NAME, M/DD NAME, M/DD NAME, M/DD NAME, M/DD Express %26 Inspire Development %26 Publication
join our mailing list

Get selected timely event updates and news about Poetry Flash in your email inbox.

x
Northern California

< previous month  |  show all MAY  |  next month >


8 MAY 2012 — tuesday

    CENTRAL:
  • Poetry at the Albany Library presents Anne O. Fisher, translator of the comic novel The Twelve Chairs by Ilya Ilf and Evgeny Pertrov from the Russian, nominated for the Northern California Book Award in Translation, and poet Derek Mong, Other Romes, both writers will read from The Joyous Science: Selected Poems of Maxim Amelin, their collaborative translation-in-progress by Moscow poet Maxim Amelin, open mic follows, Albany Library, 1247 Marin Avenue, Albany, 7:00 (510/526-3720, www.aclibrary.org)
  • Celebration for Amsterdam Stories by Dutch novelist Jan Frederik Gronloh or Nescio, featuring award-winning translator Damion Searls, What We Were Doing and Where We Were Going, and editor and fiction writer Peter Orner reading from and discussing the work, City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, at Broadway, San Francisco, 7:00 (415/362-4921, www.citylights.com)
  • Center for the Art of Translation's Lit & Lunch series presents Argentine writer Sergio Chejfec discussing his first translated novel, My Two Worlds, 111 Minna Gallery, 111 Minna Street, San Francisco, free, 12:30 (www.catranslation.org)
  • City Arts & Lectures presents nature writer and environmentalist Terry Tempest Williams, in conversation with Rabbi Michael Lerner, Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, $27/$22, 8:00 (415/392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com, www.cityarts.net)

9 MAY 2012 — wednesday

    NORTH:
  • Sunset Poetry by the Bay presents a reading by poets Denise Newman, The New Make Believe, Dean Rader, Works & Days, and Matthew Zapruder, Come On All You Ghosts, and D.R. Goodman, Sunset Poetry by the Bay at Studio 333, 333 Caledonia Street, Sausalito, 7:00-9:00 (415/331-8272, www.studio333.info)

10 MAY 2012 — thursday

    CENTRAL:
  • City Arts & Lectures presents co-founder of n+1 literary magazine Chad Harbach, The Art of Fielding, in conversation with critic Steven Winn, Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon Street, San Francisco, $27/$22, 8:00 (415/392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com, www.cityarts.net)
  • Award-winning translator and writer Damion Searls reads from his translation of Amsterdam Stories by Nescio, Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore, 2904 College Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/704-8222, mrsdalloways.com)
  • David Talbot, founder and editor-in-chief of Salon, reads from Season of the Witch: Enchantment, Terror and Deliverance in the City of Love, on San Francisco 1967-1982, City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, at Broadway, San Francisco, 7:00 (415/362-4921, www.citylights.com)
  • Thursday at Readers Poetry Series presents Bill Mercer, Clara Hsu, and Mark Johnson, food and drink sales benefit San Francisco Public Library, Readers Café, Building C, South End, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, 6:30 (415/771-1011, www.readerscafe.org)
    SOUTH:
  • Children's writer Olga Cossi, Pemba Sherpa, celebrates the launch of her memoir, An Italian Sisterhood, Capitola Book Café, 1475 41st Avenue, Capitola, 7:30 (831/462-4415, capitolabookcafe.com)

11 MAY 2012 — friday

    CENTRAL:
  • Judith Lee Stronach Memorial Lectures on the Teaching of Poetry presents a talk by poet Gary Snyder, reception follows, Morrison Reading Room, Doe Library, University of California campus, Berkeley, seating 6:30
  • Poet's Gallery presents open mic night, Caffe Roma, 526 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, 6:30-9:30
    NORTH:
  • Travel writer Dan White hosts a workshop on travel memoir writing, Capitola Book Café, 1475 41th Avenue, Capitola, course fee is $35, includes assortment of travel pieces emailed in advance, 6:30-8:30 (to register, call: 831/4624415, capitolabookcafe.com)

