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6 JULY 2023 — thursday
- City Lights Books presents novelist Jane Smiley, A Thousand Acres, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, discussing her new book, The Questions that Matter Most: Reading, Writing, and the Exercise of Freedom, in conversation with Steve Wasserman, publisher of Heyday Books, Kerouac Alley, between Columbus and Grant Avenues, San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm PDT (More information here: citylights.com/events)
- The San Bernardino Public Library presents a free poetry workshop for poets thirteen years and older, led by Romaine Washington, author of Purgatory Has An Address, longlisted for the Perennial Chapbook Award, Feldheym Central Library, 555 West 6th Street, San Bernardino, free, 4:00 pm-5:30 pm PDT (More information here: www.sbpl.org)
7 JULY 2023 — friday
8 JULY 2023 — saturday
- Sandra Anfang, host of Rivertown Poets and author of Finishing School, Xylem Highway, reads from her poetry, hosted by Larry Robinson, online via Zoom, free, 10:00 am-10:30 am PDT (Zoom link here: us02web.zoom.us/j/83027617971?pwd=cmhDaEN3MUJCUjFDVzdwS1IxRVBFZz09)
- Medicine for Nightmares presents "Day Dreamers Poetry Showcase," from RichOak Events, the organizing body behind the Berkeley Slam and the Oakland Slam, featuring Hilary Cruz Meija, Juni Speaks, and Kelsey Daniels, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore & Gallery, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm PDT (More information here: medicinefornightmares.com/events)
- Saint Mary's College of California Creative Writing Program presents the "Odes to Our Undoing Reading Series," celebrating Odes to Our Undoing: Writers Reflecting on Crisis, an anthology conceived and edited by students in the MFA program during the height of the pandemic, readers to be announced, Zoom, free, 5:00 pm-6:30 pm PDT (More information here: tinyurl.com/SMCMFA-odes-to-our-undoing)
9 JULY 2023 — sunday
- Second Sunday Readings presents poets Janet Jennings, Ken Haas, Barb Reynolds, Siân Killingsworth, hosted by curator Siân Killingsworth, online via Zoom, registration is free and required for attendance, 3:00 pm PDT (More information here: secondsundayreadings.com)
10 JULY 2023 — monday
- City Lights Books presents educator Michael Iarocci, discussing his new book, The Art of Witnessing: Francisco de Goya's Disasters of War, a new look at the artist's print series and the complex moral and aesthetic values brought to each piece, in conversation with art historian Darcy Grimaldo Grigsby, online via Zoom, free, 6:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: citylights.com/events)
11 JULY 2023 — tuesday
- Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center presents a reading by Aideed Medina, 31 Hummingbird, and Ramón García, The Chronicles, hosted by Stella Beratlis, online via Zoom, free, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm PDT (RSVP here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYld-CrrzIiE9f-nC5FZF4UnTu3ZCbULvXC)
- Cobalt Poets presents an all-open reading with guest emcee Tara A. Elliott, poet and Executive Director of Eastern Shore Writers Association, online via Zoom, free, 7:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.poetrysuperhighway.com/cobalt/calendar.html)
12 JULY 2023 — wednesday
- Berkeley Poetry Festival presents a reading featuring Milvia Street Poets, with open mic, Berkeley City College Auditorium, lower level, 2050 Center Street, Berkeley, free, 6:30 pm-9:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/BerkeleyPoetryFestival)
13 JULY 2023 — thursday
- The San Francisco Public Library presents Poem Jam, a monthly reading hosted by Kim Shuck, San Francisco Poet Laureate emerita and author of What Unseen Thing Blows Wishes Across My Surface?, this month featuring the Pan Dulce poets and their new anthology, Después del Aguacero, Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room, Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm-7:15 pm PDT (More information here: sfpl.org/events/2023/07/13/kim-shucks-poem-jam-celebrates-pan-dulce-poets)
- Berkeley Poetry Festival presents "the hummingbird is chirping," a reading that celebrates queer poetics, featuring Baruch Porres Hernandez, Eden Julia Sugay, Soledad Con Carne, Roberto F. Santiago, and alexiz angel romero, curated by poet Lourdes Figueroa, Gilman Street Brewery, 920 Gilman Street, Berkeley, free, 7:30 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/BerkeleyPoetryFestival)
