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Poetry Flash Reading Series
Zeitgeist Press poets honor Andy Clausen, Eli Coppola, David Lerner, Julia Vinograd
5/5, Berkeley
more info
Sixteen Rivers Press: Christina Lloyd, Murray Silverstein, Alice Templeton
5/19, Berkeley
more info
Carolyn Tipton and Sandra Yannone
6/20, Berkeley
more info


Fog and Light: Vince Gotera, Ken Haas, Kathleen McClung, Diane Frank, more

24 JUNE 2021 — thursday

Poetry Flash presents a virtual poetry reading to celebrate Fog and Light: San Francisco Through the Eyes of the Poets Who Live Here, a new anthology, with contributors Vince Gotera, Ken Haas, Jodi Hottel, Kathleen McClung, Gwynn O'Gara, and editor Diane Frank, online via Zoom, free, 7:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: please click here; you will receive an email with a link to join the reading)


Please join us for a Poetry Flash virtual reading on Thursday, June 24 at 7:00 pm PDT! We are excited to bring you this anthology celebration via Zoom. To register for this reading, please click on the link in the calendar listing above. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event. Thank you for continuing to support Poetry Flash and our reading series during these unprecedented times.

This reading is co-sponsored by Moe's Books in Berkeley; Fog and Light is available at bookshop.org/lists/poetry-flash-readings.

MORE ABOUT THE READERS
Many of these bio notes are from the Fog and Light anthology:
Vince Gotera's recent book is The Coolest Month, a collection of poems written everyday throughout April, in response to NaPoWriMo and Poem-a-Day prompts. Maureen Thorson says, "Vince Gotera's The Coolest Month leans into T. S. Eliot's bromide for April while turning it on its head.…An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but as Gotera shows, a poem a day can help chase away the blues." Now a professor in Iowa, Gotera was born and raised in San Francisco. He grew up in the Haight-Ashbury and was a teenager during the Summer of Love. "As a lead guitarist," Vince says, "I was influenced by the rock bands that played around The City: Jefferson Airplane, Big Brother and the Holding Company, The Charlatans, The Grateful Dead, Quicksilver, Santana, and many others. In fact, I fondly remember being an eighth grader at St. Agnes School on Ashbury and hearing The Dead rehearsing in their house across the street." Gotera left for grad school in the Midwest and hasn't lived in The City since. "But I am always excited to visit and enjoy the dazzling diversity, charming neighborhoods, and utter beauty of San Francisco, forever home."

Ken Haas's first full-length collection, Borrowed Light, won the 2020 Red Mountain Press Discovery Award. Ellen Bass said, "…Ken Haas's first collection of poems…is complex, vibrant, capacious and wildly imaginative. With affection and wonderful clarity, Haas describes a childhood of 'taking infield practice and shagging flies,' Atlantic City's 'sunburn and saltwater taffy,' a trip into Manhattan to see the legendary John Coltrane, who 'emptied his arms in a wave that even now speaks to the kind of man I could become.' But it would be a mistake to call this book nostalgic. Haas is keenly aware of the darker forces of history. The same Antisemitism that forced his grandparents to flee Nazi Germany is alive and well today—'we just forgot that shirt-wise brown is brown, words do burn, and we can see the rest from here.'" Haas's work has appeared in over fifty literary magazines, journals, and anthologies. He has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and received the Betsy Colquitt Poetry Award. He grew up in New York City, but has lived for the past forty-four years in San Francisco.

Jodi Hottel is a sansei, third generation Japanese American. She is author of the chapbooks Out of the Ashes, Voyeur, and Heart Mountain, her collection of poems about the Japanese American incarceration, winner of the 2012 Blue Light Press Poetry Prize. Most of those families were initially taken to a temporary detention site at the Tanforan race track in San Bruno, now the site of a shopping mall.

Kathleen McClung's books include Temporary Kin, Three Soul-Makers, A Juror Must Fold in on Herself, The Typists Play Monopoly, and Almost the Rowboat. Julie Kane wrote of Temporary Kin, " Kathleen McClung is a master of the sonnet crown. In her skilled hands, that venerable form expands to encompass active shooter drills, smartphones, and Lyft drivers, as well as songbirds, the sea, and the moon." She fell in love with San Francisco at age nine when she came with her mother on a Greyhound bus to see Carmen at the War Memorial Opera House. She cried when they had to leave at the intermission to catch the bus back to Sacramento. For over thirty years, Kathleen McClung has lived, taught, and written on the foggy west side of San Francisco.

Gwynn O'Gara's books include Snake Woman Poems, with a foreword by Nanos Valaoritis, and the chapbooks Fixer-Upper, Winter at Green Haven, Fruit of Life, and Sea Cradles. She grew up in San Francisco and left many times, almost always coming back. For twenty-five years she worked as a California Poet in the Schools and served as Sonoma County Poet Laureate 2010-2011.

