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Poetry Flash Reading Series


Northern California

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12 FEBRUARY 2012 — sunday

    CENTRAL:
  • Second Sunday Poetry features Judy Halbebsky and Dean Rader, Works & Days, open mic follows, followed by jazz with the Terry Henry Trio, Valona Deli, 1323 Pomona Street, Crockett, 4:00 (510/787-2022, connie @ poetrypost.com)
    NORTH:
  • giovanni singleton reads from her collection of poems Ascension, with an introduction at the event by poet Al Young, Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, 2:00 (www.bookpassage.com)
    SOUTH:
  • Poetry Festival Santa Cruz, produced by Sparring with Beatnik Ghosts, featured poets and performers to present in the Grand Ballroom include: Wanda Coleman, Jack Hirschman, Michael C. Ford with Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek, Genny Lim, Lorna Dee Cervantes, The Ellyn Maybe Band, Stephen Kessler, Avotcja with Modupue, Charles Curtis Blackwell, Andy Clausen, Ellen Bass, Jerry Kamstra, A.D. Winans, Gerald Nicosia, Cara Vida, S.A. Griffin, Jennifer Barone with Nova Jazz Band, Mike The Poet, Jane Ormerod, Marc Olmsted, Rich Ferguson with Bo Blount, Floyd Salas, Claire Ortalda, Gary Young, Quiet Lightning, Ron Lampi, T. Mike Walker, Keith Savage, Dennis Holt, Peter Marti, Kevin Patrick Sullivan, Sarah Cruse and John Allen Cassady; musical guests include: The Invertebrates, Alan Sitar Brown, Ruebi Lynn Jimenez, and Geordie Van Der Bosch; hosted by San Francisco poet emcees Ginger Murray and Marc Kockinos, with a Sparring Artists Exchange book, art, and memorabilia fair running concurrently in the Bay View Room; Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, $12.50, 3:30-10:00 (tickets: showclix.com/event/poetryfestivalsantacruz, 1-888-71-TICKETS; information: www.sparringwithbeatnikghosts.com)

13 FEBRUARY 2012 — monday

    CENTRAL:
  • City Arts & Lectures’ California Academy of Sciences Conversations presents Dr. Craig Venter, A Life Decoded: My Genome: My Life, in conversation with Thomas Goetz, WIRED Magazine, Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, $22/$20 members, 8:00 (415/392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com, www.calacademy.org/lectures)
  • Poetry reading by poet and prose writer Rebecca Eland; poet and Zen Buddhist priest Norman Fischer, Conflict; poet, translator, and editor Andrew Schelling, From the Arapaho Songbook and The Oxford Anthology of Bhakti Literature; and contemporary poet and critic Stephen Ratcliffe, Reading the Unseen: (Offstage) Hamlet, Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/849-2087, www.moesbooks.com)
  • Poet's Gallery presents open mic night, Caffe Greco, 423 Columbus Avenue, North Beach, San Francisco, 6:30-9:30
    NORTH:
  • Novelist Amy Franklin-Willis reads from The Lost Saints of Tennessee, Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, 7:00 (www.bookpassage.com)
  • Friends of the Sausalito Library presents a reading by novelist and memoirist Bill Broder, A Prayer for the Departed: Tales of a Family Through the Decades of the Last Century, City Hall of Sausalito, City Council Chamber, First Floor, 420 Litho Street, Sausalito, Second Floor Friends Bookstore reception 6:00, City Council Chamber reading 7:00 (www.billbroder.com)

14 FEBRUARY 2012 — tuesday

    CENTRAL:
  • Second Tuesday Poetry presents two featured poets, open mic for poetry follows, hosted by Catherine Taylor, Albany Library, 1247 Marin Avenue, Albany, 7:00-9:00 (510/526-3720)
  • Aaron Shurin reads from Citizen, his new collection of prose poetry, with poet Micah Ballard, Waifs and Strays, University of San Francisco lower campus, Maraschi Room, Fromm Hall, 5:00 (415/422-6166, www.usfca.edu/artsci/writ/news_events/)
    SOUTH:
  • The Mohr Visiting Poet colloquium with Louise Glück, Terrace Room, Fourth Floor, Margaret Jacks Hall, Building 460, Stanford University, Stanford, 2:30 (650/723-0011, creativewriting.stanford.edu))