- City Lights Books presents poets Brandon Shimoda, Evening Oracle, winner of the William Carlos Williams Award, reading from his new collection, Hydra Medusa, and Emily Luan, reading from her new book, In / Return, both published by Nightboat Books, online via Zoom, free, 6:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: citylights.com/events)
14 JULY 2023 — friday
- Beyond Baroque celebrates the launch of new books from poets Arthur Kayzakian and Rooja Mohassessy, The Book of Redacted Paintings and When Your Sky Runs Into Mine, respectively, joined in a reading with poets Jose Hernandez Diaz, Bad Mexican, Bad American, and Emily Jon Tobias, Monarch, all reading from debut or forthcoming collections, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 8:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)
15 JULY 2023 — saturday
- Marin Poetry Center presents their Summer Traveling Show 2023, featuring poets Joan Baranow, Cathy Shea, Barbara Brauer, Kate Peper, Ann Robinson, Prartho Sereno, Elizabeth Valosek, hosted by David Booth, Fairfax Library, 2097 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax, free, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm PDT (More information here: marinpoetrycenter.org)
- Berkeley Poetry Festival presents a writing workshop led by poet MK Chavez, Dear Animal, Berkeley Public Library, South Branch, 1901 Russell Street, Berkeley, free, 11:30 am-1:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/BerkeleyPoetryFestival)
- Berkeley Poetry Festival presents "Body Language Poetry & Dance," a performance blending poetry and dance by the Sarah Bush Dance Project, featuring dancers Sarah Bush, Risa Ofelia Padilla, and Frances Sedayao, and poet J. Yuru Zhou, Berkeley Ballet Theater, 1370 Tenth Street, Berkeley, free, 5:00 pm-6:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/BerkeleyPoetryFestival)
- Medicine for Nightmares presents featured poet Estela Victoria-Cordero, reading from her latest collection, Huitzilopochtli, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore & Gallery, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 7:30-8:30 pm PDT (More information here: medicinefornightmares.com/events)
- Poetry in Chinatown, a reading series, presents poets Andre Wilson, Hauntings, winner of the 2022 Newfound Prose Prize, and EK Keith, Ordinary Villains, an open mic takes place before and after the featured poets, Clarion Performing Arts Center, 2 Waverly Place, San Francisco, free, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.theclarionsf.org/events/3rd-saturday-poetry-in-chinatown-6)
16 JULY 2023 — sunday
- Berkeley Poetry Festival present their Lifetime Achievement Award to Jewelle Gomez, poet, novelist, and playwright, author of the first Black lesbian vampire novel, The Gilda Stories; Jewelle Gomez will be joined in a reading by poets James Cagney, Martian: The Saint of Loneliness, winner of the 2021 James Laughlin Award, and Teya Scheffer, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, 2155 Center Street, Berkeley, free, 4:30-6:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/BerkeleyPoetryFestival)
- The San Francisco Art Book Fair presents "Transforming Ephemera Into Evidence," a conversation between poet Catalina Cariaga, Cultural Evidence, winner of a PEN Open Book Award, and historian Catherine Ceniza Choy, Asian American Histories of the United States; this event is in tandem with the multidisciplinary exhibition "Notes on Cultural Evidence," on view in the Slash Library through August 19, The Lounge, 1275 Minnesota Street, San Francisco, free, 2:00-3:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.slashart.org/transforming-ephemera-into-evidence)
- Bird & Beckett presents a reading in celebration of the 78th birthday of poet and memoirist Neeli Cherkovski, Leaning Against Time, winner of the PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Literary Award, joined in a reading by poets Art Beck, Scott Bird, and Jessica Loos, Bird & Beckett Books and Records, 653 Chenery Street, San Francisco, free, 2:00 pm PDT (More information here: birdbeckett.com)
- Poetry Flash presents a reading by Jennifer Franklin, If Some God Shakes our House, and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Diane Seuss, frank: sonnets, online, via Zoom, free, 3:00 pm PDT (Register here),
17 JULY 2023 — monday
