Poetry Flash > calendar > devorah major and James Cagney

Daily Listings

devorah major and James Cagney

9 AUGUST 2020 — sunday

Poetry Flash presents a virtual poetry reading by devorah major, Califia's Daughter, and James Cagney, Black Steel Magnolias in the Hour of Chaos Theory, online via Zoom, free, 3:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: please click here; you will receive an email with a link and information on how to join the reading)

MORE ABOUT THE READERS
Please join us for the Poetry Flash's first virtual reading on Sunday, August 9 at 3:00 pm PDT! We are excited to bring you devorah major and James Cagney via Zoom. To register for this reading, please click here. After you register, you will receive an email with a link and information on how to join the reading. We hope this virtual reading will be the first of many more to come. Thank you for continuing to support Poetry Flash and our reading series during these unprecedented times.
devorah major's new poetry collection is Califia's Daughter; her previous books include and then we became, Where River Meets Ocean, and The Other Side of the Postcard. Juan Felipe Herrera, US Poet Laureate 2015-17, says, "All the dimensions of devorah major's life and (yours) are here —from the 'beginning before the beginning,' galactic particles to the bebopness of our lives. She speaks of being, of becoming, of totality. Is it a journal, an investigation, the life philosophy of a great poet woman? …In this work, devorah charts the infinite music inside of us all." San Francisco's third Poet Laureate, devorah major is a writer, editor, writing coach, spoken word performer, recording artist, and poetry professor. Poet-in-Residence at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, she has toured in Italy, Bosnia, Jamaica, Venezuela, Belgium, England, Wales, and throughout the United States, performing her poetry and speaking on African-American poetry, Beat Poetry, and poetry of resistance. In 2015, her play Classic Black: Voices of 19th Century African-Americans premiered in San Francisco.
James Cagney's recent book is Black Steel Magnolias in the Hour of Chaos Theory. Sam Sax wrote, "I remember first hearing James Cagney read poems in a packed backroom in Oakland and being entirely shook by what this man can do with language. Black Steel Magnolias in the Hour of Chaos Theory makes good on that promise of strangeness, urgency, lyric prowess, and invention. Toggling between loss, therapy, the pastoral, illness, the humorously personable, and the darkly familial—at every turn this book surprises, aches, and delights. 'what flower / cuts thru the bullshit / between people'—do yourself a favor and read it thrice." Cagney's poems "interrogate identity, family, loneliness, and the expectations of masculinity. Using dreams, blues, and a chorus of voices, this collection of poems examines the complexities of intimacy for an adopted person trying to find balance between two families—one rattled by age and illness; the other, holding space for a son that doesn't exist." A Cave Canem fellow, he studied writing and poetry independently, via the public library, workshops, and the open mic scene in the Bay Area.

Daily Listings

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8 APRIL 2026 — wednesday

Altadena Library hosts "Saved by a Story: Altadena Wildfire Survivor Writing Group," a prompt-driven community writing group for survivors of the Altadena wildfire, bring a notebook and a pen, arrive five or ten minutes early, Altadena Community Center, Community Room, 730 East Altadena Drive, Altadena, free, 2:00 pm (altadenalibrary.libnet.info/event/16065520)
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The Poetry Center presents a poetry reading by Tyehimba Jess, 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winner in poetry, and Tongo Eisen-Martin, San Francisco Poet Laureate 2021-2024, co-sponsored by the Undisciplining the Fields Series (San Francisco State University Creative Writing), Small Press Traffic, and Black [Space] Residency, takes place at the Minnesota Street Project, 1275 Minnesota Street, Minnesota Street Project Atrium, San Francisco, free, reception from 6:00 pm-6:30 pm, readings and Q&A 6:30 pm-8:00 pm (www.smallpresstraffic.org/event/tyehimba-jess-tongo-eisen-martin)
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The Poets Collective, in partnership with the Temecula Valley Writers & Illustrators, hosts a monthly Poets Meet-Up at the Temecula Entrepreneurial Resource Center, 43200 Business Park Drive, Second Floor, Temecula, free, 6:30 pm (www.facebook.com/tvwicreatives/posts/what-better-way-to-celebrate-national-poetry-month-this-april-than-with-our-next/122222570768281480)
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9 APRIL 2026 — thursday

