< previous month | next month >
1 MARCH 2024 — friday
- Beyond Baroque presents a night of poetry featuring Mitchell Untch, celebrating his debut collection, Memorial with Liminal Space, joined by Tom Laichas, Empire of Eden, followed by a book signing, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 8:00-9:00 pm PST (RSVP to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)
2 MARCH 2024 — saturday
- Small Press Traffic presents The San Francisco Poets Theater Festival, a celebration of the Bay Area's rich interdisciplinary tradition of poetry and theater, featuring short poets theater commissions by local artists Cliff Hengst and Phillip Greenlief, a tribute to Theresa Hak Kyung Cha by Samulnori group kkiri kkiri, a puppet show by Poppers the Pony, a new collaboration from Margaret Tedesco and Leila Weefur, and more, curated by Maxe Crandall and Elena Gross, The Lab, 2948 16th Street, San Francisco, $25, sliding scale rate $10, 7:00 pm PST (Register to attend: www.smallpresstraffic.org)
3 MARCH 2024 — sunday
- Bazaar Writers Salon presents a reading featuring poets Amy Glynn, Romance Language, winner of the 2022 Able Muse Book Award; Dean Rader, Before the Borderless: Dialogues with the Art of Cy Twombly; Kelly Grace Thomas, Boat Burned, and novelist Shanthi Sekaran, Lucky Boy, hosted by poet Peter Kline, Mirrorforms, Bazaar Café, 5927 California Street, San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm PST (More information here: www.facebook.com/BazaarWritersSalon)
4 MARCH 2024 — monday
- City Lights in conjunction with UC Berkeley and Verso Books is pleased to present a conversation with Itamar Vierira Jr. and translator Johnny Lorenz in celebration of Itamar Vierira Jr's new book, Crooked Plow: a novel, the Brazilian novel, which blends magic and social realism, has won three literary awards and widespread critical acclaim, City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 to 9:00 pm PST citylights.com/events/itamar-vieira-jr-in-conversation-with-johnny-lorenz)
- Rivertown Poets presents a poetry reading featuring former Marin County Poet Laureate Prartho Sereno, Starfall in the Temple, and David Alpaugh, Counterpoint, winner of the Nicholas Roerich Poetry Prize, followed by an open mic, two-poems or three-minutes per reader, Aqus Café, 189 H Street, Petaluma, free, 6:15 pm PST (More information here: www.facebook.com/RivertownPoetsAMuseingMondays)
- The Oceanside Library in New York presents "Poetry: Near & Afar," a reading featuring Berkeley poet Judy Wells, The Glass Ship, and New Jersey poet Ronald Bremner, Hungry Words, followed by an open mic, online via Zoom, free, 4:00 pm PST, 7:00 pm EST (Zoom link here: us06web.zoom.us/j/85784443637, meeting ID: 857 8444 3637)
5 MARCH 2024 — tuesday
- Cobalt Poets presents a reading with featured poet Dion O'Reilly, Ghost Dogs, winner of the Dragonfly Award for Poetry, followed by an open mic, online via Zoom, free, 7:30 pm PST (Register to attend: www.poetrysuperhighway.com/cobalt/calendar.html)
- City Lights and Melville House celebrates the launch of Margaret Juhae Lee's familial memoir, Starry Field: A Memoir of Lost History which uses investigation and research to recount the life of Lee's grandfather, City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 to 9:00pm PST citylights.com/events/margaret-juhae-lee)
- Left Margin LIT presents "Next Level," an advanced poetry workshop led by David Roderick, Blue Colonial, winner of the APR/Honickman Prize, participants will discuss each other's poems and read work from established authors in this graduate (MFA) style workshop aimed towards experienced writers who have made serious effort to write and publish poetry, runs six-Tuesdays, March 5-April 16, no class April 2, $425, Left Margin LIT, 1543 Shattuck Avenue, Suite B, Berkeley, 7:00-9:00 pm PST (Register to attend: www.leftmarginlit.org/next-level-advanced-poetry-2-roderick)
6 MARCH 2024 — wednesday
- Alameda Island Poets presents a poetry reading with Heather Bourbeau, Monarch, and Cherokee poet, Nanette Deetz, via Zoom, free, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm PST (To access the event, visit: us02web.zoom.us/j/88484893144?pwd=anRqZStWcXpNNlVhRHpmaFp3SnloZz09 and use the passcode "poetry")
- The Poetry Center sponsors a poetry reading by Gillian Conoley, Notes from the Passenger, and Rodrigo Toscano, author of eleven books of poetry, Medicine for Nightmares bookstore, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 to 8:30 pm PST poetry.sfsu.edu/event/gillian-conoley-and-rodrigo-toscano-reading-their-work)
