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17 MAY 2022 — tuesday

• The Center for Literary Arts of San José celebrates the end of their 2021-22 season with a reading by playwright and fiction writer Aamina Ahmad, The Dishonoured, discussing her debut novel, The Return of Faraz Ali, a multi-generational family saga about a man who returns to his hometown in Pakistan to cover up a murder, online via Zoom, free, 7:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: sjsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYtc-6prjssGtMAEJLX_sYa93RljRTZ46dW)
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• Booksoup presents fiction writer Chelsea Bieker, Godshot, discussing her latest book, Heartbroke, a poignant collection of stories of longing and abandonment in California's Central Valley, in conversation with novelist Stephanie Danler, Sweetbitter, Booksoup, 8818 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, 7:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.booksoup.com/event/chelsea-bieker-conversation-stephanie-danler-discusses-heartbroke)
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• Join poet and radio host Jack Foley, along with Nina Serrano, Jovelyn Richards, and Jennifer Stone, for a weekly celebration of poetry and prose, featuring discussions and tributes to a variety of authors, available to listen on 94.1, KPFA FM, 2:00 pm PDT (Listen here: kpfa.org/program/cover-to-cover/)
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• Cobalt Poets presents a poetry reading featuring Unmesh Mohitkar, with open mic to follow, online via Zoom, free, 7:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.poetrysuperhighway.com/cobalt/calendar.html)
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• Vroman's Bookstore presents novelist Rachel M. Harper, reading from her new book, The Other Mother, on a young man's unraveling of family secrets and revelations, amidst the intersections of class, race, and sexuality, Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Street, Pasadena, free, 7:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.vromansbookstore.com/rachel-m-harper-discusses-the-other-mother)
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18 MAY 2022 — wednesday

• City Lights Books presents novelist Gabriela Alemán, La muerte silba un blues, Poso Wells, reading from her latest collection of short stories, Family Album, published by City Lights Books, free, online via Zoom, 6:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: citylights.com/events)
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• Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center presents a reading by California Youth Poets Laureate, featuring Ella Wen, Zoya Ahmed, Zoe Dorado, Anna Yang, Genesis Perez, Madeleine Hur, Chloe Chou, Tina Mai, Sidney Regelbrugge, Adriana Avalos, Madeline Miller, and Kundai Chikowero, representing regions from all over the state, online via Zoom, free, 6:00-7:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org/calendar.html)
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19 MAY 2022 — thursday

• Point Arena Third Thursday Reading Series presents Dan Brady, San Francisco-based poet and current host of Sacred Ground, the longest-running poetry open mic known, the reading will begin with live improv jazz, and will be followed by an open mic, a hybrid event both in person at Arena Market Café, 185 Main Street, Point Arena, and online via Zoom, free, 7:30 pm PDT (Zoom link here: us02web.zoom.us/j/85881482990?pwd=L0NjNUhpeU5aeEdhVzRTVy9rUjIxUT09)
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• Come join the Poetry Night Reading Series at John Natsoulas Gallery, held every first and third Thursday of the month, with readings by featured authors, followed by an open mic, bring your poems, short stories, and songs to share, or come to listen, limit five-minutes per performance, hosted by Davis Poet Laureate Dr. Andy Jones, John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 First Street, Davis, free, 7:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.natsoulas.com/poetry-night)
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• City Lights Books presents poets Barbara Jane Reyes and Rajiv Mohabir, reading and discussing their new books, Wanna Peak Into My Notebook?: Notes on Pinay Liminality and Antiman: A Hybrid Memoir, respectively, in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, online via Zoom, free, 6:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: citylights.com/events/hybrid-liminal-diaspore-barbara-jane-reyes-and-rajiv-mohabir)
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20 MAY 2022 — friday

