NAME, M/DD NAME, M/DD NAME, M/DD NAME, M/DD Express %26 Inspire Development %26 Publication
Daily Listings
join our mailing list

Get selected timely event updates and news about Poetry Flash in your email inbox.

Poetry Flash Reading Series


< previous month  |  show all AUGUST  |  next month >


6 AUGUST 2026 — thursday

  • Poetry reading and discussion with Kim Addonizio, Exit Opera, author of nine poetry collections and two acclaimed writing craft books, The Poet's Companion and Ordinary Genius: A Guide for the Poet Within, presented by Townsend Center for the Humanities College Writing Programs, University of California campus, on Hearst Avenue between Euclid Avenue and LeRoy Avenue, North Gate Hall, room 105, 12:30 pm-1:30 pm

7 AUGUST 2026 — friday

  • Artists' Television Access, City Lights, and PM Press present a four-day seven-film Guy Debord retrospective hosted by Ken Knabb, translator and radical theorist, to celebrate release of The Cinema Must Be Destroyed: The Films of Guy Debord, along with recent re-releases of other works by Ken Knabb, today's program includes four early short films, Artists' Television Access, 992 Valencia Street, San Francisco, $10, 7:00 pm (citylights.com/events/the-cinema-must-be-destroyed-the-films-of-guy-debord)
  • Vroman's Bookstore presents Ariel Delgado Dixon discussing and signing copies of her new novel Sourland, in conversation with Sam Cohen, Vroman's Bookstore, 695 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, free, 7:00 pm (vromansbookstore.com/event/2026-08-07/ariel-delgado-dixon)
  • Book Soup presents composer David K. Israel, discussing and signing copies of his new novel The Lost Mozart, in conversation with Meghan Daum, novelist and Guggenheim fellow, signed copies also available online if purchased before event, Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, free, 7:00 pm (booksoup.com/event/2026-08-07/david-k-israel)
  • Golden Sardine wine bar presents the First Friday Poetry Series with a reading by Carlos Quinteros III, Rueben Gelley Newman, and Randall Mann, Golden Sardine, 362 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm (www.goldensardinesf.com/events)

8 AUGUST 2026 — saturday

  • Artists' Television Access, City Lights, and PM Press present a four-day seven-film Guy Debord retrospective hosted by Ken Knabb, translator and radical theorist, to celebrate release of The Cinema Must Be Destroyed: The Films of Guy Debord, along with recent re-releases of other works by Ken Knabb, today's program includes "The Society of the Spectacle," Artists' Television Access, 992 Valencia Street, San Francisco, $10, 7:00 pm (citylights.com/events/the-cinema-must-be-destroyed-the-films-of-guy-debord)
  • Book Soup presents Douglas Messerli, poet and publisher of Sun and Moon Press, discussing and signing copies of new book My Queer Cinema: LGBTQ+ Films Coded and Explicit, Volume 1, 1887-1919, signed copies also available online if purchased before event, Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, free, 7:00 pm (booksoup.com/event/2026-08-08/douglas-messerli)

9 AUGUST 2026 — sunday

  • Poetry performance by poet Carla Harryman with saxophonist Jon Raskin, who is well known for his integral role as a founding member of the ROVA Saxophone Quartet, and other projects; among them his collaborations with poet Carla Harryman; hosted by Harry Bernstein at a private home in Berkeley, seats are $30, payable in advance via PayPal or Venmo, email Harry Bernstein for location and admission information; event begins at 5:00 pm (Harry Bernstein, harry@fullplatemedia.com)
  • Vroman's Bookstore presents Rey M. Rodriguez, attorney, discussing and signing copies of his debut poetry collection Todos Somos Sagrados/All Are Sacred, in conversation with professor Obed Silva, Vroman's Bookstore, 695 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, free, 3:00 pm (RSVP requested: vromansbookstore.com/event/2026-08-09/rey-m-rodriguez)
  • Counterculture Museum presents Pat Thomas and Peter Richardson discussing their respective books Evergreen Review: Dispatches from the Literary Underground: Covers & Essays 1957-1973 and Brand New Beat: The Wild Rise of Rolling Stone Magazine, book signing to follow, Counterculture Museum, 1485 Haight Street, San Francisco, $8-$10, free for members, 6:00 pm (counterculturemuseum.org/events/pat-thomas-peter-richardson)

