| 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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California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick's Our California program continues; keep up with it and send a poem to https://capoetlaureate.org/ourcalifornia/.
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The 2025 issue of the Sacramento anthology of poems from Cold River Press, VOICES, is now open for submissions. Please send in your poetry, prose, essay, short fiction, flash fiction, photographs, artwork, and collage for the next issue. This year's theme is MYSTICISM, PROPHECIES & MARIGOLDS; deadline is April 10, 2025 for Summer 2025 publication. Info: www.coldriverpress.com/.
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The December 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!
And check SPC's website for available publications, including the new Tule Review (plus back issues), and New Rivers Quarterly, ed. by Lara Gularte: https://www.sacpoetrycenter.org/.
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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,
workshops and read-arounds
in the NorCal area.
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•••Sat. (12/14), 10am-3:30pm: Sacramento Buddhist Meditation Group workshop: Writing Towards Awakenng, with Laura Rosenthal. Use writing as a tool for turning our awareness inward and supporting our trajectory toward waking up. Our writing practice will be supported by brief periods of sitting and walking meditation. To register, go to www.SBMG.org, then select Calendar and December 14.
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•••Sat. (12/14), 2pm: Mosaic of Voices presents Gary Thomas and Salvatore Salerno plus open mic. Lodi Public Library, 201 W. Locust St., Lodi, CA. Host: Nancy Gonzalez St. Clair. For info, contact Nancy at n_gonzalez8@u.pacific.edu/.
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•••Sat. (12/14), 4pm: Sacramento Poetry Alliance features Judie Rae, Judy Crowe, and Ellen Reynard plus open mic. 1169 Perkins Way, Sacramento, CA. Info: http://www.sacramentopoetryalliance.com/.
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•••Mon. (12/16), 10:30am: Poetry in Motion read-around at Placerville Sr. Center, 937 Spring St., Placerville, CA. Bring poems to read—your own or someone else’s—or just come to listen. Masks encouraged. For more info about El Dorado County poetry events, go to Western Slope El Dorado poetry on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ElDoradoCountyPoetry/. Poetry is Gold in El Dorado County!
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•••Mon. (12/16), 7:30pm: Sac. Poetry Center presents Traci Gourdine and Gary Thomas plus open mic (sign up between 7-7:30pm). 25th & R Sts., Sacramento, CA. Free. Info for this and for SPC weekly workshops at https://www.sacpoetrycenter.org/events/.
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•••Tues. (12/17), 6pm: Twin Lotus Thai Fourth Tuesdays presents Special Poetry and Piano Night. Open Mic readers will enjoy the interpretations of The Manager on Piano, plus two featured poets, Ann Michaels and Bob Stanley, who will also read with piano accompaniment. Twin Lotus Thai, 8345 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, CA. Reservations strongly recommended: see https://www.twinlotusthai.com/. Host: Bob Stanley.
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•••Mon., Dec. 23-Jan. 6: Sac. Poetry Center will be on a holiday break, resuming January 13.
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2025
•••Mon. (1/13), 7:30pm: Sac. Poetry Center presents Second Monday Youth Open Mic. 25th & R Sts., Sacramento, CA. Free. Info for this and for SPC weekly workshops at https://www.sacpoetrycenter.org/events/. Host: Coon the Poet.
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•••Sat. (1/15), 7:30pm: T-Mo Entertainment present Love Jones Vibes: Smooth Poetry & Love Music. 2901 W. Capitol Av., Sacramento, CA. Tix: $15. Info: 916-208-POET. Keep up with all of Terry Moore’s events, including those that are not poetry related, but community focused, at https://www.facebook.com/p/T-Mo-Entertainment-Events-100064637983641/.
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•••Mon. (1/20), 7:30pm: Sac. Poetry Center presents Hart Center Workshop Group Reading with Sue Daly, Doreen Beyer, Valerie Ries-Lerman and others, plus open mic (sign-ups 7-7:30pm). 25th & R Sts., Sacramento, CA. Free. Info for this and for SPC weekly workshops at https://www.sacpoetrycenter.org/events/.
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•••Mon. (1/27), 7:30pm: Sac. Poetry Center presents Shawn Pittard and the release of his new book, Witness, plus open mic (sign-ups 7-7:30pm). 25th & R Sts., Sacramento, CA. Free. Info for this and for SPC weekly workshops at https://www.sacpoetrycenter.org/events/.
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•••Weds. (1/29/25), 5:30-8pm: El Dorado County Poet Laureate Stephen Meadows reads (plus open mic) at El Dorado Hills Library, 7455 Silva Valley Parkway, El Dorado Hills, CA. Info: https://artsandcultureeldorado.org/laureate-trail/.
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•••Sun. (2/9), 10am-12pm: Capturing Wakamatsu: A Poetry Walk/Workshop led by Taylor Graham and Katy Brown. Wakamatsu Farm, 941 Cold Springs Rd., Placerville, CA. Children 8+ welcome with adult supervision. Suggested Donation: $5/members, $10/non-members. Info/registration link: www.arconservancy.org/event/capturing-wakamatsu-a-poetry-walk-workshop/. For more info about past and future Wakamatsu workshops and other El Dorado County poetry events, go to Western Slope El Dorado on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ElDoradoCountyPoetry/.
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•••Weds. (4/30), 5:30-8pm: El Dorado County Poet Laureate Stephen Meadows reads (plus open mic) at South Lake Tahoe Library, 1000 Rufus Allen Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA. Info: https://artsandcultureeldorado.org/laureate-trail/.
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•••Sat. (6/7), 1-4pm: El Dorado County Poet Laureate Stephen Meadows reads (plus open mic) at Cameron Park Library, Placerville Library, 345 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA. Info: https://artsandcultureeldorado.org/laureate-trail/.
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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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•••Third Thursdays, 7-9pm: Classy Hippie Tea Co. presents Fo' Shang Poetry and Jazz with Vince Kobelt and his musical poetry performance group Fo’ Shang holding forth. There will be special features at each event. Broadway Coffee, 3200 Broadway, Sacramento, CA.
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•••Third Thursdays, 7pm: He Brews Coffee open mic, hosted by NubianSunflower. First-timers are encouraged to come out! Coffee and snacks will be available for purchase, plus wine tasting. 1540 Jefferson Blvd, West 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.
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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