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9 SEPTEMBER 2023 — saturday
- Sacramento Poetry Alliance presents a poetry reading by Mary Mackey, Creativity: Where Poems Begin and The Jaguars That Prowl Our Dreams: New and Selected Poems 1974 to 2018, with John Paul McKinney, Miramont Park and Other Poems, Sacramento Poetry Alliance, 1169 Perkins Way, Sacramento, free, 4:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/sacramentopoetryalliance/)
- The San Jose Poetry Festival continues with the workshop "Palabras & Poetry: Principles of Liberation," with Elizabeth Jiménez Montelongo, a reading with Black Poets Laureate E. Stanley Richardson, Henry L. Jones, Dasha Kelly, Dasan Ahanu, and Rhea Carmon, the Yuki Teikei Haiku Society with Roger Abe, Linda Papanicolaou, and Carol Steele, a writing workshop led by Derrick Brown, Los Lorcas: Poetry and Music with poets Partridge Boswell and Peter Money, and guitarist Nat Williams, and introducing the newly appointed Santa Clara County Youth Poet Laureate, Vice Poets Laureate, and Youth Finalists, hosted by Tshaka Campbell, various locations, admission prices range from free to $70, with discounted rates for members of Poetry Center San Jose, 10:00 am-7:00 pm PDT (Purchase tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/cc/2023-san-jose-poetry-festival-2550159)
- Beyond Baroque celebrates its redesigned and replanted Poets' Garden, a new space that will host outdoor workshops, readings, performances, and quiet reflections, wheelchair accessible; this event will feature readings, music, and refreshments, as well as a major announcement in honor of Linda J. Albertano (1942-2022), Los Angeles-based poet and performance artist, who was a regular contributor to the annual dada journal Maintenant, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 7:00-9:30 pm PDT (Purchase tickets here: www.beyondbaroque.org)
- San Diego Writers, Ink, presents "Intro to Poetry Writing," led by Ron Salisbury, inaugural Poet Laureate of San Diego and author of Miss Desert Inn, winner of the 2015 Main Street Rag Poetry Prize; this workshop focuses on the basic building blocks of poetry and forming a regular writing habit through the use of prompts, online, runs five-sessions, September 9-October 7, $270 for members, $315 for nonmembers, 1:00-4:00 pm PDT (Enroll here: writeyourstorynow.org/certificates-wrkshps/2023-09-09-poetry-i-saturdays-with-ron-salisbury)
10 SEPTEMBER 2023 — sunday
- Nevada City Odd Fellows presents a reading with featured poets Tim Kahl, Omnishambles, Gene Berson, Raveling Travel, and Iven Lourie, Return to Mykonos, Seven Stars Gallery, 212 Spring Street, Nevada City, $10 suggested donation, 3:00-5:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.nevadacityoddfellows.com)
- The San Jose Poetry Festival concludes with the final day of events, featuring the Small Press Fair and reading, a writing workshop led by poet Yesika Salgado, Corazón, and finally the San Jose Poetry Slam with Yesika Salgado, various locations, admission prices range from free to $70, with discounted rates for members of Poetry Center San Jose, 10:30 am-7:00 pm PDT (Purchase tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/cc/2023-san-jose-poetry-festival-2550159)
11 SEPTEMBER 2023 — monday
- Odd Mondays presents Words Spoken & Sung, a combination performance of poetry and music, featuring poet and monologist Clyde Always, guitarist Gil Guillermo, singer Allie Halla, and spoken word artists Spoken Duet, aka Susan Dambroff and Chris Kammler, Bethany Methodist Church, 1270 Sanchez Street, San Francisco, free, donations for the performers will be requested after the show, 7:00-8:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/OddMondays)
12 SEPTEMBER 2023 — tuesday
- Coastside Poetry presents a reading by Jeff Kingman, Beyond That Hill I Gather, followed by an open mic reading, three-minutes per reader, up to twenty readers, please RSVP by Friday, September 8, if you would like to attend, online via Zoom, free, 6:00-8:00 pm PDT (RSVP to dianeleemoomey@coastsidepoetry.org. More information here: coastsidepoetry.org)
- Cobalt Poets presents a reading by featured poet Hollie Hardy, How to Take a Bullet, and Other Survival Poems, followed by an open mic, online via Zoom, free, 7:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.poetrysuperhighway.com/cobalt/calendar.html)
- Booksmith presents fiction writer Megan Kamalei Kakimoto, celebrating her debut short story collection, Every Drop Is a Man's Nightmare, free, Booksmith, 1727 Haight Street, San Francisco, 7:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.booksmith.com/event)