10 AUGUST 2026 — monday

11 AUGUST 2026 — tuesday

12 AUGUST 2026 — wednesday

13 AUGUST 2026 — thursday

  • Vroman's Bookstore presents Kate Eberle, celebrating her new romantic comedy novel, If Books Could Kill, in conversation with Elissa Sussman, book signing to follow, Vroman's Bookstore, 695 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, free, 7:00 pm (RSVP requested: vromansbookstore.com/event/2026-08-13/kate-eberle)
  • Hollie Hardy presents a six-session poetry revision workshop with the goal of refining toward publication in a generous and supportive environment, meeting August 13 to October 22, alternating Thursdays, for written feedback and small group workshops, bring new or old work, optional revision prompts also provided, online via Zoom, $475, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm (Sign up at: holliehardy.com/shop/p/poetry-revision-workshop-fall-2026)
  • Mechanics' Institute presents a Release Party and Reading for New American Writing literary magazine, issue 43, featuring Amy de Rouvray, Ha Kiet Chau, Kit Robinson, Stephen Ratcliffe, and Cintia Santana, Mechanics' Institute Library, 57 Post Street, San Francisco, $15, free for members, 6:00 pm (www.milibrary.org/events/34324)

14 AUGUST 2026 — friday

  • Artists' Television Access, City Lights, and PM Press present a four-day seven-film Guy Debord retrospective hosted by Ken Knabb, translator and radical theorist, to celebrate release of The Cinema Must Be Destroyed: The Films of Guy Debord, along with recent re-releases of other works by Ken Knabb, today's program features "In girum imus nocte et consumimur igni," Artists' Television Access, 992 Valencia Street, San Francisco, $10, 7:00 pm (citylights.com/events/the-cinema-must-be-destroyed-the-films-of-guy-debord)
  • Book Soup presents Alexandra Fleder celebrating her new novel Joan of the Arcane, in conversation with Lisa Cheek, book signing to follow, signed copies may be ordered prior to event, Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, free, 7:00 pm (booksoup.com/event/2026-08-14/alexandra-fleder-conversation-lisa-cheek-discusses-signs-joan-arcane)
  • Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore presents Robert Hass, Pulitzer Prize-winner, and 1995-1997 US Poet Laureate, introducing his new book A Third Commonness: Essays on Poetry, Poetics, and the Natural World, in conversation with Brenda Hillman, book signing to follow, Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore, 2904 College Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm (THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT, RSVP TO JOIN WAIT LIST: mrsdalloways.com/event/2026-08-14/robert-hass-third-commonness)
  • Vroman's Bookstore presents Bridget Morrissey celebrating her new queer romance novel In What World, in conversation with Vince Rossi, book signing to follow, Vroman's Bookstore, 695 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, free, 7:00 pm (RSVP requested: vromansbookstore.com/event/2026-08-14/bridget-morrissey)

15 AUGUST 2026 — saturday

  • Artists' Television Access, City Lights, and PM Press present a four-day seven-film Guy Debord retrospective hosted by Ken Knabb, translator and radical theorist, to celebrate release of The Cinema Must Be Destroyed: The Films of Guy Debord, along with recent re-releases of other works by Ken Knabb, today's program features "Guy Debord: His Art and His Time," Artists' Television Access, 992 Valencia Street, San Francisco, $10, 7:00 pm (citylights.com/events/the-cinema-must-be-destroyed-the-films-of-guy-debord)
  • Book Soup presents Kristen Lopez celebrating But Have You Read the Book? Romance Edition: 40 Love Stories That Inspired Our Favorite Films, book signing to follow, signed copies may be ordered prior to event, Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, free, 7:00 pm (booksoup.com/event/2026-08-15/kristen-lopez-discusses-signs-have-you-read-book-romance-edition-40-love-stories)
  • Counterculture Museum presents Lauren Napier, musician and visual artist, presenting her new memoir Tattoed, Pierced, & Fucked-Up: A Scene Memoir, 2004-2008, with live music by Shawn Harris, frontman of The Matches, signed copies available, Counterculture Museum, 1485 Haight Street, San Francisco, $8-$10, free for members, 6:00 pm (Tickets available: counterculturemuseum.org/events/tattooed-pierced-fucked-up-a-scene-memoir-2004-2008-by-lauren-napier)
  • San Francisco Public Library Bernal Heights presents Sally Love Saunders to discuss poetic process and read from her new poetry collection Sally's Casserole, San Francisco Public Library, Bernal Heights Branch, 500 Cortland Avenue, San Francisco, free, 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, reservation required: call (415) 355-2810, email bhemfr@sfpl.org, or sign in at the library reference desk (sfpl.org/events/2026/08/15/author-sally-love-saunders-sallys-casserole)
  • An evening of poetry celebrating Spirit of Place: Mendocino County Women Poets Anthology, edited by Devreaux Baker, Kate Dougherty, Maureen Eppstein, Georgina Maria Guardado, Karen Lewis, and Blake More, contributing poets will read, including Devreaux Baker, the first Poet Laureate of Mendocino County, and Theresa Whitehill, an open mic follows, sponsored by the Starlight Lounge Poetry Series, at Willits Community Theatre, 37 West Van Lane, Willits, donation, 7:00 pm (for more information, contact Kirk Lumpkin, kirk@twinberry.net, 707/621-3215)
  • Marin Poetry Center's Traveling Show presents poets Robin Michel, Simona Carini, Lucille Lang Day, Carl Landauer, and Gail Entrekin, with host Judy Bertelsen, Berkeley Public Library, West Branch, 1125 University Avenue, Berkeley, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm (marinpoetrycenter.org/mec-events)