12 MAY 2012 — saturday

    CENTRAL:
  • Second Saturdays Poetry & Prose presents featured poet Eileen Malone and reader to be announced, open mic follows, refreshments, Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru Street, Alameda, 7:00-9:00 (www.frankbettecenter.org)
  • Jack Gilbert will be there in person to enjoy the celebration of his magnificent new book, Jack Gilbert: Collected Poems, with readings from his poetry by Linda Gregg, C.S. Giscombe, Joseph Stroud, Donald Brees, Bill Mayer, Larry Felson, and special surprise guests, Richard Silberg will intro, sales of the book will benefit Poetry Flash, Pegasus Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/649-1320, www.pegasusbookstore.com)
  • Juliet Bell reads from her young adult debut novel Kepler's Dream, Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore, 2904 College Avenue, Berkeley, 4:00 (510/704-8222, mrsdalloways.com)
  • Writers with Drinks reading presents novelist, screenwriter, and poet Barry Gifford, Sad Stories for the Death of Kings, Greg Rucka, Alpha, Queen and Country, and Walking Dead, proceeds benefit Center for Sex and Culture, The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco, $5-$10 sliding scale, 7:30 (www.writerswithdrinks.com)
    SOUTH:
  • Haiku in the Teahouse reading features Susan Antolin, Artichoke Season, editor of Mariposa, the quarterly journal of Haiku Poets of Northern California and Haiku Society of America newsletter editor; poet Neal Whitman, editor for Pulse, an online, medical, humanities, literary journal; Naia, Haiku Society of America California Regional Coordinator and editor of various haiku anthologies; and haiku and tanka poet Bev Momoi, followed by an open reading, plus a Haiku Workshop for all skill levels, sponsored by City of San Jose Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, Yuki Teikei Haiku Society and Poetry Center San Jose, at Japanese Friendship Garden (Teahouse), Kelley Park, 1300 Senter Road, San Jose, event and workshop free, parking $10, workshop 10:00 a.m.-noon, reading 1:30 (Roger Abe: 408/277-4539)

13 MAY 2012 — sunday

14 MAY 2012 — monday

    CENTRAL:
  • Canessa Park Reading Series presents translator Brandon Brown, The Persians By Aeschylus and The Poems of Gaius Valerius Catullus, poet Mary Burger, Then Go On, and fiction writer and poet Peter Weltner, The Risk of His Music, Canessa Park Gallery, 708 Montgomery Street, at Columbus, San Francisco, $6, 7:30 (aedburns @ yahoo.com)
  • Poet's Gallery presents open mic night, Caffe Greco, 423 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, 6:30-9:30
    NORTH:
  • Poetry Farm open mic, Dr. Insomnia's Coffee and Teas, 800 Grant Avenue, Novato, free, sign up 6:30, reading 7:00-9:00 (415/897-9500, ericwbaxter @ verizon.net)

15 MAY 2012 — tuesday

    CENTRAL:
  • Michael Sandel, Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? discusses his book What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets, co-sponsored by Berkeley Arts and Letters, First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/704-8222, mrsdalloways.com. www.berkeleyarts.org)
  • Peggy Dobreer, In the Lake of Your Bones. and Brendan Constantine read from their poetry, Om Shan Tea, 233 14th Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (www.omshantea.com)
  • Word Party poetry and jazz open mic, hosted by Jennifer Barone and Ingrid Keir, Viracocha, 998 Valencia Street, at 21st Street, San Francisco, $5, 8:00-10:30 (www.thewordparty.com)

16 MAY 2012 — wednesday

    CENTRAL:
  • "Fiction Between the Wars" Evening Book Group discusses Women of the Silk, by Gail Tsukiyama, moderated by Rosalie Gonzales, Albany Library, 1247 Marin Avenue, Albany, 7:00-8:00 (510/526-3720, www.aclibrary.org)