Diane Frank is author of eight books of poems; her 2021 collection is While Listening to the Enigma Variations: New and Selected Poems. Los P. Jones said this of Frank's 2018 book, Canon for Bears and Ponderosa Pines: "In this new and startling collection, Diane Frank's poems transcend not just genres but entire dimensions. When she speaks to J.S. Bach, she really means it and when Bach speaks back, she listens—entirely—the way certain moths perceive sound via their whole body, even their wings. How is this accomplished? It will seem to come through the poems themselves—their music, tonal qualities and subjects, yet it goes even deeper as it pushes up like duende through the soles of your feet." She is also the author of Blackberries in the Dream House, winner of the Chelson Award for Fiction, two other novels, and a photo memoir of her 400-mile trek in the Himalayas. She teaches at San Francisco State University and Dominican University and lives in the Outer Sunset in San Francisco, where she dances, plays cello, and creates her life as an art form. She selected the poems for the Fog and Light anthology.




Daily Listings

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5 MAY 2024 — sunday

  • Sistah Scifi presents a reading and conversation with acclaimed novelists Dr. Darcie Little Badger and Tommy Orange, reading from their latest books, Sheine Lende and Wandering Stars, respectively, a book signing will follow the reading, Oakstop Broadway Gallery, 1723 Broadway, Oakland, free, 3:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.eventbrite.com/e/oakland-arts-and-lectures-dr-darcie-little-badger-tommy-orange-tickets-838296977827?aff=oddtdtcreator)
  • Light Bringer Project and Locavore Lit LA present the annual Litfest in the Dena, theme for this year, "Books that Made the Neighborhood," includes over 100 authors, publishers, editors, agents, and poets participating in a number of panel discussions, readings, and workshops, more information will be available in April, at various venues, free, Pasadena (For more information, visit: litfestinthedena.org)
  • DIESEL, A Bookstore in Del Mar, welcomes Dr. Peter Levine for a discussion on his latest book and memoir, An Autobiography of Trauma: A Healing Journey, Diesel Del Mar, 12843 East Camino Real, Suite 104, San Diego, free, 3:00 pm PDT (For more information and to reserve a seat, visit: www.dieselbookstore.com/event/Dr-Peter-Levine-May-5-Author-signing)
  • Poetry Flash presents a Zeitgeist Press reading honoring releases by their late authors: The Fabled Damned, by Andy Clausen; Make of Me Many Miracles, the collected chapbooks of Eli Coppola; A Bouquet of Nails, by David Lerner; and The Book of Jerusalem, by famed 'Bubble Lady' Julia Vinograd; Zeitgeist Press poets Deborah Fruchey, Richard Loranger, Anita May, Paul Corman Roberts, Jan Steckel, and David West, Zeitgeist publisher Bruce Isaacson and Poetry Flash host the event, Art House Gallery & Cultural Center, 2905 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, two blocks north of Ashby BART, refreshments, free, 3:00 pm PDT (poetryflash.org).

6 MAY 2024 — monday

7 MAY 2024 — tuesday

8 MAY 2024 — wednesday

  • WeHo Reads presents a panel of poets and writers in honor of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, featured poets and writers include author and poet Ryka Aoki, Light From Uncommon Stars; West Hollywood City Poet Laureate Jen Cheng, Braided Spaces; Curtis Chin, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant; Jasmin Iolani Hakes, Hula; Angela Peñaredondo, nature felt but never apprehended; and poet Fariha Róisín, Survival Takes a Wild Imagination, West Hollywood Library Community Room, 625 North San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, free, 6:30 pm PDT (For more information and to reserve a seat, visit: www.weho.org/community/arts-and-culture/literary-arts/weho-reads)

9 MAY 2024 — thursday

10 MAY 2024 — friday

11 MAY 2024 — saturday

  • Sacramento Poetry Alliance presents a reading with featured poets Luisa Giuilianetti, Where We Arrive, and Rick Robbins, Body Turn to Rain: New & Selected Poems, followed by an open mic, Sacramento Poetry Alliance, 1169 Perkins Way, Sacramento, free, 4:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.sacramentopoetryalliance.com)
  • This workshop, "Ticket to Write: The Whys, Wherefores and How-To's," will be led by novelist and nonfiction writer Anne Lamott, Somehow: Thoughts on Love; she will discuss writing with an emphasis on why writing and truth-telling is so vital to individuals, the community, and the world, online, $75, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.bookpassage.com/lamott24)