16 AUGUST 2026 — sunday

  • Counterculture Museum presents the Lew Welch Centennial, an evening discussing the life and work of Lew Welch in honor of his hundredth birthday, readers and special guest speakers to be announced, Counterculture Museum, 1485 Haight Street, San Francisco, $8-$10, free for members, 6:00 pm (Tickets available: counterculturemuseum.org/events/lew-welch-centennial)

17 AUGUST 2026 — monday

18 AUGUST 2026 — tuesday

  • Skylight Books presents Tea Obreht, finalist for the National Book Award, celebrating her new novel Sunrise, in conversation with Rufi Thorpe, finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award, Skylight Books, 1818 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, free, 7:00 pm (RSVP requested: skylightbooks.com/event/2026-08-18/tea-obreht-w-rufi-thorpe-sunrise)
  • Vroman's Bookstore presents James Queally celebrating his new book Surviving the Lie: A Russell Avery Novel, in conversation with Tod Goldberg, book signing to follow, Vroman's Bookstore, 695 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, free, 7:00 pm (vromansbookstore.com/event/2026-08-18/james-queally)
  • Green Apple Books and Roxie Theater present a screening of Eric Rohmer's film My Night at Maud's in celebration of the first English-language publication of his novel, Elisabeth, Roxie Theater, 3125 16th Street, San Francisco, $14 general admission, $32 general admission plus book, the book will also be available for purchase at the event, 6:00 pm (Tickets: greenapplebooks.com/event/2026-08-18/offsite-my-night-mauds-roxie)
  • San Francisco Public Library presents Eva Meijer, artist, philosopher, and singer-songwriter, with translator Anne Thompson Melo, to discuss Eva Meijer's new work of climate fiction, Sea Now, in conversation with Gregory Hom, program manager of SFPL, Koret Auditorium, Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm-7:00 pm (sfpl.org/events/2026/08/18/author-eva-meijer-and-anne-thompson-melo-conversation-gregory-hom)
  • Book Soup presents A.P. Thayer celebrating his new horror novel Tapeworm: A Vampire Novel, in conversation with Justin Key, book signing to follow, signed copies also available to order prior to event, Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, free, 7:00 pm (booksoup.com/event/2026-08-18/ap-thayer)

19 AUGUST 2026 — wednesday

20 AUGUST 2026 — thursday

  • Skylight Books, 2220 Arts + Archives, LA Review of Books, and Little, Brown and Company present celebrate the 30th anniversary of David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest, with a conversation about its publication with David L. Ulin and Bonnie Nadell, with readings of favorite passages by Allie Rowbottom, Ben H. Winters, Ivy Pochoda, and Kelly McEvers, at 2220 Arts + Archives, 2220 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, free, 7:00 pm (RSVP requested: skylightbooks.com/event/2026-08-20/2220-arts-celebrating-infinite-jest-david-foster-wallace-30)
  • Green Apple Books presents Chang-Rae Lee, Pulitzer Prize finalist, celebrating his new novel, A Tender Age, with R.O. Kwon, National Book Critics Circle award finalist, Green Apple Books on the Park 9th Avenue, 1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 pm (RSVP requested: greenapplebooks.com/event/2026-08-20/9th-ave-chang-rae-lee-ro-kwon)
  • Skylight Books presents the Rabbit Hole Reading Club, a nonfiction book club focusing on political, current events, and history, meets every third Thursday of the month, no sign up required, book subscription available, Skylight Books, 1818 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, free, 7:30 pm-9:00 pm (skylightbooks.com/rhrc)