- LSG New Music Series presents "Happened Change," with musical improvisation by Heikki Koskinen, poet Tobey Kaplan, and performance artist "maker/mover," Nan Busse, also performing will be emerging artist/musician Matias Arizmendi, Luggage Store, 1007 Market Street, San Francisco, $10-$20 sliding scale/suggested donation (no one turned away for lack of funds) 8:00 pm PST
- UC San Diego welcomes arts critic, writer, poet, and educator, Raquel Gutierrez, Brown Neon: Essays, Seuss Room, Geisel Library, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, free, 5:00 pm PST (For more information, visit: literature.ucsd.edu/news-events/new-writing-series/nws-winter2024.html)
- UC Irvine's MFA Programs in Writing present a reading by Karen Russell, Vampires in the Lemon Grove and Phillip Williams,Thief in the Interior.
7 MARCH 2024 — thursday
- UC Berkeley presents Diné multimedia artist and writer, Esther Belin, From the Belly of My Beauty, Morrison Library, 101 Library Court, Berkeley, free, Noon to 12:50 pm PST (For more information, visit: events.berkeley.edu/english/event/212176-lunch-poems-esther-belin)
- The Mechanics' Institute celebrates International Women's Day with a reading featuring authors Joan Gelfand, Outside Voices: A Memoir of the Berkeley Revolution, Jia Ling Wang, Salumeh Eslamieh, Children of a Revolution, Sheila Smith McKoy, When Whites Riot: Writing Race and Violence in American and South African Culture, and Christina Vo, My Vietnam, Your Vietnam, in conversation with Elise Marie Collins, president of the Women's National Book Association, free for members, $10 general admission, Mechanics' Institute, 57 Post Street, San Francisco, 6:00 pm PST (Register to attend: www.milibrary.org/events/events-activities)
- The Library Foundation of Los Angeles presents bestselling author Leslie Jamison, The Gin Closet, finalist for the PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award, discussing her new memoir, Splinters, in conversation with novelist and poet Sarah Manguso, Very Cold People, longlisted for the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award, co-presented with Skylight Books, part of the ALOUD Winter 2024 Season, Mark Taper Auditorium, Los Angeles Central Library, 620 W. Fifth Street, Los Angeles, free, 7:00 pm PST (RSVP to attend: lfla.org/event/splinters)
- City Lights celebrates the publication of James Kaplan's nonfiction book 3 Shades of Blue: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and the Lost Empire of Cool, James Kaplan will be in conversation with ESPN senior writer Wright Thompson, to discuss his new book on three jazz legends and their journey to popularity and national recognition, onine via Zoom, free, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm PST (To register, visit Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com/e/james-kaplan-discusses-3-shades-of-blue-tickets-776643350167?aff=oddtdtcreator)
8 MARCH 2024 — friday
- Beyond Baroque celebrates Pratik: Darkness in Style, The Noir Issue, a nonprofit literary magazine edited by world-renowned Himalayan poet Yuyutsu RD Sharma, featuring readings by contributors Peggy Dobreer, Marilyn N. Robertson, Alison Turner, Cece Peri, Tony Barnstone, Christina Cha, and Mehnaz Sahibzada, hosted by poet Suzanne Lummis, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, 8:00-9:00 pm PST (RSVP to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)
- The Library Foundation of Los Angeles presents novelist Tommy Orange, There There, finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize and winner of the 2019 American Book Award, reading and discussing his latest book, Wandering Stars, in conversation with award-winning filmmaker Sterlin Harjo, co-creator and showrunner of Reservation Dogs, , co-presented with Skylight Books, part of the ALOUD Winter 2024 Season, Mark Taper Auditorium, Los Angeles Central Library, 620 W. Fifth Street, Los Angeles, free, 7:00 pm PST (RSVP to attend: lfla.org/event/wandering-stars)
9 MARCH 2024 — saturday
- Beyond Baroque presents Mathieu Cailler in conversation with Shonda Buchanan, Mathieu Cailler will discuss his new short story collection,Forest for the Trees & Other Stories, winner of the 2023 Paris Book Festival, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm PST (For tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/mathieu-cailler-in-conversation-with-shonda-buchanan-tickets-791618190317?aff=oddtdtcreator)
- Day Dreamer's Poetry Showcase, a monthly spoken word event that highlights voices often overlooked or silenced, co-presented by RichOak Events, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 4:00-7:00 pm PST (More information here: medicinefornightmares.com/events)
