable family moments or the lasting influence of pop culture icons such as Sinéad O’Connor, Patti Smith, or Tom Hanks, the author blends lyrical descriptions and poignant storytelling. This insightful memoir reveals how curiosity and connection can lead to a greater understanding of the relationships, environments, and voices that shape us. Like homemade mixtapes curated with love and deep intention back in the day, Cupp Relyea carefully chooses the words and rhythms that will resonate with her intended listener―you.

Alison Cupp Relyea is an educator and a writer. She recently published her first essay collection entitled Soundtrack: Liner Notes from a Pandemic Mixtape. She helped found a literary festival called Watershed. Alison lives in Rye with her husband, Rich, and their three children, Rob, Eliza, and Ian. Alison began her teaching career in New York CIty, where she earned a Master’s in Museum Education from Bank Street College. After teaching elementary school in Manhattan for a decade, she moved to Rye in 2014 and worked at the Rye Historical Society for the past six years. Alison is a founding member of the pRYEde Community Group, a nonprofit in Rye that collaborates with other LGBTQ+ organizations to support and raise awareness for LGBTQ+ youth and families. Alison and one other founder have led a youth mural project in partnership with the Rye Town Park Commission. This year’s mural was the recipient of an ArtsWestchester grant. As a result of her work in the community, she was awarded the NAACP’s Freedom History Champion Award in October 2023.

Click here to purchase the book: Soundtrack Book