21 AUGUST 2026 — friday

22 AUGUST 2026 — saturday

  • Counterculture Museum presents Steve Edington, longtime member of the Lowell Celebrates Kerouac Committee, and Cathy Cassady, daughter of Neal and Carolyn Cassady, discussing the unique friendship between Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady, Counterculture Museum, 1485 Haight Street, San Francisco, $8-$10, free for members, 6:00 pm (Tickets available: counterculturemuseum.org/events/steve-edington-cathy-cassady)
  • Vroman's Bookstore presents Jaime Parker Stickle discussing and signing her new novel Take Hart: A Thriller (Corey in Los Angeles #2), Vroman's Bookstore, 695 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, free, 4:00 pm (vromansbookstore.com/event/2026-08-22/jaime-parker-stickle)
  • Poetry in the Garden presents a poetry reading by Maxine Chernoff, Paul Hoover, Lucille Lang Day, and Carl Landauer, in the backyard at 1431 Spruce Street, Berkeley, 3:00 pm
  • Berkeley Poetry Festival presents "Poetry Takes Root," a free community fundraiser, the celebration features poetry readings by Natasha Dennerstein, Jennifer Hasegawa, and James Cagney, along with music, dance, refreshments, community prizes, and opportunities to support Berkeley Poetry Festival; funds raised will help the organization expand its programs, partnerships, and opportunities for poets and audiences; Donkey & Goat Winery, 1340 Fifth Street, Berkeley, 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm, free/donations encouraged (For information and accessibility inquiries, email: theberkeleypoetryfestival@gmail.com, or visit www.berkeleypoetryfestival.com)
  • Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore presents Lexie Sharabianlou celebrating her new novel, The Blue Moon Cafe & 24-Hour Occult Emporium, in conversation with Maggie Tokuda-Hall, book signing to follow, Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore, 2904 College Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:00 pm-8:30 pm (RSVP requested: mrsdalloways.com/event/2026-08-22/lexie-sharabianlous-blue-moon-cafe-24-hour-occult-emporium)

23 AUGUST 2026 — sunday

  • Vroman's Bookstore presents Local Author Day, introducing Joe Belk with A Fan's Calendar: Musings from a Lifetime of Enjoying Music, Film, and More, Dan Joyce with his autobiographical graphic novel Have You Taken Your Meds? Part 1, and Jason Mahoney with his novel Song of a Dromedary, book signing to follow, Vroman's Bookstore, 695 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, free, 4:00 pm (vromansbookstore.com/event/2026-08-23/local-author-day)

24 AUGUST 2026 — monday

  • Skylight Books presents Sarah Mesle, professor of writing at the University of Southern California, celebrating her new book Tangled: Seven Iconic Moments in White Women's Hair and What They Tell Us About Power, Pleasure, and Complicity, in conversation with Karen Tongson, professor of Contemporary Gender Studies at the University of Southern California, Skylight Books, 1818 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, free, 7:00 pm (RSVP requested: skylightbooks.com/event/2026-08-24/sarah-mesle-w-karen-tongson-tangled)

