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19 MARCH 2024 — tuesday

• City Lights presents Maurice Carlos Ruffin reading from his new novel, The American Daughters; this work of historical fiction follows Adi, an enslaved girl in New Orleans, and her journey from oppression to liberation after meeting a free Black woman and joining the Daughters, a secret sisterhood of spies working to undermine the Confederacy,
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• Marin Poetry Center presents a reading featuring Bay Area poets Sally Ashton, Listening to Mars, Susan Cohen, Democracy of Fire, and Amy Glynn, inaugural Poet Laureate for the Cities of Lafayette and Orinda, Mill Valley Public Library, 375 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley, free, 6:30-8:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: marinpoetrycenter.org)
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• Cobalt Poets presents a reading with featured poet and performance artist Lynda La Rose, Sunshine and Concrete, followed by an open mic, online via Zoom, free, 7:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.poetrysuperhighway.com/cobalt/calendar.html)
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20 MARCH 2024 — wednesday

• Medicine for Nightmares presents the Last Supper Party, a monthly spoken word and music series curated by Kimi Sugioka, featuring Tommi Avicolli Mecca, Anna Allen, and Alan Chazaro, followed by an open mic, Medicine for Nightmares, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00-9:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: medicinefornightmares.com/events)
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• California Institute of Integral Studies presents bestselling author Ijeoma Oluo, discussing her latest book, Be A Revolution: How Everyday People are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World—and How You Can, Too, an in-depth look at activism across America and how people are creating positive change within already existing structures, in conversation with Preston Vargas, CIIS Director of the Center for Black & Indigenous Praxis, online, pay what you can, $0-$25, 6:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.ciis.edu/events/being-revolution)
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• Spoken word poet Rudy Francisco, Helium, will be performing for an hour and sign books afterwards, Sway, 2043 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, $30, 7:00 pm-11:00 pm PDT (To purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com/e/rudy-francisco-live-in-berkeley-tickets-853079422517?aff=ebdssbdestsearch)
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• City Lights presents Lucy Sante reading from her memoir, I Heard Her Call My Name: A Memoir of Transition, in discussion with author, journalist, performer and painter Cintra Wilson, Sante will reflect on her family's immigration from Belgium and their transition to life in the U.S., as well as discussing her own transition from male to female in 2021, online via Zoom, free, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm PDT(To register, visit Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com/e/lucy-sante-tickets-828921084277?aff=oddtdtcreator)
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• Temple Sinai presents "Facets of Spirituality," a poetry reading by Karen Marker, Murray Silverstein, Red Studio, and Richard Silberg, poet and Associate Editor of Poetry Flash, hosted by Richard Silberg, refreshments, Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit Street, please use Webster Street entrance, Oakland, free, 7:00 to 8:15 pm PDT (More information here: www.oaklandsinai.org/event/facets-of-spirituality-poetry-readingalbers-chapel.html)
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21 MARCH 2024 — thursday

• Rebound Bookstore presents a poetry and open mic event featuring Francesca Bell, Marin County Poet Laureate, What Small Sound,Catharine Clark-Sayles, The Telling, The Listening, and Shelley Chesley, Come Back Behind Your Eyes, Rebound Bookstore, 1611 4th Street, San Rafael, free, 6:00 to 8:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: reboundbookstore.com, or call 415/482-0550)
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• Books Inc. presents writer and educator Katie Flynn, The Companions, celebrating her new book, Island Rule, a genre-bending novel comprised of twelve interconnected stories, in conversation with novelist Tania Malik, Three Bargains, Books Inc., 1491 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.booksinc.net/event/katie-flynn-books-inc-berkeley)
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• Fresno State University presents Dr. Song Lee in conversation with author Lisa M. Hamilton, discussing her new book, The Hungry Season: A Journey of War, Love, and Survival, lyrical nonfiction that recounts Hmong refugee Ia Moua's experiences settling at a rice farm in the San Joaquin Valley, Fresno State University campus, Library Ellipse, 5200 North Barton Avenue, M/S UL34, Fresno, free, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm PDT (To register, visit: fresnostate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e8J1e5qGBT6NXxQ)
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• The Poetry Center and Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability present a night on "Poetry, Autism and Our Neurodivergent Future," featuring poet and educator Chris Martin, curator of Milkweed Edition's Multiverse series, and debut poet Imane Boukaila, Tressing Motions at the Edge of Mistakes,The Poetry Center, Humanities Building 512, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, free, 1:00 to 2:30 pm PDT poetry.sfsu.edu/event/chris-martin-and-imane-boukaila-poetry-autism-and-our-neurodivergent-future)
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• Point Arena Third Thursday Poetry & Jazz presents a reading with featured poet and playwright Mike A'Dair, followed by an open mic and live improv jazz, Think Visual, 240 Main Street, Point Arena, free, 7:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/thirdthursdaypoetry)
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• Beyond Baroque presents a reading with featured poets Sam Sax, Bury It, winner of the James Laughlin Award, Jos Charles, feeld, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and winner of the 2017 National Poetry Series, and Safia Elhillo, Home Is Not a Country, longlisted for the National Book Award, book signing will follow the reading, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 8:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)
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• Speaking Axolotl, a monthly Latinx/Chicanx reading every third Thursday of the month, hosted by poet Josiah Luis Alderete, Baby Axolotls & Old Pochos, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, and online via Zoom, free, 7:00-9:00 pm PDT (More information here: medicinefornightmares.com/events)
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22 MARCH 2024 — friday

