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Northern California

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1 JULY 2012 — sunday

    CENTRAL:
  • San Francisco Zen Center holds a Sunday Writing Studio with poet Genine Lentine, City Center Art Lounge, 300 Page Street, San Francisco, 4:00-6:00, $20/$18 members/$16 limited income (888/743-9362, 415/475-9362, www.sfzc.org)
    NORTH:
  • Poetry and music presented by Geri Digiorno, with poets Nancy Keane, Yvonne Baynes, Michelle Baynes, and musician Sarah Baker, first Sundays monthly, The Redwood Cafe, 8240 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati, 5:00-7:00 (redwoodcafe.com, petalumapoetrywalk.org)

2 JULY 2012 — monday

    CENTRAL:
  • Bird & Beckett Books presents a poetry reading by Gail Mitchell, Bone Songs, and Jane Rades, A Rosary of Poems, Five Decades, open mic follows, Bird & Beckett Books, 653 Chenery Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00
    EAST:
  • Hot Poetry in the Park presents a summer solstice reading with Grosse and Geoffrey Neill, hosted by Rebecca Moos, Fremont Park at 15th and Q Streets, Sacramento, 7:00 (www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org)

3 JULY 2012 — tuesday

    SOUTH:
  • Gabriella's Literary Salon presents Patrice Vecchione, Territory of Winds, Gabriella Café, 910 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, dinner 8:00, reading 9:00 (831/457-1677 for reservations, (gabriellacafe.com/events)

4 JULY 2012 — wednesday

5 JULY 2012 — thursday

    CENTRAL:
  • Full of Crow Press/Fashion For Collapse present Toxic Abatement: Spoken Words, Contaminated World, featuring The Three Times Bad Band and poets Youssef Alaoui-Fdili, Zaroma Zabrisky, Cassandra Dallett, Sharon Coleman, John Swain, Tim Murray, Joel Landmine, Shali Nicholas, Amy Glasenapp, Jezebel Delilah X, Missy Church, Frankie Metropolis, and Brian Fugett, hosted by Paul Corman-Roberts and Lynn Alexander, Viracocha, 998 Valencia, San Francisco, free, 7:30-10:00 (www.fashionforcollapse.com)
    NORTH:
  • UUCSR/Unitarian Universalist Congregation Santa Rosa Writers meet for coffee and conversation, Haven Café, Video Droid, 1901 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, 10:00 a.m. (uucsrwriters.blogspot.com)

6 JULY 2012 — friday

    CENTRAL:
  • The Booksmith presents a Bookswap on the theme is time travel, share book histories, swap books white elephant style, food, drinks, and local authors, hosted by Amy Stephenson, The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, San Francisco, $25, 6:30 (415/863-8688, www.booksmith.com)
  • Me & Jack, a poetry reading by Mark Schwartz and Jack Hirschman, Art House Gallery & Cultural Center, 2905 Shattuck Avenue, between Ashby and Russell, Berkeley, $10, doors open 7:00 (510/472-3170, berkeleyarthouse.wordpress.com)

7 JULY 2012 — saturday

    CENTRAL:
  • BEAST CRAWL, Oakland's first annual literary "pub" crawl, is a free festival featuring more than 150 poets, writers and performance artists in a single night, spread out over three hours and twenty-five local galleries, bars, restaurants, cafés, and storefronts; LEG ONE, 5:00: reading curator Lyrics & Dirges presents Cyrus Armajani, James Cagney, Cassandra Dallett, Brian Fugett, Raul Gilbert, Terry Taplin, Arisa White, at Noble Café; Quiet Lightning presents Amanda Snyder, Lizzy Acker, Alia Volz, Nick Johnson, Lauren Becker, Anna Pulley, Chris Peck, Nicole Henares, at Vessel Gallery; Skinless: New & Raw Writing at Stork Club; Rad Dad presents Jeremy Adam Smith, Shawn Taylor, Craig M. Elliott II, at Rock Paper Scissors Collective; Three Times Bad Band/3XBad presents the indie string trio Three Times Bad, Patti Orozco-Cronin, Andrew O. Dugas, Ryan Christopher Parks, at Giant Burger; Lip Service West at The Punchdown; Kelsey Street Press at Awaken Café; Small Press Distribution presents Ben Mirov, Amanda Nadelberg, Lynn Xu, Joshua Edwards, Meg Taylor, JTH, Clay Banes, Peter Van Kleef, at Cafe Van Kleef; Eleven Eleven Journal at Radio Bar; Pandemonium Press at Spice Monkey Café; LEG TWO, 6:30: reading coordinated by Saturday Night Special and The Grinder at Telegraph Beer Garden; Generations Journal presents Chloe Ashley, Samuel Sattin, Muthoni Kiarie, Sean Labrador y Manzano, Jessica Langlois, Michele Serros, at PHOTO Gallery; Red Crow presents Puma Perl, Frank Reardon, Cat/Aurora, Jason Neese, Paul Corman-Roberts, Lynn Alexander, Bill Gainer, at InkWell Tattoo; Frank Bette Reading presents Brent Calderwood, Lisa Martinovic, Kim Shuck, Bonnie Wailee Kwong, at Farley's East; Milvia Street Art and Literary Journal presents Clevon Smith, Linda King, Mary J. Dacorro, Sara Beth Chavanne, hosted by Sharon Coleman, at SomaR Bar; Sexy Beast at Bench and Bar; Poetry from the Heart of Mystery presents Gary Turchin, Judy Wells, Dale Jensen, Larry Beresford, Rose Mark, David Erdreich, Wulf Losee, at Xolo Taqueria; Retard presents Emily Esner, karen penley, Micah Bell, Beth Soloway, at The Layover; LEG THREE, 8:00: East Bay on the Brain presents Peg Alford Pursell, Missy Church, Jesus Angel Garcia, Ben Loory, Ryan Sloan, Maw Shein Win, at The Layover; Tourettes Without Regrets presents Katelyn Lucas, Sam Sax, Cameron Awkward-Rich, Lisa Evans, Bucky Sinister, Janes Judd, Caitlin Gill, at Disco Volante; The Naked Bulb presents Michael Rothenberg, Belo Cipriani, Victoria Massie, Andrew J.Thomas, A. Razor, Iris Berry,at Spice Monkey Café; Hella Sexy: A Night of Literary Porn presents Eni Loicy, Virgie Tovar, Javier O. Huerta, Na'amen Gobert Tilahun, NCN, Audacious Iam, at Feelmore510; Invisible City Audio Tours: The Geography of Me vs. You at The Den at the Fox; Crawling Zygote presents Tim Murray, Frankie Metro, Lindsey Thomas, Rob Pierce, Youssef Alaoui, Steve Goldberg, Michele McDannold, at Xolo; The Kraken: Monsters of Storytelling Hella Eat Oakland at Era Art Bar & Lounge; Hella Soulful at Cafe RandeVu; Anger Management at Club Paradiso; LEG FOUR, 9:00: Beast Crawl After Party at Club Paradiso, 2272 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland (Beast Crawl location address map: goo.gl/maps/vulq; more information: beastcrawl.tumblr.com)
  • "Let the Crazy Child Write" taught by Clive Matson, this one-day workshop in a series will help you get started on creative writing of any genre, at a private home in the Temescal District, Oakland, $40, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 (to register: 510/654-6495, 510/508-5149, clive @ matsonpoet.com, matsonpoet.com)
  • Michael McClure, legendary Beat poet and playwright, and George Brooks, saxophonist and composer, teach "Jazz & Poetry: The Craft of Collaboration," a workshop, bring instruments and poems, The JazzSchool, 2087 Addison Street, Berkeley, $35 advanced purchase, $50 at the door, 3:15 (510/845-5373; jazzschool.org/event/jazz-and-poetry-the-craft-of-collaboration )
  • Calligraphy demonstration of decorated and illuminated initials by Sara Loesch Frank, in conjunction with KALLI-GRAPHIA 13, an exhibition of contemporary calligraphy, broadsides, and manuscript books, Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room, San Francisco Main Library, Lower Level, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, free, 2:00-4:00 (415/557-4277, (sfpl.org)
    SOUTH:
  • Lost Poets Salon presents an open reading and discussion, The Bagelry, 320 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, 2:30 (831/525-0211)
  • Editor Victoria Zackheim discusses Exit Laughing: How Humor Takes the Sting Out of Death, a collection of personal stories by essayists and novelists including Joshua Braff, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Ellen Sussman, Malachy McCourt, Kathi Kamen Goldmark, and Amy Ferris, call to reserve a seat, East West Bookstore, 324 Castro Street, Mountain View, free, 7:30 (650/988-8900, eastwest.com)

