New Poet Laureate of Pomona

At the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2023, Poet Ceasar K. Avelar became Pomona’s second Poet Laureate. He took over the reins from David “Judah 1” Oliver, a passionate poet who wears many hats—artist, poet, author, art advisor, and is the Co-Host and Founder of LionLike MindState Poetry and Art Series at the Pomona Fairplex. Avelar steps into the role of Poet Laureate, having become known in the Southern California poetry community for his proletariat-infused poetry and as the host of the monthly open mic “Obsidian Tongues” every second Saturday of the month at Café con Libros Press in Pomona’s Arts Colony. Plus, next year FlowerSong Press will publish his debut poetry collection.

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Review: Obsidian Tongues Open Mic

by Brian Dunlap

DLkwziAUEAATGkqIt’s Saturday April 14th and the crowd is large. Café Con Libros is silent. There are no empty seats when I arrive so I stand. I’m in Pomona’s Art Colony for Obsidian Tongues, an open mic hosted by William Gonzalez and Ceasar K. Avelar. I’m 15-20 minutes late, and with the large crowd, worry there won’t be time for me to read as part of the open mic.

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