• Beyond Baroque presents "At the Threshold: Translation and Transposition," an evening of original and translated poetry, featuring poet and translator Piotr Florczyk, reading from Building the Barricade, a collection of poems by Anna Swirszcynska, translated from the Polish to English by Florczyk, joined by poet Sarah Maclay, Nightfall Marginalia, who will read from her original work, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 8:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)
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• Copperfield Books presents Vietnamese-American multihyphenate storyteller Susan Lieu for the launch of her new memoir, The Manicurist's Daughter in conversation with local educator, Pamela Lind Devlin, moderated conversation, Q&A, and book signing to follow the event, Copperfield's Books, 775 Village Court, Santa Rosa, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.copperfieldsbooks.com/event/susan-lieu-pamela-devlin)
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23 MARCH 2024 — saturday

• Fourth Saturdays presents a reading with featured poets Curtis Hayes, Bottleneck Slide, and Wendy Rainey, Hollywood Church, Claremont Helen Renwick Library, 208 N. Harvard Avenue, Claremont, free, 2:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/fourthsaturdayspoetry)
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• Litquake in collaboration with Green Apple Books presents author Lisa Ko in conversation with Esmé Weijun Wang, The Collected Schizophrenias, discussing Ko's new work of fiction, Memory Piece, Green Apple Books,1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco, 7:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.litquake.org)
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• Point Reyes Books presents authors Margaret Juhae Lee and Tessa Hulls, reading and discussing their new memoirs, Starry Field: A Memoir of Lost History and Feeding Ghosts, respectively, Dance Palace, 503 B Street, Point Reyes Station, free, 2:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.ptreyesbooks.com/event/margaret-juhae-lee-and-tessa-hulls)
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• Berkeley Symphony in collaboration with the Urban Jazz Dance Company presents "Literary Soundscapes," a concert of musical storytelling featuring three-time Grammy nominee Nicholas Phan, with composer Joel Puckett's There Was a Child Went Forth, based on a poem by the same name from Walt Whitman; Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods of Jazz, Parts 1 and 3, based on the epic poem by Langston Hughes; and the Overture from Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream, based on his favorite play from Shakespeare, First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, 2407 Dana Street, Berkeley, $40, 7:30 pm PDT, Use discount code SPRING25 and enjoy 25% off (For more information, visit: www.berkeleysymphony.org/event/literary-soundscapes)
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• Books Inc. presents bestselling novelist and essayist Lauren Oyler, reading from her new collection of essays, No Judgment, in conversation with author and cultural critic Mark Greif, Against Everything, Books Inc., 1491 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, free, 6:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.booksinc.net/event/lauren-oyler-books-inc-berkeley)
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• Spoken word poet Rudy Francisco, Helium, will be performing for an hour and sign books afterwards, Nocturne Theatre, 324 North Orange Street, Glendale, $25, 7:30 pm-11:00 pm PDT (To purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com/e/rudy-francisco-live-in-los-angeles-tickets-842471453797?aff=erelpanelorg)
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24 MARCH 2024 — sunday