- City Lights Books presents novelists Lydia Kiesling, The Golden State, finalist for the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award and longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, and Edan Lepucki, Woman No. 17, both reading from their new books, Mobility and Time's Mouth, respectively, the Poetry Room at City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm PDT (More information here: citylights.com/events)
13 SEPTEMBER 2023 — wednesday
- Marin Poetry Center celebrates the launch of the anthology Beat Not Beat, featuring readings by former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Hass, Time and Materials, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, San Francisco Poet Laureate emerita Kim Shuck, What Unseen Thing Blows Wishes Across My Surface?, Alameda Poet Laureate Kimi Sugioka, Judith Ayn Bernard, MK Chavez, Dear Animal, Kelly Grace Thomas, Boat Burned, and Rich Ferguson, Everything is Radiant Between the Hates, a book signing will follow the readings, outdoor amphitheater behind the Mill Valley Public Library, 375 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley, free, reception 6:30 pm, readings begin 6:45 pm PDT (Register to attend: marinpoetrycenter.org/events)
- The Booksmith presents an off-site reading by award-winning poet Jane Hirshfield, The Beauty, longlisted for the National Book Award, reading from her new collection, The Asking: New and Selected Poems, co-presented with Berkeley Arts & Letters, Urban School, 1563 Page Street, San Francisco, $40, ticket includes a signed copy of the book, 7:00 pm PDT (Purchase tickets here: www.booksmith.com/event)
- Mechanics' Institute presents "What the Body Holds: Its Shame and Its Pleasure," a reading and discussion with memoirist Isidra Mencos, Promenade of Desire: A Barcelona Memoir, and fiction writer Leslie Kirk Campbell, The Man with Eight Pairs of Legs, winner of the 2020 Mary McCarthy Prize for Short Fiction; their conversation will focus on what drew them to write books on the female body and explore how societal expectations and repression affect women's attitudes toward their bodies, followed by audience Q&A, reception and book signing, Mechanics' Institute, 57 Post Street, San Francisco, $5-$10 public sliding scale, members free, 6:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.milibrary.org/events/events-activities)
- City Lights Books presents novelist Ebru Ojen, Let the Carnivores Kill Each Other, discussing her new book, Lojman, a powerful domestic tale of a Kurdish family living in a small village in the Van province of Turkey, in conversation with Aron Aji and Selin Gökcesu, co-translators of the book, online via Zoom, free, 11:00 am PDT (Register to attend: citylights.com/events)
14 SEPTEMBER 2023 — thursday
- Beyond Baroque presents a reading with fellows of the Los Angeles Institute for the Humanities, featuring Amy Gerstler, Index of Women, Shook, Atlas estelar, Danzy Senna, Caucasia, winner of the Stephen Crane Award for Best New Fiction, Janice Rhoshalle Littlejohn, Those People: A Love Story, Liz Brown, Twilight Man: Love and Ruin in the Shadows of Hollywood and the Clark Empire, and Sarah Shun-lien Bynum, Madeleine Is Sleeping, finalist for the National Book Award, with a special musical performance by Mark "Frosty" McNeill, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free for members, $10 general admission, 7:00-9:30 pm PDT (Purchase tickets here: www.beyondbaroque.org)
- The Booksmith presents novelist and critic Sean Michaels, Us Conductors, winner of the Scotiabank Giller Prize, reading from his new book, Do You Remember Being Born?, Booksmith, 1727 Haight Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.booksmith.com/event)
15 SEPTEMBER 2023 — friday
- Copperfield's Books presents award-winning poet and essayist Jane Hirshfield, The Beauty, longlisted for the National Book Award, reading from and discussing her latest book, The Asking: New and Selected Poems, followed by Q&A and book signing, Copperfield's Books, 140 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, free, 7:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.copperfieldsbooks.com/event/jane-hirshfield-1)
16 SEPTEMBER 2023 — saturday
- Marin Poetry Center presents Margaret Stawowy, Storms of the Inland Sea: Poems of Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiving, celebrating the launch of her new collection, Walking Backward, co-presented by Kelsay Books, Sausalito Books by the Bay, 100 Bay Street, Sausalito, free, 4:00 pm PDT (More information here: marinpoetrycenter.org/events)
- Come celebrate the launch of Walking Backward, the latest book by poet Margaret Stawowy, co-hosted by Kelsay Books, publisher of the collection, refreshments will be provided, Sausalito Books by the Bay, 100 Bay Street, Sausalito, free, 4:00 pm PDT (More information here: marinpoetrycenter.org/events)