15 FEBRUARY 2012 — wednesday

    CENTRAL:
  • Berkeley Poetry Slam, held weekly, features touring performers, hosted by Betsy Gomez, Dre, Jamie DeWolf, Sevan, Katelyn Lucas, and Betsy Gomez, $150 cash prize, The Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, all ages before 10:00, $8, sign up 7:30, show 8:30 (519/841-2082, www.starryploughpub.com/poetryslam, www.berkeleypoetryslam.com)
  • Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore presents Why Are Faggots So Afraid of Faggots? Flaming Challenges to Masculinity, Objectification, and the Desire to Conform, City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Avenue, at Broadway, San Francisco, 7:00 (415/362-8193, www.citylights.com)
  • "Fiction Between the Wars" Evening Book Group discusses World’s Fair by E.L. Doctorow, moderated by Rosalie Gonzales, Edith Stone Room, Albany Library, 1247 Marin Avenue, 7:00-8:00 (510/526-3720, rdavis @ aclibrary.org)
  • Film historian and screenwriter Joseph McBride discusses his new book, Writing In Pictures, Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/849-2087, www.moesbooks.com)
  • Lyrics & Dirges reading with poet Dean Rader, Works & Days, fiction writer and poet Katy Chatel, poet Lee Herrick, This Many Miles from Desire, poet/performance artist/singer Linda King, poet Antonio G. Fernandez, curated and hosted by Sharon Coleman, Pegasus Books, 2349 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/649-1320, www.pegasusbookstore.com)
    NORTH:
  • Literary luncheon featuring novelist Lisa See discussing and reading from Dreams of Joy, includes catered lunch and signed book, Book Passage Bookstore, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, $55, noon (www.bookpassage.com)
    SOUTH:
  • Center for Literary Arts presents Pulitzer Prize and National Book Critics Circle Award-winning poet Rae Armantrout reading from Money Shot, book signing follows, Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, Room 225/229, 150 East San Fernando Street, San Jose, 7:00 (408/924-4600, www.litart.org)
  • Rubber Chicken Poetry Slam, East Village Coffee House, 498 Washington Street, Monterey, sign up 7:30, show 8:00 (831/373-5601, www.eastvillagecoffeelounge.com)

16 FEBRUARY 2012 — thursday

    CENTRAL:
  • Novelist Lisa See reads from Dreams of Joy, Bookshop West Portal, 89 West Portal Avenue, San Francisco, 7:00 (415/564-8080, www.bookshopwestportal.com)
  • Thursday at Readers Poetry Series presents Ramu and Joie Cook, food and drink sales benefit the San Francisco Public Library, Readers Café, Building C, South End, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, 6:30 (415/771-1011, www.readerscafe.org)
  • Center for the Art of Translation’s Lit & Lunch presents Richard Howard, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and translator of French literature, including the work of Charles Baudelaire, Roland Barthes, and Alain Robbe-Grillet, talks about his experience in the craft of translation, 111 Minna Gallery, 111 Minna Street, San Francisco, free, 12:30 (www.catranslation.org)
  • Story Swap, storytelling open mic, El Sobrante Library, 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante, 7:00-9:00 (510/374-3482, koien @ ccclib.org)
  • Third Thursdays Storytelling Swap, bring a story to share, hosted by Cathy Dana, Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru Street, Alameda, 7:00-9:00 (www.frankbettecenter.org)
    NORTH:
  • Writers Forum of Petaluma workshop on writing comedy, Writing Comedy, What’s So Funny?, with comedian Dave Pokorny, Petaluma Community Center, 320 North McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, $15, 7:00-9:00 (707/778-4380, mcullen @ comcast.net)
  • Marin Poetry Center presents a poetry reading by Joseph Stroud and Robert Sward, Falkirk Cultural Center, 1408 Mission, San Rafael, 7:30 (www.marinpoetrycenter.org)
    SOUTH:
  • Center for Literary Arts presents Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Rae Armantrout in conversation with poet, critic, and editor Juliana Spahr, Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, Room 225/229, 150 East San Fernando Street, San Jose, 1:00 (408/924-4600, www.litart.org)
  • Third Thursday poetry reading, featured reader, open mic follows, Willow Glen Library, 1157 Minnesota Avenue, San Jose, free, 7:00 (408/808-3045, or 408/266-1361, willowglenpoetry @ gmail.com)

