Calendar Northern California

Updated August 28, 2008

September 1-30, 2008 S M T W Th F S 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 0 0 0 0

1 SEPTEMBER---monday:
EAST:
• Sacramento Poetry Center presents poetry and comedy with Carol Moon, Michael Rowe, Tim Kahl, Brad Buchanan, hosted by Frank Graham, HQ for the Arts, 1719 25th Street at R Street, Sacramento, 7:30 (www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org)

2 SEPTEMBER---tuesday:
CENTRAL:
• Music biographer Joe Nick Patoski reads from and signs his new book, Willie Nelson: An Epic Life, discussion to follow, The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, SF, 7:30 (415/863-8688, www.booksmith.com)
• David Highsmith, Michael Slosek, and Steve LaVoie read from their poetry, Books & Bookshelves, 99 Sanchez Street, SF, free, B.Y.O.B., 7:30 (415/621-3761, www.99sanchez.com)
• Poets Neil Marcus and Petra Kuppers read from their new book. Cripple Poetics: A Love Story, which follows the movement of Bay Area poet and activist Neil Marcus and his partner Petra's courtship through traditional poems, emails, essayistic meditations and Internet Relay Chat., Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:30 (510/649-1320, www.pegasusbookstore.com)

3 SEPTEMBER---wednesday:
CENTRAL:
• A reading by award-winning poet Frank B. Wilderson, III, Red, White & Black: Cinema and the Structure of US Antagonisms, Moe's Books, 2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/849-2087, www.moesbooks.com)
• Creative Writing Series presents a reading by novelist Katharine Noel, Halfway House, Soda Activity Center, Saint Mary's College of California, 1928 Saint Mary's Road, Moraga, free, 7:30 (925/631-4457, www.stmarys-ca.edu/mfa)
NORTH:
• Sunset Poetry by the Bay presents a reading by May Garsson, open mike follows, Northpoint Coffee House, 1250 Bridgeway, Sausalito, no cover, 7:00-9:00 (www.northpointcoffee.com)

4 SEPTEMBER---thursday:
CENTRAL:
• Holloway Poetry Readings present the Department of English faculty poets, C.S. Giscombe, Robert Hass, Lyn Hejinian, Geoffrey G. O'Brien, John Shoptaw, Maude Fife Room, Third Floor, Wheeler Hall, Room 315, University of California, Berkeley, 6:30
• Poetry at the Albany Library presents a poetry reading by Hannah Stein, Earthlight, and Susan Kelly-DeWitt, The Fortunate Islands, hosted by Catherine Taylor, open reading follows, Albany Library, 1247 Marin Avenue, Albany, free, 7:00-9:00 (510/526-3720, www.aclibrary.org)

5 SEPTEMBER---friday:
CENTRAL:
• The de Young Poetry Series presents a poetry reading by Christian Bök, a leading figure of Newlipo, which uses innovative concepts and procedures in the creation of poetry, and K. Silem Mohammad, Deer Head Nation, who inaugurated Flarf, a poetry movement that makes use of online search engines, de Young Museum of Fine Art, Koret Auditorium, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, SF, $12/$8 museum members, 7:00 (tickets: 866/512-6326, www.museumtix.com; information: 415/750-7634, rbaldocchi@famsf.org)
• Studio One Summer Reading Series presents performance poet Daphne Gottlieb and William Moor, Studio One Arts Center, Great Hall, 365 45th Street (at Broadway), Oakland, $3-$15 sliding scale, 7:30

6 SEPTEMBER---saturday:
EAST:
• Writers of the New Sun/Escritores del Nuevo Sol meeting, La Raza Galeria Posada, 1024 22nd Street, Sacramento, 11:00 a.m. (916/456-5323, escritoresdelnuevosol.com)

7 SEPTEMBER---sunday:
NORTH:
• Poet Painters John Brandi, Facing High Water, and former Sonoma County Poet Laureate Geri Digiorno, White Lipstick, in a poetry reading at the opening reception of their visual artworks, recent collages, a window installation of Richard Benbrook's metal creatures are also on display, The Claudia Chapline Gallery, Stinson Beach, free, 3:00-5:00 (415/868-2308, www.cchapline.com)
EAST:
• Wine & Words presents a poetry reading by Lee Herrick, This Many Miles From Desire, and David Smith Ferri, open mike follows, catered by Garre Winery and Café, Martinelli Conference and Event Center, 3585 Greenville Road, Livermore, $5, 2:00-4:00 (Connie@poetrypost.com, map: www.garrewinery.com)

