3/2 Creative Things
Hi everyone,
Random announcement—the yoga studio where I teach is changing hands, and pretty much everything for me remains the same except I now teach at Sukha Yoga Studio. Sukha means good space, and I like that a lot. Now for our regularly scheduled hoopla.
THINGS HAPPENED
The parks department offers night hikes, so I went on one, and it was pretty neat, though part of it involved sounding off bird calls and fox calls in the hopes that they would answer back, and I was like, Why are we annoying the animals?, but still, enjoyable.
Meditate, Move, & Create wrapped up its winter session with ESWA, and I’m looking forward to more online and in-person sessions.
I had the good fortune of reading at Block Hill Station for Boog City Art Fest with thanks to Alan Semerdjian for the invite and David Kirschenbaum for hosting and coordinating. If you missed it, it’s here in full https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGD_RIKdy7P9fdpIugMgoLg/featured,
and you can see some of my dog and pony show here:
https://youtu.be/8hb3hn5SWy8?si=9jvYhN0d5W5Q0qbH
I also attended a cross-genre virtual salon with the TLA Network, which has literature readings and a discussion. https://tlanetwork.org/Virtual-Salons
The last day of February, I took my mom to see Judy Collins at Westbury Music Fair, and now we both want to wear sparkly hot pink boots like Judy Collins did.
KUDOS!
Congratulations to Barbara Segal on the publication of her poetry collection shelter!
(Book release on March 16: https://www.seacliffartscouncil.org/).
Congratulations to Linda Opyr on the publication of her book-length story poem The Kite!
(https://www.allbook-books.com/html/the_kite__a_story_poem.html)
Congratulations to Alan Semerdjian for being shortlisted for the C&R poetry award!
BOOKSHELF
I’m reading a bunch of poetry collections, a few pages of Figuring every now and then, and I’m about to start Mexican Gothic, our Sunday Funday choice for March.
Nonfiction
The House of Hidden Meanings by RuPaul
Poetry
Thanks to MOONLOVE Press for featuring “Nature Doesn’t Try” on IG.
https://www.instagram.com/moonlovepress/
The Rome Review published “Her Life As She Explains It” and “Too Much History Here.” https://theromereview.com/two-poems-or-christina-m-rau
Snakeskin published “Upon The Misrepresentation Of Fairies” in their special Science Fiction issue guest-edited by Jessy Randall, and the issue features mostly SFPA members. https://www.snakeskinpoetry.co.uk/
Dirt Songs by Kari Seymour-Gunter
Birds and Bruises by Vanessa Napolitano
Slaughterhouse for Old Wives’ Tales by Hannah V. Warren
Before I Forget by Mary Hills Kuck
Praying To The God of Small Things by Catherine Jagoe
“After Jim Harrison” by Alison O’Reilly
https://booth.butler.edu/2025/02/07/after-jim-harrison/
“Vespers” by Caitlin Palo
https://www.hominumjournal.org/issue-8-1/palo
“Vodka shots and cereal with 2% milk” by Bradley K Meyer
https://www.muleskinnerjournal.com/vodka-shots-and-cereal-with-2-milk
“Origin Story 4” and other poems by Shivan Mehta
https://www.onlypoems.net/poets/shivani-mehta/poems
“Theft” by Mónica Alexandra Jiménez
https://poets.org/poem/theft-0
“Ruptures” by Stefanie Kirby
https://poems.com/poem/ruptures/
Internet
“Revision” by B. Do https://www.cincinnatireview.com/micro/micro-revision-by-b-do/
Funny Women #113: Buddhist Nun Pema Chodron Rewrites The Classics https://therumpus.net/2014/01/21/funny-women-113-buddhist-nun-pema-chodron-rewrites-the-classics/
A Very Small Bottle of Vodka May Still Contain Enough Alcohol to Make You Feel Amazing, Experts Warn https://thegorkogazette.com/2025/02/22/a-very-small-bottle-of-vodka-may-still-contain-enough-alcohol-to-make-you-feel-amazing-experts-warn/
Jami Macarty reviewed Not a Force of Nature by Amy
De’Athhttps://www.newpages.com/blog/books/book-reviews/not-a-force-of-nature-by-amy-de-ath/
and Corner Office by Susan Hahn
https://www.newpages.com/blog/books/book-reviews/corner-office-by-susan-hahn/
And of course check out these:
How We Make Amends, post card sentiments, typewriter photographs, found poetry, and new inspirational stickers are all available. –Click on Books or Image Poems from the top menu.