- Beyond Baroque presents a celebration and tribute to acclaimed Los Angeles actor and poet Harry Northup, author of numerous collections including Enough the Great Running Chapel and most recently Love Poem to MPTF, featuring poets and guest speakers Courteney Bailey, Bob Beitcher, Laurel Ann Bogen, Jeanette Clough, Jennifer Clymer, Corinne Conley, James Cushing, Michael C Ford, Amelie Frank, Amy Gerstler, David Lloyd Glover, Steve Goldman, Celeste Goyer, S.A. Griffin, Susan Hayden, Harvey Kubernik, Phoebe MacAdams, Sarah Maclay, Holaday Mason, Richard Modiano, Bill Mohr, Quentin Ring, Beth Ruscio, Aram Saroyan, Jack Skelley, George Drury Smith, Mike Sonksen, Pam Ward, and Gail Wronsky, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 2:00-5:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)
17 SEPTEMBER 2023 — sunday
- The Desert Split Open Mic returns after summer break and invites you to celebrate feminist, queer, or otherwise radical poetry and prose, bring something to read or come to listen, up to six-minutes per reader, Beatnik Lounge, 61597 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, free, 6:00-8:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/desertsplitopen)
- San Diego Writers, Ink, presents "Mary/Jane/Edna: Poets Who Write How This Life Matters," led by Jim Moreno, Dancing in Dissent: Poetry for Activism, this workshop will explore the works of poets Jane Hirshfield, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and Mary Oliver, online, $54 for members, $63 for nonmembers, 1:00-4:00 pm PDT (Enroll here: writeyourstorynow.org/classes-workshops/2023-09-17-poets-who-write-how-this-life-matters-with-jim-moreno)
- The Petaluma Poetry Walk, a day of poetry readings: 11:00 am event features poets Kary Hess, 1912: Poems of Time, Place & Memory, Matthew M. Monte, All Tomorrow's Train Rides, and Joseph Zaccardi, Songbirds of the Nine Rivers, hosted by poet Terry Ehret, Suspensions, Hotel Petaluma, 205 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, free, 11:00 am PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/thepetalumapoetrywalk)
18 SEPTEMBER 2023 — monday
19 SEPTEMBER 2023 — tuesday
- North Bay Poetics presents "Live From Rivertown," a reading featuring poets Sandra Anfang, Finishing School, Shawna Swetech, and Jodi Hottel, Heart Mountain, winner of the 2012 Blue Light Press Poetry Prize, followed by a short writing exercise and optional read-around, online, free, 3:00-4:30 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.eventbrite.com/e/live-from-rivertown-tickets-700076566857?aff=oddtdtcreator)
- Point Reyes Books presents writer and painter Hannah Stowe, discussing her debut memoir, Move Like Water: My Story of the Sea, in conversation with environmental historian Bathsheba Demuth, online via Zoom, free, 2:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.ptreyesbooks.com/event/hannah-stowe-bathsheba-demuth)
- Cobalt Poets presents a reading by featured poet Tano Rubio, followed by an open mic, online via Zoom, free, 7:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.poetrysuperhighway.com/cobalt/calendar.html)
20 SEPTEMBER 2023 — wednesday
- City Lights Books presents writer and artist Myriam Gurba, Mean, New York Times Editors' Choice, reading and discussing her new book, Creep: Accusations and Confessions, a witty and ruthless collection of essays that examine how oppression is enacted and maintained in society, Poetry Room, upstairs at City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: citylights.com/events)
- Green Apple Books presents poet Barbara Tomash, PRE-, reading from her latest collection, Her Scant State, in conversation with poet Elizabeth Robinson, Excursive, 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-barbara-tomash-elizabeth-robinson)
21 SEPTEMBER 2023 — thursday
- City Lights Books celebrates the publication of Women Who Change the World: Stories from the Fight for Social Justice, a collection of oral histories of women who fight for social change at community, state, and national levels, featuring Lynn Lewis, editor of the book, joined by contributors and activists Hilary Moore, Roz Pelles, and Malkia Devich-Cyril, online via Zoom, free, 6:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: citylights.com/events)
- Poetry Night Reading Series presents Sacramento Poet Laureate emeritus Indigo Moor, Through the Stonecutter's Window, winner of the Cave Canem Northwestern University Press Poetry Prize, and Everybody's Jonesin' for Something, honorable mention for the 2020 Backwater Poetry Prize, joined by virtuoso jazz musician Tony Passarell, hosted by Davis Poet Laureate Dr. Andy Jones, John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 1st Street, Davis, free, 7:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.natsoulas.com/poetry-night)