25 AUGUST 2026 — tuesday

26 AUGUST 2026 — wednesday

27 AUGUST 2026 — thursday

  • Hollie Hardy presents a casual, generative workshop; Participating writers gather online to work on new poems or stories, prompts provided, monthly theme provided but not required, all levels and genres welcome, online, $25, 5:30 pm-7:00 pm (Sign up: holliehardy.com/shop/p/write-in-8-27-26)
  • Green Apple Books, Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, and SFFILM present an evening with Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor and UC Berkeley professor emeritus, featuring a screening of the film The Last Class, directed by Elliot Kirschner, with an onstage conversation with Heather Kinlaw Lofthouse, Inequality Media, on Robert Reich's memoir Coming Up Short, JCC San Francisco, 3200 California Street, San Francisco, $30-$50 ticket includes paperback copy of his memoir, no book signing, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm (Tickets available: www.jccsf.org/event/robert-reich-the-last-class)
  • Green Apple Books presents a reading with poets Valerie Hsiung, Jennifer S. Cheng, Jennifer Elise Foerster, and Samantha Giles Foerster, to celebrate the release of Valerie Hsuing's new collection, The pedestrian, Green Apple Books on the Park 9th Avenue, 1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco, also available to livestream on YouTube, free, 7:00 pm (RSVP requested, YouTube link available: greenapplebooks.com/event/2026-08-27/9th-ave-valerie-hsiung-jennifer-s-cheng-jennifer-elise-foerster-and-samantha-giles)

28 AUGUST 2026 — friday

  • An Evening of Poetry & Piano featuring Forrest Gander, Pulitzer Prize-winner, reading his work with live improvisation by acclaimed pianist Awadagin Pratt on a Steinway Model B, joining the collaboration by "electric screen" will be Booker Prize-winner Mr. Shehan Karunatilaka, presented by Homekey, 116 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, arrive early, wine tasting with Sommelier James Mobbley and light refreshments will start at 5:30 pm, the program begins promptly, free, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm (Free tickets at Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com/e/poetry-piano-an-evening-with-forrest-gander-and-awadagin-pratt-tickets-1993637944760)
  • Mechanics' Institute Library presents "How to Find Your Next Read," a class taught by a librarian on the tricks and techniques used to discover and recommend books, including how to use library resources to find new books and authors, use advanced search techniques to use in library catalogs, and how to discover community-based resources online to find like-minded readers, Library Third Floor Classrooms, Mechanics' Institute, 57 Post Street, San Francisco, $5, free for members, 3:00 pm-4:00 pm (www.milibrary.org/events/35874)
  • Green Apple Books, Diasporic Vietnamese Artists Network, and San Francisco Public Library present a reading by Cindy Pham, designer, in conversation with Aimee Phan, The Lost Queen, YA author and National Endowment for the Arts fellow, Green Apple Books on the Park 9th Avenue, 1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco, free, donations welcome, 7:00 pm (RSVP requested: greenapplebooks.com/event/2026-08-28/9th-ave-dvan-presents-cindy-pham-aimee-phan)
  • Book Soup, Gabrielle Tana, and Katerina Tana present Dan Tana's new memoir Everybody Came to Tana's: An American Dream Come True, book signing to follow, signed copies also available to order prior to event, Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, free, 7:00 pm (booksoup.com/event/2026-08-28/gabrielle-tana-katarina-tana)
  • Vroman's Bookstore presents Yance Wyatt discussing and signing his new novel, The Watersmith, Vroman's Bookstore, 695 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, free, 7:00 pm (vromansbookstore.com/event/2026-08-28/yance-wyatt-discusses)

29 AUGUST 2026 — saturday

30 AUGUST 2026 — sunday

31 AUGUST 2026 — monday

  • Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore presents Chloe Benjamin, winner of the Edna Ferber Fiction Book Award, celebrating her new novel, Under Story, in conversation with Kirsten Chen, book signing to follow, Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore, 2904 College Avenue, Berkeley, free, pre-event reception at 6:15 pm, event 7:00 pm (RSVP requested: mrsdalloways.com/event/2026-08-31/chloe-benjamins-under-story-launch-event)
  • Skylight Books presents Adam O. Davis, winner of the Kathryn A. Morton Poetry Prize and host of the podcast Poetry Goes to the Movies, celebrating his new collection Pyrrhic Symphony, winner of the Raz/Shumaker Prairie Schooner Book Prize in Poetry, in conversation with Katie Ford, finalist for the LA Times Book Prize and the Rilke Prize, Skylight Books, 1818 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, free, 7:00 pm (RSVP requested: skylightbooks.com/event/2026-08-31/adam-o-davis-w-katie-ford-pyrrich-symphony)
  • Vroman's Bookstore presents journalist Sam Quinones discussing and signing his new photojournalism book, Our Lady of the Angels: The Virgin of Guadalupe on the Walls of Los Angeles, Vroman's Bookstore, 695 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, free, 7:00 pm (vromansbookstore.com/event/2026-08-31/sam-quinones)

< previous month  |  show all AUGUST  |  next month >

© 1972-2021 Poetry Flash. All rights reserved.  |