LISTEN
Destinies: The Voice of Science Fiction radio show aired “Our Sacred Geometry.” Poem at 6:54. https://captphilonline.com/Destinies/Destinies_02_14_25.mp3
Here’s Sunday Funday Book Club’s soundtrack for The House of Hidden Meanings. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1aM83PGWUp4bnTOwyUnGOz?si=57dpBf9vS0GQfFNITqdxKQ
Yelling at Concrete podcast: When one method inspires another featuring Bruce AllOne
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-272-when-one-method-inspires-another-feat-bruce/id1238765054?i=1000689852243
The Gayly Dose, a Reality Gays weekly show not about reality tv
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gayly-dose-006-cher-and-cher-alike/id1477555097?i=1000694738041
WATCH
Sensory-Focused Meditation, a second collaboration with Somnambulant Visuals! https://youtu.be/h4LLW8QE2Us?si=8YeiCTzT3trJLEJh
The Hook Up Plan and The Lockdown Plan (which comes before Season 3, so if you want to watch in order, make note!) (Netflix)
Mars Report! https://youtu.be/h4LLW8QE2Us?si=8YeiCTzT3trJLEJh
I just found this on my YouTube channel from four years ago. Enjoy.
https://youtu.be/PGpvOUW_ank?si=7jEKlRYVCg8ydwOZ
Laura Villareal on Ada Limón: Ten Takes from the Letras Latinas Archive https://poetshouse.org/video/ten-takes-ada-limon/
OPPORTUNITIES
Thirteen Podcast is open to scary story submissions. https://www.thirteenpodcast.com/submit-a-story
Gwenn A. Nusbaum Scholarship, Deadline March 31 https://www.waltwhitman.org/nusbaumscholarship/
Longmeadow Arts Residency, various deadlines https://longmeadowartresidency.com/apply
Artist Telephone https://artists.telephonegame.art/
Bethany Arts Opportunities https://bethanyarts.submittable.com/submit
ChaShaMa Galleries in NYC hosts solo artist shows https://chashama.org/location/733-3rd-ave-lobby/
Call for artists and vendors at Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center (Solomon, MD) https://www.annmariegarden.org/annmarie2/opportunities
SUGGESTED THINGS
Anne Marie Wells: https://annemariewellswriter.com/
MrAndMrsMuscle on YouTube (though I’ve never seen Mr. Muscle)
MISCELLANY
Two things:
1. Anyone with knowledge of trademarks, copyright, and other fun legal things, drop me a line if you’d like to answer questions.
2. A conference accepted a proposal I submitted! I have no recollection of what the proposal was, but I’m sure it will be a fantastic program.
All good things,
Christina
**Of course, you can forward this email to those you think may have interest. If you post information publicly, please link back to me. Appreciate it.
THINGS ARE HAPPENING
***FYI: Check out the calendar for all my stuff.
And I have a page dedicated to book club so you can see not only our book choices but also the side hustle suggestions.
Monday, March 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM EST
Café Muse Literary Salon with Nathalie Anderson, Amanda Shaw and Emily Tuszynska reading and music by Michael Davis.
The Writer's Center, 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda, MD
or on Zoom Meeting ID: 867 0593 2384 Passcode: 432585
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 7 PM
Lit Youngstown First Wednesdays featuring Jennifer Hambrick & Christopher Johnston Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave, Youngstown OH
Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 7 PM EST
Journal of Expressive Writing Open Mic featuring Nancy Slonim Aronie
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/featured-author-nancy-slonim-aronie-open-mic-with-15-writers-registration-1248830277979?aff=oddtdtcreator
Free
Friday, March 7, 2025 at 7 PM
The Eigengrau Oracle Deck release and community drawing event with Somnambulant Visuals
Café Ninnet in Huntington NY
Free
Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 3 PM
Cedarmere Poetry Series presents Nicole Cooley
225 Bryant Ave, Roslyn Harbor, NY
RSVP to attend and/or read at the limited open mic: https://forms.gle/99omfqvNAx54sasY7
FREE but you can certainly donate any time
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 6:30-9:30 PM
Alan Newcombe book launch for Gritstone and music event
Burley and Fisher Books, 400 Kingsland Rd, London, E8 4 AA
Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 7 PM
Alex Higley at P&T Knitwear with Isaac Butler, Brooklyn, NY
Friday, March 14, 2025 at 5 PM
Elaine Equi at NYU with Geoffrey Nutter, NYC
Saturday, March 15 & Sunday, March 16, 2025
Tucson Festival of Books, Tucson, AZ
Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 2 pm
Barbara Segal’s book release for shelter at Sea Cliff Arts Council
https://www.seacliffartscouncil.org/
Saturday, March 29, Noon-2 PM
Creator Talk at Amityville Apothecary with Somnambulant Visuals
Readings from The Eigengrau Oracle Deck follow talk
https://shopamityvilleapothecary.com/
Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 10-noon
Sunday Funday Book Club at Ghost Brewing Company reading Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at 7 PM
Lit Youngstown First Wednesdays featuring Amanda Stovicek D’Alessandro & Jyostna Sreenivasan Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave, Youngstown OH
Sunday, April 13, 2024 at 2 PM
Molloy University Reading Series presents NCPL Alan Semerdjian and former NCPL Lorraine Conlin
Reception Room, Kellenberg Hall,1000 Hempstead Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY Hosted by Barbara Novack, Writer-in-Residence
Open mic follows feature. Refreshments!