- Odd Mondays Reading Series presents award-winning novelist Cara Black, author of the Aimée Leduc mystery series, and historical author Mary Jo McConahay, Playing God: American Catholic Bishops and The Far Right, both authors will read from their newest work and discuss historical research in pursuit of their writing, Bethany Methodist Church, 1270 Sanchez Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/OddMondays)
- "Indigenous Magic," a monthly arts series for and by Native folk, this month featuring San Francisco Poet Laureate emerita Kim Shuck, What Unseen Thing Blows Wishes Across My Surface?, Exile Heart, followed by an open mic, organized by Jerome Joseph Gentes, Magic Theatre Lobby, Landmark Building D, Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd., San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm PDT (More information here: magictheatre.org/calendar)
- Sacramento Poetry Center presents a featured reading by poet and fiction writer Kory Vance, reading from his debut collection Poems About Aliens, followed by an open mic and a book signing, Sacramento Poetry Center, 1719 25th Street, Sacramento, free, 7:30 pm PDT (More information here: www.sacpoetrycenter.org)
18 JULY 2023 — tuesday
19 JULY 2023 — wednesday
20 JULY 2023 — thursday
- Speaking Axolotl, a monthly Latinx/Chicanx reading series every third Thursday of the month, with featured reader Maurisa Thompson, followed by an open mic, ten-slots available, hosted by poet Josiah Luis Alderete, Baby Axolotls y Old Pochos, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, and online via Zoom, free, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm PDT (More information here: medicinefornightmares.com/events)
- Third Thursday Poetry and Jazz Reading Series presents Bart Schneider, poet, novelist, playwright, and author of numerous books including Blue Bossa, finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and Morning Opera, online via Zoom, free, 7:15 pm PDT (Zoom link here: us02web.zoom.us/j/85692398733?pwd=YzExNy9TQ01LT3hyVjhkVHl6bmxBQT09)
- Green Apple Books presents short story writer Jamil Jan Kochai, The Haunting of Hajji Hotak, winner of the 2023 Aspen Words Literary Prize and finalist for the National Book Award, and novelist Ingrid Rojas Contreras, The Man Who Could Move Clouds, finalist for the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, both celebrating the paperback release of their books, Green Apple Books on the Park, 1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.greenapplebooks.com/event/9th-ave-dorothy-tse-natascha-bruce)
- Beyond Baroque presents Skulls and Stairs, a new reading series featuring poets Ingrid M. Calderón-Collins, Zenith, Alan Sobrino with artist Steph Smith in a duo performance, and Tauri, chief editor of Acid Verse Literary Journal; Calderón-Collins's video poem An American Exorcism will be screened before and after the readings, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 7:30 pm-8:30 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)
21 JULY 2023 — friday
- Medicine for Nightmares presents spoken word artist and poet Aideed Medina, celebrating her new book, 31 Hummingbird, with a launch party featuring music, poetry, and food, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore & Gallery, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm PDT (More information here: medicinefornightmares.com/events)
- Beyond Baroque presents "Exiled Joy," a reading and conversation with authors Ghayath Almadhoun, Randa Jarrar, Love is an Ex-Country, and scholar Sarah Yanni; their conversation will explore how Arab diasporas experience joy in a world where their identity and culture is often antagonized and persecuted, from the perspective of writers living in exile due to political conflicts in the Middle East, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 7:30 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)
- CalPoets' 2023 Statewide Symposium kicks off with a dinner and creative writing workshop led by Cesar Avelar, Poet Laureate of Pomona and author of God of the Air Hose; come for a weekend of poetry readings and workshops, open to the public and aimed at literary teaching artists, both new and experienced, workshops will focus on the theme "The Poetics of Connection," and how poetry can bring communities together and encourage growth, overnight lodgings are available but limited, ticket prices vary $65-$395, depending on lodgings and meals, with special pricing for active poet-teachers, Cal Poly Pomona, 3801 W. Temple Avenue, Pomona, 2:00 pm-8:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.californiapoets.org/events/the-poetics-of-connection-calpoets-2023-statewide-symposium-with-lee-herrick)
