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17 OCTOBER 2021 — sunday

• Come join California I CAN and the Golden State Audubon Society for the first ever annual Berkeley Bird Festival, a celebration of birds through poetry, stories, photography, and art, featuring Berkeley Poet Laureate Rafael Jesús González, former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Hass, poet and activist Brenda Hillman, novelist Aya de Leon, Side Chick Nation, feminist essayist and poet Susan Griffin, Woman and Nature, artist Meyo Marrufo, poet Noor Al-Samarrai, artist Obi Kaufmann, Wholly H20 founder Elizabeth Dougherty, author and publisher Malcolm Margolin, Deep Hanging Out: Wanderings and Wonderment in Native California, and more, free, online via Zoom and in-person, David Brower Center, 2150 Allston Way, Berkeley, Noon-4:15 pm PDT (Register to attend: berkeleybirdfestival.org)
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• Litquake presents readings and panel discussions, featuring writers including poet Alan Chazaro, Piñata Theory, Claire Calderón, Josiah Luis Alderete, Baby Axolotls y Old Pochos, Erina Alejo, A Hxstory of Renting, as well as actor Danny Trejo, free, with some ticketed events, Noon-8:30 pm PDT (For more information: www.litquake.org)
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• Memorial gathering for the much loved poet Florence Miller, (October 17, 1922-January 20, 2020) people who knew her may bring a poem to read, potluck, in-person, Codornices Park, Picnic Area One, 1201 Euclid Avenue, Berkeley, across the street from the Rose Garden and tennis courts, 12:30 pm-3:30 pm PDT
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18 OCTOBER 2021 — monday

• Rivertown Poets presents a monthly reading, this month featuring poets Sheila Black, Wen Kroy, and Jeanne Lupton, followed by an open mic reading, three minutes per reader, hosted by poet Sande Anfang, online via Zoom, free, 6:15 pm PDT (Register to attend/sign up for open mic: aqus.com/rivertownpoets)
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• KQED Live presents best-selling novelist Amy Tan, The Joy Luck Club, The Bonesetter's Daughter, discussing her work and the influence of personal and cultural histories on her writing, in conversation with broadcaster and author Michael Krasny, Let There Be Laughter, in-person at The Commons, KQED Headquarters, 2601 Mariposa Street, San Francisco, $10, 7:00-8:30 pm PDT (For more information: www.kqed.org/events/167826941901)
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• Left Margin LIT presents "Advanced Poetry Workshop," led by poet David Roderick, Blue Colonial, The Americans, the workshop is a graduate-style workshop for writers looking for an intensive, immersive experience writing poetry, limited to eight participants, runs six weeks (October 18-November 26, with no class on November 22), $495, in person, Left Margin Lit, 1543 Shattuck Avenue, Suite B, Berkeley, 6:00-8:00 pm PDT (Enroll here: www.leftmarginlit.org/fall-2021-classes)
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19 OCTOBER 2021 — tuesday

• Cobalt Poets presents a reading featuring Sophia Falco, The Immortal Sunflower, winner of the Mirabai Prize for Poetry, open mic to follow, free, online via Zoom, 7:30 pm PDT (Zoom link here: www.poetrysuperhighway.com/cobalt/calendar.html)
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• Skylight Books presents novelist Judith Freeman, Red Water, The Chinchilla Farm, discussing her new novel, MacArthur Park, in conversation with writer and artist Louise Steinman, The Crooked Mirror: A Memoir of Polish-Jewish Reconciliation, in-person, Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, free, 7:30 pm PDT (For more information: www.skylightbooks.com/event/skylight-judith-freeman-conversation-louise-steinman)
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• Litquake continues with readings and conversations featuring writers Gabrielle Selz and Patricia Albers, Jaime Cortez, Gordo, and Dave Eggers, The Circle, and Thi Bui, The Best We Could Do, free, with some ticketed events, 6:00-8:30 pm PDT (For more information: www.litquake.org)
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• Patt Morrison discusses her new bookDon't Stop the Presses: Truth, Justice, and the American Newspaper, in-person, Occidental College 1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, free, 5:00 pm PDT (For more information: www.eventbrite.com/e/critser-80-memorial-talking-books-presents-patt-morrison-in-person-tickets-182099934807?aff=ebdssbdestsearch)
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• The Green Arcade presents acclaimed essayist and memorist Rebecca Solnit Recollections of My Nonexistance, winner of the Northern California Book Award, discussing her new book, Orwell's Roses, an examination of Orwell's life and writings, inspired by the surviving roses he planted in 1936, in discussion with author and journalist Adam Hochschild, King Leopold's Ghost, in-person, 3rd floor loft of the McRoskey Mattress Co., 1687 Market Street, San Francisco, $28 ticket includes a copy of the book, 6:30 pm PDT (Purchase tickets here: thegreenarcade.com)
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20 OCTOBER 2021 — wednesday