17 MAY 2012 — thursday

    CENTRAL:
  • Story Swap, storytelling open mic, El Sobrante Library, 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante, 7:00-9:00 (510/374-3482, koien @ ccclib.org)
  • Poetry Flash presents a poetry reading by Nathalie Handal, Poet in Andalucía, and Deema K. Shehabi, Thirteen Departures From the Moon, Moe's Books, 2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/849-2087, www.moesbooks.com; wheelchair accessible, ASL interpreters for the deaf and hearing impaired may be requested a week in advance by email, editor@poetryflash.org)
  • An evening of surrealistic murmurings and associated sounds with Brian Lucas, Telepathic Bones, member of music ensemble Cloud Shepherd, and Bill Luoma, Swoon Rocket and Western Love, City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, at Broadway, San Francisco, 7:00 (415/362-4921, www.citylights.com)
  • Third Thursdays Storytelling Swap, bring a story to share, hosted by Cathy Dana, Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru Street, Alameda, 7:00-9:00 (www.frankbettecenter.org)
  • Thursday at Readers Poetry Series presents Peter Yamamoto and Carol Denney, food and drink sales benefit San Francisco Public Library, Readers Café, Building C, South End, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, 6:30 (415/771-1011, www.readerscafe.org)
    NORTH:
  • The Marin Poetry Center presents the Traveling Show reading, hosted by Becky Foust, featuring poets Stephie Mendel, Meryl Natchez, Karla Clark, Leah Shelleda, and Maggie Morley, Falkirk Cultural Center, 1408 Mission Street, San Rafael, 7:00 (415/382-1660, www.marinpoetrycenter.org)
    SOUTH:
  • Billee Sharp, Fix it, Make it, Grow it, Bake it, presents Lemons and Lavender: The Eco Guide to Better Homekeeping, Capitola Book Café, 1475 41st Avenue, Capitola, 7:30 (831/462.4415, capitolabookcafe.com)
  • Third Thursday poetry reading, featured poet to be announced, open mic follows, Willow Glen Library, 1157 Minnesota Avenue, San Jose, free, 7:00 (408/808-3045, or 408/266-1361)

18 MAY 2012 — friday

    CENTRAL:
  • Friday night series presents a featured poetry reading, open reading follows, refreshments, Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby, at Adeline, across from Ashby BART, Berkeley, 7:00 (510/644-4930, www.expressionsgallery.org)
  • Poet's Gallery presents open mic night, Caffe Roma, 526 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, 6:30-9:30
  • UC Berkeley Extension's Post-Baccalaureate Certified Program in Writing students share their works of poetry, nonfiction, and fiction as a part of their festive annual student reading event, Diesel A Bookstore, 5433 College Avenue, Oakland, free, 7:00 (510/653-9965, dieselbookstore.com)
    SOUTH:
  • Magdalena's Muse Writing Group, with Magdalena Montagne, hosts a drop-in poetry workshop, all levels and ages encouraged, Capitola Book Café, 1475 41st Avenue, Capitola, $10, 7:00-9:00 (831/462-4415, Magdalena: 831/252-5776, capitolabookcafe.com)

19 MAY 2012 — saturday

    CENTRAL:
  • Dixon Long presents Markets of Paris, 2nd edition, Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore, 2904 College Avenue, Berkeley, 4:00 (510/704-8222, mrsdalloways.com)
    SOUTH:
  • Memoir Journal Master Class Series workshop for aspiring humor writers, "Throw Cliché Under the Bus," led by Wallace Baine, Rhymes with Vain, bring lunch, Capitola Book Café, 1475 41st Avenue, Capitola, $115, fee includes a subscription to Memoir Journal, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 (831/462-4415, capitolabookcafe.com)

20 MAY 2012 — sunday

    CENTRAL:
  • Poetry Flash presents a reading by Julie Bruck, Monkey Ranch, and Sunnylyn Thibodeaux, Palm to Pine, Diesel, A Bookstore, 5433 College Avenue, Oakland, 3:00 (510/653-9965, dieselbookstore.com)
    NORTH:
  • Mendocino Spring Poetry Celebration’s seventh annual revival, refreshments, two open readings, sign up at noon for the reading at 1:00, sign up at 6:00 for the reading at 7:00, The Hill House, 10701 Pallete Drive, Mendocino, free, noon
    SOUTH:
  • Poet/Speak presents an open mic with featured reader, presented by Poetry Santa Cruz, free, Santa Cruz Public Library, upstairs meeting room, 224 Church Street, Santa Cruz, 2:00 p.m. (831/420-5700, www.poetrysantacruz.org)
  • The Capitola Book Café is undergoing a new business model, splitting into a for-profit retail bookseller and a non-profit education and outreach organization, the Kick-Off Party marks the start of a six-week transition, party includes live music by Windy Hill and ZunZun, a silent auction sponsored by local artisans, door prizes, complimentary sangria, beer and appetizers, Capitola Book Café, 1475 41st Avenue, Capitola, $10, kids under 12 free, 3:00-6:00 (831/462-4415, capitolabookcafe.com)

