Lamplight Poetry Reading Series Says Farewell

The following letter was posted to Lamplight’s Facebook page:

downloadDear poets and friends,

It is not without a sense of heaviness that we wish to announce that April 22nd, 2018 is the last session of the Lamplight Poetry Reading series. We have had the tremendous pleasure of servicing the Los Angeles poetry community for nearly 4 years and we both believe that it is now time for us to move on to newer horizons and projects for ourselves.

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Application Period Open For Jack Jones Literary Arts’ Second Annual Writing Retreat

From: Jack Jones Literary Arts

downloadJack Jones Literary Arts, located in Los Ángeles, is hosting its second annual writing retreat at Blue Sky Retreat, Taos, New Mexico. This two-week retreat will be held October 13- 27, 2018, and is open exclusively to women of color. Jenna Wortham joins us as our 2018 Writer-in-Residence.

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Profile of a Modern-Day Poet in L.A.: Mike The Poet

by ASTRID
From: L.A. Taco

IMG_9023“Los Angeles is not Baywatch or the Beach Boys, it is getting carne asada tacos from a taco truck and bacon wrapped hot dogs at two in the morning.”

These are the words of Mike Sonksen, a poet, historian, activist, teacher, husband, and father better known as Mike the Poet. The nickname was given to Mike at the age of 23, by a friend who noticed he always carried a notebook. “You know Mike, you’re not Mike Sonksen, you’re Mike the Poet.”

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Santa Monica Review To Celebrate 30th Anniversary

by Grace Singh Smith

From: SMC In Focus

LEADThis year—fall 2018—marks the 30th anniversary of Santa Monica Review (SMR). The national literary arts journal published by Santa Monica College (SMC) showcases the work of established authors alongside emerging writers, with a focus on West Coast fiction and nonfiction; it happens to be the only nationally-distributed literary journal at a community college.

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LitFest Pasadena Comes to the Pasadena Playhouse District May 19 to 20, 2018

The Two Day Literary Festival Includes Dozens of Readings, Panels, and Literary Performances and Features Over 150 Authors at Venues Across the Pasadena Playhouse District

Pasadena, CA (February 21, 2018)

PDA-District-Base-Map

Save the date for the 7th annual LitFest Pasadena coming up on May 19 and 20, 2018. LitFest Pasadena treats Southern California audiences to an exciting and thought provoking weekend full of diverse literary readings, panels, performances, and activities for all ages and interests. It’s held at venues and on sidewalks throughout the Pasadena Playhouse District.

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The World Stage and Literary Black Los Ángeles

25532286_728380960698600_6061884366904609104_oIt begins every Wednesday at 7:30 pm. Early arrivals step to the mic, sharing a poem in progress to receive much needed feedback. Then they provide feedback to others. V. Kali, author of Hymn (World Stage Press), sits next to the donation box and front entrance and welcomes attendees as they arrive. As host, V. has been a warm presence each week for years, her long beautiful natural hair a thing of legend. As the crowd grows, the list of open mic readers expands before the feature grabs everyone’s attention. Murmurs of “mmm hmm” and “that’s right” arise from the crowd. After, it’s the community-the open mic readers’-turn at the mic. It’s their chance to bring down the house.

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Local writer Lynell George wins Grammy for ‘Otis Redding Live at the Whisky A Go Go’

by RANDY LEWIS

From: L.A. Times

VNK4ZE2BNFCADELLGZ5H3W3D5QThe L.A. connection is strong in the winner of the Grammy Award for album notes.

It was awarded to veteran music writer, and former Times staff writer, Lynell George, for her notes for the box set “Otis Redding Live at the Whisky A Go Go: The Complete Recordings,” documenting the  soul singer’s incendiary performances at the West Hollywood nightclub in 1966.

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There is a New Host for Avenue 50’s La Palabra’s Open Mic Poetry Reading Series

by Brian Dunlap

26992437_10157041638868989_7897940542334418098_nThe last time La Palabra was held at Avenue 50 Studios in December, host Karineh Mahdessian couldn’t hold back tears that spoke to the deep connections she’s made during her time as host of the long running open mic reading series. Karineh’s time was coming to a close. The community she helped nurture packed the back room to help send her off.

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