- Sixteen Rivers Press presents a reading with featured poets Joan Baranow, Reading Szymborska in a Time of Plague, winner of the 2021 Brick Road Press Poetry Book Contest, Matthew M. Monte, All Tomorrow's Train Rides, and Joseph Zaccardi, former Poet Laureate of Marin County and author of The Weight of Bodily Touches, Rebound Books, 1611 Fourth Street, San Rafael, free, 6:00 pm PDT
22 SEPTEMBER 2023 — friday
- Beyond Baroque presents poet Teresa Mei Chuc, celebrating the launch of her new book, Incidental Takes, joined in a reading by authors Tanya Ko Hong, The War Still Within, Angelina Sáenz, Edgecliff, Lisbeth Coiman, Uprising / Alzamiento, and traci kato-kiriyama, Navigating With(out) Intruments, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 7:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)
23 SEPTEMBER 2023 — saturday
- The Poetry Center presents a reading in honor of the 100th birthday of Mitsuye Yamada, poet, feminist, and human rights activist, author of Camp Notes and Other Poems and Full Circle: New and Selected Poems, featuring poets Marilyn Chin, Chrystos, doris diosa davenport, W. Todd Kaneko, traci kato-kiriyama, Shirley Geok-Lin Lim, Mia Ayumi Malhotra, Cherríe Moraga, and Nellie Wong, hosted by Brynn Saito and Brandon Shimoda, online, free, 2:00-3:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: poetry.sfsu.edu/event/mitsuye-yamadas-100th-birthday-poets-reading-and-tribute-hosted-brynn-saito-brandon-shimoda)
- Point Reyes Books presents poet and essayist Jane Hirshfield, The Beauty, longlisted for the National Book Award, reading from her new collection, The Asking: New and Selected Poems, copies of the book will be available for purchase, Point Reyes Presbyterian Church, 11445 CA-1, Point Reyes Station, $10, 3:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.ptreyesbooks.com/event/jane-hirshfield)
- Arts of Point Richmond, with the Marin Poetry Center, present Lily Iona MacKenzie, reading from her two new books, Dreaming Myself into Old Age: One Woman's Search for Meaning, a hybrid memoir, and California Dreaming, a collection of poems, in conversation with Christine Cote, editor and publisher of Shanti Arts Press, online via Zoom, free, Noon-1:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.artsofpointrichmond.com/events/book-launch-for-two-books-by-lily-iona-mackenzie)
- Beyond Baroque presents "Beyond Barock: A Day of Latinx Punk, Social Justice, and Literature," featuring Juanita Mantz, Portrait of a Deputy Public Defender, Richard T. Rodriguez, A Kiss Across the Ocean: Transatlantic Intimacies of British Post-Punk and U.S. Latinidad, Michelle Cruz Gonzales, The Spitboy Rule: Tales of a Xicana in a Female Punk, and Margaret Elysia Garcia, the daughterland poems, with a musical performance by punk band Bad Boys Dance Party, free, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, event starts at Noon PDT, the open mic reading is at 2:00 pm (Register to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)
- Fourth Saturdays presents a reading with featured poets Angela Peñaredondo, All Things Lose Thousands of Times, winner of the Hillary Gravendyk Regional Book Prize, and Nancy Murphy, The Space Carved by the Sharpness of Your Absence, books will be available for purchase at the event, free, Claremont Library, 208 N. Harvard Ave, Claremont, 2:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/fourthsaturdayspoetry)
- Marin Poetry Center presents Prartho Sereno, former Poet Laureate of Marin County and author of Indian Rope Trick, winner of the 2018 Blue Light Book Award, reading from her new collection, Starfall in the Temple, with musical accompaniment, refreshments will be served at the event, free, Redwoods Presbyterian Church, 110 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur, 2:30-4:00 pm PDT
24 SEPTEMBER 2023 — sunday
- Occidental Center for the Arts celebrates a double book launch with two Petaluma writers, poet Sandra Anfang, Finishing School, and novelist Frances Rivetti, The House of Liberty Street, followed by Q&A, books will be available for sale and signing, Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental, free, donations welcome, 3:00-4:30 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/RivertownPoetsAMuseingMondays)
- Poetry Flash Reading Series presents their festive season opening, a book launch for poet and writer Judy Bebelaar, Sky Holding Fall, reading with poet Jeanne Wagner, Everything Turns Into Something Else, followed by refreshments and music, The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar Street, Berkeley, free, 3:00 pm PDT (poetryflash.org).