21 MAY 2012 — monday

    CENTRAL:
  • Mystery writer Craig Johnson reads from his novel As the Crow Flies, Books Inc., 1344 Park Street, Alameda, 7:00 (510/522-2226, www.booksinc.net )
  • City Arts & Lectures presents "The Neuroscience of Zen," with Abbot Ryushin Paul Haller, San Francisco Zen Center, and Dr. Philippe Goldin, Department of Neurology, Stanford, Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, $26/$22, 8:00 (415/392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com, www.calacademy.org/lectures)
  • Poetry Express presents an open mic night with featured readers, with hosts Jim Barnard, Nance Wogan, Odilia Galvan Rodriguez, and Jan Dederick, mention the reading for a ten percent meal discount, Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, 7:00 (poetryexpress @ gmail.com)
  • Poet's Gallery presents open mic night, Caffe Greco, 423 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, 6:30-9:30

22 MAY 2012 — tuesday

    CENTRAL:
  • Sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild, The Second Shift, discusses The Outsourced Self: Intimate Life in Market Times, Books Inc., 1760 4th Street, Berkeley, 7:00 (510/525-7777, booksinc.net)
  • Spanish Book Group/Circulo de Lectoras, a mix of native speakers and advanced level hablantes meet to discuss the May selection, La Mujer del coronel, by Carlos Alberto Montaner, Modern Times Bookstore, 2919 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (www.mtbs.com)
  • The Great Books Discussion Group meets to discuss Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America, facilitated by Rosalie Gonzales, Edith Stone Room, Albany Library, 1247 Marin Avenue, Albany, 1:30-2:30 (510/526-3720, rdavis @ aclibrary.org)
  • The Huffington Post San Francisco Book Club discusses Jennifer Egan’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, A Visit from the Goon Squad, hosted by Huffington Post editor Carly Schwartz, Egan appears via Skype for Q&A; to participate, read the book and register online, The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/863-8688, www.booksmith.com)
  • City Arts & Lectures presents novelist John Irving, The World According to Garp, in conversation with Michael Krasny, host of KQED’s “Forum,” Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, $27/$22, 8:00 (415/392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com, www.cityarts.net)
  • City Lights Bookstore and Litquake’s Epicenter Reading Series present Peter Carey reading from his novel The Chemistry of Tears, Tosca Café, 242 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/986-9651, toscacafesf.com)
    SOUTH:
  • Complex Allegiances, a reading from Constellations of Belonging, a forthcoming anthology of writing by immigrants turned citizens, focusing on what happens after an immigrant gains citizenship; panel features contributors to the anthology (including the editors), includes a directed conversation involving the audience, sponsored by Wising Up Press and ACLU of Monterey County, Peace Resource Center, 1364 Fremont Boulevard, Seaside, 7:00 (Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts: 831/624-5725, elliotrr3 @ gmail.com)
  • Bird watcher/tracker and naturalist Jon Young presents What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World, Capitola Book Café, 1475 41st Avenue, Capitola, 7:30 (831/462-4415, capitolabookcafe.com)