- City Lights Books, together with Rare Bird Lit, San Francisco Public Library, and Vesuvio Café, presents "Herb Gold @ 100: A Tribute to a Life in Letters," a celebration of the life and work of San Francisco literary icon Herbert Gold (1924-2023), with the book launch of his final book, Father Verses Sons: A Correspondence in Poems, an exchange of poems between Herb Gold and his two sons, Ari and Ethan Gold; Ari and Ethan will be in conversation moderated by City Lights Books's Peter Maravelis, at the San Francisco Public Library, North Beach Branch, 850 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, 4:00 pm PST, followed by a reception and book signing at Vesuvio Café, 255 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, 5:30 pm; it all begins at 4:00 pm PST at the North Beach Library (More information here: citylights.com/events)
- The Literary Women Long Beach Festival of Authors features Ann Napolitano, Hello Beautiful, Diane Marie Brown, Black Candle Women, Lily Brooks-Dalton, The Light Pirate, Kim Fu, Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century, Shelley Read, Go as a River, Rebecca Makkai, The Great Believers, and Shelby Van Pelt, Remarkably Bright Creatures. Scheduled opportunities to purchase books and request autographs, The Long Beach Convention Center 300 East Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, free, 7:30 am to 3:00 pm PST (For more information, visit literarywomen.org/festival.php)
- Left Margin LIT presents "The Power of Form: Chaos and Order in Poems," a poetry workshop led by Rick Barot, The Galleons, longlisted for the National Book Award, participants will examine form as the architecture of the poem, as something that brings together chaos and order, $125, Left Margin LIT, 1543 Shattuck Avenue, Suite B, Berkeley, 1:00-4:00 pm PST (Register to attend: www.leftmarginlit.org/the-power-of-form-barot)
10 MARCH 2024 — sunday
- Medicine for Nightmares presents "Food For Thought," a creative writing workshop featuring readings of poetry and prose by Tureeda Mikell, Synchronicity: The Oracle of Sun Medicine, and Shizue Seigel, director of Write Now! SF Bay, followed by writing prompts and free write time, with an open mic reading, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 2:00-4:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: medicinefornightmares.com/events)
11 MARCH 2024 — monday
- UC San Diego welcomes Palestinian American poet, performance artist, and writer, George Abraham, Birthright, Seuss Room, Geisel Library, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, free, 5:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit literature.ucsd.edu/news-events/new-writing-series/nws-winter2024.html)
- City Lights presents a reading and discussion by McKenzie Wark with poet Anne Lesley Selcer, Sun Cycle, in celebration of the publication of Wark's recent books, Love and Money, Sex and Death: A Memoir, which relays Wark's experience of coming out as transgender after a twenty-year marriage, and Raving, which describes different locations within New York's underground queer rave scene, City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 to 9:00 pm PDT /citylights.com/events/mckenzie-wark-in-conversation-with-anne-lesley-selcer)
12 MARCH 2024 — tuesday
- Cobalt Poets presents a reading with featured poet Donny Jackson, followed by an open mic, online via Zoom, free, 7:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.poetrysuperhighway.com/cobalt/calendar.html)
- Medicine for Nightmares presents a reading with featured poets Briana Muñoz, Loose Lips, and Ivy Raff, What Remains / Qué queda, winner of the Dolors Alberola International Poetry Prize, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00-8:30 pm PDT (More information here: medicinefornightmares.com/events)
- City Lights presents a poetry reading by Elizabeth Robinson, Rodrigo Toscano, and Laura Mullen in honor of Solid Objects Press, an independent publisher of fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction; City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 to 9:0 0pm PDT citylights.com/events/solid-objects-city-lights/)
13 MARCH 2024 — wednesday
- The Thousand Oaks Library and the Ventura County Poetry Project jointly present a poetry open mic, held every second Wednesday of the month, featuring readings with local poets and special guests, come share your work and listen to others, hosted by Ron Fullerton, Newbury Park Library Meeting Room, 2331 Borchard Road, Newbury, free, 6:00-7:30 pm PST (Register to attend: libcal.tolibrary.org/event/10554134?f=h)