• A "house concert" reading by featured poets Evan Kennedy, Metamorphosis, and Garrett Caples, poetry editor at City Lights Books and author of Lovers of Today, hosted by Harry Bernstein, the reading takes place at a private home in Berkeley, free, donations welcome, 5:00 pm PDT (Email: harry@fullplatemedia.com for the address)
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• La Palabra poetry series event featuring Pam Concepcion and VOTH, Voice of the Harbor, Dieagnosis, Avenue 50 Studio, 131 North Avenue 50, Los Angeles, free, 2:00 to 4:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: avenue50studio.org/la-palabra)
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• Medicine for Nightmares presents the Odd Verse Reading Series, a poetry reading and open mic that amplifies underrepresented voices in a safe space for discourse, community solidarity, and collective action for social justice, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, free, donations welcome, 4:30-7:00 pm PST (More information here: medicinefornightmares.com/events)
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• Village Poets celebrates the anthology Crystal Fire: Poems of Joy and Wisdom, with a reading featuring eight of the contributing poets, including Maja Trochimczyk, editor of the anthology, followed by two open mic segments, Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Avenue, Tujunga, $5 suggested donation, 4:30 pm PDT (More information here: villagepoets.blogspot.com)
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25 MARCH 2024 — monday

• City Lights presents Wayne Koestenbaum reading from his new book, Stubble Archipelago; this combination of thirty-six poetic bulletins was largely written on-the-go, fashioned from phrases written while walking the streets of New York City; he would incorporate fragments scribbled on notebook paper or dictated into his phone into quasi-sonnets, onlline Zoom, Free, 6:00pm to 8:00pm PDT (To register, visit Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com/e/wayne-koestenbaum-tickets-776876778357?aff=oddtdtcreator)
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26 MARCH 2024 — tuesday

• Left Margin LIT presents "Mastering Imagery and Description in Fiction," a workshop led by poet and novelist Lauren Aliza Green, A Great Dark House, winner of the Poetry Society of America's Chapbook Fellowship, attendees will focus on images, and, through generative prompts and sharing exercises, deepen the nuance of descriptions in their own writing, runs four-Tuesdays, March 26-April 16, online via Zoom, $275, 6:00-8:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.leftmarginlit.org/mastering-imagery-and-description-in-fiction-green)
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• Cobalt Poets presents a reading with featured poet Gray Brian Thomas, A Better Word Is Needed, followed by an open mic, online via Zoom, free, 7:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.poetrysuperhighway.com/cobalt/calendar.html)
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• City Lights and Graywolf Press celebrate the launch of Pulitzer Prize winning poet Diane Seuss's new book Modern Poetry, with a conversation with L.A. poet Gail Wronsky; Seuss discusses her poetry and how it contends with the work of writers overrepresented in textbooks and anthologies while acknowledging underrepresented writers, online via Zoom, free, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm PDT (To register, visit Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com/e/diane-seuss-gail-wronsky-tickets-776894130257?aff=oddtdtcreator)
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27 MARCH 2024 — wednesday

• College of Marin presents a poetry writing master class, led by Thomas Centolella, Almost Human, winner of the Dorset Prize from Tupelo Press, attendees will read and discuss poems by notable authors, as well as workshop their own writing, all levels of experience welcome, runs seven Wednesdays, March 27-May 8, online, $195, 2:00-5:00 pm PDT (Enroll here: marincommunityed.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=6092&int_category_id=0&int_sub_category_id=0&int_catalog_id=0)
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• City Arts and Lectures in conjunction with the San Francisco Public Library present Bernice Yeung in conversation with journalist Matthew Desmond discussing his ethnographic work on American poverty, and his new book, Poverty, By 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/matthew-desmond-2)
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28 MARCH 2024 — thursday

• City Lights presents professor and author Judith Butler discussing their new book Who's Afraid of Gender?, an examination of how recent attacks on gender have become central to right-wing movements and reactionary politics, and an investigation of how "anti-gender ideology movements" have transformed gender from a subset of individual identity into an illusion of threat (to family, children, society, culture, and humanity itself) for emerging authoritarian regimes, fascist formations, and trans-exclusionary feminists,
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• Writers Read Ukiah presents a reading celebrating the new climate change anthology Dear Human at the Edge of Time, featuring readings by climate activist Jeanine Pfeiffer and other contributors, followed by an open mic, Grace Hudson Museum, 431 South Main Street, Ukiah, free, suggested donation $5, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, contact Michael Riedell at innisfreeriedell@gmail.com)
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• California College of the Arts's BFA Illustration and MFA Writing Programs invite you to their spring salon, "It's a Happening," the show includes collage, readings, dance, illustration, video, and the music of no fewer than 85 metronomes; featured artists and writers include poet A. Van Jordan, When I Waked, I Cried to Dream Again, writer, editor, filmmaker, and critic Faith Adiele, Her Voice: A Hybrid Memoir, Monique "Fauxnique" Jenkinson, Faux Queen: A Life in Drag, collage artist, educator, and poet Addy Gravatte, writer and poet Sonja Swift, Echo Loba, Loba Echo, and CCA Chair of Illustration Michael Wertz; California College of the Arts, Nave Presentation Space, Main Building, Room 150, 1111 8th Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/its-a-happening-spring-salon-tickets-867982096817?aff=oddtdtcreator)
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• Join Vietnamese-American multihyphenate storyteller Susan Lieu for the launch of her new memoir, The Manicurist's Daughter, moderated conversation, Q&A, and a book signing follows the event, Great Star Theater, 636 Jackson Street, San Francisco, $5, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.susanlieu.me/events)
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• Medicine for Nightmares presents a reading featuring Valerie Werder, reading from her new novel, Thieves, and Bay Area poet and publisher David Buuck, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00-9:00 pm PDT (More information here: medicinefornightmares.com/events)
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29 MARCH 2024 — friday