8 JULY 2012 — sunday

    CENTRAL:
  • 18th annual LaborFest, a labor cultural, film, and arts festival, opening statements by activist and nonfiction writer Roxanne Dunbar Ortiz, Blood on the Border, special appearance by Chief of Staff and Assistant to the President of the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Stewart Acuff, hosted by poet and activist Alice Rogoff, Mural, City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, 5:00 (415/362-8193, citylights.com)
  • Rhythm & Muse Reunion, featuring Susan Newman, vocal improvisation, Eliza Shefler, piano improv and poetry, and poets Steve Arnston, The Wrap-Up List, Jeanne Lupton, and Adam David Miller, The Sky is a Page: New & Selected Poems, open mic follows, raffle, refreshments, wine $2, Annie's Hall, 1613 Derby Street, Berkeley, free, open reading sign up 1:45, show 2:00-4:00 (510/847-8787)
  • San Francisco Zen Center holds a Sunday Writing Studio with poet Genine Lentine, City Center Art Lounge, 300 Page Street, San Francisco, 4:00-6:00, $20/$18 members/$16 limited income (888/743-9362, 415/475-9362, www.sfzc.org)
  • Valona Deli featured poetry reading with Taylor Graham and Gordon Preston, open mic follows, with host Connie Post, Terry Henry Jazz Trio performs after poetry, Valona Deli, 1323 Pomona, Crockett, 4:00-6:00 (510/787-2022)

9 JULY 2012 — monday

    CENTRAL:
  • Canessa Park Reading Series presents a reading by Nicholas Leaskou, Jay Thomas, and Delia Tramontina, Canessa Park Gallery, 708 Montgomery Street, at Columbus, San Francisco, $6, 7:30 (aedburns @ yahoo.com)
  • Satirical cartoonist Tim Kreider reads from We Learn Nothing: Essays and Cartoons, Books Inc., 1760 Fourth Street, Berkeley, free, 7:00 (510/525-7777, www.booksinc.net)
    NORTH:
  • John Allen Cann, Accompaniments for a Dozen Roses, and Stan Zumbiel, hosted by Emmanuel Sigauke, The Sacramento Poetry Center, 25th and R Complex, 1719 25th Street, Sacramento, free, 7:30 (916/240-1897 www.sacramentopoetrycenter.com)
  • Poet Alicia Ostriker, The Book of Seventy, discusses "Eros and Metaphor, or, Why Metaphor Isn't Just a Band-Aid", and fiction writer Molly Giles, Iron Shoes, discusses "Coming to a Good End or Rounding Out the Novel", part of the Healing Art of Writing Conference, The Creekside Room, Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, free, 3:00-5:00 (415/457-4440, www.dominican.edu)
  • The Healing Art of Writing Conference presents a reading by poet David Watts, The Orange Wire Problem, novelist Nina Schyler, The Painting, and Marilyn Krysl, Swear the Burning Vow: Selected and New Poems, The Creekside Room, Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, free, 7:00-9:00 (415/457-4440, www.dominican.edu)

10 JULY 2012 — tuesday

    CENTRAL:
  • New Fiction reading by Susan Roether, Our Lady of West Hollywood, and Floyd Byers, Love, Again, with Barbara Roether and Mark MacNamara, hosted by David Highsmith, Books & Bookshelves, 99 Sanchez, San Francisco, free, 7:30 (415/621-3761, www.booksandbookshelves.com)
  • The Active Music Series presents "Street Priest," with Kristian Aspelin on guitar, Matt Chanlder on bass, and Jacob Felix Heule on drums; "Distant Intervals," theremin playing and poetry of Andrew Joron, with instrumentals by Sheldon Brown, John Finkbeiner, Michael Wicox, and Vijay Anderson; and "Wiener Kids," with composer/drummer Jordan Glenn and reed players Aram Shelton and Cory Wraight, The Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, no cover, donations accepted, 9:00 (510/451-8100, www.uptownnightclub.com)
  • Two Dollar Radio fiction reading by Anne-Marie Kinney, Radio Iris, and Karolina Waclawiak, How To Get Into the Twin Palms, City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/362-8193, citylights.com)
    NORTH:
  • The Healing Art of Writing Conference presents a reading by John Fox, Poetic Medicine: The Healing Art of Poem-making, fiction writer Molly Giles, Iron Shoes, and poet Alicia Ostriker, The Book of Seventy, The Creekside Room, Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, free, 7:00-9:00 (415/457-4440, www.dominican.edu)
  • Marin Poetry Center presents their tenth Traveling Show reading of the season, featuring Catlyn Fendler, Lily Iona MacKenzie, Stephanie Noble, Terry Phelan, Deborah Ruth, and Bruce Sams, hosted by Ethel Mays, Book Passage Bookstore, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, free, 7:00 (415/847-0270, (415/847-0270, www.marinpoetrycenter.org)
  • Poet and doctor David Watts, The Orange Wire Problem, discusses "Writing Two Sides of Consciousness", and novelist Nina Schyler, The Painting, discusses "Creating Dynamic Characters", part of the Healing Art of Writing Conference, The Creekside Room, Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, free, 3:00-5:00 (415/457-4440, www.dominican.edu)

11 JULY 2012 — wednesday

    CENTRAL:
  • Journalist Blaine Harden reads from his New York Times best selling Escape from Camp 1: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West, moderator Philip Yun, The World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, San Francisco, $15/$5 students, members free, 7:00-8:00 (register online: 415/293-4600, www.worldaffairs.org)
  • Bilingual reading with John Oliver Simon reads from his poetry and translations from the Spanish, and Mia Kursi Stageberg, editor of Caracol, open mic follows, hosted by Lorna Dee Cervantes, Alleycat Books, 3036 24th Street, near Folsom, San Francisco, 6:00 (www.yelp.com/biz/alley-cat-books-san-francisco)
  • Poet and writer Kaya Oakes, Slanted and Enchanted: The Evolution of Indie Culture, with the Conspiracy of Beards, a thirty-member a capella male choir which exclusively performs the songs of Leonard Cohen, Moe's Books, 2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley (510/849-2087, www.moesbooks.com)
  • Lian Gouw reads from Only a Girl, a novel about Chinese women in depression-era America, Book Inc., 1375 Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame, free, 7:00 (650/685-4911, www.booksinc.net)
    NORTH:
  • Sunset Poetry by the Bay presents Barbara Jane Reyes, Diwata, Sharon Coleman, Javier Zamora, and Inna Nopuente, hosted by Martin Hickel, Studio 33 Art Gallery, 333 Caledonia Street, Sausalito, 7:00-9:00 (415/331-8272, (www.studio333.info)
  • Painter and former clinical social worker Susan Cornelis, Conversations With the Muse: The Art Journal as Inner Guide, discusses "Meditation, Collage, and Expressive Writing", part of the Healing Art of Writing Conference, The Creekside Room, Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, free, 3:00-5:30 (415/457-4440, www.dominican.edu)
  • The Healing Art of Writing Conference presents a screening of The Time We Have, documentary film about a young woman with osteo-sarcoma and how writing poetry helped her, The Creekside Room, Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, free, 7:00-9:00 (415/457-4440, www.dominican.edu)
    SOUTH:
  • Deborah Harkness reads from Shadow of Night, the sequel to The Discovery of Witches, tickets include a copy of Shadow of Night, signing follows, Books Inc., Town and Country Village, 855 El Camino Real #74, Palo Alto, $25, 7:00 (tickets available in advance online: 650/321-0600, www.booksinc.net)
  • Prosperity Book Club meets to discuss The Game of Life and How to Play It, by Florence Scovel Shinn, open to all who read the book, call to reserve a place, East West Bookstore, 324 Castro Street, Mountain View, free, 7:30 (650/988-8900, eastwest.com)
  • The Rubber Chicken poetry slam and open mic, East Village Coffee Lounge, 498 Washington Street, Monterey, free, sign up 7:30, show 8:00 (www.eastvillagecoffeelounge.com/entertainment.html)