22 JULY 2023 — saturday
- The San Francisco Public Library presents Eric C. Gray, job trainer for the Department of Labor, reading from his new book, Backyards to Ballparks: More Personal Stories from the Stands and Beyond, the second installment of stories collected from people's personal memories of afternoons at the ballpark, Bernal Heights Meeting Room, Bernal Heights, 500 Cortland Avenue, San Francisco, free, 3:00-4:00 pm PDT (More information here: sfpl.org/events/2023/07/22/presentation-personal-stories-baseball-stands-and-beyond)
- Fourth Saturdays presents a poetry reading Jerry Garcia, Trumpets in the Sky, and Lucia Galloway, Some Words for Meanwhile, Claremont Helen Renwick Library, 208 N. Harvard Ave, Claremont, free,, 2:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/fourthsaturdayspoetry)
- CalPoets' 2023 Statewide Symposium continues with a day of workshops and readings, featuring "Songs of the Self: Hip Hop in Social Emotional Learning," a workshop led by Stacie Aamon Yeldell, award-winning vocalist and music psychotherapist, breakout sessions led by CalPoets' Poet-Teachers Jessica Wilson, Johnnierenee Nelson, Diosa Xochiquetzalcóatl, and more, a creative writing workshop led by Lee Herrick, California Poet Laureate, author of Scar and Flower, and a poetry reading and book signing with Lee Herrick in the evening, followed by an open mic, overnight lodgings are available but limited, ticket prices vary $65-$395, depending on lodgings and meals, with special pricing for active poet-teachers, Cal Poly Pomona, 3801 W. Temple Avenue, Pomona, 2:00 pm-8:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.californiapoets.org/events/the-poetics-of-connection-calpoets-2023-statewide-symposium-with-lee-herrick)
- Marin Poetry Center presents their Summer Traveling Show 2023, featuring poets
- Sacramento Poetry Alliance presents a reading featuring D.R. Wagner, prolific author and visual artist, author of The Order of Events, and Dave Boles, publisher of Cold River Press and author of Visions of a Merciful Land, Sacramento Poetry Alliance, 1169 Perkins Way, Sacramento, free, 4:00 pm PDT
23 JULY 2023 — sunday
- Poets in the Park presents a reading with Kevin Dublin, Eulogy, Heather Saunders Estes, All in Measure, Robin Michel, Beneath a Strawberry Night Sky, and Angie Minkin, Balm for the Living, followed by an open mic, and magic performance by Magic Dan, books will be available for purchase and signing, the event includes poetry activities for kids of all ages, Tunnel Top Park, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, San Francisco, free, 1:00-3:00 pm PDT (More information here: tunneltoppark.org)
- City Lights Books celebrates its 70th anniversary with a poetry reading by some of the Bay Area's best poets, featuring Josiah Luis Alderete, James Cagney, Meilani Clay, soledad con carne, Donna de la Perrière, Forrest Gander, Tongo Eisen-Martin, Juba Kalamka, Joseph Lease, D.A. Powell, Jenny Qi, Dean Rader, Barbara Jane Reyes, Kim Shuck, Maw Shein Win, and Matthew Zapruder, musical accompaniment TBA, come celebrate the landmark bookstore and its history of poetry and publishing, Kerouac Alley, next to City Lights Books, between Grant and Columbus Avenues, San Francisco, free, 1:00 pm PDT (More information here: citylights.com/events)
- CalPoets' 2023 Statewide Symposium concludes with breakout sessions led by CalPoets' Poet Teachers Dawn Trook and more TBA; come for a weekend of poetry readings and workshops, open to the public and aimed at literary teaching artists, new and experienced, workshops will focus on the theme "The Poetics of Connection," and how poetry can bring communities together and encourage growth, overnight lodgings are available but limited, ticket prices vary $65-$395, depending on lodgings and meals, with special pricing for active poet-teachers, Cal Poly Pomona, 3801 W. Temple Avenue, Pomona, 2:00 pm-8:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.californiapoets.org/events/the-poetics-of-connection-calpoets-2023-statewide-symposium-with-lee-herrick)
- Clarion Performing Arts Center presents an open mic music and talent showcase, bring songs or poems to share and enjoy the talents of the other participants, Clarion Performing Arts Center, 2 Waverly Place, San Francisco, pay what you can, 4:00-6:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.theclarionsf.org/events/open-mic-music-talent-showcase-13)
