For a second and final week, Los Angeles Literature is on its summer break. Next week the list of weekly events will return. As usual, there are still many literary events to attend and local writers to see read. From bookstores to literary arts organizations, to open mics at various businesses across Greater Los Ángeles. Every day of the week. Remember, get out there L.Á. and support your local literary community.
Below are a few events occuring this week:
Kim Noriega at Two Idiots Peddling Poetry at the Ugly Mug – In-Person
Hosts Ben Trigg, Ellen Webre and Steve Ramirez and Two Idiots Peddling Poetry at the Ugly Mug on Wednesday Nights.
This week’s feature is Kim Noriega.
Kim Noriega has won the San Miguel Literary Sala Flash Nonfiction Prize and has been a finalist for both the Edna St. Vincent Millay and Joy Harjo Poetry Prizes. Her poem “Heaven, 1963,” was featured in former poet laureate Ted Kooser’s syndicated column American Life in Poetry. She is the poetry editor of The Poetry Distillery and a teaching artist with The Poetry Barn. She is a certified facilitator of the creative regeneration process and an expert consultant in family literacy through the Pacific Library Partnership. She lives in San Diego with her husband, Ernie, and six cats, five of whom were once feral. She will be reading from (and selling copies of) Naming the Roses.
Where: The Ugly Mug
Date: Wednesday the 28th
Time: 8 pm
Address: 261 N. Glassell St., Orange, CA 92866
Website: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_GxMgVyvsn/
Mike Sonksen at The Definitive Soapbox – In-Person
The Definitive Soapbox is a spoken word open mic that brings artists from all over Southern California to Long Beach for a dope evening of poetry, music, comedy and community fellowship. Hosted by Danielle Mitchell and Antonio Cortez Appling.
Performers are invited to take the stage to share for 1 poem or 3 minutes whichever comes first! Songs, sketches, short stories, and other performance pieces are also welcome.
The open mic list is limited to 15-20 slots, please arrive early if you want to take the stage.
This month’s feature is Mike Sonksen.
Mike Sonksen, aka Mike the PoeT, is an acclaimed poet, professor, journalist, historian and tour guide. He has published over 500 essays and poems, most recently two excerpts in Dear California: The Golden State in Diaries and Letters, edited by David Kipen (Stanford University Press, September 2023). He has delivered over 2,000 poetry readings, served as guest speaker at over 100 academic institutions, appeared on radio and television and hosted events in locations like Grand Performances and Getty Center. The second edition of his latest book, Letters To My City was published by Writ Large Press.
Where: Wrigly Cofee
Date: Friday the 30th
Time: 7 pm – 9 pm
Address: 437 W. Willow St., Long Beach, CA
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