BookSwell

In this three-hour intensive workshop, we will say the things we never thought we would, no matter how silly or serious the subjectThere’s something about poetry that begs you to be honest. Unsure of yourself as an adult? Feeling like a badass? In a complicated relationship with food delivery services? Still have love for your ex? Haunted by those bangs you had in high school? Manifesting a life of abundance? Not sure how you feel about toppling the prison industrial complex? No matter how silly or serious the subject, join us for a workshop where we will say the things we never thought we’d say through poetry.Poems are where we tell the truth . . . sometimes. But the art of performance or awareness of the reader or just plain fear can sometimes dull the sharp edges of our honesty. We’ll look at poems from folks who are good at being honest about what hurts and heals them, what makes them smile fondly or wince dramatically, and what makes them lay awake at night in wonder. And then we will dig into our own truths and tuck some of them into poems. . . if only to be honest with Read More ...

A reading with four contributors from the Santa Monica Review.West Coast lit mag Santa Monica Review celebrates its spring 2023 issue with readings by four contributors: Short story writers Kristen Leigh Schwarz and Gregory Tower, poet and novelist Kareem Tayyar, and writer, critic and fiction writer Yxta Maya Murray. SMR editor Andrew Tonkovich emcees. Free copy of the journal with admission. Doors open: 2:30 p.m. Readings: 3:00 p.m. This event is Free & In-Person at Beyond Baroque. Masks are required while inside our center. Event attendees are expected to behave in a respectful and considerate manner while in our space. Beyond Baroque reserves the right to remove individuals from our events, virtual or otherwise, if they are not respecting the space, fellow attendees, or performers.If you can’t join us in-person the event will be livestreamed on Beyond Baroque’s YouTube channel at the scheduled time of the event.Please RSVP if you are planning to attend this event. We accept walk-ins, but priority will be given to people that have registered. Limited seating is available; we recommend arriving early.

Voices at the Center of American Literature will feature readings and conversations by and with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authorsDetails and DescriptionApril 8, 20234:00pm PT1540 Lincoln AvenuePasadena, CA 91103Official Description:Funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Voices at the Center of American Literature will feature readings and conversations by and with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors to discuss visibility, community, and navigating multiple identities, plus the “own voice” and personal narrative. Award-winning poets Afaa M. Weaver and Douglas Manuel will speak on these topics in a conversation moderated by Los Angeles Poet Laureate Lynne Thompson, joined by jazz musician Dr. Ray Briggs of the Pasadena Conservatory of Music. This event will also be paired with a brand new photography exhibition, featuring photographs by Alfred Haymond of the 2020 George Floyd/#BlackLivesMatter protests around Pasadena.Please join us for what will undoubtedly be a powerfully moving experience.ASL interpreting services will be provided. This event will take place in-person at the Hen House Literary Center in Pasadena, California, and will also be livestreamed on Red Hen Press’s website at redhen.org/virtual, Red Hen’s YouTube Channel, and Red Hen’s Facebook Page.This event is free, but all events taking place at the Hen House Literary Center Read More ...

A reading welcoming the recently-appointed California Poet Laureate, Lee HerrickJoin us for a night of poetry as Beyond Baroque welcomes Lee Herrick to Los Angeles. Last year Herrick was appointed California Poet Laureate by Governor Gavin Newsom. He is the author of poetry books Scar and Flower, Gardening Secrets of the Dead, and This Many Miles from Desire. A Fresno native, Herrick is a professor at both Fresno City College, and University of Reno, Lake Tahoe. As Poet Laureate he plans to improve access to poetry and the arts in communities where people might not have ready access to them. Herrick will be joined by renowned poets of Southern California, F. Douglas Brown, Amy Uyematsu, and Michelle Brittan Rosado. Enjoy a reception before and after the performances with refreshments. The authors will be signing books. Doors open: 6:30 p.m. Readings: 7:00 p.m. About the Authors: Lee Herrick is the California Poet Laureate. He is the author of three books of poems: Scar and Flower, Gardening Secrets of the Dead, and This Many Miles from Desire. He is co-editor of The World I Leave You: Asian American Poets on Faith and Spirit. His writing appears in anthologies such as HERE: Poems Read More ...