| Your Event Here! |
—Public Domain Illustration
UPCOMING NORCAL EVENTS
Don't see
your poetry event listed in Medusa? That's probably because you didn't
send it in! It's such a shame to invite poets to read for you, and
then fail to advertise them.
So try to get your message out in a timely
manner—and that includes
sending it to kathykieth@hotmail.com!
Here's what's coming up in our area.
(Click on visuals to enlarge them.)
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The July issue of Sacramento Poetry Center's Poet News is now available at https://www.sacpoetrycenter.org/poetnews/. Check it out for area poetry events (including the Bay Area), poetry, submissions, workshops and more!
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DEADLINES!
EXTENDED TO AUGUST 15: Deadline for submissions to the Sacramento Poetry Center’s upcoming exhibit of visual poetry, curated by Michelle Lynn Dyrness. Info: https://www.sacpoetrycenter.org/events/.
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UPCOMING POETRY READINGS & WORKSHOPS:
In addition to these posts, scroll down
to the bottom of this column for
on-going weekly readings, open mics,
monthly workshops and read-arounds.
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•••Sat. (7/27), 10am: MoSt (MoSt at https://www.mostpoetry.org/) Poetry Book Club meets at Bakeshop, 940 Eleventh St., Modesto, CA, to explore Modern Poetry by Diane Seuss. Copies available beforehand at the Modesto Public Library.
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•••POSTPONED to a later date (from this Sat., 7/27): Sacramento Poetry Center’s 45-year celebration, including a day of events, readings, guest speakers, food & drink, and giveaways. 25th & R Sts., Sacramento, CA. Watch for more info at https://www.sacpoetrycenter.org/events/.
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•••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/.
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•••Sun. (7/28), 2pm: Poets and Writers of the Sierra Foothills features readings from the VOICES 2024 anthology 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.
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•••Mon. (7/29), 7:30pm: Sac. Poetry Center presents High Summer Open Mic. 25th & R Sts., Sacramento, CA. Info for this and for SPC weekly workshops at https://www.sacpoetrycenter.org/events/.
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•••Wed. (7/31), 5:30-8pm: El Dorado County Poet Laureate Trail presents EDC PL Stephen Meadows in a reading at the Georgetown Library, 6680 Orleans St., Georgetown, CA. Open mic to follow. Free.
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•••EXTENDED TO AUGUST 15: Deadline for submissions to the Sacramento Poetry Center’s upcoming exhibit of visual poetry, curated by Michelle Lynn Dyrness. Info: https://www.sacpoetrycenter.org/events/.
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•••Thurs. (8/1), 7-9pm: Poetry Night Reading Series in Davis presents readings from the VOICES 2024 anthology plus open mic at John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 1st St., Davis, CA. Open mic after the readers (one chosen text or four minutes). Host: Dr. Andy Jones.
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•••Sat. (8/3), 2-3pm: Come welcome new 2024 Stanislaus County Youth Poet Laureate Zoe Byron for a reading and reception at Carnegie Arts Center, 250 N. Broadway, Turlock, CA.
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•••Sun. (8/4), 12-1:30pm: The first of a free monthly writing workshop series at Washington Neighborhood Center (@thecenter916), 400 16th St., Sacramento, CA, with Josh Fernandez. Josh says "This will be a place where we can write together, read each other's work, talk about our ideas, and dream up creative projects in a space steeped in ancestral love and joy. I will not be 'teaching' a traditional class, but I will be there to offer encouragement and guidance." Message Josh at https://www.facebook.com/SATANDEZ if you'd like to join.
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•••Mon. (8/5), 5:30pm: Ekphrastic Poetry Writing Workshop led by Lara Gularte on the ForestSong art exhibition, Switchboard Gallery, 5255 Main St., Placerville, CA. The resulting poems will be read at the Gallery on Thursday, 8/8, 5:30pm. Info/sign up: Lara at laralg@aol.com/. Free.
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•••Mon. (8/5), 7:30pm: Sac. Poetry Center presents Terry Freeman Moore plus open mic. 25th & R Sts., Sacramento, CA. Info for this and for SPC weekly workshops at https://www.sacpoetrycenter.org/events/.
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•••Thurs. (8/8), 5:30pm: Reading of poems from the 8/5 ForestSong Ekphrastic Poetry Writing Workshop, Switchboard Gallery, 525 Main St., Placerville, CA. Free. Info: laralg@aol.com/.
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•••Sat. (8/10), 2pm: Mosaic of Voices presents Kim Addona and Bob Stanley at Lodi Public Library, 201 W. Locust St., Lodi, CA. Free. Host: Nancy Gonzalez St. Clair. For info, contact Nancy at n_gonzalez8@u.pacific.edu/.
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•••Sat. (8/10), 4pm: Sacramento Poetry Alliance features readings from the VOICES 2024 anthology, plus open mic. 1169 Perkins Way, Sacramento, CA. Info: http://www.sacramentopoetryalliance.com/.