23 MAY 2012 — wednesday

    CENTRAL:
  • Poet and former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts Dana Gioia reads from Pity the Beautiful, Diesel, A Bookstore, 5433 College Avenue, Oakland, free, 7:00 (dieselbookstore.com)
  • Featured readers followed by an open reading, hosted by Dan Brady, Sacred Grounds Café, 2095 Hayes Street, San Francisco, sign up 7:00, reading 7:30-9:50 (415/387-3859, sacredpoets @ yahoo.com)
  • Essayist, poet, and natural history writer Thomas McNamee discusses his biography The Man Who Changed the Way We Eat: Craig Claiborne and the American Food Renaissance, Books Inc., 1760 4th Street, Berkeley, 7:00 (510/525-7777, booksinc.net)
  • Writing Teachers Write reading series presents writers from Marty Williams's Room to Write class, featuring Karen Adams, David Braden, Ann Beriak, Darlene DeMaria, Greg Doherty, Andy Peck and Jess Row, open reading follows, refreshments, Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby, at Adeline, across from Ashby BART, Berkeley, 5:30-7:30 (510/644-4930, www.expressionsgallery.org)
    SOUTH:
  • Sixteen Rivers Press poetry reading by Judy Halebsky, Space/Gap/Interval/Distance, and Jacqueline Kudler, Easing Into Dark, Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 7:00 (650/324-4321)
  • The Rubber Chicken presents a poetry slam and open mic, East Village Coffee Lounge, 498 Washington Street, Monterey, free, sign up 7:30, show 8:00 (www.eastvillagecoffeelounge.com/entertainment.html)
    EAST:
  • Mahogany open mic poetry and music, all ages, $5, Queen Sheba Restaurant, 1704 Broadway at 17th Street, Sacramento, 9:00-11:00 (malikspeaks @ aol.com)

24 MAY 2012 — thursday

    CENTRAL:
  • Poetry Flash presents a poetry reading by Amanda Nadelberg, Bright Brave Phenomena, Mira Rosenthal, The Local World, and Elisabeth Frost, All of Us, Moe's Books, 2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/849-2087, moesbooks.com)
  • Thursday at Readers Poetry Series presents poet/translator Gary Gach and Jimmy Mankind, food and drink sales benefit San Francisco Public Library, Readers Café, Building C, South End, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, 6:30 (415/771-1011, www.readerscafe.org)
  • Poetry reading by Jennifer Arin from her new book Ways We Hold, Farley’s Coffee House, 1315 18th Street, Potrero Hill, San Francisco, free, 8:00 (415/648-1545)
  • Joan Frank, In Envy Country, reads from her new novel, Make It Stay, University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, 6:00 (510/548-0585, www.universitypressbooks.com)
  • City Arts & Lectures present a performance of Woody Allen's short story, "The Kugelmass Episode," by Word For Word Performing Arts Company, Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, $27/$22, 8:00 (415/392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com, www.cityarts.net)
  • Poet, critic, and novelist Eileen Myles reads from Snowflake / different streets, new poems, and punk rock performer and visual artist Anna Joy Springer reads from her memoir, The Vicious Red Relic, Love: a fabulist memoir, City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (citylights.com)
  • W.S. DiPiero reads from his new collection of poems Nitro Nights, Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore, 2904 College Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/704-8222, mrsdalloways.com)
    NORTH:
  • Poetry by the Bay presents a spoken word open mic, live bands and poets, hosted by Profet of ProfeticLyrics, Panama Red Coffee Co., 289 Mare Island Way, Vallejo, 7:30-9:30 (707/554-2100)
  • Rilke Workshops with poet and scholar Daniel Polikoff presents a one-day workshop on the poet and the myth, Richard Brown’s House, Kentfield, $65, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 (inquiries/registration: 510/633-1888, moorpak @ ix.netcom.com)
    EAST:
  • Poetry Unplugged presents an open mic before and after featured readers, hosted by Joe Montoya, Luna's Café and Juice Bar, 1414 16th Street, Sacramento, $2 or one drink minimum, 8:00 (916/441-3931, www.lunascafe.com)