17 FEBRUARY 2012 — friday

    CENTRAL:
  • Friday night monthly literature and poetry readings, readers to be announced, open mic, Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley, 7:00-9:00 (510/664-4930, www.expressionsgallery.org)
  • Poetry reading by Alice Jones, Plunge, and Lindy Hough, Wild Horses, Wild Dreams: New and Selected Poems 1971-2010, Mrs. Dalloway’s Literary & Garden Arts, 2904 College Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/704-8222, www.mrs.dalloways.com)
  • Poet's Gallery presents open mic night, Caffe Roma, 526 Columbus Avenue, North Beach, San Francisco, 6:30-9:30
    SOUTH:
  • Book Arts Santa Cruz’s Third Friday, an evening of readings, workshops and displays, hands-on activities for all ages, Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz, $5/$3 students with ID, 5:00-9:00 (831/464-8983, www.poetrysantacruz.org)
  • Stanford Lively Arts presents "Stegner Fellows Shorts on Stage," fiction and poetry by Stanford's Stegner Fellows staged by Word for Word Performing Arts Company, presented in partnership with the Stanford Creative Writing Program, Dinkelspiel Auditorium, Stanford University, Stanford, $24/student and youth discounts, 8:00 (tickets: 650/725-ARTS, livelyarts.stanford.edu, ticketorders @ stanford.edu)
    EAST:
  • A red carpet book launch gala reception celebrates The Unbreakable Spirit Rising Above the Impossible, a new book by co-authored by transformational coach Lisa Nichols and spoken word poet Loretta (La-Rue’) Duncan-Fowler, hosted by Tommie Goss and The Gospel Express, live entertainment, Le Rivage Luxury Hotel & Spa, 4800 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento, $58.50, 6:00-10:00 (tickets: http://unbreakablespiritgala.eventbrite.com; www.lorettalarueduncanfowler.com)

18 FEBRUARY 2012 — saturday

    NORTH:
  • Novelist Margaret Wurtele reads from The Golden Hour, Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, 4:00 (www.bookpassage.com)

19 FEBRUARY 2012 — sunday

    CENTRAL:
  • Ina Coolbrith Circle presents a featured poetry reading, open reading follows, refreshments, Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette, 2:00 (www.coolpoetry.org)
  • Thanasis Maskaleris and friends celebrate The Terrestrial Gospel of Nikos Kazantzakis, a selection of nature writings by Nikos Kazantzakis, City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Avenue, at Broadway, San Francisco, 5:00 (415/362-8193, www.citylights.com)

20 FEBRUARY 2012 — monday

    CENTRAL:
  • Small Press Traffic presents an evening of reading and discussion with Chilean poet and artist Cecilia Vicuña, California College of the Arts, Timken Lecture Hall, 1111 8th Street, San Francisco, 5:00-7:00 (smallpresstraffic.org)
  • Poet’s Gallery presents open mic night, Caffe Greco, 423 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, 6:30-9:30

21 FEBRUARY 2012 — tuesday

    CENTRAL:
  • Alex Gilvarry reads from his novel, From the Memoirs of a Non-Enemy Combatant, Book Passage, 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, 6:00 (415/835-1020, www.bookpassage.com)
  • Word Party poetry and jazz open mic, hosted by Jennifer Barone and Ingrid Keir, Viracocha, 998 Valencia Street, at 21st Street, San Francisco, $5, 8:00-10:30 (www.thewordparty.com)

22 FEBRUARY 2012 — wednesday

    CENTRAL:
  • Berkeley Poetry Slam, held weekly, features touring performers, hosted by Betsy Gomez, Dre, Jamie DeWolf, Sevan, Katelyn Lucas, and Betsy Gomez, $150 cash prize, The Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, all ages before 10:00, $8, sign up 7:30, show 8:30 (519/841-2082, www.starryploughpub.com/poetryslam, www.berkeleypoetryslam.com)
  • Novelist Kevin Fox reads from Until the Next Time, Book Passage, 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, 6:00 (415/835-1020, www.bookpassage.com)

23 FEBRUARY 2012 — thursday

    CENTRAL:
  • Theorist and activist in feminist, lesbian and gay, queer, and sexuality Gayle Rubin celebrates her career-spanning collection Deviations: A Gayle Rubin Reader, City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, 7:00 (415/362-8193, www.citylights.com)
  • Thursday at Readers Poetry Series presents Jewelle Gomez and Stephen Kessler, food and drink sales benefit the San Francisco Public Library, Readers Café, Building C, South End, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, 6:30 (415/771-1011, www.readerscafe.org)