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•••Sat. (8/10), 7pm: The Bookery in Placerville presents Robert Aquinas McNally reading/discussing his latest book, Cast Out of Eden: The Untold Story of John Muir, Indigenous Peoples, and the American Wilderness. 326 Main St., Placerville, CA. Free. The Bookery now has a wonderful outdoor reading space behind the store—plenty of room for everyone! Come listen in and be part of the conversation. Info: 530-626-6454.
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•••Sun. (8/11), 3-5pm: The Poets Club of Lincoln's Open Mic Sunday will feature Arlene Downing-Yaconelli
plus open mic (up to 3 poems each) at The Salt Mine, 590 Lincoln Blvd.
(on the southeast corner of Sixth St. and Lincoln Blvd.) in Lincoln, CA.
Free. Host: David Anderson. Info: dcjla80@gmail.com/.
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•••Thurs. (8/15), 7pm: Poetry Night Reading Series in Davis presents Mercedes Ibanez and Jeanne Biegun at John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 1st St., Davis, CA. Open mic after the readers (two chosen texts or four minutes). Host: Dr. Andy Jones.
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•••Thurs. (9/5), 7pm: Poetry Night Reading Series in Davis presents Joshua McKinney and Susan Kelly-DeWitt at John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 1st St., Davis, CA. Open mic after the readers (two chosen texts or four minutes). Host: Dr. Andy Jones.
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•••Sun. (9/8), 3-5pm: The Poets Club of Lincoln's Open Mic Sunday will feature Allegra Silberstein
plus open mic (up to 3 poems each) at The Salt Mine, 590 Lincoln Blvd.
(on the southeast corner of Sixth St. and Lincoln Blvd.) in Lincoln, CA.
Free. Host: David Anderson. Info: dcjla80@gmail.com/.
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•••Sat. (9/15), 11am-8pm: Petaluma Poetry Walk, a day-long series of venues in lovely historic Petaluma. Starts at 11am at Hotel Petaluma Ballroom, 205 Kentucky St., Petaluma, CA. One of the poets coming this year is California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick. For readers and the day’s schedule, go to petalumapoetrywalk.org/.
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•••Thurs. (9/19), 7pm: Poetry Night Reading Series in Davis presents Tana Jean Welch at John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 1st St., Davis, CA. Open mic after the readers (two chosen texts or four minutes). Host: Dr. Andy Jones.
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•••Thurs. (10/3), 7pm: Poetry Night Reading Series in Davis presents Kacper Bartczak at John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 1st St., Davis, CA. Open mic after the readers (two chosen texts or four minutes). Host: Dr. Andy Jones.
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•••Thurs. (10/17), 7pm: Poetry Night Reading Series in Davis presents Tim Hunt at John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 1st St., Davis, CA. Open mic after the readers (two chosen texts or four minutes). Host: Dr. Andy Jones.
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•••Thurs. (11/7), 7pm: Poetry Night Reading Series in Davis presents Julia Levine and Murray Silverstein at John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 1st St., Davis, CA. Open mic after the readers (two chosen texts or four minutes). Host: Dr. Andy Jones.
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EVERY WEDNESDAY!
•••Dr. Andy’s Poetry and Technology Hour airs live on KDVS 90.3 every Wednesday evening from 5-6 p.m. On the air since 2000, DAPATH features interviews with poets, writers, actors, innovative thinkers, and important members of both the national and international artistic community, including professionals of theatre, music, and writing across new media. They are also sharing content via podcast! See also https://www.facebook.com/poetrytechnology AND/OR https://www.poetrytechnology.com/.
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MORE ON-GOING READINGS/OPEN MICS
Events from here down may be cancelled some weeks—
who knows? It's best to check before heading off to them.
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•••Every Tuesday, 7-9pm: City Sounds Sound Bites All-Open Mic, 1614 X St., Sacramento, CA. No sign ups, just a hot mic for anyone who wants to speak. No admission, but requesting a one-item minimum purchase at the snack bar. Hosts: Kory Vance, Josh Jorin.
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•••1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 8-10:30pm: The Roux Open Mic & Feature Series, Gumbo King Restaurant, 2201 Southgate Blvd., Sacramento. All poets, comedians, and musicians are invited to come. Admission is $5. Hosts: Russell Cummings and Dyva Cat (Tina Cates).
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•••Fourth Wednesdays, 7-10pm: Mahogany Urban Poetry Series, Our Place in Old Town, 1107 Firehouse Alley, Sacramento, CA. Open mic, music, comedy. 21 and older. $10 admission. Host: MalikSpeaks.
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•••Thursdays, 6:30pm: Speak Your Peace Open Mic, Roberts Family Development Center, 766 Darina Av., Sacramento, CA. Roberts Family Development Center provides services to the Greater Sacramento area that meet the individual needs of each family member. Their services provide a holistic approach focusing on PreK-12th grade academic support and enrichment, parent education and engagement, and community involvement and advocacy. Info about open mic/events: https://robertsfdc.org/.