12 JULY 2012 — thursday

    CENTRAL:
  • City Lights Bookstore and Litquake's Epicenter Reading Series present Akashic Books authors Joe Meno, Office Girl, Nathan Larson, The Nervous System, a Dewey Decimal novel, and Joshua Mohr, Damascus, Tosca Café, 242 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/986-9651, toscacafesf.com)
  • Poet and historian John Curl launches the new edition of his book, For All The People: Uncovering the Hidden History of Cooperation, Cooperative Movemens, and Communalism in America, The Green Arcade, 1680 Market Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/431-6800, www.thegreenarcade.com)
  • Joshua Henkin reads from his new novel The World Without You, on the aftermath of family tragedy, Mrs. Dalloway's, 2904 College Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:30 (510/704-8222, www.mrsdalloways.com)
  • KPFA presents poet Joy Harjo, She Had Some Horses, reads from Crazy Brave: A Memoir, about "family and the breaking apart necessary to find her spirit-charged voice," hosted by Mark Anquoe, International Indian Treaty Council and co-host of KPFA's "Bay Native Circle," co-sponsored by Poetry Flash, St. Paul's Church, 114 Montecito Avenue, Oakland, $15, $12 advance tickets at Pegasus Books, Mrs. Dalloway's, Moe's Books, Walden Pond, DIESEL, A Bookstore, and Modern Times Bookstore, 7:30 (800/838-3006, www.kpfa.org/events)
  • K. M. Ruiz reads from Terminal Point, her Blade Runner meets X-Men sci-fi novel, Book Inc. in Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/776-1111, www.booksinc.net)
  • Samora and Elena Pinderhughes present a new composition combining spoken word and jazz reflecting on injustice and change in America, La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, $15/$12 advance, 7:30 (tickets online: 510/849-2568, www.lapena.org)
  • Poets Gary Snyder and Joanne Kyger, with wood cut artist and fine printer Tom Killion, pay tribute to the memory of legendary Beat poet Lew Welch, celebrating the release of Ring of Bone: Selected Poems, by Lew Welch, Koret Auditorium, San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, 6:00 (415/557-4400, www.citylights.com)
  • Steven Saylor reads from Seven Wonders, an epic journey to see the wonders of the world, Book Inc., 2275 Market Street, San Francisco, free, 7:30 (415/864-6777, www.booksinc.net)
    NORTH:
  • Poet and nuerologist Dawn McGuire, The Aphasia Café, discusses "Eat, Sleep, Neurology", and author Marilyn Krysl, Swear the Burning Vow: Selected and New Poems, discusses "Sacred and Profane: The Sestina as Rite", part of the Healing Art of Writing Conference, The Creekside Room, Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, free, 3:00-5:00 (415/457-4440, www.dominican.edu)
  • The Healing Art of Writing Conference presents a poetry reading by Dawn McGuire, The Aphasia Café, and Joan Baranow, The Creekside Room, Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, free, 7:00-9:00 (415/457-4440, www.dominican.edu)
  • Poet Laureate Summer Poetry Series with Readers' Books presents a poetry reading in honor of Lawrence Ferlinghetti by Gwynn O'Gara, Snake Woman Poems, Patti Trimble, Mike Tuggle, Absolute Experience, and Bill Vartnaw, Suburbs of My Childhood, hosted by former and current Sonoma County Poet Laureates Terry Ehret and Bill Vartnaw, tickets include entry to Cross-Pollination: The Art of Lawrence Ferlinghetti, an exhibition of Ferlinghetti's poetry and paintings through September 23, Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, 551 Broadway, Sonoma, $10/$5 members, doors open 5:30, reading 6:00 (www.svma.org/visit)
  • Poetry by the Bay presents a spoken word open mic, live bands and poets, hosted by Profet of ProfeticLyrics, Panama Red Coffee Co., 289 Mare Island Way, Vallejo, 7:30-9:30 (707/554-2100)
  • UUCSR/Unitarian Universalist Congregation Santa Rosa Writers meet for coffee and conversation, Haven Café, Video Droid, 1901 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, 10:00 a.m. (uucsrwriters.blogspot.com)
  • Why There Are Words Literary Reading Series presents a fiction reading on the theme "After All" by Lauren Becker, Shut Up/Look Pretty, Joe Clifford, Choice Cuts, Sere Prince Halverson, The Underside of Joy, Joy Lanzendorfer, The End of the World as I Know It, Ericka Lutz, The Edge of Maybe, Aimee Phan, The Reeducation of Cherry Truong, Eric Sasson, Margins of Tolerance, Studio 333, 333 Caledonia Street, Sausalito, $5, 7:00-9:00 (415/331-8272, whytherearewords.com)
    SOUTH:
  • Children's book author Olga Cossi reads from and celebrates the launch of her memoir, An Italian Sisterhood, Capitola Book Café, 1465 41st Avenue, Capitola, free, 7:30 (831/462-4415, www.capitolabookcafe.com)
  • SubRosa Open Mic, music, poetry, performance, SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, donation $3-$7, sign up 7:30, show 8:00 (www.subrosaproject.org)

13 JULY 2012 — friday

    CENTRAL:
  • Berkeley Arts Festival presents storytellers Cantey Meigs and Michael Katz with tales from four continents, accompanied by Nicole Milner, piano, Ron Heglin, trombone, and Gael Alcock, cello, 2133 University Avenue, Berkeley, free, donations benefit CHA house, 6:30 (www.berkeleyartsfestival.com)
  • Not Your Mother's Book Club presents Take That, New York! an evening soiree featuring over twenty authors who write Young Adult books, Books Inc. Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/776-1111, www.booksinc.net)
  • Thaisa Frank reads stories and flash-fiction from her new book, Enchantment, Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:30 (510/704-8222, www.mrsdalloways.com)
    NORTH:
  • Certified poetry therapist John Fox, Poetic Medicine: The Healing Art of Poem-making, discusses "The Precious Word Within: The Potential for Poetry to Heal the Heart", as part of the Healing Art of Writing Conference, The Creekside Room, Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, free, 4:00-5:00 (415/457-4440, www.dominican.edu)
  • Nurse and singer-songwriter Julianna Waters performs, discusses the use of song in her practice, and leads a healing activity, as part of the Healing Art of Writing Conference, The Creekside Room, Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, free, 2:00-4:00 (415/457-4440, www.dominican.edu)
  • Poetry SoCoCo presents a reading by Michael Rothenberg, Man/Women, and a tribute to Eugene Ruggles, featuring Carl Macki, Delia Moon, Martin Hickel, Daniel McKenzie, and more, hosted by Andrew Mayer, Coffee Catz, 6761 Sebastopol Avenue, Sebastopol, 7:30-9:30 (707/829-6600, coffeecatz.com)
    SOUTH:
  • Billee Sharp, founder of the Mission Casablanca, an artisan crafts market, reads from Lemons and Lavender: The Eco Guide to Better Housekeeping, Capitola Book Café, 1465 41st Avenue, Capitola, free, 7:30 (831/462-4415, www.capitolabookcafe.com)
  • Magdalena Montagne teaches the on-going "Muse Writing Group" workshop, newcomers and drop-ins welcome, Capitola Book Café, 1465 41st Avenue, Capitola, $10, 7:00-9:00 (831/252-5776, magdarose @ hughes.net, www.capitolabookcafe.com)

14 JULY 2012 — saturday

    CENTRAL:
  • Second Saturdays Poetry & Prose presents poets Stephen Kopel and Nancy Wakeman, open mic follows, refreshments, Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru Street, Alameda, 7:00-9:00 (www.frankbettecenter.org)
  • Calligraphy demonstration of blackletter written with bamboo pens by Ward Dunham, in conjunction with KALLI-GRAPHIA 13, an exhibition of contemporary calligraphy, broadsides, and manuscript books, Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room, San Francisco Main Library, Lower Level, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, free, 2:00-4:00 (415/557-4277, (sfpl.org)
  • The Women's National Book Association presents "Writers on Writing", a workshop featuring panelists Yolande Barial, columnist and author, on finding your passion, Judith Cody, poet and composer, on anthologies, Stephanie Dale, author and journalist, on the inner voice, Joan Gelfand, author and educator, on getting published, and Teresa LeYung-Ryan, author and playwright, on building your brand, moderated by Kim McMillion, playwright and radio host, followed by a reception and book signing, Oakland Public Library, Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Avenue, Oakland, free, 12:00-2:00 (510/681-5652, www.OaklandLibrary.org)
    SOUTH:
  • Popular comic writer Christopher Moore reads from Sacré Bleu, which features Henri Toulouse-Lautrec and a quest to unravel the mystery of Van Gogh's supposed suicide; this event is in support of the Survive & Thrive Campaign, Capitola Book Café, 1465 41st Avenue, Capitola, free, 7:30 (831/462-4415, www.capitolabookcafe.com)
  • Poetry Center San Jose presents Poets@Play, a time for PCSJ members and prospective members to work on their own poetry and participate in an informal poetry workshop, bring work by a poet who is not widely known but whose work you value, light refreshments, Edwin Markham House in History Park, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose, free, 1:00-4:00 (www.pcsj.org)