8 SEPTEMBER---monday:
CENTRAL:
• Idiolexicon Poetry Series presents a featured poetry reading, Cafe Royale, 800 Post Street, SF, free, 7:00 (www.idiolexicon.com)
• Word Dancing features poet Dan O., open reading follows, hosted by Jeanne Powell, It's A Grind Coffee House, 1800 Polk Street, at Washington, SF, free, 7:00-9:00 (415/441-1272; host: 415/928-8904)
• Marc Lecard reads from and signs his new novel, Tiny Little Troubles, The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, SF, 7:30 (415/863-8688, www.booksmith.com)
• Poetry Express presents slam poet Lucky 7, open mike, come early, mention the poetry and get a ten percent discount on a meal, Priya Indian Cuisine, 2072 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:00-9:00 (poetryexpress@gmail.com)
• A reading by author and poet Tom Pickard, Ballad of Jamie Allan, Moe's Bookstore, 2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/849-2087, www.moesbooks.com)
EAST:
• Sacramento Poetry Center presents a poetry reading by Terry O'Neal, open mike and refreshments, hosted by Emmanuel Sigauke, HQ for the Arts, 1719 25th Street at R Street, Sacramento, 7:30 (www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org)

9 SEPTEMBER---tuesday:
CENTRAL:
• Grammy Award-winning songwriter Janis Ian reads from and signs her memoir, Society's Child: My Autobiography, discussion follows, The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, SF, 7:30 (415/863-8688, www.booksmith.com)
• A poetry reading by John Brandi, Facing High Water, and legendary Beat poet Michael McClure, Touching the Edge, Moe's Bookstore, 2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/849-2087, www.moesbooks.com)

10 SEPTEMBER---wednesday:
CENTRAL:
• Lily Koppel reads from and signs her new book, The Red Leather Diary, The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, SF, 7:30 (415/863-8688, www.booksmith.com, www.redleatherdiary.com)
• Neal Stephenson reads from his novel Anathem, Moe's Books, 2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/849-2087)
• Creative Writing Series presents a reading by poet, documentary filmmaker, and librettist Tom Pickard, The Ballad of Jamie Allan, poems, Soda Activity Center, Saint Mary's College of California, 1928 Saint Mary's Road, Moraga, free, 7:30 (925/631-4457, www.stmarys-ca.edu/mfa)

11 SEPTEMBER---thursday:
CENTRAL:
• One City One Book: San Francisco Reads presents a reading by San Francisco Writers Workshop director and writer Tamim Ansary from West of Kabul, East of New York: An Afghan American, book signing follows, The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, SF, 7:30 (415/863-8688, www.booksmith.com)
• Holloway Poetry Readings present Tom Pickard with a graduate student to be announced, Maude Fife Room, Third Floor, Wheeler Hall, Room 315, University of California, Berkeley, 6:30
SOUTH:
• Featured poetry reading, open mike follows, Willow Glen Books, 1330 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, 7:00 (408/298-8141, 408/266-1361)

12 SEPTEMBER---friday:
CENTRAL:
• City Lights presents a reading by novelist and playwright Hanif Kureishi, in celebration of his new novel, Something to Tell You, Canessa Gallery, 708 Montgomery Street, SF, free tickets required and available at City Lights Bookstore, 7:00 (414/362-8193, www.citylights.com)
• Small Press Traffic Reading Series presents Geyser!, a new play by poet and Jack Spicer scholar Kevin Killian with Wayne Smith, Timken Lecture Hall, California College of the Arts, 1111 8th Street, SF, $5-$10 sliding scale, free to current SPT members and the CCA community, 7:30 (415/551-9278, www.sptraffic.org)
• Last Word presents a group poetry reading by California Poets in the Schools poet-teachers, including Cathy Barber, Judy Bebelaar, Arthur Dawson, Albert Flynn DeSilver, Grace Marie Grafton, Susan Sibbet, and Marty Williams, open mike follows, co-hosted by Dale Jensen, Ralph Dranow, Diana Q., Grace Grafton, Nefeli Caffe, 1854 Euclid Avenue, near Hearst, Berkeley, free, 7:00 (510/841-6374)