• El Gigante presents a reading with featured poet Christopher Buckley, One Sky to the Next, winner of the Longleaf Press Book Prize, followed by an open mic, online via Zoom, free, doors open 6:55 pm, reading starts 7:00 pm PDT (Zoom link here: cccconfer.zoom.us/j/9348057923)
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• Beyond Baroque presents poet and performance artist Linda Ravenswood, celebrating her new book, a poem is a house, joined in a reading by Senator Anthony Portantino, poet and representative of California's 25th district, Allegra Parks, Christina Cha, Bernadette McComish, Brian Sonia-Wallace, Ariadne Makridakis Arroyo, Diana Dinerman, Tom Laichas, and Kendalle Getty, a book signing will follow the reading, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 8:00-9:30 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)
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30 MARCH 2024 — saturday

• This workshop, "Expressing Your Truth: Connecting with Your Authentic Voice," led by children's book author Britta Stromeyer Esmail, Raina's (UN) Happy Birthday, is for any writer who seeks to develop and refine their authentic writer's voice; suitable for writers of all levels and genres, Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, $80, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm PDT, Register by March 29 (For more information, visit: www.bookpassage.com/event/corte-madera-class-britta-stromeyer-esmail-expressing-your-truth-connecting-your-authentic)
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• Point Reyes Books presents poet Jane Hirshfield, The Beauty, longlisted for the National Book Award, reading and discussing her latest book, The Asking: New & Selected Poems, in conversation with Michael Lerner, president and co-founder of Commonweal, Commonweal, 451 Mesa Road, Bolinas, $20 suggested donation, no one turned away for lack of funds, 2:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.ptreyesbooks.com/event/living-poems)
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• Black Arts Movement Business District Community Development Corp. (BAMBD CDC) and Artist As First Responder co-present "Wine, Words, & Baldwin" in conjunction with the exhibition "Frontline Prophet: James Baldwin." by Detroit-based artist Sabrina Nelson, the event celebrates the 100th Birthday of Harlem writer James Baldwin, Go Tell It on the Mountain, Notes of a Native Son, and The Fire Next Time; a moderated conversation on "The Enduring Value of Baldwin to Evolving Black Narratives" will be hosted by Oakland Poet Laureate Ayodele Nzinga and artist/curator Ashara Ekundayo; BAM House, 1540 Broadway, Oakland, $15-$20, 7:00-10:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.onthestage.tickets/show/the-lower-bottom-playaz/65e68812958d7713fe8238e5/tickets)
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• Beyond Baroque presents the fourth annual "30 in 30 Poetry Workshop," led by Brendan Constantine, The Opposites Game, participants will engage in discussions to inspire their writing and, at the end of each session, take home packets and materials to write a poem a day, runs online via Zoom, five Saturdays, March 30-April 27, $160 for members, $180 general admission, early bird sale prices are $155 for members, $170 general admission, ending on March 27, 11:00 am-1:00 pm PDT (Purchase tickets here: www.beyondbaroque.org/intensive_workshops.html)
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31 MARCH 2024 — sunday

• Photographer and filmmaker Christopher Felver's new exhibition, "Whole Shebang," presents "Poets, Reflections, & Films: A Beat Generation Happening," a panel with Joyce Jenkins, Poetry Flash; archivist, poet, and photographer Tate Swindell, co-editor of Collected Poems of Bob Kaufman, and Matthias Ruecker; the panel will discuss the beat movement started by a group of authors whose work explored and influenced American culture and politics in the post-World War II era, in conjunction with Felver's exhibit, featuring the photographs of celebrated writers, artists, and musicians; the show is open to the public until April 14; Sausalito Center for the Arts, 750 Bridgeway, Sausalito, $10 suggested donation, 4:00-7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.sausalitocenterforthearts.org)
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