Chaucer's Books presents a poetry reading featuring Stephanie Barbé Hammer, Rich Ferguson, Kathleen Florence, and Melinda Palacio, Chaucer's Books, 3321 State Street, Santa Barbara, free, 6:00 pm (chaucersbooks.com/event/2026-04-09/poetry-month-celebration-featuring-stephanie-barbe-hammer-rich-ferguson-kathleen)
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Bird & Beckett presents a poetry reading by Jerry Martien, Hilton Obenzinger and Steve Vincent, Bird & Beckett Books and Records, 653 Chenery Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 pm (birdbeckett.com/events)
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City Lights, Freedom of the Press Foundation, and Beacon Press present Rainey Reitman to celebrate the publication of Transaction Denied: Big Finance's Power to Punish Speech, in-store and on Zoom, free, registration required for the Zoom, 7:00 pm PDT (www.eventbrite.com/e/rainey-reitman-tickets-1979938380996?aff=oddtdtcreator, and citylights.com)
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San Francisco Poet Laureate emerita Kim Shuck presents Robert Pesich and special guests to present at Poem Jam, San Francisco Public Library's monthly poetry reading; Poem Jam poetry reading series takes place on the second Thursday of each month at the Main Library, unless otherwise noted, San Francisco Public Library, Latino/Hispanic Room, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm (sfpl.org/events/2026/04/09/performance-kim-shucks-poem-jam)
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Beyond Baroque presents a poetry reading with Tim Seibles, Poet Laureate of Virginia 2016-2018, With No Hat, and Suzanne Lummis, reading from her new book, Crime Wave, livestreamed on YouTube and in-person, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, registration required for in-person attendance, free, doors open at 7:00 pm, reading 7:30 pm (Registration for in-person attendance required: www.eventbrite.com/e/a-poetry-reading-with-tim-seibles-suzanne-lummis-tickets-1985876764862?aff=ebdsoporgprofile#location; Livestreamed on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/BeyondBaroque/videos)
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10 APRIL 2026 — friday

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11 APRIL 2026 — saturday

Celebrate National Poetry Month with Jay Baldwin, Santa Monica's new Poet Laureate, by crafting a community poem with a special reception to mark the beginning of their two-year term, Santa Monica Library, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica, free, 11:00 am (www.santamonica.gov/events/4tred3rxgdxy9s889797ba745v/202604111100
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Beyond Baroque presents artist, poet, and freelance writer Judy Kleinberg to lead "Accident and Intention: found words/fresh poems," a workshop focused on found poetry techniques, in-person, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, $90, 11:00 am (Register in advance: www.eventbrite.com/e/accident-and-intention-found-words-fresh-poems-tickets-1985846609667)
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Beyond Baroque presents a reading and reception featuring Nikki Ochoa, 2026 fellow winner and more TBA; in celebration of the third annual Linda J. Albertano Poetry Fellowship in honor of poet and performance artist, Linda J. Albertano; livestreamed on YouTube and in-person, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles, registration required for in-person attendance, free, 2:00 pm (Registration required for in-person attendance: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-2026-linda-j-albertano-poetry-fellowship-reading-celebration-tickets-1986038967013?aff=ebdsoporgprofile; Livestreamed on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/BeyondBaroque/videos)
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12 APRIL 2026 — sunday

Poetry Flash presents a poetry reading by Jesse Nathan, Eggtooth, and Diana Arterian, Agrippina the Younger: Poems, Art House Gallery & Cultural Center, 2905 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, two blocks north of Ashby BART, refreshments, free, 3:00 pm (poetryflash.org).
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Bird & Beckett celebrates the release of Salvadoran poet and children's author Jorge Argueta's new children's picture book, Tay Naja Nitajtaketzki Achtu Tik Nawat/My First Words in Nahuat, Bird & Beckett Books and Records, 653 Chenery Street, San Francisco, free, 3:00 pm (birdbeckett.com/events)
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13 APRIL 2026 — monday

The Altadena Library and Callisto Tea House co-present an open mic night, all ages and genres welcome, Callisto Tea House, 1359 N Altadena Drive, Pasadena, free, 6:00 pm (altadenalibrary.libnet.info/event/16032317)
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14 APRIL 2026 — tuesday