25 MAY 2012 — friday

    CENTRAL:
  • Books Inc. presents a poetry reading by Jennifer Arin, Ways We Hold, and Elisabeth Frost, All Of Us, Books Inc. Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/776-1111, booksinc.net)
  • KPFA journalist Dennis J. Bernstein reads from his poetry collection, Special Ed: Voices from a Hidden Classroom, Modern Times Bookstore, 2919 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (www.mtbs.com)
  • Poet's Gallery presents open mic night, Caffe Roma, 526 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, 6:30-9:30
    SOUTH:
  • A profile performance by the Santa Cruz 2012 Artist of the Year, poet Gary Young, Pleasure, Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz, free, 7:00 (831/454-7901, www.scparks.com)
    EAST:
  • Final Friday Open Mic is held frequently but irregularly, please confirm before attending, featured poet plus open mic mostly for poetry, storytellers and song writers welcome, hosted by Oliah Kraft and Andy Fahrenwald, J&D's Back Room, Eureka just off Main, Sutter Creek, 7:00 (209/267-5967, allergic @ riseup.net)

26 MAY 2012 — saturday

    CENTRAL:
  • Fourth Saturdays Poetry & Prose presents Brent Calderwood and reader to be announced, hosted by Jeanne Lupton, open mic follows, refreshments, Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru Street, Alameda, 7:00-9:00 (www.frankbettecenter.org)
  • Poetry reading by Jan Dederick and John Rowe, open mic follows, Florey's Book Company, 2120 Palmetto Avenue, Pacifica, 7:00-9:30 (650/355-8811, sherrirose-walker @ hotmail.com)
  • La Pena presents the Harlem Poetic Rebellion: A Salon for the People, an evening of poetry, movement, and music celebrating traditions of dissent, swank, and Queer Black Aesthetics, La Pena, 3105 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, $12 advance, $15 at door, 8:00 (510/849-2568, lapena.org)
  • Poetry Discussion Group meets, bring a favorite poem by you or someone else, Meeting Room, El Sobrante Library, 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante, 3:00-4:00 (510/374-3991, eweiss @ ccclib.org)
  • Saturday Night Special, monthly East Bay Open Mic presents featured poets, with hosts Hollie Hardy and Tomas Moniz, three-to-five minute open mic spots, Nick's Lounge, 3218 Adeline Street, Berkeley, 7:00-9:30 (510/652-6425)
    NORTH:
  • Redwood Writers presents an open mic with featured readers, SoCo Coffee, 1015 4th Street, Santa Rosa, sign up 5:30, reading 6:00-8:00 (house @ bbooks.com, lindareid100 @ sbcglobal.net)
    SOUTH:
  • Porter Gulch Review Reading and Art Show, with live music, refreshments, and free copies of the 27th edition of Porter Gulch Review, Cabrillo College Horticulture Center, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 6:00 (831/479-6345, PGR @ cabrillo.edu)
  • Community Reading Series presents an open reading for poetry and prose, with featured reader Richard Sullivan, hosted by Jean Walton Wolff, 3050 Porter Street, Soquel, free, 2:00 (jww95010 @ aol.com)
    EAST:
  • Spit Fresh Poetry open mic, hosted by Pierre Butler, Downstairs Art Studio, The Arts Building, 808 Lincoln Way, Auburn, sign up 6:30, reading 7:00-10:00 (916/346-0955, gorillapoet @ hotmail.com, thehandsthatspeak @ hotmail.com, www.eskimopie.net/calendar.htm)

27 MAY 2012 — sunday

    CENTRAL:
  • Ina Coolbrith Circle presents a featured poetry reading, open reading follows, refreshments, Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette, 2:00 (www.coolpoetry.org)
  • Each month, Walker Brents explores a topic; this month: Hannah Arendt, the mid-twentieth century political philosopher who wrote The Origins of Totalitarianism and The Life of the Mind, Bird & Beckett Books, 653 Chenery Street, San Francisco, free, 2:30 (415/586-3733, www.birdbeckett.com)
  • The World Affairs Council Book Club discusses The Secret History of Dreaming by Robert Moss, Books Inc., 601 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, 11:00 am (415/776-1111, booksinc.net)

28 MAY 2012 — monday

    CENTRAL:
  • Poetry Express presents an open mic night with featured readers, with hosts Jim Barnard, Nance Wogan, Odilia Galvan Rodriguez, and Jan Dederick, mention the reading for a ten percent meal discount, Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, 7:00 (poetryexpress @ gmail.com)
  • Poet's Gallery presents open mic night, Caffe Greco, 423 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, 6:30-9:30