• Small Press Traffic presents a reading with artist and poet Leena Joshi and Sophia Dahlin, Natch, with an introduction by Claire Grossman, in person, Small Press Traffic, 2727 California Street, Berkeley, free, 7:30 pm PDT (More information here: www.smallpresstraffic.org/upcomingevents/leena-joshi-sophia-dahlin)
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• Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center presents the reading "Married to the Word," featuring L.A.'s literary couple Lou Mathews, Just Like James, L.A. Breakdown, and Alison Turner, The Second Split Between, winner of the 2021 Catamaran Poetry Prize for West Coast Poets, with an introduction by poet Suzanne Lummis, Open 24 Hours, in person, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 8:00-10:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org/calendar.html)
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• Medicine for Nightmares celebrates the release of the Nomadic Press tarot deck, Tarot En Pandemia Y Revolution, with readings and performances by poet and musician Anais Azul, poets MK Chavez, Dear Animal, and Alejandro Murguía, Stray Poems, painter Malik Seneferu, and artist and poet Adrian Arias, the creator of the tarot, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore and Gallery, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00-8:55 pm PDT (More information here: medicinefornightmares.com/events)
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21 MAY 2022 — saturday

• Tía Chucha's Centro Cultural and Bookstore presents the 17th annual Celebrating Words Festival, a free event of live music and poetry, art workshops, and book giveaways, celebrating creativity and literacy in an accessible and dynamic space, Vaughn G3 Academy, 11200 Herrick Avenue, Pacoima, free, 2:00-7:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.tiachucha.org/celebrating_words_festival)
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• The Ina Coolbrith Circle presents a talk on the life and work of medieval poet Marie de France, led by translator and poet Dorothy Gilbert, Marie de France: Poetry, translations, Fox Woman, poems, followed by an open mic reading, first come, first read, online via Zoom, free, 2:00 pm PDT (Email: deborahbschmidt@gmail.com to sign up for the open mic; RSVP to attend: www.coolpoetry.org/meetings.html)
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• Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center presents tattoo artist and graphic novelist James Spooner, celebrating the launch of The High Desert: Black. Punk. Nowhere, a coming-of-age graphic memoir, in conversation with author Jim Ruland, Corporate Rock Sucks: The Rise and Fall of SST Records, with a music performance by L.A. punk bands The Tissues and Dangers, and a mini-zine fest, featuring Razorcake Zine, Arantza Peña Popo, Matthew Saldivar, Drifter Zine, and more TBA, in person, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, $15, doors open 4:30 pm, mini-zine fest at 5:00 pm, reading begins at 7:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org/calendar.html)
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• Richmond Literary Arts Center presents a poetry reading by Rosanna Warren, author of six books including So Forth and Ghost in a Red Hat and recipient of awards from the Academy of American Poets and Guggenheim Foundation, and Fred Marchant, Said Not Said, recognized as an "Honors Book" by the Massachusetts Book Awards, online via Zoom, donations welcome, free, Noon PDT (Zoom link: us02web.zoom.us/j/86411643471?pwd=WXNYSlhYN3hERFhKek9GU3Fvd0l1dz09)
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22 MAY 2022 — sunday

• Book Passage presents a reading in celebration of the best student poets in Marin County, hosted by California Poets in the Schools and poets Meg Hamill and Michele Rivers, in person, Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, outdoor seating for 100 people, free, 2:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.bookpassage.com/event/marin-poets-schools-reading-corte-madera-store-0)
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• Skylight Books celebrates new publications from Red Hen Press, featuring poet Jenny Qi, Focal Point, novelist Lily Hoang, Underneath, and short story writer Pete Hsu, If I Were the Ocean, I'd Carry You Home, in person, Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, 5:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.skylightbooks.com/event/skylight-red-hen-press-presents-jenny-qi-lily-hoang-and-pete-hsu)
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• Poetry Flash presents a reading by D. Nurkse, A Country of Strangers: New and Selected Poems, and Erin Rodoni, And If the Woods Carry You, online via Zoom, free, 3:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: please click here; you will receive an email with a link to join the reading)
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• Come join the Desert Split Open Mic, a reading at Joshua Tree featuring feminist, queer, and radical spoken word performances, everyone is welcome to share their poetry and prose, or just come to listen, limited to six minutes per reader, The Pavilion, Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground, 2601 Sunfair Road, Joshua Tree, free, sign-ups begin at 3:45 pm, open mic begins at 4:00-6:00 pm PDT (More information here: susanrukeyser.com/the-desert-split-open)
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23 MAY 2022 — monday