24 FEBRUARY 2012 — friday

    CENTRAL:
  • Poet's Gallery Quarterly presents the All Native American Indian Reading, featuring Luke Warmwater, Sharon Doubiago, Geoffrey Lake, Duane Big Eagle, Hawk Feather, Kim Shuck, Linda Noel, Karen Luke, Danny Hawk, James Blue Wolf, and Antoinette Nora Claypole, open mic follows, Tony Serra's Pier 5 Law Office, 506 Broadway, at Kearny, San Francisco, sign in 5:30, reading 6:00-9:00

25 FEBRUARY 2012 — saturday

    CENTRAL:
  • Saturday Night Special, monthly East Bay Open Mic, tonight features poets Camille Dungy and Tess Taylor, three-to-five minute open mic spots, hosted by Hollie Hardy and Tomas Moniz, Nick’s Lounge, 3218 Adeline Street, Berkeley, 7:00-9:30 (510/652-6425)
  • Fourth Saturdays Poetry & Prose presents Jan Dederick and reader to be announced, hosted by Jeanne Lupton, open mic follows, refreshments, Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru Street, Alameda, 7:00-9:00 (www.frankbettecenter.org)
  • Poetry reading by Stephen Kopel and Nancy Wakeman, open mic follows, Florey’s Book Company, 2120 Palmetto Avenue, Pacifica, 7:00-9:30 (650/355-8811, sherrirose-walker @ hotmail.com)
  • Poetry Discussion Group meets, bring a favorite poem by you or someone else, Meeting Room, El Sobrante Library, 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante, 3:00-4:00 (510/374-3991, eweiss @ ccclib.org)
    NORTH:
  • A literary conversation with novelist Karen Kondazian, and President of the San Francisco Literary Society Peter Robinson, discussing Kondazian’s novel The Whip, Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, 7:00 (www.bookpassage.com)

26 FEBRUARY 2012 — sunday

    CENTRAL:
  • Poetry Flash presents a poetry reading by Willis Barnstone, Stickball on 88th Street, and Stanley Moss, God Breaketh Not All Men’s Hearts Alike: New & Later Collected Poems, Diesel, A Bookstore, 5433 College Avenue, Oakland, 3:00 (510/653-9965, dieselbookstore.com; wheelchair accessible, ASL interpreters for the deaf and hearing impaired may be requested a week in advance by email, editor@poetryflash.org)
    NORTH:
  • Novelist and memoirist Bill Broder reads from A Prayer for the Departed: Tales of a Family Through the Decades of the Last Century, Book Passage Bookstore, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, 4:00 (www.bookpassage.com)
  • Poetry reading by Donna Emerson, Wild Mercy, and Zara Raab, Swimming the Eel, Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, 7:00 (www.bookpassage.com)

27 FEBRUARY 2012 — monday

    CENTRAL:
  • Poet’s Gallery presents open mic night, Caffe Greco, 423 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, 6:30-9:30

28 FEBRUARY 2012 — tuesday

    NORTH:
  • Life Sentence poetry slam featuring Seth Walker and friends, Missouri Street Theatre, 1125 Missouri Street, Fairfield, all ages, $5, doors open and sign up to read 6:30, show 7:00-9:00 (707/422-1598, missouristreettheatre.com)

29 FEBRUARY 2012 — wednesday

    CENTRAL:
  • Berkeley Poetry Slam, held weekly, features touring performers, hosted by Betsy Gomez, Dre, Jamie DeWolf, Sevan, Katelyn Lucas, and Betsy Gomez, $150 cash prize, The Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, all ages before 10:00, $8, sign up 7:30, show 8:30 (519/841-2082, www.starryploughpub.com/poetryslam, www.berkeleypoetryslam.com)
  • City Arts & Lectures presents nonfiction writer Michael Lewis, Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World, in conversation with writer, editor Dave Eggers, Zeitoun, Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, $27/$22, 8:00 (415/392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com, www.cityarts.net)
  • Trinie Dalton reads from her short story collection Baby Geisha, City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Avenue, at Broadway, San Francisco, 7:00 (415/362-8193, www.citylights.com)

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