• City Lights Books presents Dodie Bellamy, celebrating her two new books, Bee Reaved, a collection of essays on grief, loss, and abandonment, and The Letters of Mina Harker, a re-release of her 1998 debut novel that reimagines the character from Bram Stoker's Dracula as an independent woman in San Francisco during the 1980s, in conversation with filmmaker and author Chris Kraus, I Love Dick, Aliens & Anorexia, free, online via Zoom, 6:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: citylights.com/events)
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• Join CIIS Public Programs for a conversation featuring Alicia Garza, activist and co-creator of Black Lives Matter, whose latest book, The Purpose of Power, reflects on her two decades of activism and the lessons learned from it, in conversation with activist and performer Honey Mahogany, online, free/suggested donation $20, 7:00-8:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.ciis.edu/public-programs/event-calendar/garza-alicia-october-20-2021)
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• Litquake continues with readings and discussions featuring writers Chang-rae Lee, Native Speaker, and Natalie Baszile, Queen Sugar, multi-disciplinary artist Cheyenne Concepcion, writers Albert Samaha and Jason Bayani, Locus, and a performance by the San Francisco Neo-Futurists, free, with some ticketed events, 7:00-9:30 pm PDT (For more information: www.litquake.org)
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• The Library Foundation of Los Angeles presents novelist and filmmaker Ruth Ozeki, My Year of Meats, A Tale for the Time Being, discussing her new novel, The Book of Form and Emptiness, in conversation with novelist Aimee Bender, The Butterfly Lampshade, online, 5:00 pm PST (RSVP to attend: lfla.org/calendar)
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21 OCTOBER 2021 — thursday

• Join Get Lit—Words Ignite for a hybrid (both in-person and online) drop-in youth poetry class for teens ages thirteen-nineteen, every Saturday, in-person at Get Lit,
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• The Marin Poetry Center presents a poetry reading featuring Danusha Laméris, Bonfire Opera, winner of the Northern California Book Award in Poetry, and Benjamin Gucciardi, West Portal, I Ask My Sister's Ghost, free, online via Zoom, 7:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.marinpoetrycenter.org/events)
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• Litquake presents poet and editor Tomás Q. Morín, Patient Zero, Let Me Count the Ways, discussing his new poetry collection, Machete, in conversation with poet Lupe Mendez, Why I Am Like Tequila, free, with suggested donation, online via Zoom, 6:00-7:30 pm PDT (For more information: www.litquake.org)
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• City Lights Books presents award-winning novelist Asali Solomon, Disgruntled, reading from her new book, The Days of Afrekete, the tender story of two women at midlife who rediscover themselves, free, online via Zoom, 6:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: citylights.com/events)
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• South Pasadena Public Library hosts an in-person book discussion of the late Octavia E. Butler's science fiction novel, Parable of the Sower, Library Community Room, 1115 El Centro Street, South Pasadena, register online, free, 7:00-8:00 pm PDT (For more information: www.eventbrite.com/e/in-person-book-discussion-tickets-168352975281?aff=ebdssbdestsearch)
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• KQED Live presents chef and activist Bryant Terry, discussing his new book, Black Food, which explores Black food ways around the U.S., in conversation with Cecilia Phillips, producer of "Check Please! Bay Area," in-person, The Commons, KQED Headquarters, 2601 Mariposa Street, San Francisco, $15, 7:00-8:30 pm PDT (More info here: www.kqed.org/events/167828149513)
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22 OCTOBER 2021 — friday

• Litquake concludes with readings and conversations featuring biographer Paul Aster, Burning Boy: The Life and Work of Stephan Crane, and Eddie Muller, chef Bryant Terry, Black Food: Stories, Art and Recipes from Across the African Diaspora, and a reading from Foglifter Press, including Nefertiti Asanti, Sara Brody, Matthew DeCoster, Danny Thanh Nguyen, and Tauheed Zaman, free, with some ticketed events, 5:00-9:00 pm PDT (For more information: www.litquake.org)
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• The Poetry Center presents a reading and conversation with poet and playwright Camille Roy, Honey Mine, Cheap Speech, Craquer, and artist and writer Jaime Cortez, Gordo, co-sponsored by The Green Arcade, in-person, The Green Arcade, 1680 Market Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information: poetry.sfsu.edu/events/29203-jaime-cortez-and-camille-roy-reading-and-conversation)
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23 OCTOBER 2021 — saturday

• Novelist Kim Culbertson, The Wonder of Us, Catch a Falling Star, leads "Small Bright Things: Exploring 100-word Stories," a fiction workshop, participants investigate short-form writing and learn how creativity can blossom through mindfulness of the story, online, free, 10:00 am-Noon PDT (Register to attend: www.eventbrite.com/e/fiction-workshop-with-kim-culbertson-tickets-168137540911)
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• Join Lit Crawl, one night only in San Francisco's Mission District, twenty-two events and eighty plus local authors, part of Litquake; the Crawl is in-person at a variety of indoor and outdoor venues, presenting a wide range of genres, writers, artists, and literary organizations including Marc Huestis, Rachel Richardson (Hundred-Year Wave), Manic D Press, 826 Valencia, Matthew Clark Davison (Doubting Thomas), writers published in Saint Mary's College of California's magazine Maiden Magazine, Mirah V. Lucas, Maw Shein Win, Cassandra Dallett, Baruch Porras Hernandez (I Miss You, Delicate), Bazaar Writers Salon, Red Light Lit, ZYZZYVA, and many more; enjoy walking from venue to venue around the city to experience poetry and music, in-person at various San Francisco locations, free, 5:00-9:00 pm PDT (For a complete list of venues, readers, and further information: www.litquake.org/litcrawl2021.html)
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24 OCTOBER 2021 — sunday