- City Lights and Viking Press present a night of music, reading, and discussion in celebration of Rita Bullwinkel's electric debut novel, Headshot, that follows the lives of eight teenage girls competing in a boxing tournament in Nevada; the event will feature music from composer and cellist, Theresa Wong, readings from Venita Blackburn, Jennifer Cheng, Ashley Nelson Levy, and discussion from Rita Bullwinkel and Oscar Villalon, managing editor of ZYZZYVA, City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 to 9:00 pm PDT citylights.com/events/rita-bullwinkel-and-friends/)
14 MARCH 2024 — thursday
- Diesel, A Bookstore presents writer and educator Becky Ellis, discussing her debut memoir, Little Avalanches, a breathtaking story of her life growing up as the daughter of a highly decorated World War II combat sergeant, book signing will follow the reading, Diesel, A Bookstore, 12843 E Camino Real Suite 104, San Diego, free, 6:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.dieselbookstore.com/event/Becky-Ellis-Author-signing)
- The Holloway Series presents a reading by poet Jackie Wang, The Sunflower Cast a Spell to Save Us from the Void, Maude Fife Room, 315 Wheeler Hall, Berkeley, free, 6:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: events.berkeley.edu/english/event/236177-holloway-poetry-series-jackie-wang)
- Medicine for Nightmares presents poet and engineer Zara Jamshed, reading from their debut collection, Neither Created Nor Destroyed, in conversation with writer and educator tanea lunsford lynx, a book signing follows the reading, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00-9:30 pm PDT (More information here: medicinefornightmares.com/events)
- Poem Jam, a monthly reading hosted by San Francisco Poet Laureate emerita Kim Shuck, What Unseen Thing Blows Wishes Across My Surface?, featuring California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick, Scar and Flower, as well as youth laureates and special guests, Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room A, San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, free, 6:00-7:30 pm PDT (More information here: sfpl.org/events/2024/03/14/performance-kim-shucks-poem-jam-lee-herrick)
- You're Going to Die presents Poetry, Prose, & Everything Goes, a communal open mic event for exploring grief and bereavement, to honor what we've loved and lost, and to celebrate life together, bring your poetry, prose, song, dance, any and all performance welcome, five-minutes per performance, hosted by Ned Buskirk, with music by Scott Ferreter, The Lost Church, 988 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, ticket tiers range from $15-$100, doors open 7:30 pm PDT (Purchase tickets here: thelostchurch.org)
15 MARCH 2024 — friday
- Beyond Baroque presents "Eclipse Illumined, Poems and Images in Dialog," a three-way dialogue between two lyric poets and contemporary paintings, with featured poets Cathie Sandstrom and Thom Cooney Crawford, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm PDT (For tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/eclipse-illumined-poems-and-images-in-dialog-tickets-837683141827?aff=oddtdtcreator)
- Spoken word poet Rudy Francisco, Helium, will be performing for an hour and sign books afterwards, Queen Bee's Art and Cultural Center, 3925 Ohio Street San Diego, $25, 8:00 pm-10:00 pm PDT (To purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com/e/rudy-francisco-live-in-san-diego-performance-qa-tickets-842514582797?aff=erelpanelorg)
- Beyond Baroque presents poet Cathie Sandstrom and artist Thom Cooney, celebrating their collaborative book Eclipse Illumined, a dialogue between poems and images, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 8:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)
16 MARCH 2024 — saturday
- Fresno State University's Hmong American Ink and Stories Club presents reading, Q&A, and book signing with Alexandra Chang, Tomb Sweeping: Stories, Alice Peters Auditorium, 5245 North Backer Avenue, Fresno, free, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: calendar.fresnostate.edu/index.php?eID=2042)
- The International Bateson Institute presents a reading and Q&A in celebration of Nora Bateson's new book Combining, Brower Gallery, David Brower Center, 2150 Allston Way Berkeley, 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm PDT (For tickets, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/nora-batesons-combining-reading-and-launch-tickets-813463209357?aff=ebdssbdestsearch)