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15 APRIL 2026 — wednesday

The Hugh C. Hyde Living Writers' Series at SDSU presents poet and translator Piotr Florczyk in a reading of recent work, in-person at San Diego State University Library, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, in the Leon Williams Room, LL430, Love Library, Fourth Floor, free, 7:00 pm (library.sdsu.edu/events#event-details/39de4769-1762-4f55-88e2-29c0fc4bb18a)
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16 APRIL 2026 — thursday

The Altadena Library hosts their first ever Adult Literacy Book Club, a limited supply of books will be available on a first-come, first serve basis, Bob Lucas Memorial Library and Literacy Center, 2659 Lincoln Avenue, Altadena, adults 19 or older, free, 10:30 am (altadenalibrary.libnet.info/event/15871101)
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With beguiling stories and images Peter Maravelis explores the multilayered histories of legendary City Lights Bookstore; renowned for its role in the cultural and literary life of San Francisco and the nation, as both bookstore and a publisher, San Francisco Public Library, Latino/Hispanic Room, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm (sfpl.org/events/2026/04/16/presentation-insurgent-beatitudes-history-city-lights)
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17 APRIL 2026 — friday

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18 APRIL 2026 — saturday

Join "Last Days Poet" to share your poetry, write a poem during a poetry movement exercise, and meet other poets, Robbie Waters Library Meeting Room, 7336 Gloria Drive, Sacramento, free, 1:30 pm (Registration via email simone@lastdayspoet.com)
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Join poet Jamie Asaye FitzGerald for a generative workshop: "World Within a Poem: From Micro to Macro and Back Again," hosted by Sehba Sarwar and Lester Graves, Bob Lucas Memorial Library and Literacy Center, 2659 Lincoln Avenue, Altadena, free, 11:00 am (altadenalibrary.libnet.info/event/16133533)
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Walker Brents III talks on topics TBA, Bird & Beckett Books and Records, 653 Chenery Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 pm (birdbeckett.com/events)
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19 APRIL 2026 — sunday

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20 APRIL 2026 — monday

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21 APRIL 2026 — tuesday

Join local poets reading their contributions to the poetry anthology Catching Fire: The Los Angeles Wildfires, featuring Susan Auerbach, Mary Anne Berry, Teresa Mei Chuc, Spencer Griffin, Richard Modiano, Riot Renwick, Maryrose Smyth, Loma Alta Park Gymnasium, Multipurpose Room, 3330 Sunset Ridge Road, Altadena, free, 6:00 pm (Registration required at altadenalibrary.libnet.info/event/16123059)
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22 APRIL 2026 — wednesday

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23 APRIL 2026 — thursday

The Altadena Library hosts their first ever Adult Literacy Book Club, a limited supply of books will be available on a first-come, first serve basis, Bob Lucas Memorial Library and Literacy Center, 2659 Lincoln Avenue, Altadena, adults nineteen or older, free, 10:30 am (altadenalibrary.libnet.info/event/15871102)
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City Lights and University of California Press present Scott Kurashige to celebrate the publication of American Peril: The Violent History of Anti-Asian Racism, in conversation with journalist Jeff Yang, in-store and on Zoom, City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, registration required for the Zoom, 7:00 pm PDT (www.eventbrite.com/e/scott-kurashige-american-peril-tickets-1979945436098?aff=oddtdtcreator, and )
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San Francisco Poet Laureate emerita Kim Shuck and special guests celebrate the publication of poet Jeffrey Bryant's The Catacombs of Vanished Lovers at SFPL's monthly poetry reading, San Francisco Public Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm (sfpl.org/events/2026/04/23/performance-kim-shucks-poem-jam-celebrates-catacombs-vanished-lovers)
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24 APRIL 2026 — friday