13 SEPTEMBER---saturday:
CENTRAL:
• Second Saturday Poetry and Prose Reading features a reading by Women's Poetry Salon members, open reading follows, Jeanne Lupton hosts, Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru Street, at Lincoln, Alameda, 7:00 (510/523-6957; to sign up for open: jeany98@aol.com)

14 SEPTEMBER---sunday:
CENTRAL:
• The second and fourth Sunday series, Music of the Word (La Palabra Musical), has moved to Rebecca's Books, featured readers plus open reading, Rebecca's Books, 3268 Adeline Street, Berkeley, free, 3:30 (510/852-4768)

15 SEPTEMBER---monday:
CENTRAL:
• Comedian Bill Santiago reads from and signs his new book, Pardon My Spanglish: One Man's Guide to Speaking the Habla, The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, SF, 7:30 (415/863-8688, www.booksmith.com)
• Poetry Express presents John Moore, open mike, come early, mention the poetry and get a ten percent discount on a meal, Priya Indian Cuisine, 2072 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:00-9:00 (poetryexpress@gmail.com)
EAST:
• Sacramento Poetry Center presents a poetry reading by Jim Nolt, open mike and refreshments, hosted by Rebecca Morrison, HQ for the Arts, 1719 25th Street at R Street, Sacramento, 7:30 (www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org)

16 SEPTEMBER---tuesday:
CENTRAL:
• Frank Wilderson reads from and discusses his new book, Incognegro: A Memoir of Exile and Apartheid, City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Avenue, SF, 7:00 (415/362-8193, www.citylights.com)
• City Arts & Lectures 28th Annual Literary Event series benefits the 826 Valencia College Scholarship Program with a reading by poet, screenwriter and novelist Paul Auster from his novel Man in the Dark, in conversation with novelist Michelle Richmond, Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue at McAllister, SF, individual tickets $20/each, series ticket for all nine events $153, 8:00 (tickets: 415/392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com, www.cityarts.net)
• Bay Area contributors, including poets Robert Hass, Michael Palmer, D.A. Powell, and Chad Sweeney, read from The Best American Poetry 2008, an anthology edited by Charles Wright with Series Editor David Lehman, Mrs. Dalloway's Literary and Garden Arts, 2904 College Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/704-8222, www.mrsdalloways.com)

18 SEPTEMBER---thursday:
CENTRAL:
• Cartoonist and novelist Lynda Barry reads from and signs her new book, What It Is, The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, SF, 7:30 (415/863-8688, www.booksmith.com)
• City Arts & Lectures 28th Annual Literary Event series benefits the 826 Valencia College Scholarship Program with a reading by 2008 Pulitzer Prize-winner and short story writer Junot Diaz from his debut novel, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, in conversation with Paul Lancour, Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue at McAllister, SF, individual tickets $20/each, series ticket for all nine events $153, 8:00 (tickets: 415/392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com, www.cityarts.net)
• Poetry Flash presents a reading from and in response to Another World Instead: The Early Poems of William Stafford 1837-1947, the first publication of William Stafford's early work as a conscientious objector, with the editor, Fred Marchant, Robert Hass, and Maxine Hong Kingston, Moe's Books, 2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/849-2087, www.moesbooks.com)
NORTH:
• Writers Forum presents a workshop and talk with poet and prose writer Armando Garcia-Davila, Petaluma Community Center, 320 North McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, $15 at the door, 7:00-9:00 (www.thewritespot.us)
• Third Thursday Poetry Reading presents a featured reader, open mike follows, CityArt Building, 284 Main Street, Point Arena, free, 7:30 (707/882-3616)