- Village Poets presents a reading with Marlene Hitt, first Poet Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga and author of the recently published book Yellow Tree Alone, and RG Cantalupo, Involving Residence, followed by an open mic, Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Avenue, Tujunga, free, donations requested, 4:30 pm PDT (More information here: villagepoets.blogspot.com)
25 SEPTEMBER 2023 — monday
26 SEPTEMBER 2023 — tuesday
- Cobalt Poets presents a reading by featured poet Vayl Luella Larkin, followed by an open mic, online via Zoom, free, 7:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.poetrysuperhighway.com/cobalt/calendar.html)
- The Booksmith presents novelist Adam Mansbach, Go the Fuck to Sleep, celebrating the launch of his new book, The Golem of Brooklyn, in conversation with comedian and director W. Kamau Bell, Do the Work!, First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway, Oakland, $10 general admission, $25 ticket includes a signed copy of the book, 7:00 pm PDT (Purchase tickets here: (www.booksmith.com/event)
27 SEPTEMBER 2023 — wednesday
- Left Margin Lit presents a poetry workshop led by David Roderick, co-director of Left Margin Lit and author of Blue Colonial; the workshop will focus on short poems that make use of painterly images and surprising transitions and juxtapositions, all levels of experience welcome, runs four-weeks, September 27-October 18, Berkeley Public Library, North Branch, 1170 The Alameda, Berkeley, free, 6:00-7:30 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/events/poetry-writing-workshop-left-margin-lit-north)
28 SEPTEMBER 2023 — thursday
- The Arts Research Center presents "Latinx Poetry Now," a reading and conversation with J. Michael Martinez, Heredities, winner of the Walt Whitman Award from the Academy of American Poets, and aracelis girmay, The Black Maria, moderated by John Alba Cutler, Maude Fife Room, 315 Wheeler Hall, Berkeley, free, 11:00 am-12:30 pm PDT (More information here: events.berkeley.edu/arc/event/204186-latinx-poetry-now-a-reading-and-conversation-with)
- Bird & Beckett presents a reading featuring poet Martin Nakell, Consciousness, fiction writer Rebecca Goodman, Forgotten Night, and poet Evan Burkin, Bird & Beckett Books and Records, 653 Chenery Street, San Francisco, free, 7:30-9:30 pm PDT (More information here: birdbeckett.com)
- Writers Read Ukiah presents poet Robin Gabbert, Diary of a Mad Poet, who will give a lecture on ekphrastic poetry and read from her new book, The Clandestine Life of Paintings in Poem, Grace Hudson Museum, 431 South Main Street, Ukiah, $5 suggested donation, 7:00 pm PDT
29 SEPTEMBER 2023 — friday
- Small Press Traffic presents a poetry reading with Gia Gonzales, Render Sleaze, Muriel Leung, Imagine Us, The Swarm, and Jocelyn Saidenberg, If an Elsewhere, Et al. etc., 2831A Mission Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.smallpresstraffic.org)
30 SEPTEMBER 2023 — saturday
- The Dancing Poetry Festival presents a memorial concert in honor of poet Richard Angilly, co-founder of the Poetic Dance Theater Company and who served as president of the Ina Coolbrith Circle for thirty years; the performance celebrates Angilly's life as well as the arts of poetry and dance together, Social Hall of Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Road, Kensington, free, 1:00-4:00 pm PDT (Email: naticaaei@aol.com to RSVP)
- 42nd Annual Northern California Book Awards, honoring the published works and authors of Northern California, as well as California translators state-wide, presenting the FRED CODY AWARD, RECOGNITION and GROUNDBREAKER AWARDS, and awards in FICTION, POETRY, CREATIVE NONFICTION, GENERAL NONFICTION, CALIFORNIA TRANSLATION IN POETRY, CALIFORNIA TRANSLATION IN PROSE, CHILDREN'S LITERATURE, YOUNGER READERS, MIDDLE GRADE, YOUNG ADULT, bookselling follows, selected by Northern California Book Reviewers and sponsored by Poetry Flash, Koret Auditorium, San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, free, 2:00 pm PDT (Check back for updates, poetryflash.org/programs/?p=ncba_2023 or https://sfpl.org/events)
- Sacramento Poetry Alliance presents a poetry reading by Camille Norton, Corruption, and Stella Beratlis, Dust Bowl Venus, Sacramento Poetry Alliance, 1169 Perkins Way, Sacramento, free, 4:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/sacramentopoetryalliance)
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