15 JULY 2012 — sunday

    CENTRAL:
  • Benicia Literary Arts presents a reading featuring Steven R. Boyett, Mortality Bridge, and Benicia poets Peter Bray and Jeff Burkhart, open mic follows, The Rellik Tavern, 726 First Street Benicia, free, 3:00-5:00 (lois @ requist.org, benicialiteraryarts.org/blablog)
  • LaborFest 2012 presents a panel discussion with Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Red Dirt: Growing Up Okie, Hillary Moore, Organizing Cools the Planet: Tools and Reflections to Navigate the Climate Crises, and James Tracy, Hillbillies, Hicks, Rednecks, Crackers and White Trash: The Achilles Heel of a Unified Workers' Movement and Culture in the US, The Green Arcade, 1680 Market Street, San Francisco, free, 3:00 (415/431-6800, www.thegreenarcade.com)
  • Historian Lisbeth Haas reads from and discusses her biography, Pablo Tac, Indigenous Scholar, City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, 5:00 (415/362-8193, citylights.com)
  • A poetry reading with Daniel Marlin, Amagasaki Sketchbook, and Shane Weare, At the Same Time: Poems and Etchings, refreshments provided, Mythos Fine Art & Artifacts, 1747 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, free, 5:00 (510/528-4291, mythosfineart.com)
  • Poetry Flash presents a reading by Alicia Suskin Ostriker and Philip Memmer, 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)
  • San Francisco Zen Center holds a Sunday Writing Studio with poet Genine Lentine, City Center Art Lounge, 300 Page Street, San Francisco, 4:00-6:00, $20/$18 members/$16 limited income (888/743-9362, 415/475-9362, www.sfzc.org)
    NORTH:
  • Healdsburg Literary Guild's Third Sunday Salon presents poet Jodi Hottel, Heart Mountain, about a Japanese-American internment camp, open mic follows, Bean Affair, 1270 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, free, sign up 1:30, show 2:00 (www.HbgLitGuild.org)
    SOUTH:
  • Poet/Speak presents an open reading with featured reader to be announced, hosted by Joyce Keller, Main Library upstairs Meeting Room, 224 Church Street, Santa Cruz, free, 2:00 (831/464-8983)
    EAST:
  • Poetry at Ravenswood presents a poetry reading by Kate Gale, Where Crows and Men Collide, founder of Red Hen Press, and Toby Bielawski, Five Kinds of Fences, Poet Laureate of Albany, California, open mic follows, refreshments, Ravenswood Historic Site, 2657 Arroyo Road, Livermore, $5, 2:00-4:00 (925/824-4824, livermorelit.com)

16 JULY 2012 — monday

    CENTRAL:
  • Carissa Phelps reads from her memior Runaway Girl: Escaping Life on the Streets, One Helping Hand at a Time, Books Inc., 1760 Fourth Street, Berkeley, free, 7:00 (510/525-7777, www.booksinc.net)
  • Chip Conley reads from Emotional Equations: Simple Truths for Creating Happiness + Success, East West Bookstore, 324 Castro Street, Mountain View, free, 7:30 (650/988-8900, eastwest.com)
  • The Booksmith and the Commonwealth Club present novelist Chuck Palahnuik, Fight Club, presents Invisible Monsters Remix, an update of his 1999 novel, in conversation with Tom Barbesh, Castro Theater, 429 Castro Street, San Francisco, $20, $40 ticket with book, $10 members, 7:00 (415/597-6705, www.commonwealthclub.org)
  • Colson Whitehead reads from his novel, Zone One, a wry deconstruction of the zombie apocalypse narrative, Books Inc. in Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/776-1111, www.booksinc.net)
  • The Lit Slam, a monthly variety show, workshop, and competition, presents Danez Smith, poet, slam champion, and playwright, hosted by Tatyana Brown, Viracocha, 998 Valencia, San Francisco, $5, 8:00 (thelitslam.com)
  • Poetry reading by Jerry Mankin and Carlos Suarez, Ars Poetica, open mic follows, Bird & Beckett Books, 653 Chenery Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/586-3733, www.birdbeckett.com)
  • Robert Goolrick reads from Heading Out to Wonderful, an erotically charged love story, Book Inc., 1375 Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame, free, 7:00 (650/685-4911, www.booksinc.net)
    SOUTH:
  • Playwright Scott Wentworth and director John Sipes, both of Shakespeare Santa Cruz, discuss how they turned The Man in the Iron Mask into their latest world premiere play, Capitola Book Café, 1465 41st Avenue, Capitola, free, 7:30 (831/462-4415, www.capitolabookcafe.com)
    EAST:
  • Katie Brown, Poetry Potions, and Claire J. Baker, Dear Mother, read from their poetry, hosted by Bob Stanley, Sacramento Poetry Center, 25th and R Complex, 1719 25th Street, Sacramento, free, 7:30 (916/240-1897 www.sacramentopoetrycenter.com)

17 JULY 2012 — tuesday

    CENTRAL:
  • Andrea Gibson, first winner of the Women's World Poetry Slam, La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, $12, 7:00 (advance tickets: 510/849-2568, www.lapena.org)
  • Dave Eggers signs his novel Hologram for the King, fifteen percent of the sales benefit 826 Valencia, Books Inc. in Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness, San Francisco, free, 12:00 (415/776-1111, www.booksinc.net)
  • City Arts & Lectures and Books Inc. present David Chang, Chef/Owner of Momofuko and editor and creator of Lucky Peach, in conversation with Adam Savage, Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness, San Francisco, 8:00 (415/392-4400, www.booksinc.net)
  • Psychotherapist Don Mordasini reads from Princes and Ogres: Integrations of Psyche and Soul, a synthesis of ancient spiritual teachings and modern psychology, East West Bookstore, 324 Castro Street, Mountain View, free, 7:30 (call to reserve tickets: 650/988-8900, eastwest.com)
  • The Marin Poetry Center Traveling Show presents a poetry reading by Barbara Swift Brauer, Kate Peper, Sara Tolchin, Bill Noble, Marvin R. Hiemstra and Prartho Sereno, hosted by Gabrielle Rilleau, Mill Valley Library, 375 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley, free, 7:00 (415/847-0270, www.marinpoetrycenter.org)
  • The Simple Home Discussion Group screens Ruskin's Journey, a documentary, new members welcome, The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar Street, Berkeley, 7:30-9:00 (510/848-3227, hillsideclub.org)
    SOUTH:
  • Books Inc. presents Emily Jeanne Miller reading from her debut novel, Brand New Human Being, City of Palo Alto Library, 270 Forest Avenue, Palo Alto, free, 7:00 (650/321-0600, www.booksinc.net)

18 JULY 2012 — wednesday

    CENTRAL:
  • Lyrics & Dirges, a monthly reading series, presents "Black Girl Dangerous" blogger Mia McKenzie, slam poet and writer Meliza Banales, writer Jeremy Adam Smith, The Daddy Shift, fiction writer and memoirist Michelle Cruz Gonzales, Pretty Bold for a Mexican Girl: Growing Up Chicana in a Hick Town, and nationally known poet, actor, playwright and hip hop performance artist Ariel Luckey, hosted by Tomas Moniz, Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:30-9:00 (510/649-1320, pegasusbookstore.com)
  • Chris Chleave reads from his novel, Gold, about Olympic athletes, Books Inc. in Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/776-1111, www.booksinc.net)
  • Emily Jeanne Miller reads from her debut novel, Brand New Human Being, Books Inc., 3515 California Street, San Francisco, 7:00 (415/221-3666, www.booksinc.net)
  • "Patriarch of the anti-Golbalization movement" Jerry Mander reads from The Capitalist Papers: Fatal Flaws of an Obsolete System, Moe's Books, 2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/849-2087, www.moesbooks.com)
  • Jim Nisbet reads from his new noir novel, Old and Cold, City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/362-8193, citylights.com)
  • Robert Services reads from Spies and Commissars: The Early Years of the Russian Revolution, Books Inc., 1760 Fourth Street, Berkeley, free, 7:00 (510/525-7777, www.booksinc.net)
  • Open mic follows a featured reader to be announced, Sacred Grounds Café, 2095 Hayes Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00-9:50 (415/387-3859)
    NORTH:
  • FERLINGHETTI: A Rebirth of Wonder, a film by Christopher Felver, featuring archival photos and appearances by Allen Ginsberg, Michael McClure, Dennis Hopper, Dave Eggers, Nancy Peters, and Gary Snyder, as part of "Cross-Pollination: The Art of Lawrence Ferlinghetti," an exhibition of Ferlinghetti's poetry and painting on display through September 23, Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, 551 Broadway, Sonoma, $10/$7 members, 6:30-8:00 (www.svma.org)