19 SEPTEMBER---friday:
CENTRAL:
• Celebrated author of Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh, reads from and signs his new novel, Crime, The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, SF, 7:30 (415/863-8688, www.booksmith.com)
• Small Press Traffic Reading Series presents a reading by poet Anselm Berrigan, Some Notes on My Programming, and poet D.S. Marriott, Incognegro, Timken Lecture Hall, California College of the Arts, 1111 8th Street, SF, $5-$10 sliding scale, free to current SPT members and the CCA community, 7:30 (415/551-9278, www.sptraffic.org)
NORTH:
• Mendocino Stories presents a Splendid Collisions, music and stories by Todd Walton with Marcia Sloane, James Maxwell, and music performed by Holly Tannen, Mendocino Hotel, 45080 Main Street, Mendocino, sliding scale $5-$15, 7:30 (707/937-1732, www.mendocinostories.com)
EAST:
• Writers of the New Sun/Escritores del Nuevo Sol presents the annual all-Spanish reading, La Raza Galeria Posada, 1024 22nd Street, Sacramento, $5, no one turned away for lack of funds, 7:30 (916/456-5323, escritoresdelnuevosol.com)

20 SEPTEMBER---saturday:
NORTH:
• Ninth Annual Sonoma County Book Festival celebrates the literary arts and promote literacy, events include readings, book signings, and panel discussions with local and nationally acclaimed authors and poets; booths and exhibits showcasing independent booksellers, publishers and libraries; art and music events, Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, free, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 (for information or to volunteer: 707/527-5412, info@socobookfest.org)

21 SEPTEMBER---sunday:
CENTRAL:
• Reading by poet Adam David Miller, from his memoir, Ticket to Exile, coming of age in the Jim Crow South, Bird & Beckett Books & Records, 653 Chenery Street, Diamond Street in Glen Park, SF, free, 3:00 (415/586-3733)
• Staughton Lynd reads from and discusses his new book, Wobblies & Zapatistas: Conversations on Anarchism, Marxism and Radical History, City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Avenue, SF, 5:00 (415/362-8193, www.citylights.com)

22 SEPTEMBER---monday:
CENTRAL:
• Poetry Express presents Kirk Lumpkin, open mike, come early, mention the poetry and get a ten percent discount on a meal, Priya Indian Cuisine, 2072 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:00-9:00 (poetryexpress@gmail.com)
• A reading by poet Lee Slonimsky, Pythagoras in Love, and poet and founder of the WordTemple Poetry Series, Katherine Hastings, Bird.Song.Knife.Heart, Moe's Books, 2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/849-2087, www.moesbooks.com)
EAST:
• Sacramento Poetry Center presents a poetry reading by Robbie Grossklaus and Company, open mike and refreshments, hosted by Tim Kahl, HQ for the Arts, 1719 25th Street at R Street, Sacramento, 7:30 (www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org)

23 SEPTEMBER---tuesday:
CENTRAL:
• Take Me Out to the Ball Game! baseball poetry read by poets Jack Hirschman, Latif Harris, Fran Furey, Daryl Brock, Jeff Brain, Tobey Kaplan, and Carolyn Lei-lanilau, hosted by John Oliver Simon, co-sponsored by Center for the Art of Translation, San Francisco Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin Street, at Grove, SF, 6:00-7:30 (415/557-4277, www.sfpl.org)
• California journalist and historian Rick Wartzman reads from and signs his new book, Obscene in the Extreme, The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, SF, 7:30 (415/863-8688, www.booksmith.com)
• No Tell Press poets Hugh Behm-Steinberg, Shy Green Fields, and Jill Alexander Essbaum read from their work, Books & Bookshelves, 99 Sanchez Street, SF, free, B.Y.O.B., 7:30 (415/621-3761, www.99sanchez.com)

24 SEPTEMBER---wednesday:
CENTRAL:
• Poetry reading, conversation, and book signing with Ana Elsner, Ciphers of Uncommon Origin, sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Library, Glen Park Branch Library, 2825 Diamond Street, near Bosworth, SF, free, 6:30 (415/355-2858, www.sfpl.org)
• Daphne Beal reads from and signs her debut novel, In the Land of No Right Angles, The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, SF, 7:30 (415/863-8688, www.booksmith.com)
• Creative Writing Series presents a reading by journalist and creative nonfiction writer Dan White, The Cactus Eaters, Soda Activity Center, Saint Mary's College of California, 1928 Saint Mary's Road, Moraga, free, 7:30 (925/631-4457, www.stmarys-ca.edu/mfa)
NORTH:
• An Evening with the Creative Spirit presents Sonoma County Poet Laureate Mike Tuggle, Chester Aaron, and Bart Schneider, Union Hotel, 3703 Main Street, Occidental, fixed price dinner available, includes salad, bread, and pasta or pizza, $15, 5:30-7:00; $10 reading donation benefits Occidental Center for the Arts, reading 7:00 (reservations suggested: 707/874-9392)

