* * *
•••Sat. (4/27), 6pm: Escritores Del Nuevo Sol presents Contra Banned, a reading protesting the banning of books. SPC, 25th & R Sts., Sacramento, CA. $5 donation requested, benefiting Friends of the Library and SPC. Info for this and for SPC weekly workshops at https://www.facebook.com/sacpoetrycenter or www.sacpoetrycenter.org/.
* * *
•••Sun. (4/28), 10am-2pm: Arts & Culture El Dorado presents ForestSong at the Arts in Nature Festival in Georgetown, featuring collaborative art, poetry readings and writing, forest science information sharing, music, children's activities. Free. Georgetown Nature Area, 6540 Wentworth Springs Rd., Georgetown, CA. The Poets Squad (members of Tues. & Two from Placerville and Thursday & Two from Georgetown) will be reading poems onstage at 12:30pm; before that, come to Poets Gathering (informal poem-sharing) down by the Nature Area by the upper ponds and Nisenan Village. Everyone welcome!
* * *
•••Sun. (4/28), 1-3pm: The Power of the Word: An Intergenerational Conversation between former US and CA Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera, and Maceo Montoya and Terezita Romo. Free. Co-sponsored by City College, the RCAF, Los Escritores del Nuevo Sol, and the Puente and Raza student associations on campus. Sacramento City College Performing Arts Auditorium, 3835 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, CA. Moderated by Terezita Romo.
* * *
•••Sun. (4/28), 2pm: Poets and Writers of the Sierra Foothills features Riparian Landscape poets of the Ripe Area Project (bit.ly/RIPEAREA) plus open mic. Chateau Davell, 3020 Vista Tierra Dr, Camino, CA (right off Hwy 50, 4 mi. from Placerville), 530-644-2016. $10 purchase or donation is requested. Host: Lara Gularte.
* * *
•••Sun. (4/28), 4pm: Sound Off for Social Justice presents the premiere production of Voice of Just-Is!, a theatrical poetic production created by Coon the Poet. Cal Stage/Wilkerson Theater, 2509 R St., Sacramento, CA.
* * *
•••Sun. (4/28), 4pm: Thompson Peak Writers' Workshop presents its National Poetry Month Celebration, featuring Poets Lara Gularte, Dianna Henning, and June Sanders and musicians Stone & Straw, plus refreshments. Artisan's Coffee Shop, 464-440 Church St., Janesville, CA.
* * *
•••Mon. (4/29), 7:30pm: Sac. Poetry Center presents a reading featuring Left Activist Poets Sarah Menegee and Jim Normington, plus open mic. 25th & R Sts., Sacramento, CA. Info for this and for SPC weekly workshops at https://www.facebook.com/sacpoetrycenter or www.sacpoetrycenter.org/.
* * *
* * *
* * *
* * *
•••Tues. (5/8), 5:30pm: Cameron Park Library Poets and Writers Workshop for adults, led by Lara Gularte and Beverly Parayno, Cameron Park Library, 2500 Country Club Dr., Cameron Park, CA on the first Tuesday and third Thursday of each month. Bring copies for 7 of one or two poems, or up to 6 pages of prose, double-spaced. Free. Beginners welcome.
* * *
•••Wed. (5/8), 5:30pm: Switchboard Gallery Ekphrastic Workshop led by Lara Gularte, based on current exhibition, Ars Vinifera: The Art of the Wine Label. Reading of resulting poetry is scheduled for Wed., 5/15. 525 Main St., Placerville, CA. Info: https://artsandcultureeldorado.org/ars-vinifera/. RSVP Lara at laralg@aol.com/.
* * *
•••Sat. (5/10), 1-4pm: D.R. Wagner Celebration of Life: poetry, music, BBQ, potluck & remembrances, Locke Community Gardens, Locke, CA.
* * *
•••Sun. (5/11), 11:30am-3:30pm: Open House: Manzanita Writers Press is reopening its bookstore, this time inside Raven's Basket, 1195 St. Main St., Angels Camp, CA. Froggy puppet show for the kids at 11.30am and 3pm, plus author signings, refreshments, wine, a gift raffle, guitar music, and book sale.
* * *
•••Wed. (5/15), 5:30pm: Switchboard Gallery Ekphrastic Reading of poetry generated in the May 8 workshop, let by Lara Gularte. 525 Main St., Placerville, CA. Current exhibit is Ars Vinifera: The Art of the Wine Label.
* * *
•••Thurs. (5/16), 5:30pm: Cameron Park Library Poets and Writers Workshop for adults, led by Lara Gularte and Beverly Parayno, Cameron Park Library, 2500 Country Club Dr., Cameron Park, CA on the first Tuesday and third Thursday of each month. Bring copies for 7 of one or two poems, or up to 6 pages of prose, double-spaced. Free. Beginners welcome.
* * *
•••Sat. (5/18), 7-9pm: Terry Freeman Moore and T-Mo Entertainment present FOR YOU Ladies’ Night Out Poetry & Singing Show featuring singer LC, poet Terry Moore, singer Remy, and poet Elton McWashington Jr. Celebration Arts, 2727 B St, Sacramento, CA. Info: T-Mo (916) 208-POET. Admission is $10—it's highly recommended to get your tickets in advance! Buy 1 and get 1 free on this link: https://tmeladiesnightout.eventbrite.com/.
* * *
•••Fri. (6/15 postmark): Deadline for manuscripts to Swan Scythe Press for its 2024 chapbook contest. Any living poet writing in English is eligible to submit. The winning manuscript will be published in a 6" x 9" format, perfect-bound with full-color cover. The contest winner will receive 25 copies of the book and a prize of $200. Info: go to submittable at www.swanscythepress.com/.
* * *
•••Thurs. (7/18): Deadline for the 20th Annual Voices of Lincoln Poetry Contest for adults and young poets. No entry fee. Download entry forms/rules at
* * *
•••Sat. (7/27), 3:30pm: Annual Beast Crawl Lit Fest in Oakland, CA. Oakland's Premier Festival for Literary Arts & Performance, Beast Crawl is a gathering of writers, performing artists, musicians, and community members bringing poetry, music, and the arts to the streets, sidewalks, and community spaces of our beloved Oakland. Begin your journey at Latham Square, starting at 3:30pm. We will have free paper and digital maps to guide you. Info: https://www.beastcrawl.org/festival-info1.html/.