19 JULY 2012 — thursday

    CENTRAL:
  • Anita Amirrezvani reads from her new novel, Equal to the Sun, set in the royal court of Iran, Mrs. Dalloway's, 2904 College Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:30 (510/704-8222, www.mrsdalloways.com)
  • Research psychologist Jesse Bering reads from Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That? And Other Reflections on Being Human, with sex columnist Violet Blue, founder of Good Vibrations, Book Inc., 2275 Market Street, San Francisco, free, 7:30 (415/864-6777, www.booksinc.net)
  • Husband and wife Daniel Duane, How to Cook Like a Man: A Memoir of Cookbook Obsession, and Elizabeth Weil, No Cheating, No Dying: I Had a Good Marriage, Then I Tried to Make It Better, Books Inc, 2251 Chestnut Street, San Francisco, 7:00 (415/931-3633, www.booksinc.net)
  • Poetry Flash co-hosts the Marin Poetry Center Traveling Show with Rose Black, featured poets include David Alpaugh, Adrienne Amundsen, Patricia Edith, Adam David Miller, Connie Post, and Joan Stepp Smith, Moe's Books, 2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/849-2087, www.moesbooks.com)
  • Nichole Bernier reads from The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D., a novel about two women after the September 11 attacks, Books Inc., 3515 California Street, San Francisco, 7:00 (415/221-3666, www.booksinc.net)
  • Readers Poetry Series presents Sarah Page and Darren De Leon, Readers Bookstore, Fort Mason Center, Building C, South End, free, 6:30 (415/771-1076, www.friendssfpl.org)
    NORTH:
  • Writers Forum of Petaluma presents a workshop with literary agent Amy Rennert, "Secrets of Getting Published," demystifying the publishing process for fiction and nonfiction writers, Petaluma Community Center, 320 No. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, $15 at door, 7:00-9:00 (www.thewritespot.us)
  • UUCSR/Unitarian Universalist Congregation Santa Rosa Writers meet for coffee and conversation, Haven Café, Video Droid, 1901 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, 10:00 a.m. (GGdeB @ aol.com, uucsrwriters.blogspot.com)
    SOUTH:
  • Poetry Center San José presents Jose Luiz Gutierrez, open mic follows, Willow Glen Library, 1157 Minnesota Avenue, San Jose, free, 7:00 (408/808-3045, www.willowglen.org)
  • Leon Scott Baxter reads from The Finance of Romance: Investing in Your Relationship Portfolio, Capitola Book Café, 1465 41st Avenue, Capitola, free, 7:30 (831/462-4415, www.capitolabookcafe.com)
  • Maria Duenas reads from The Time in Between, a hautre couture seamstress becomes an undercover spy, Books Inc., 301 Castro Street, Mountain View, 7:00 (650/428-1234, www.booksinc.net)
  • SubRosa Open Mic, music, poetry, performance, SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, donation $3-$7, sign up 7:30, show 8:00 (www.subrosaproject.org)
    EAST:
  • Poetry Night presents Chris Erickson, Henrytown, open mic follows with five-minute spots, hosted by Andy Jones and produced by Brad Henderson, John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 First Street, Davis, 8:00 (530/756-4556, poetryindavis.com)
  • Poetry Night, features and open mic, hosted by Andy Jones and produced by Brad Henderson, five minute open mic spots, John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 First Street, Davis, 8:00 (530/756-4556, poetryindavis.com)
  • Poetry Unplugged presents a reading by Tom Wilson, Till Sun & Moon Go Down, and Sandi Wasserman, open mic follows, hosted by Frank Andrick, Luna's Café, 1414 16th Street, Sacramento, free with refreshments, 8:00 (916/446-7322, www.lunacafe.com)

20 JULY 2012 — friday

    CENTRAL:
  • Poetry reading with Bruce Isaacson, Lights in the Sky, editor of Zeitgeist Press, and his son Allen Isaacson, open mic, Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:00 (510/644-4930, expressionsgallery @ msn.com)
  • David Del Valle reads from Six Reels Under, on his Hollywood misadventures, Books Inc. in Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/776-1111, www.booksinc.net)
  • Nostalgic for Nothing: Emerging Authors Tackle the New Left, with Michael Staudenmaier, Truth and Revolution, Jason Ferreria, and Amy Sonnie, Hillbilly Nationalists, Urban Race Rebels and Black Power, moderated by James Tracy, Pegasus Books, 2349 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:30 (510/649-1320, pegasusbookstore.com)

21 JULY 2012 — saturday

    CENTRAL:
  • KALLI-GRAPHIA 13 Gallery Walk and Talk with Friends of Calligraphy members Georgianna Greenwood, Thomas Ingmire, and Chris McDonald, the exhibition of contemporary calligraphy, broadsides, manuscript books, and three-dimensional pieces features work by members of the Friends of Calligraphy, meet at the exhibition entrance, Skylight Gallery, Sixth Floor, San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, free, 2:00-4:00 (415/557-4277, sfpl.org)
  • Kevin Killian reads from his long awaited new novel, Spreadeagle, half of it is a social comedy, two rival fiction writers try to divvy up a San Francisco battered by the ravages of AIDS and gentrification; the other half is a neo-noir meth-centric tale of true crime in a small town in California's Central Valley, and poet Rob Halpern, Music for Porn, Alley Cat Books, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/824-1761, www.facebook.com/alleycatbooks)
  • Political scholar Peter Dreier reads from The 100 Greatest Americans of the 20th Century: A Social Justice Hall of Fame, Modern Times Bookstore, 2918 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/282-9246, www.moderntimesbookstore.com)
  • Poetry In The Garden presents Barbara Tomash, Flying In Water, Laura Walker, Rimertown: An Atlas, and Maxine Chernoff, The Turning, refreshments provided, 5548 Lawton Avenue, Oakland, free, 11:30 a.m.-2:30
  • Dancer and choreographer Lucinda Weaver, poet and storyteller Alan Bern, dancer Joe Weaver, and musician Gael Alcock, cello, with images by Matthias Oppliger, a benefit for the Center for Accessible Technology, reception follows, Ed Roberts Campus, 3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, $10 donation, 3:00 (510/684-0931, abbern @ sbcglobal.net)
    NORTH:
  • Sonoma County Poet Laureate emeritus Mike Tuggle hosts an open mic poetry circle, very short stories and poetry welcome, The River Reader, 16355 Main Street, Guerneville, 11:00 a.m. (707/869-2240, riverreader @ gmail.com)
    SOUTH:
  • NPR book reviewer Alan Cheuse, Paradise: or, Eat Your Face: A Trio of Nevallas, in conversation with Rick Kleffel, Capitola Book Café, 1465 41st Avenue, Capitola, free, 7:30 (831/462-4415, www.capitolabookcafe.com)
  • Poets Terry Blackhawk, The Light Between, and Judy Michaels, Reviewing the Skull, lead "From Appositives to Arpeggios: Pulling out the Stops", a workshop that investigates long poems, presented by Poetry Center San José, location to be announced, San Jose, $45/$30 members, 2:00-4:00 (www.pcsj.org)
  • Poetry Center San José presents a poetry reading by Terry Blackhawk, The Light Between, and Judy Michaels, Reviewing the Skull, Works/San José, 365 South Market Street, San Jose, doors open 5:00, reading 5:30, $10/$8 members (www.pcsj.org)
  • Poetry open mic followed by featured poet Casey FitzSimons, No Longer Any Need, hosted by Max Noyes, M. Coffee, 522 Main Street, Half Moon Bay, free, 7:00 (650/726-6241)