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•••Thursdays, 7-9pm: Classy Hippie Tea Co. presents Resilience Jam Sessions w/music and poetry featuring Vince Kobelt. Broadway Coffee, 3200 Broadway, Sacramento, CA.
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•••Thursdays, 7-9pm: Lucid Poetry Series, Lucid Winery, 1015 R St., Sacramento.
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•••Thursdays, 7pm: Two Rivers Jam and Poetry Jam. Two Rivers Cider Company, 4311 Attawa Ave, Sacramento, featuring jazz jam and poetry. Host: Kent Lacin. Info: https://www.tworiverscider.com/.
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•••Second Thursdays, 7:30pm: PO-ET Out! African Marketplace, hosted by Poetic Butterfly. Details/info/opportunities: poeticbutterfly@poetout.com/.
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•••Thursdays, bi-weekly, 8-10:30pm: Poetry Unplugged at Silver Linings: Joy Montoya's Poetry Unplugged returns, now to Silver Lining Cocktail Bar (formerly Luna's Cafe), 1414 16th St., Sacramento. Open mic, no cover.
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•••Third Thursdays, 7-10pm: He Brews Coffee Open Mic, 1540 Jefferson Blvd., W. Sacramento, CA. Host: Nubian Sunflower.
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•••Fridays, 6-8pm: A Seat at the Table Books Open Mic. Poetry, music, dance, spoken word, comedy. 9257 Lagna Springs Dr., Elk Grove, CA.
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•••1st and 3rd Saturdays, 12-6pm: Poetry at the African Market Place, 2251 Florin Rd., Sacramento. Free. Info: https://www.florinsquare.com/african-market-place.html/.
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•••Second Saturdays, 7-9pm: Out the Way on J, Mahogany and Rose Salon, 2612 J St., Suite 5, Sacramento, CA. Live jazz and spoken word. Info/tix: https://www.mahoganyandrose.com. Tickets $30/$25.
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•••Sundays, 8pm: LabRats Sunday Sessions Music and Poetry Jam at the Torch Club, 904 15th St., Sacramento, CA.
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WORKSHOPS: Weekly and Otherwise
From Sac. Poetry Center:
The above are weekly workshops at Sac. Poetry Center;
for info on these, click poster to enlarge
or go to www.facebook.com/sacpoetrycenter/.
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Also:
•••Mondays, 5pm: Two Sylvias Readings, Workshops and Retreats from Two Sylvias Press. Info: https://twosylviaspress.com/weekly-muse-calendar.html/.
•••Tuesdays, 2-3:30pm: City of Sacramento Hart Center Workshop for adults 50+ years and older at the Ethyl McLeod Hart Senior Center, 915 27th St., Sacramento, CA (916-808-7908). Meetings provide a workshop consisting of sharing of poetry information and discussion, followed by readings, positive commentary, and thoughtful critique on each person's poem. Select work is publish annually in a group anthology. No advance registration is required. Info: chulabrowne@gmail.com/.
•••Tuesdays, 7pm: Rediscover Your Writing w/M. Todd Gallowglas: streaming web show LIVE!—writing, living a writer’s life, books that have taught him about writing, possibly some Lit Theory, and/or whatever else happens to pop into his brain. Live chat channel, so viewers can ask questions in real-time. Join at twitch.tv/ mgallowglas. Gallowglas workshop details can be found at https://mtoddgallowglas.com/gallowclass/. Monthly workshops focus on specific aspects of the craft of writing. Unless otherwise stated, the Workshops and Reading as a Contact Sport are FREE (with a donation option).
•••First Tuesdays and Third Thursdays of each month, 5:30pm: El Dorado County 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.•••Tuesdays at Two Poetry Group led by Taylor Graham, El Dorado County Library, 345 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA.
•••Thursdays at Two Poetry Group (1st & 3rd Thursdays) led by Taylor Graham, Georgetown Library, 6680 Orleans St., Georgetown, CA.
•••Write Free Fridays, 6-9pm, Sac. Poetry Center, is no longer meeting.
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Check these out for more happenings:
•••For more info about El Dorado County poetry events, go to Taylor Graham's Western Slope El Dorado poetry on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ElDoradoCountyPoetry/.
•••El Dorado County's Lara Gularte also has a Facebook page to announce poetry events and all things poetic in the county. See www.facebook.com/groups/382234029968077/.
•••Find out more about the Poetry Night Reading Series in Davis, California by visiting http://www.poetryindavis.com.
Invite your friends to sign up for the mailing list. To learn more
about Dr. Andy’s tiny media fiefdom, check out his weekly podcast at https://poetrytechnology.buzzsprout.com/. Find his other musings at https://andyjones.substack.com/.
•••Another newsletter resource, this one for the East Bay, is Deborah Fruchey’s monthly Strictly East (www.strictly-east.org). Check it out for a calendar, groups on Zoom and in person, special events and submission calls.
•••Bethanie Humphreys holds online workshops: see https://bethaniehumphreys.com/upcoming-workshops/.
—Public Domain Illustration