- Sacramento Poetry Alliance presents a reading featuring poet Danny Romero, Traces, with the Poet Laureate of Lodi, California, Nancy Gonzalez St. Clair, followed by an open mic, Sacramento Poetry Alliance, 1169 Perkins Way, Sacramento, free, 4:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/sacramentopoetryalliance)
- Solano County Library with Fairfield Poet Laureate Suzanne Bruce host "A Poetry Affair," a gala to celebrate poetry and its purpose, featuring past and present poets laureate from Solano County cities of Benicia, Fairfield, Suisun City and Vallejo with special guest, Lee Herrick, California State Poet Laureate and author of Scar and Flower, Fairfield Civic Center Library, 1150 Kentucky Street, Fairfield, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.fairfield.ca.gov/government/poet-laureate)
- Beyond Baroque presents "The Ode: A Joyful or Analytical Wringer," a generative poetry workshop led by Lory Bedikian, Jagadakeer: Apology to the Body, winner of the 2023 Prairie Schooner Raz-Shumaker Book Prize; attendees of this workshop will read examples of the ode and write poems that use and are inspired by this form, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, $80 for members, $90 general admission, 11:00 am-2:00 pm PDT (Purchase tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-ode-a-joyful-or-analytical-wringer-tickets-816004841447)
17 MARCH 2024 — sunday
- Poetry Out Loud in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation hosts the 19th annual California Poetry Out Loud State Finals, where high-school students from fifty counties across California compete in a statewide recitation contest; Today's event is Round 1, Jean Runyon Little Theater, 1515 J Street, Sacramento, free, Noon to 4:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.capoetryoutloud.org)
- Medicine for Nightmares celebrates Women's History Month with a book launch for Exiled Moon, 2nd edition, a powerful collection of poetry by Dr. Naomi Helena Quinonez, who will be joined in a reading by poets Genny Lim, Winter Place, Leticia Hernández-Linares, and poet-percussionist Avotcja, With Every Step I Take, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 6:00-8:00 pm PDT (More information here: medicinefornightmares.com/events)
18 MARCH 2024 — monday
- Poetry Out Loud in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation hosts the 19th annual California Poetry Out Loud State Finals, where high-school students from fifty counties across California will compete in a statewide recitation contest, Today's events feature Rounds 2 and 3, Capitol Annex Swing Space, 1021 O Street, Room 1100, Sacramento, free, 8:00 am to Noon PDT (For more information, visit: www.capoetryoutloud.org)
- City Lights and Akashic Books celebrate the publication of Joyce Carol Oates's Joyce Carol Oates: Letters to a Biographer which compile Oates's letters to her biographer and friend, Greg Johnson; she will be in conversation with Heyday publisher and writer Steve Wasserman, the letters, which span four decades and capture Oates's travels, writing practice, and personal life, reveal a relaxed writing style distinctly separate from her formal essays or book reviews, online via Zoom, free, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm PDT (To register, visit Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com/e/joyce-carol-oates-in-conversation-with-steve-wasserman-tickets-776845133707?aff=oddtdtcreator)
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,
- 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)
- 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)
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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
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)
- 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)
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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
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)
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)
- 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)
- 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)
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)
- 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)
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,
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
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)
- 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)
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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
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)
< previous month | next month >