22 JULY 2012 — sunday

    CENTRAL:
  • LaborFest presents its 5th Annual BookFair and Poetry Reading; 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Sharat G. Lin, Undocumented Labor Migration: The Trail of Globalization, poet Alice Elizabeth Rogoff, Barge Wood, poet Howard Pflanzer, DEAD BIRDS or AVIAN BLUES, journalist Greg Muttitt, Fuel on the Fire: Oil and Politics in Occupied Iraq, and Professor Estelle Freedman, My Desire for History: Essays in Gay, Community, & Labor History; 12:00-1:30: Ruth Gottstein, The Lessons of The 1930s and Coit Tower, Gregg Shotwell, Autoworkers Under the Gun, a panel on the Bread and Roses strike and the Triangle Fire with Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz and other poets, singers, and writers, moderated by poet and writer Julia Stein, and a discussion of discrimination against Asian Americans in Academia with writer Merle Woo and artist Judy Hiramoto; 2:00-3:30: a reading of the poetry of the late Carol Tarlen, Every Dad is an Act of Resistance: Selected Poems of Carol Tarlen, with Aggie Falk, Jack Hirschman, David Joseph, Sarah Menefree, and Julia Stein, Professor Peter Dreier, The 100 Greatest Americans of the 20th Century: A Social Justice Hall of Fame, and a discussion of art in the labor movement with Lincoln Cushing, Doug Minkler and Melanie Cervantes; 4:00-5:30: Joseph McCartin, Collision Course, The Air Traffic Controllers, and the Strike That Changed America, the book launch of John Curl's For All The People: Uncovering the Hidden History of Cooperation, Cooperative Movements, & Communalism in America, and Steve Early, Wisconson Uprising: Labor Fights Back; 6:00-7:30: Sean Burns, Archie Green, The Making of a Working Class Hero, a panel discussion "Transporation Workers Under Attack" with Professor Joseph A. McCartin and transporation workers from northern California; and Poetry in the Sturggle, and a poetry reading with Nina Serrano, Neeli Cherkovski, Maria Machetes, Sylvia Parra, q.r. hand jr., Miguel Robles and Alfonso Texidor, Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, 2868 Mission Street, San Francisco, free, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 (415/642-8066, www.laborfest.net)
  • Guest poets Neeli Cherkovski, Nellie Wong, Ann Menebroker, Art Beck, Soheyl Dahi, Evan Karp, William Taylor Jr., Paul Fericano, Trina Drotar, Bill Gainer, and Bill Vartnaw join A.D. Winans, founder of Second Coming Press, to read from and celebrate his new San Francisco Poems, Bird & Beckett, 653 Chenery Street, San Francisco, free, 2:00 (415/586-3733, www.birdbeckett.com)
  • A poetry reading by Hazel White, Peril as Architectural Enrichment, Pied-à-terre, 600 2nd Avenue, San Francisco, free, 6:00 (info @ pied-terre.com)
  • Artist Ariel Parkinson reads from her new book Ariel: A Memoir, and Christopher Wagstaff, Lewis DeForest Brown, and Ken Knabb read from the poetry of Robert Duncan, Jack Spicer and Kenneth Rexroth, hosted by David Reid, refreshments provided, Mythos Fine Art & Artifacts, 1747 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, free, 5:30 (510/528-4291, mythosfineart.com)
    NORTH:
  • Napa Valley Writers' Conference presents a reading by poet/translator Forrest Gander, Core Samples from the World, and fiction writer Kevin Brockmeier, The Illumination, open to the public, Upper Valley Campus, 1088 College Avenue, St. Helena, $10, students with valid ID free, 7:30 (707/478-4307, napawritersconference.org)

23 JULY 2012 — monday

    NORTH:
  • Napa Valley Writers' Conference presents Eavan Boland, Against Love and Poetry, in a lecture on the craft of poetry, "The Politicial Poem and its Pronouns," open to the public, Upper Valley Campus, 1088 College Avenue, St. Helena, $25, $90 for four-lecture series in poetry or fiction, students with valid ID free, 9:00 a.m. (707/478-4307, napawritersconference.org)
  • Napa Valley Writers' Conference presents Lan Samantha Chang, All is Forgotten, Nothing is Lost, in a lecture on the craft of fiction, "Uncertainties, Mysteries, Doubts: Keats's Negative Capability and 'The Beggar Maid,'" open to the public, Upper Valley Campus, 1088 College Avenue, St. Helena, $25, $90 for four-lecture series in poetry or fiction, students with valid ID free, 1:30 (707/478-4307, napawritersconference.org)
  • Napa Valley Writers' Conference presents a wine reception and featured reading by poet Arthur Sze, The Ginko Light, and fiction writer Ron Carlson, The Signal, open to the public, Merryvale Vineyards, 1000 Main Street, St. Helena, $10, students with valid ID free, wine reception 7:30, reading 8:00 (707/478-4307, napawritersconference.org)
    SOUTH:
  • Elizabeth Mercer reads from Uncommon Education, her debut novel about an underground Shakespeare Society, Books Inc., Town & Country, 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 7:00 (650/321-0600, www.booksinc.net)
  • Maggie Shipstead reads from Seating Arrangements, a family portrait, Belmont Library, 1110 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont, 7:00 (650/591-2763, www.booksinc.net)
    EAST:
  • Poet Danny Romero reads from Traces, hosted by Tim Kahl, Sacramento Poetry Center, 25th and R Complex, 1719 25th Street, Sacramento, free, 7:30 (916/240-1897 www.sacramentopoetrycenter.com)

24 JULY 2012 — tuesday

    CENTRAL:
  • Dinah Sanders reads from Discardia, how to make the most of your space, Books Inc. in Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/776-1111, www.booksinc.net)
  • Editor Lavinia Spalding and a panel of contributors present The Best Women's Travel Writing, Volume 8, Books Inc, 2251 Chestnut Street, San Francisco, 7:00 (415/931-3633, www.booksinc.net)
  • Sally Love Saunders reads from Quiet Thoughts and Gentle Feelings, poems, Golden Gate Valley Branch Library, 1801 Green Street, San Francisco, free, 3:00-4:30 (415/557-4277, sfpl.org)
  • Spanish Book Group discusses Daniel Sada's novel Casi Nunca, Modern Times Bookstore, 2918 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/282-9246, www.modertimesbookstore.com)
  • Activist Tim Gee reads from Counterpower: Making Change Happen, The Green Arcade, 1680 Market Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/431-6800, www.thegreenarcade.com)
  • City Lights Bookstore and Liquake's Epicenter Reading Series present journalist Gilles Verlant, Gainsbourg: The Biography, in conversation with Tosh Berman on French cultural icon and pop-star Serge Gainsbourg, Tosca Café, 242 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/986-9651, toscacafesf.com)
  • Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy read from Rabid, the history, science, and cultural impact of rabies, Books Inc., 1760 Fourth Street, Berkeley, free, 7:00 (510/525-7777, www.booksinc.net)
    NORTH:
  • Napa Valley Writers' Conference presents a wine reception and reading by poet Brenda Hillman, Pieces of Air in the Epic, and fiction writer Lan Samantha Chang, All is Forgotten, Nothing is Lost, open to the public, Robert Mondavi Winery, 7801 St. Helena Highway, Oakville, $10, students with valid ID free, reception 7:30, reading 8:00 (707/478-4307, napawritersconference.org)
  • Napa Valley Writers' Conference presents Ron Carlson, The Signal, in a craft of fiction lecture, "Blue Heart: The Story of a Story," open to the public, Upper Valley Campus, 1088 College Avenue, St. Helena, $25, $90 for four-lecture series in poetry or fiction, students with valid ID free, 1:30 (707/478-4307, napawritersconference.org)
  • Napa Valley Writers' Conference presents Forrest Gander, Core Samples from the World, in a poetry craft lecture, "Ecological Poetics and Internationalism," open to the public, Upper Valley Campus, 1088 College Avenue, St. Helena, $25, $90 for four-lecture series in poetry or fiction, students with valid ID free, 9:00 a.m. (707/478-4307, napawritersconference.org)