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24 MAY 2022 — tuesday

• Join poet and radio host Jack Foley, along with Nina Serrano, Jovelyn Richards, and Jennifer Stone, for a weekly celebration of poetry and prose, featuring discussions and tributes to a variety of authors, available to listen on 94.1, KPFA FM, 2:00 pm PDT (Listen here: kpfa.org/program/cover-to-cover/)
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• Poetic License Sonoma presents a poetry reading featuring the eight poets Joseph Cutler, Susanne Arrhenius, Paul DeMarco, Leo McCloskey, Steve Trenam, Judith Vaughn, Jaime Zukowski, and Kusum Irene Jain, with special guest poet Terry Ehret, founding editor of Sixteen Rivers Press and Poet Laureate emeritus of Sonoma County, author of Night Sky Journey, Lucky Break, and more, with guest student poet Joan Osterman, the reading will explore the theme "Relationships," part of the Fourth Tuesday Zoom Poetry Series hosted by the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High Street, Sebastopol, $5, donations welcome, 7:00-8:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.sebarts.org/classes-lectures/poetic-license-sonoma-ehret-052422)
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• Kepler's Literary Foundation presents Greg Sarris, novelist and Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, discussing his new memoir, Becoming Story: A Journey among Seasons, Places, Trees, and Ancestors, an intimate look at personal and collective trauma and what it means to connect with the place where you live, in conversation with novelist Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Fruit of the Drunken Tree, donations welcome, online, free, 6:00-7:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.keplers.org/upcoming-events-internal/greg-sarris)
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25 MAY 2022 — wednesday

• City Lights Books celebrates the publication of The Letters of Thom Gunn, by poet August Kleinzahler, the first complete portrait of the life and work of the legendary British-Berkeley poet Thom Gunn (1929-2004), author of Boss Cupid, The Man with Night Sweats, and more, online via Zoom, free, 6:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: citylights.com/events)
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• Green Apple Books presents poet and short story writer Toni Mirosevich, Pink Harvest, celebrating her new collection, Spell Heaven, in conversation with poet Frances Phillips, Up at Two, Green Apple Books, 1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.greenapplebooks.com/event/9th-ave-toni-mirosevich-frances-phillips)
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26 MAY 2022 — thursday

• Literary Death Match returns to San Francisco with a live performance, part literary event, part comedy show, part game show, featuring physician and writer Tauheed Zaman, journalist and novelist Vanessa Hua, Forbidden City, short story writer Kate Folk, Out There, and musician and writer Matt Carney, the four writers will compete in a read-off critiqued by three judges, followed by a slapstick performance to decide the champion, hosted by Adrian Todd Zuniga, creator of Literary Death Match and author of the novel Collison Theory, Elbo Room, 647 Valencia Street, San Francisco, $10, 7:15-9:00 pm PDT (Purchase tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/literary-death-match-sf-ep-70-feat-vanessa-hua-kate-folk-tickets-314024595017)
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• Rivertown Poets presents a special pop-up reading featuring poets Edward Mycue, Because We Speak the Same Language, Antoinette Vella Payne, Amos White, The Sound of the Web, and Phynne~Belle, followed by an open mic reading, three-minutes per reader, first come, first to read, hosted by poet Sande Anfang, online via Zoom, free, 7:00-9:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.facebook.com/RivertownPoetsAMuseingMondays)
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• You're Going to Die presents the open mic "Poetry, Prose, and Everything Goes," a communal offering to explore the conversation about death, to honor those we've lost, and celebrate being alive; come to perform or to listen, featuring poetry and prose readings, musical performances, and more, The Lost Church, 427 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, $12/donations welcome, doors at 7:30 pm, event runs 8:15-10:30 pm PDT (More informattion here: www.facebook.com/events/599764114683451)
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• Books and Letters Bookstore presents Roberta Llewellyn, reading from her memoir, Lost Angels Coming Home, a rich telling of her life, living in Northern California for many decades, Books and Letters Bookstore, 1405 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville, free, 11:00 am PDT
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• Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center presents a reading by the graduating poets of the UCLA community, featuring Tara Bucoy-McNeely, Corinne Chapkis, Destiny Diaz, Alexandra Geurts, Elana Luo, Georgie McKeon, Selena Perez, Aidan Thompson, and Alice Zheng, introduced by Karen Kevorkian and Reed Wilson; come for a diverse selection showcasing the wonderful work of UCLA poetry concentration graduates, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 8:00-10:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.eventbrite.com/e/ucla-graduating-poets-reading-tickets-333051906217?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
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• The UCSC Literature Department and Creative Writing Program present artist and poet Gina Athena Ulysse, Because When God is Too Busy: Haiti, Me, & the World, part of the Living Writers Series Spring 2022: Celebrant: Sound Actions, a showcase of interdisciplinary writers exploring the relationship of sound and verbal language, co-sponsored by Bookshop Santa Cruz, at the Humanities Lecture Hall, UC Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, free, 5:15 pm PDT (Register to attend: creativewriting.ucsc.edu/news-events/living-writers-series/index.html)
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• Writers Read presents poet Michael Riedell, The Way of Water, Small Talk & Long Silences, followed by an open mic reading, Grace Hudson Museum & Sun House, 431 South Main Street, Ukiah, free, 7:00-9:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.gracehudsonmuseum.org/new-events)
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27 MAY 2022 — friday