29 MAY 2012 — tuesday

    CENTRAL:
  • City Lights Bookstore and Litquake's Epicenter Reading Series present an evening of reading and music in celebration of Edith Piaf, with Carolyn Burke, No Regrets: The Life of Edith Piaf, with musical accompaniment by Betty Roi, Tosca Café, 242 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/986-9651, toscacafesf.com)
  • Featured poetry reading by Jeanne Powell, and open mic, 21 and over, courtesy pub grub, Keane's 3300 Club, 3300 Mission Street, at 29th Street, San Francisco, free, sign up 6:30, reading 7:00 (415/826-6886, www.3300club.com)

30 MAY 2012 — wednesday

    CENTRAL:
  • HAVOQ presents a monthly queer prisoner pen-pal letter-writing night to help break isolation for incarcerated members of communities, Modern Times Bookstore, 2919 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 6:00 (www.mtbs.com)
  • Social critic Jerry Mander, director of the International Forum on Globalization, discusses The Capitalism Papers: Six Fatal Flaws of an Obsolete System, on the environmental and social problems of capitalism, City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, at Broadway, San Francisco, 7:00 (415/362-4921, www.citylights.com)
  • Joan Frank, In Envy Country, reads from her new novel, Make It Stay, The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, San Francisco, 7:30 (415/864-8688, www.booksmith.com)
  • Ryan George Kittleman reads from his debut novel The Great Peace, Books Inc., 601 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, 7:00 (415/776-1111, booksinc.net)
  • Freelance and pulp fiction writer Will Viharo and Scott Fulks read and sign copies of their first novel It Came From Hanger 18, Books Inc., 1344 Park Street, Alameda, 7:00 (510/522-2226, booksinc.net)
    SOUTH:
  • Marty Brounstein reads from his debut novel Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story of Courage in the Holocaust, Books Inc., 301 Castro Street, Mountain View 7:00 (650/428-1234, booksinc.net)
  • The Rubber Chicken presents a poetry slam and open mic, East Village Coffee Lounge, 498 Washington Street, Monterey, free, sign up 7:30, show 8:00 (www.eastvillagecoffeelounge.com/entertainment.html)
    EAST:
  • Mahogany Slam with Khiry, all ages, Queen Sheba Restaurant, 1704 Broadway at 17th Street, Sacramento, $5, 9:00-11:00 (malikspeaks @ aol.com)

31 MAY 2012 — thursday

    CENTRAL:
  • Buzz Bissinger, Friday Night Lights, presents Father's Day: A Journey Into the Mind and Heart of My Extraordinary Son, Books Inc., 601 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, 7:00 (415/776-1111, booksinc.net)
  • Poetry Flash presents a reading by Carol V. Davis, Between Storms, and Grace Grafton, Whimsey, Reticence and Laud, Moe's Books, 2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/849-2087, www.moesbooks.com; wheelchair accessible, ASL interpreters for the deaf and hearing impaired may be requested a week in advance by email, editor@poetryflash.org)
  • An evening of song and verse celebrating Imagining Paradise: New and Selected Poems, by poet and fiction writer Barry Gifford, with musician and author Willy Vlautin, Lean on Pete, member of the band Richmond Fontaine, City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, at Broadway, San Francisco, 7:00 (415/362-4921, www.citylights.com)
  • Thursday at Readers Poetry Series presents John Landry and Peter Sherburn-Zimmer, food and drink sales benefit San Francisco Public Library, Readers Café, Building C, South End, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, 6:30 (415/771-1011, www.readerscafe.org)
  • Lewis Buzbee reads from and celebrates the launch of his new Young Adult novel Bridge of Time, Books Inc., 2251 Chestnut Street, San Francisco, 7:00 (415/931-3633, booksinc.net)
    EAST:
  • Poetry Unplugged presents an open mic before and after featured readers, hosted by Joe Montoya, Luna's Café and Juice Bar, 1414 16th Street, Sacramento, $2 or one drink minimum, 8:00 (916/441-3931, www.lunascafe.com)

< previous month  |  show all MAY  |  next month >

© 1972-2021 Poetry Flash. All rights reserved.  |