25 JULY 2012 — wednesday

    CENTRAL:
  • Great Books Group meets to discuss reader's choice, bring your favorite book, story, poem or play to share, facilitated by Rosalie Gonzales, Edith Stone Room, Albany Library, 1247 Marin Avenue, Albany, 1:30-2:30 (510/526-3720, rdavis @ aclibrary.org)
  • Chris Colfer, Emmy-winning star of Glee, signs his debut children's novel, The Land of Stories: The Wishing Well, Books Inc. in Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness, San Francisco, $18 includes a copy of The Land of Shadows, 7:00 (purchase tickets online or at the venue: 415/776-1111, www.booksinc.net)
  • HAVOQ Prison Abolition & Letter Writing Workgroup presents its monthly penpal night to "create relationships of friendship, support, and solidarity between inside and outside folks and help break isolation for incarcerated members of our communities"; letters may be anonymous, Modern Times Bookstore, 2918 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/282-9246, www.modertimesbookstore.com)
  • Renowned historian and Chinatown native Phillip P. Choy celebrates the release of San Francisco Chinatown: A Guide to its History and Architecture, City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Avenue, North Beach, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/362-8193, citylights.com)
  • Open mic follows, featured reader to be announced, Sacred Grounds Café, 2095 Hayes Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00-9:50 (415/387-3859, www.facebook.com/groups/203539673028715)
  • Writing Teachers Write reading series presents contributors to the most recent edition of Digital Paper, the Bay Area Writing Project's online magazine, and participants in BAWP's 15th annual Spring Writing Retreat, open reading follows, refreshments, Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby, at Adeline, across from Ashby BART, Berkeley, 5:30-7:30 (510/644-4930, www.expressionsgallery.org)
    NORTH:
  • Napa Valley Writers' Conference presents Arthur Sze, Redshifting Web, in a poetry lecture, "Circles," open to the public, Upper Valley Campus, 1088 College Avenue, St. Helena, $25/$90 for four-lecture series in poetry or fiction, students with valid ID free, 9:00 a.m. (707/478-4307, napawritersconference.org)
  • Napa Valley Writers' Conference presents a wine reception and reading by poet Eavan Boland, Domestic Violence, and fiction writer Tayari Jones, Silver Sparrow, open to the public, Educational Center for the Performing Arts, Napa Valley College, 2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway, Napa, $10/ students with valid ID free, reception 6:30, reading 7:00 (707/478-4307, napawritersconference.org)
  • Napa Valley Writers' Conference presents Kevin Brockmeier, The Brief History of the Dead, in a fiction lecture, "On Fantasy and Prophecy," open to the public, Upper Valley Campus, 1088 College Avenue, St. Helena, $25/$90 for four-lecture series in poetry or fiction, students with valid ID free, 1:30 (707/478-4307, napawritersconference.org)

26 JULY 2012 — thursday

    CENTRAL:
  • Poetry Flash presents Anita Barrows, Dawn McGuire, and David Shaddock, Moe's Books, 2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, 7:30 (510/849-2087, www.moesbooks.com)
  • Benefit for the Japanese Society for Traumatic Stress, which provides support to survivors of the Fukushima tsunami, earthquake, and nuclear disasters, featuring a poetry reading by Heather Bourbeau, a display of ceramic vessels by Liz Worthy, and a chance to make paper cranes and send them in a bottle to the Japanese Society for Traumatic Stress, Modern Times Bookstore, 2918 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/282-9246, www.modertimesbookstore.com)
  • Dinah Sanders reads from Discardia, how to make the most of your space, a mini-workshop follows, Richmond Meeting Room, Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Branch Library, 351 9th Avenue, free, 6:30-8:00 (415/557-4277, sfpl.org)
  • The San Francisco International Poetry Festival Official Kick-Off Party, hosted by Jack Hirschman and Lawrence Ferlinghetti, with live jazz, presented by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco Public Library, and the Mayor's Office of Protocol, surprise guests, Kerouac Alley, between Vesuvio's and City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, North Beach, San Francisco, free, 7:00-9:00 (sfipf.org)
  • Joe McNair launches his new book of poems and original artwork, I Hear Music In The Air, hosted by Avotcja, with former San Francisco poet laureate devorah major and steel drum musician Val Serrant, Bird & Beckett, 653 Chenery Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/586-3733, www.birdbeckett.com)
  • Justin Hall reads from No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics, Book Inc., 2275 Market Street, San Francisco, free, 7:30 (415/864-6777, www.booksinc.net)
  • KPFA presents art critic Kay Larson reading from Where the Heart Beats: John Cage, Zen Buddhism, and The Inner Life of Artists, about where Cage's unique music comes from, hosted by Richard Friedman, The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar Street, Berkeley, $15, $12 advance tickets at Pegasus Books, Marcus Books, Mrs. Dalloway's, Moe's Books, Walden Pond, DIESEL, A Bookstore, and Modern Times Bookstore, 7:30 (800/838-3006, www.kpfa.org/events)
  • Lois Leveen reads from The Secrets of Mary Bowser, based on the true story of a freed slave who returns to Virginia to spy on Confederates, Books Inc., 1760 Fourth Street, Berkeley, free, 7:00 (510/525-7777, www.booksinc.net)
  • Rob Reid, founder of Rhapsody music download provider, reads from Year Zero, a comic sci-fi adventure in the spirit of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and The Social Network, The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, San Francisco, free, 7:30 (415/863-8688, www.booksmith.com)
    NORTH:
  • Napa Valley Writers' Conference presents Brenda Hillman, Pieces of Air in the Epic, in a poetry lecture, "Six Questions to End With," open to the public, Upper Valley Campus, 1088 College Avenue, St. Helena, $25/$90 for four-lecture series in poetry or fiction, students with valid ID free, 9:00 a.m. (707/478-4307, napawritersconference.org)
  • Poet Laureate Summer Poetry Series with Readers' Books presents a poetry reading by Ed Coletti, When Hearts Outlive Minds, Lin Marie deVincent, Geri Digiorno, White Lipstick, and Jewel Mathieson, This Dance: A Poultice of Poems, hosted by Sonoma County Poet Laureates Terry Ehret and Bill Vartnaw, in honor of Lawrence Ferlinghetti, tickets include entry to Cross-Pollination: The Art of Lawrence Ferlinghetti, an exhibition of Ferlinghetti's poetry and paintings ongoing through September 23, Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, 551 Broadway, Sonoma, $10/$5 members, 5:30 (www.svma.org)
  • Poetry by the Bay presents a spoken word open mic, live bands and poets, hosted by Profet of ProfeticLyrics, Panama Red Coffee Co., 289 Mare Island Way, Vallejo, 7:30-9:30 (707/554-2100)
  • Tayari Jones, Silver Sparrow, gives a fiction lecture: "Tales from the Kidscape: The Art of the Coming-of-Age Story," open to the public, Upper Valley Campus, 1088 College Avenue, St. Helena, $25/$90 for four-lecture series in poetry or fiction, students with valid ID free, 1:30 (707/478-4307, napawritersconference.org)
  • UUCSR/ Unitarian Universalist Congregation Santa Rosa Writers meet for coffee and conversation, Haven Café, Video Droid, 1901 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, 10:00 a.m. (GGdeB @ aol.com, uucsrwriters.blogspot.com)
  • Writers Read presents an all open mic reading for poetry and prose, Arts Center Ukiah's Corner Gallery, 201 South State Street, Ukiah, featured reading 7:00, open mic 8:00 (707/462-1400, artcenterukiah.org, coloredhorse.com/WritingPoetry/PoetryEvents)
    SOUTH:
  • Mystery writers read, with Cara Black, author of the Aimée Leduc mysteries, Laurie R. King, author of the Marry Russell novels, and Heather Haven, author of the Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries, Books Inc., Town & Country, 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 7:00 (650/321-0600, www.booksinc.net)
  • SubRosa Open Mic, music, poetry, performance, SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, donation $3-$7, sign up 7:30, show 8:00 (www.subrosaproject.org)
  • World Affairs Book Club discusses journalist Pamela Constable's Playing with Fire: Pakistan at War with Itself, read the book to attend, Capitola Book Café, 1465 41st Avenue, Capitola, free, 7:00 (831/462-4415, www.capitolabookcafe.com)

27 JULY 2012 — friday

    CENTRAL:
  • The Bookswap Social, with food, drink, prizes, and games, Books Inc. in Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness, San Francisco, free, 6:00 (415/776-1111, www.booksinc.net)
  • San Francisco International Poetry Festival presents a reading by Jack Hirschman, Antonie Cassar, Matt Gonzales, Agneta Falk, and Alejandro Murguia, presented by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco Public Library, and the Mayor's Office of Protocol, Civic Center Plaza, 355 McAllister Street, San Francisco, free, noon-1:30 (sfipf.org)
  • San Francisco International Poetry Festival presents a reading by Joachim Sartorius, Scott Thompson, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Antonieta Villamil, Barbara Paschke, Jane Hirshfield, Dunya Mikhael, and Kareem James Abdul-Zeid, presented by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco Public Library, and the Mayor's Office of Protocol, San Francisco Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, free, 1:45-4:30 (sfipf.org)
  • San Francisco International Poetry Festival presents Readers Bookstore's book sales and signings by SFIPF featured participants, at two locations: And Francisco Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin Street, and the Mint Café, 400 McAllister Street, both San Francisco, free, 1:00-4:30 (sfipf.org)