• Poetry at Bell Arts presents a reading by poet and translator Gail Wronsky, Under the Capsized Boat We Fly: New and Selected Poems, and Feugos Florales/Flowering Fires, a translation of poems by Argentinean poet Alicia Partnoy, and Enid Osborn, Poet Laureate of Santa Barbara in 2017-2019, author of When the Big Wind Comes, followed by an open mic reading, hosted by Jeanette Clough, online via Zoom, and in person, Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Avenue, Ventura, free, 6:30 pm PDT (Zoom link here: us02web.zoom.us/j/9607501600)
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28 MAY 2022 — saturday

• Beast Crawl presents Poetry Flash as part of their annual literary festival, "Poetry Flash Writers and Readers," featuring Maw Shein Win, Storage Unit for the Spirit House, Heather Bourbeau, Sam Sax, Bury It, and Richard Silberg, associate editor of Poetry Flash, hosted by Joyce Jenkins, editor, Poetry Flash; The Bookmark Bookstore | Friends of the Oakland Public Library, 721 Washington Street, Oakland, free, Leg 1 at 4:00 pm sharp, (More information here, including a map: www.beastcrawl.org/blog/poetry-flash)
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• Beast Crawl, Oakland's free annual literary festival, celebrates its tenth year with one afternoon and evening of numerous readings and performances in downtown Oakland, showcasing diverse and talented writers who are connected to the East Bay, begins with Leg 1 at 4:00 pm, featuring readings by Poetry Flash, Milvia Street Journal, J de Salvo Open Mic, and "Julia Vinograd: Between Spirit and Stone"; Leg 2 at 5:30 pm, features Colossus Press, Reginald Lockett Open Mic, Bi The Way, AfroSurreal Writers, "West Oakland to West Africa," and the Oakland Slam; Leg 3 at 7:00 pm, features Hydra, La Palabra Musical, Throwback Special, Paper Press, and Fierce Words: All Gender Event; Beast Crawl ends with Leg 4 at 8:30 pm, an afterparty at Binny's, 532 8th Street, where everyone can meet up and celebrate the crawl, Oakland, free, 4:00 pm-9:30 pm PDT (More information here, including a map of the crawl: www.beastcrawl.org)
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• Fourth Sundays: Poetry at the Claremont Library presents a reading with editor and poet Elena Karina Byrne, If This Makes You Nervous, No Don't, and poet Daniel Romo, Moonlighting as an Avalanche, Apologies in Reverse, Claremont Helen Renwick Library, 208 N. Harvard Avenue N., Claremont, free, 2:00-3:30 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/fourthsundayspoetry)
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• Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center presents feminist performance artist and poet Gabrielle Civil, a 2019 Rema Hort Mann LA Emerging Artist, author of (ghost gestures) and Experiments in Joy, celebrating her latest black feminist performance memoir, the déjà vu, a dynamic blend of reading and storytelling, movement and image, black dreams and black time, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 7:00-10:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org/calendar.html)
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• Point Reyes Books and the Point Reyes National Seashore Association present a reading and walk to celebrate the release of The Coasts of California by painter, poet and naturalist Obi Kaufmann, The California Field Atlas, San Francisco Chronicle Best Seller; the event features a walk along the Coast and Laguna Trail loop, about 4.6 miles, led by Kaufmann, and will be followed by a book signing, begins at the Clem Miller Environmental Education Center, Limantour Spit Road, Point Reyes Station, all proceeds benefit the Point Reyes National Seashore Association, $100, tickets include a copy of the book, 11:00 am PDT (Purchase tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/point-reyes-books-and-prnsa-present-obi-kaufmann-tickets-335043121997?mc_cid=16726888b6&mc_eid=e6293c41ae)
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• Medicine for Nightmares presents a reading with poet Roberto Tinoco Duran, Darkspark, Maximum in Minimum, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore and Gallery, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 7:30-9:00 pm PDT (More information here: medicinefornightmares.com/events)
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29 MAY 2022 — sunday