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25 APRIL 2026 — saturday

Small Press Traffic presents Terrence Arjoon, Sophia Dahlin, and Ronaldo V. Wilson with introductions by Ebti, Jacob Kahn, and Kristen Nelson, event takes place at Et al., 2831 a Mission Street, San Francisco, free, doors open at 6:30 pm, reading starts at 7:00 pm (Registration required: www.smallpresstraffic.org/event/terrence-arjoon-sophia-dahlin-ronaldo-wilson)
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In celebration of twenty years of the Altadena Libraries' Altadena Poets Laureate Program, and as the Closing Event for the After the Fire Series, the Altadena Library presents "Poetry & Cookies," a reading with an open mic, featuring writer Viet Thanh Nguyen, poets published in Altadena Poetry Review 2026, indie publishers and their poets, with art activities by the Altadena Library and Armory Center for the Arts, and the announcement of the Altadena Poets Laureate 2026–2028, hosted by Sehba Sarwar and Lester Graves Lennon, Bob Lucas Memorial Library and Literacy Center, Bob Lucas Parking Lot, Bob Lucas Reading Court, 2659 Lincoln Avenue, Altadena, adults nineteen or older, free, 3:00 pm (altadenalibrary.libnet.info/event/16132810)
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26 APRIL 2026 — sunday

San Francisco's 9th Poet Laureate Genny Lim hosts a special program featuring San Francisco's first Youth Poet Laureates: SF Youth Poet Laureate Karan Gupta, Vice SF Youth Poet Laureate Aisha McCulloch and Tika Zahiri, SF Youth Poet Laureate Cohort Member, with butterfly harp music performed by Harriet Lim, San Francisco Public Library, Latino/Hispanic Room, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, free, 1:00 pm (sfpl.org/events/2026/04/26/performance-sf-poet-laureate-genny-lim-and-sf-youth-poet-laureates)
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27 APRIL 2026 — monday

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28 APRIL 2026 — tuesday

Bird & Beckett hosts Jeanne Carsten to discuss her new book, A Greek Tragedy: One Day, a Deadly Shipwreck, and the Human Cost of the Refugee Crisis, Bird & Beckett Books and Records, 653 Chenery Street, San Francisco, free, 7:30 pm (birdbeckett.com/events)
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Book Society presents "Motherhood, Adoption, Inheritance: A Conversation," with Kate Shatz, Where the Girls Were, and Tracy Clark-Flory, My Mother's Daughter, exploring the stories we inherit from our mothers, Book Society, 2945 College Avenue, Berkeley, $45, members $30, 6:00 pm (Purchase tickets online: www.booksociety.social/event-details/motherhood-adoption-inheritance-a-conversation-with-kate-schatz-tracy-clark-flory)
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City Lights and HarperCollins present Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff celebrating the publication of their new book, Muskism: A Guide for the Perplexed, both in-store and on Zoom, City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, registration required for Zoom, 7:00 pm PDT (www.eventbrite.com/e/quinn-slobodian-and-ben-tarnoff-tickets-1979948819217?aff=oddtdtcreator, and citylights.com/events/quinn-slobodian-and-ben-tarnoff)
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29 APRIL 2026 — wednesday

The Hugh C. Hyde Living Writers' Series at SDSU presents Blas Falconer in a poetry reading from his newest book Rara Avis, in-person at San Diego State University Library, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, in the Leon Williams Room, LL430, Love Library, Fourth Floor, free, 7:00 pm (library.sdsu.edu/events#event-details/49327f40-616e-4f1a-8ba1-a188dc054cb1)
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30 APRIL 2026 — thursday

The Altadena Library hosts their first ever Adult Literacy Book Club, a limited supply of books will be available on a first-come, first serve basis, Bob Lucas Memorial Library and Literacy Center, 2659 Lincoln Avenue, Altadena, adults nineteen or older, free, 10:30 am (altadenalibrary.libnet.info/event/15871103)
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Molly Crabapple, Here Where We Live Is Our Country: The Story of the Jewish Bund, in conversation with queer, jewish, poet and writer Sam Sax, both in-store and on Zoom, City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, registration required for Zoom, 7:00 pm PDT (www.eventbrite.com/e/molly-crabapple-in-conversation-with-sam-sax-tickets-1982664999385?aff=oddtdtcreator, and citylights.com/events/molly-crabapple-here-where-we-live-is-our-country-the-story-of-the-jewish-bund)
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Poet and writer Eileen Myles in conversation with poet James Schuyler's biographer, Nathan Kernan, A Day Like Any Other: The Life of James Schuyler, with additional discussion and reading of Schuyler's work by Tom Carey, Jason Morris, and Hannah Zeavin, Bird & Beckett Books and Records, 653 Chenery Street, San Francisco, free, 7:30 pm (birdbeckett.com/events/)
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