• Join poet Ja'net Danielo, The Song of Our Disappearing, for Word Women, a one-day virtual poetry writing retreat, where attendees can connect with other poets and just write, with a chance to share work at the end of the day, open to women-identifying and non-binary poets, online, free, 7:30 am-4:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.eventbrite.com/e/word-women-one-day-poetry-writing-retreat-tickets-169875521257)
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• The Claremont Library's Fourth Sundays Reading Series presents a poetry reading featuring Sandra Lim, The Wilderness, winner of a Barnard Women Poets Prize, and Marcyn Clements, published in Appalachia, Eureka Literary Magazine, and elsewhere, Claremont United Church of Christ, 233 Harrison Avenue, Claremont, free, 2:00-4:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/events/1003197217091488)
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• Small Press Traffic presents a reading in celebration of Festivals of Patience, a new collection of poems by Arthur Rimbaud, featuring poet and translator of the collection Brian Kim Stefans reading selections from the book, and a discussion of Rimbaud's work with poets Mathilda Cullen, Stephan Ira, Aristilde Kirby, and Anna Vitale, part of the High Dawn reading series, online via YouTube Live, free, 2:00 pm PDT (Watch here: www.smallpresstraffic.org/upcomingevents/high-dawn-oct-2021)
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25 OCTOBER 2021 — monday

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26 OCTOBER 2021 — tuesday

• Cobalt Poets presents a reading with poet and activist Bob Holman, Sing This One Back to Me, Cupid's Cashbox, open mic to follow, part of the Cobalt Poets 500th Broadside Spectacular, free, online via Zoom, 7:30 pm PDT (Zoom link here: www.poetrysuperhighway.com/cobalt/calendar.html)
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• Book Passage presents actor and author Peter Coyote, Sleeping Where I Fall, The Rainman's Third Cure, reading from and discussing his collection of poems, Tongue of a Crow, online, free, 5:30 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.bookpassage.com/event/peter-coyote-tongue-crow-online-event)
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• Join Poetic License Sonoma every fourth Tuesday for an evening of poetry reading, featuring the eight poets that make up Poetic License Sonoma: Susanne Arrhenius, Joseph Cutler, Paul DeMarco, Kusum Irene Jain, Leo McCloskey, Steve Trenam, Judith Vaughn, and Jaime Zukowski, with special guest poet Emilie Lygren, What We Were Born For, and Santa Rosa Junior College student poet Jeanette W. Stickel, sponsored by Sebastopol Center for the Arts, $5, donations welcome, 7:00-8:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.sebarts.org/classes-lectures/poetic-license-sonoma-family)
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27 OCTOBER 2021 — wednesday

• City Lights Books presents a memorial tribute to poet Diane di Prima (1934-2020), marking one year since she passed in October 2020, with numerous special guest readers including Hanif Abdurraqib, Garrett Caples, Cedar Sigo, and more to be announced, celebrating the publication of two new books of Diane di Prima's work, Revolutionary Letters: 50th Anniversary Edition and Spring and Autumn Annals, online, free, 6:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: citylights.com/events)
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28 OCTOBER 2021 — thursday

• The Poetry Center presents poet and editor jayy dodd, Mannish Tongues, reading from her new book, The Black Condition ft. Narcissus, a beautiful profile of Black trans life during political turmoil, winner of the Poetry Center Book Award, in conversation with poet Lourdes Figueroa, Ruidos = To Learn Speak, online, free, 7:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: poetry.sfsu.edu/events/29204-poetry-center-book-award-reading-jayy-dodd-and-lourdes-figueroa)
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• The Center for Literary Arts of San José presents novelist and short story writer Patricia Engel reading from her New York Times best seller, Infinite Country, Hammer Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio (between 2nd and 3rd Street), downtown San José, free, 6:00 pm PDT (For more information: www.clasanjose.org)
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29 OCTOBER 2021 — friday

• No events listed for this date. Find out how to submit your event listing.

30 OCTOBER 2021 — saturday

• Point Reyes Books presents acclaimed essayist and memorist Rebecca Solnit, winner of the Northern California Book Award in Nonfiction for Recollections of My Nonexistence, discussing her new book, Orwell's Roses, a reexamination of George Orwell's life and writings through the lens of his passion for gardening, in conversation with artist and writer Jenny Odell, in-person event, Dance Palace, 503 B Street, Point Reyes Station, $28, ticket includes a copy of the book, 6:00 pm PDT (Purchase tickets here: www.ptreyesbooks.com/event/rebecca-solnit-and-jenny-odell)
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31 OCTOBER 2021 — sunday

• No events listed for this date. Find out how to submit your event listing.

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