28 JULY 2012 — saturday

    CENTRAL:
  • Poetry reading by painter/poet Sande Anfang and musician/poet Steve Arntson, The Wikkeling, open mic follows, Florey's Book Company, 2120 Palmetto Avenue, Pacifica, 7:00-9:30 (650/355-8811, sherrirose-walker @ hotmail.com)
  • Bay Area Poetry Marathon presents a poetry reading by Megan Breiseth, Joshua Edwards, Evan Kennedy, James Meetze, Chris McCreary, Jenn McCreary, Susan Scarlata, and Lynn Xu, hosted by Kathryn L. Pringle, The CCA Writers Studio, 195 DeHaro, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (baypoetry @ gmail.com, www.facebook.com/bayareapoetrymarathon/info)
  • Fourth Saturdays Poetry & Prose presents poets Randy Fingland, Orphans of War, and Louis Cuneo, Splash, open mic follows, hosted by Jeanne Lupton, refreshments provided by participants, 1601 Paru Street, Alameda, free, 7:00-9:00 (510/523-6957, www.frankbettecenter.org)
  • Calligraphy demonstration of pointed pen calligraphy by Melissa Titone, in conjunction with KALLI-GRAPHIA 13, an exhibition of contemporary calligraphy, broadsides, and manuscript books, Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room, San Francisco Main Library, Lower Level, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, free, 2:00-4:00 (415/557-4277, sfpl.org)
  • Women of Distinction for Humanitarianism winner Nona Mock Wyman reads from her book Bamboo Women: Stories from Ming Quong, a Chinese Orphanage in California, Chinatown Meeting Room, Chinatown/Him Mark Lai Branch Library, 1135 Powell Street, San Francisco, free, 3:00-4:30 (415/557-4277, sfpl.org)
  • Sara Adams teahes a fiction writing workshop for teens (15 to 19), using the neutral workshop style; bring five copies of a five to ten page story you've written, 1601 Paru Street, Alameda, $35, 2:00-4:30 (510/523-6957, www.frankbettecenter.org)
  • San Francisco International Poetry Festival presents a reading by Amiri Baraka, Jack Hirschman, Yahia Lababidi, Marie Silkeberg, Agneta Falk, Matt Sedillo, Sandro Sardella, Bobby Coleman, Sasha Pimental Chacon, Ataol Behramoglu, Mark Kockinos, Scott Thompson, Carla Badillo Coronado, and Jessica Loos, presented by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco Public Library, and the Mayor's Office of Protocol, Civic Center Plaza, 355 McAllister Street, San Francisco, free, noon-5:00 (sfipf.org)
  • San Francisco International Poetry Festival presents Readers Bookstore's book sales and signings by SFIPF featured participants, at two locations: And Francisco Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin Street, and the Mint Café, 400 McAllister Street, both San Francisco, free, 12:00 a.m.-5:00 (sfipf.org)
  • Poetry In The Garden presents Christopher Sindt, The Bodies, Elizabeth Robinson, Inaudible Trumpeters, and Sara Mumolo, Coming Out Tomorrow, refreshments, 5548 Lawton Avenue, Oakland, free, 11:30 a.m.-2:30
    NORTH:
  • Redwood Writers Open Mic, with a featured reader, SoCo Coffee, 1015 4th Street, at Brookwood Drive, Santa Rosa, sign up 3:30, reading 4:00-6:00 (house @ bbooks.com; redwoodwriters.org)
    SOUTH:
  • Poet and Guggenheim fellow Robert Sward New and Selected Poems, 1957-2012, teaches a workshop, "Writing Family Stories, Writing Family Secrets," bring a bag lunch and six or more family photos, letters, notes, diaries, and so on, includes a complimentary subscription to Memoir, Capitola Book Café, 1465 41st Avenue, Capitola, $115, 7:30 (register in advance: 831/462-4415, www.memoirjournal.net)

29 JULY 2012 — sunday

    CENTRAL:
  • Berkeley poet and percussionist Avotcja celebrates her 71st birthday, featuring jazz singer Faye Carol, poet Genny Lim, Child of War, Kaylah Marin, Tasha Kame, Tureeda Mikell, and others, La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, $10-$20, 7:00 (510/849-2568, www.lapena.org)
  • Jerry Mander reads from The Capitalism Papers: Fatal Flaws of an Obsolete System, Books Inc. in Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/776-1111, www.booksinc.net)
  • Renee Gibbons reads from her memoir Longing for Elsewhere: My Irish Voyage through Hunger, History, and High Times, Bird & Beckett, 653 Chenery Street, San Francisco, free, 2:30 (415/586-3733, www.birdbeckett.com)
  • The San Francisco International Poetry Festival presents Poetry Crawl in North Beach, with stops at the Beat Museum, Kerouac Alley, City Lights Books, Caffe Trieste, and more, begin at Emerald Tablet Gallery, 80 Fresno Street, North Beach, San Francisco, free, noon-6:00 (sfipf.org)
  • San Francisco International Poetry Festival presents a Translation Panel, featuring John Curl, Kathleen Weaver, Barbara Paschke, Anne O. Fisher, John Balcom, and Mahnaz Badihian, moderated by Judith Ayn Berhard, Emerald Tablet Gallery, 80 Fresno Street, North Beach, San Francisco, free, 3:00-4:30 (sfipf.org)
  • San Francisco Zen Center holds a Sunday Writing Studio with poet Genine Lentine, City Center Art Lounge, 300 Page Street, San Francisco, 4:00-6:00, $20/$18 members/$16 limited income (888/743-9362, 415/475-9362, www.sfzc.org)
    SOUTH:
  • Djerassi Resident Artist Program's open house: open studios, dance and music performances, literary readings by artists-in-residence, including poet Dolores Hayden and playwright Dipika Guha, self-guided walking tours of the ranch, light refreshments, Djerassi Resident Artists Program, SMIP Ranch, 2325 Bear Gulch Road, Woodside, $35, alumni and children twelve and under/free, 1:00-5:00 (reservations required: 650/747-1250, www.djerassi.org)
  • Ten-year-old Riya Sinha reads from her book The Runaway Twins, Books Inc., Town & Country, 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 7:00 (650/321-0600, www.booksinc.net)

30 JULY 2012 — monday

    CENTRAL:
  • LaborFest 2012 presents author, instructor, and lecturer David Duckworth, talking on times in American history when public space was occupied for political reasons, The Green Arcade, 1680 Market Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 (415/431-6800, www.thegreenarcade.com)
    SOUTH:
  • Art critic Kay Larson reads from Where the Hearts Beats: John Cage, Zen Buddhism, and the Inner Life of Artists, how Zen Buddhism transformed Cage's work, East West Bookstore, 324 Castro Street, Mountain View, free, 7:30 (call to reserve tickets: 650/988-8900, eastwest.com)
    EAST:
  • A benefit reading for C.O.R.E/Chicano Organizing and Research in Education with poets William O' Daly, The Whale in the Web, and Francisco X. Alarcón, Angels Ride Bikes/Los Angeles Andan En Bicicleta: And Other Fall Poems/Y Otras Poemas de Otono, hosted by Paco Marquez and Frank Graham, Sacramento Poetry Center, 25th and R Complex, 1719 25th Street, Sacramento, free, 7:30 (916/240-1897, www.sacramentopoetrycenter.com)

31 JULY 2012 — tuesday

    CENTRAL:
  • Poetry at the 3300 Club presents a reading by Cynthia Wooten, open mic, 21 and over, courtesy pub grub, Keane's 3300 Club, 3300 Mission Street, at 29th Street, San Francisco, free, sign up 6:30, show 7:00 (415/826-6886, www.3300club.com)
  • Dinah Sanders reads from Discardia, how to make the most of your space, mini-workshop follows, Bernal Heights Meeting Room, Bernal Heights Branch Library, 500 Cortland Avenue, free, 7:00-8:30 (415/776-1111, sfpl.org)
    SOUTH:
  • Ken Segall, Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success, in conversation with Time's Harry McCracken, Computer History Museum, 1401 North Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View, free for two with purchase of $10 or the event book, noon (650/324-4321, www.keplers.com)
  • Vanessa Diffenbaugh reads from her best selling debut novel, The Language of Flowers, a young woman who, after childhood in foster care, uses flowers to connect with people, Capitola Book Café, 1465 41st Avenue, Capitola, free, 7:30 (831/462-4415, www.capitolabookcafe.com)

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