12 MAY 2024 — sunday

13 MAY 2024 — monday

14 MAY 2024 — tuesday

15 MAY 2024 — wednesday

16 MAY 2024 — thursday

  • City Arts and Lectures welcomes Carvell Wallace, podcaster, journalist, and co-author of The Sixth Man discussing his first book, Another Word for Love, a memoir touching on homelessness, queerness, and being Black in America, Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes Street, San Francisco, $39, 7:30 pm PDT (For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.cityarts.net/event/carvell-wallace)
  • The Book of Light Poetry Series, a reading series that celebrates the spirit and soul of the poetry of Lucille Clifton, featuring Maw Shein Win, Storage Unit for the Spirit House, nominated for the Northern California Book Award and longlisted for the PEN America Open Book Award, Books Inc., 1344 Parks Street, Alameda, free, 6:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.booksinc.net/event/maw-shein-win-books-inc-alameda)
  • Green Apple Books presents a discussion of sociologist Dr. Jaclyn S. Wong's nonfiction book, Equal Partners? How Dual-Professional Couples Make Career, Relationship, and Family Decisions, she will be joined by sociologist Eliza Brown, Green Apple Books, 1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.greenapplebooks.com/event/9th-ave-jaclyn-s-wong-eliza-brown)

17 MAY 2024 — friday

18 MAY 2024 — saturday

19 MAY 2024 — sunday

  • Poetry Flash presents a Sixteen Rivers Press poetry reading with Christina Lloyd, Women Twice Removed, Murray Silverstein, Red Studio, and Alice Templeton, The Infinite Field, Art House Gallery & Cultural Center, 2905 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, two blocks north of Ashby BART, refreshments, free, 3:00 pm PDT (poetryflash.org).

20 MAY 2024 — monday

21 MAY 2024 — tuesday

  • Cobalt Poets a poetry open mic reading, all poets welcome, bring a poem to share or come listen to others, online via Zoom, free, 7:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.poetrysuperhighway.com/cobalt/calendar.html)
  • DIESEL, A Bookstore in Brentwood, welcomes Graham Moore, The Holdout to discuss his new novel, The Wealth of Shadows, Diesel Brentwood, 225 26th Street, Suite 33, Santa Monica, free, 6:30 pm PDT (For more information and to reserve a seat, visit: www.dieselbookstore.com/event/Graham-Moore-May-21-Author-signing)
  • City Arts and Lectures welcomes Kathleen Hanna, pioneer of the riot grrrl movement and lead singer of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, and Brontez Purnell, Oakland-based punk musician and writer, discussing their new memoirs: Hanna's Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk and Purnell's Ten Bridges I've Burnt, Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes Street, San Francisco, $49, 7:30 pm PDT (For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.cityarts.net/event/kathleen-hanna-brontez-purnell)

22 MAY 2024 — wednesday

  • City Arts and Lectures welcomes Justice Stephen Breyer to discuss his first book since retiring from the US Supreme Court, Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism; he will be joined by legal analyst Sarah Isgur, Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes Street, San Francisco, $49, 7:30 pm PDT (For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.cityarts.net/event/justice-stephen-breyer-3)

23 MAY 2024 — thursday

  • City Arts and Lectures welcomes author and creator Miranda July, discussing her new novel, All Fours, Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes Street, San Francisco, $49, 7:30 pm PDT (For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.cityarts.net/event/miranda-july-4)

24 MAY 2024 — friday

25 MAY 2024 — saturday

  • Fourth Saturdays presents a reading with featured poets Tim Steele, Toward the Winter Solstice, and Angela Narciso Torres, Blood Orange, winner of the 2013 Willow Books Literature Award for Poetry, Claremont Helen Renwick Library, 208 N. Harvard Avenue, Claremont, free, 2:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/fourthsaturdayspoetry)

26 MAY 2024 — sunday

27 MAY 2024 — monday

28 MAY 2024 — tuesday

29 MAY 2024 — wednesday

30 MAY 2024 — thursday

  • Writers Read Ukiah presents a reading featuring Diane Pendola, followed by an open mic, six-minutes per reader, emceed by Michael Riedell, Grace Hudson Museum, 431 South Main Street, Ukiah, $5 suggested donation, 7:00 pm PDT (Email: innisfreeriedell@gmail.com for more information)
  • The Horror Writers Association presents Stokercon, the annual convention for horror genre authors; Guests of Honor include Jonathan Maberry, Rot & Ruin, Paul Tremblay, The Cabin at the End of the World, and Paula Guran, New Cthulhu, with panels, the Bram Stoker Awards, readings, a dealer's room, parties, signings, and more, San Diego Mission Marriott Valley, 8757 Rio San Diego Drive, San Diego, $300 in person or $75 virtual (For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.stokercon2024.com)

31 MAY 2024 — friday

  • The Horror Writers Association presents Stokercon, the annual convention for horror genre authors of the horror genre; Guests of Honor include Jonathan Maberry, Rot & Ruin, Paul Tremblay, The Cabin at the End of the World, and Paula Guran, New Cthulhu, with panels, the Bram Stoker Awards, readings, a dealer's room, parties, signings, and more, San Diego Mission Marriott Valley, 8757 Rio San Diego Drive, San Diego, $300 in person or $75 virtual (For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.stokercon2024.com)

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