• Fabulosa Books presents media psychology scholar and novelist Carlos Allende, Cuadrillas y Contradanzas, discussing his new book, Coffee, Shopping, Murder, Love, following the madcap adventures of two gay men, set in Los Angeles one year before same-sex marriage was legalized, in conversation with poet James Siegel, The God of San Francisco, Fabulosa Books, 489 Castro Street, San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.fabulosabooks.com/eventsart.html)
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• Los Angeles Poet Society presents the Always Running Book Festival, a celebration of resilience and the power of literature, inspired by the best-selling memoir Always Running by poet Luis J. Rodriguez, come for music, poetry, small presses, book signing, and special performances by Luis J. Rodriguez, fire dancer Zariyah, Kesau'C Hill, DJ Groover, Iris De Anda, Felicia Taylor E, Brenda Vaca, Fernando Salinas, Cesar Avelar, contributors to Acid Verse Vol 2: The Earth Beneath our Feet, Juan Flautista, and more, with support and guests including Pacoima Public Library, California Poets in the Schools, FlowerSong Press, World Stage Press, Tia Chucha's Pop-Up Bookstore and Tia Chucha Press, Los Angeles Poet Society Press, Fusion LA, Tea Tree Tears, Poets & Writers, Luis J. Rodriguez 4 Governor, Radio Ollin, and Pacoima Urban Village, free, in person, in front of "La Vecindad" a mural by Levi Ponce at Laurel Canyon Blvd. and Van Nuys Blvd., 10335 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima, Noon-5:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.lapoetsociety.org)
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• Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center presents the workshop "Navigating With(out) Instruments," led by author and performer traci kato-kiriyama, based on their book of the same name, the workshop focuses on themes of memory and belonging, and the soul-baring that comes with the creative process, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, $65 for members, $75 general admission, Noon-4:00 pm PDT (Purchase tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/navigating-without-instruments-a-workshop-with-traci-kato-kiriyama-tickets-313785921137?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
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• Come join Sonoma County Poets for a reading, featuring Phyllis Meshulam, Doll, Moon, Larry Robinson, Roll Away the Stone, Vilma Ginzberg, Colors of Glass, David Seter, Don't Sing to Me of Electric Fences, Marvin Hiemstra, Poet Wrangler, and Brian Martens, Three Raven Gate, with Steve Shain on bass, hosted by poet Ed Coletti, in person, Café Frida, 300 S. A Street, Santa Rosa, free, 3:00-5:00 pm PDT
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• Small Press Traffic presents a talk about the life and work of poet Joanne Kyger (1934-2017), a prolific writer of poetry and prose associated with the San Francisco Renaissance and the Beat Generation, the talk will be led by poet Cedar Sigo, All This Time, reading from Kyger's poetry and letters, and discussing their collaborative work in editing There You Are. Interviews, Journals & Ephemera, and ending with an open discussion of her work, online via Zoom, free, 11:00 am PDT (RSVP to attend: www.smallpresstraffic.org/upcomingevents/joanne-kyger-cedar-sigo)
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30 MAY 2022 — monday

• Medicine for Nightmares presents short story writer and essayist Jackson Bliss, winner of the 2020 Noemi Book Award for Prose, author of Counterfactual Love Stories & Other Experiments and the forthcoming experimental memoir Dream Pop Origami, in conversation with fiction writer Jonathan Escoffery, Play Stone Kill Bird, in person, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore and Gallery, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 6:30-8:00 pm PDT (More information here: medicinefornightmares.com/events)
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31 MAY 2022 — tuesday

• Cobalt Poets presents a reading poetry featuring Richard Westheimer, with open mic to follow, online via Zoom, free, 7:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.poetrysuperhighway.com/cobalt/calendar.html)
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