24 JULY 2023 — monday
- Blue Light at the Gallery presents a reading with poets from the Blue Light Press Summer Workshop, featuring Jennifer Hawthorne, Anna Kodama, Grace Ocasio, Lisha Adela Garcia, Jean Hackett, Kay Barnes, Nancy Lee Melmon, Pat Barone, Jennifer Lagier, Claudia Reder, Mary Kay Rummel, MJ Moore, Melissa Hobbs, Robin Gabbert, Mylo Schaaf, and Diane Frank, online via Zoom, free, 6:00 pm PDT (RSVP to bluelightpress@aol.com to receive the Zoom link)
25 JULY 2023 — tuesday
- Cobalt Poets presents a poetry reading by featured poet Catherine Daly, DaDaDa, Vauxhall, followed by an open mic, online via Zoom, free, 7:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.poetrysuperhighway.com/cobalt/calendar.html)
- Poetic License Sonoma, a quarterly reading, features Gwynn O'Gara, We Who Dream, with poets Steve Trenam, Judith Vaughn, Joseph Cutler, Kusum Jain, Susanne Arrhenius, and Leo McCloskey, and guest student poets from SRJC, this reading's topic is Science, Q&A; online via Zoom, $10 suggested donation, no one turned away for lack of funds, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.sebarts.org/classeslectures/p/poetic-license-sonoma-gwynn-ogara-science)
- Poetic Tuesdays with MoAD presents a reading by poet and spoken word artist Dazié Rustin Grego-Sykes, Black Faggotry, poet Christell Victoria Roach, Bluesing, performing artist Tossie Long, poet Jessica Ke'mani, Power of Our Wombs, and interdisciplinary artist Troy Rockett, Jessie Square, Yerba Buena Gardens, 760 Mission Street, San Francisco, free, 12:30 pm-1:30 pm PDT (More information here: ybgfestival.org/event/poetic-tuesdays-moad-072523)
26 JULY 2023 — wednesday
- Left Margin LIT presents novelist Hannah Mitchell, The Defections, discussing her new book, Excavations, in conversation with David Roderick, co-founder of Left Margin LIT, the book will be available for purchase at the event, Berkeley Public Library, North Branch, 1170 The Alameda, Berkeley, free, 6:30 pm-7:30 pm PDT (More information here: www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/events/author-talk-hannah-michell-north)
27 JULY 2023 — thursday
- Beyond Baroque presents poet, screenwriter, and translator Kenneth Reveiz, celebrating their debut collection, MOPES: A Book of Poems in Three Acts, winner of the Fence Modern Poets Series Prize, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 8:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)
28 JULY 2023 — friday
29 JULY 2023 — saturday
- Second Sundays presents a special reading, "Pride & Joy,' to finish out Pride Month, featuring queer poets griffin epstein, Nicole Tallman, Lannie Stabile, Andrea Deeken, Ben Kline, and Dior J. Stephens; come hear poetry that celebrates queer joy, online via Zoom, free, 5:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: secondsundayreadings.com)
- Marin Poetry Center presents their Summer Traveling Show 2023, featuring poets Carol Sheldon, Morgan Reed, Barry Peterson, Ella Eytan, Angelika Quirk, Simona Carini, hosted by Sandra Cross, Mill Valley Public Library, 375 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley, free, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm PDT (More information here: marinpoetrycenter.org)
- Beyond Baroque presents poet and visual artist Mahtem Shiferraw, Fuchsia, winner of the Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets, reading from her newest book, Nomenclatures of Invisibility, joined by poet Jessica Abughattas, Strip, winner of the 2020 Etel Adnan Poetry Prize, book signings will follow the reading, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 7:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)
30 JULY 2023 — sunday
- Fabulosa Books presents "Queer Poetry Night," featuring Daniel WK Lee, Anatomy of Want, Octavio R. González, Limerence, and Yume Kim, Reserve the Right, Fabulosa Books, 489 Castro Street, San Francisco, free, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.eventbrite.com/e/queer-poetry-daniel-wk-lee-octavio-r-gonzalez-and-yume-kim-tickets-668375297507?aff=oddtdtcreator)
- Poetry of the Sierra Foothills presents poet Chris (J.C.) Olander, Twilight Roses, and Beverly Parayno, Wildflowers, stories, open mic follows, at a boutique winery, Chateau Davell, 3020 Vista Tierra Drive, right off Highway 50, four miles from Placerville, in Camino, free, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm PDT
31 JULY 2023 — monday
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