25 SEPTEMBER---thursday:
CENTRAL:
• James Nolan reads from his new book, Perpetual Care, City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Avenue, SF, 7:00 (415/362-8193, www.citylights.com)
• Sixteen Rivers Press 10th Anniversary Celebration & Poetry Reading with contributors to the Sixteen Rivers Press CD, Naming the Rivers: The Poets of Sixteen Rivers Press 1999-2008, including Gerald Fleming, Lynne Knight, Jackie Kudler, Nina Lindsay, Carolyn Miller, Murray Silverstein, Helen Wickes and Susan Sibbet, with music by Chloe Scott and Josh Jones, Mrs. Dalloway's Literary and Garden Arts, 2904 College Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:30 (510/704-8222, www.mrsdalloways.com)

26 SEPTEMBER---friday:
CENTRAL:
• Small Press Traffic Reading Series presents a reading by poet Anne Waldman, Manatee/Humanity, and poet Aaron Shurin, King of Shadows, a memoir, Timken Lecture Hall, California College of the Arts, 1111 8th Street, SF, $5-$10 sliding scale, free to current SPT members and the CCA community, 7:30 (415/551-9278, www.sptraffic.org)
NORTH:
• Paces presents the premiere of "The Tristan Codas," a dance and poetry performance by poet/ storyteller Alan Bern and dancer/choreographer Lucinda Weaver, Gualala Art Center, 46501 Gualala Road, Gualala, tikcets: $12 in advance/$15 day of performance, youth 7-17 $8 advance/$10 day of performance, 7:30 (707/367-0184, http://gualalaarts.org/Groups/LocalEyes/2008-09TheTristanCodas.html)

27 SEPTEMBER---saturday:
CENTRAL:
• Memoirist Sean Wilsey reads from and signs his new book, State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America, discussion and screening of a short film on the making of the book follows, The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, SF, 7:30 (415/863-8688, www.booksmith.com)
• Rhythm & Muse series presents a poetry reading by May Garsson and Alice Templeton, spoken word with music open mike follows, piano and two microphones available, Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut Street, between Eunice and Rose Streets, Berkeley, free/donation, open sign up 6:30, reading 7:00 (510/527-9753, BAC: 510/644-6893, www.berkeleyartcenter.org)

28 SEPTEMBER---sunday:
CENTRAL:
• The second and fourth Sunday series, Music of the Word (La Palabra Musical), has moved to Rebecca's Books, featured readers plus open reading, Rebecca's Books, 3268 Adeline Street, Berkeley, free, 3:30 (510/852-4768)
EAST:
• Pagan's Place presents a poetry reading by Sherry Sheehan and John Rowe, and open mike hosted by Debralee Pagan, Walnut Creek Coffee Company, 1550 Newell Avenue, Walnut Creek, 2:00-4:00 (925/256-9319, walnutcreekcoffeecompany.net)

29 SEPTEMBER---monday:
CENTRAL:
• Poetry Express presents "Barriers & Bridges"open mike theme night, come early, mention the poetry and get a ten percent discount on a meal, Priya Indian Cuisine, 2072 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:00-9:00 (poetryexpress@gmail.com)
EAST:
• Sacramento Poetry Center presents a poetry reading by Alan Williamson and Andrena Zawinski, open mike and refreshments, hosted by Frank Graham, HQ for the Arts, 1719 25th Street at R Street, Sacramento, 7:30 (www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org)

30 SEPTEMBER--tuesday:
CENTRAL:
• Poetry at the 33 presents a reading by Paul Watsky, open mike follows, Keane's 3300 Club, 3300 Mission Street at 29th Street, SF, free, twenty-one and up, 7:00 (415/826-6886, www.3300club.com)