516.323.3000 directions; 316.323.3260 information
Free
Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 6-9 PM (features begin 7:30)
Winter Tides at The Curry Club
Dinner (optional), Writing and Sharing (optional), and then poetry features
111 W Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY
Fee: purchase a bite or a bev
Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 10-noon
Sunday Funday Book Club at Ghost Brewing Company reading Radium Girls by Kate Moore
Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 3 PM
Cedarmere Poetry Series presents Martha Rhodes
225 Bryant Ave, Roslyn Harbor, NY
RSVP to attend and/or read at the limited open mic: LINK on the way
FREE but you can certainly donate any time
Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 2pm
Molloy University Reading Series presents Nicole Cooley
Reception Room, Kellenberg Hall,1000 Hempstead Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY Hosted by Barbara Novack, Writer-in-Residence
Open mic follows feature. Refreshments!
516.323.3000 directions; 316.323.3260 information
Free
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 7 PM
Lit Youngstown First Wednesdays featuring Jon Graham & David Prather Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave, Youngstown OH
Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 10-noon
Sunday Funday Book Club at Ghost Brewing Company reading The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam (novel)
Sunday, June 22, 2025 noon to 4 PM
Empowered Path Expo Holistic Festival—join for Reiki, meditation, and Somnambulant Visuals
KOC Park 759 Long Island Avenue, Deer Park, NY, 11729
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 6 PM
Green Pavilion Reading hosted by Evie Ivy plus an open mic
4307 18th Ave, Brooklyn NY
Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 10 AM
Hike Around And Write with WWBA
Registration link coming soon
Sunday, June 29, 2025 at 10-noon
Sunday Funday Book Club, place TBA, reading Mortals by John Dermott Woods and Matt L (graphic novel)
July 17-20, 2025
ReaderCon in Burlington, MA
I’ll be paneling! Details on the way…
Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 10-noon
Sunday Funday Book Club at Ghost Brewing Company reading Saltwater Buddha by Jaimal Yogis (nonfic)
Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 11 AM
Tactile Poetry Workshop at Oceanside Library (NY)
Registration link on the way
On The Regular (Always check with venues. If no contact info is listed below, google it. If your series has changed, let me know for next time. If you want to add your series, drop me a line).
One Sunday a month: Mid-Island Y JCC Poetry Series 2-4 PM https://www.gaylteller.com/mid-island-2/
First Sundays: Poetic License, online, 4 PM, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82298684083#success
One Sunday a month: Speculative Sundays with Akua Lezli Hope, online, 7 PM EST https://akualezlihope.com/speculative-poetry
Later-in-the-month Sundays: Book Club at Ghost Brewing Company from 10-noon
Third Sundays: Sunday Reading Series at The Hungry Brain, 6:30 PM, http://www.hungrybrainchicago.com/
Every Monday: Restless Open Mic, Marché Le Woof 31-03 Vernon Boulevard Astoria. Signups at 6:30 PM
Every Monday: Phoenix Reading Series, Shades of Green 125 e 15th NY NY, 6:30 PM, $5 plus food purchase
Every Monday: The Underground Open Mic at Bar Freda (Queens/Brooklyn Border), 7:30 PM
Every Monday: Easy Paradise Open Mic at KGB Red Room, 8 PM, sign up in advance, 21+, 2 drink min
First Tuesdays: First Tuesdays Series, Espresso 77 Cafe, Jackson Heights, 6:40 Sign up, 7 PM open begins, feature follows, $5 purchase, https://firsttuesdays.net/
First Tuesdays: Poetry At Greenspace, 47 Broadway Rocky Pt, NY, 7 PM (open mic sign up 6:30), jeweliasdad@aol.com for info
Every Wednesday: Wednesday Night Poetry, Kollective Coffee and Tea, Hot Springs, AZ, 6:30-9 PM
First Wednesdays: The Platform, Madison Community Arts Center 10 Kings Rd Madison NH, 8 PM, https://www.madisonartsnj.org/about/community-arts-center/
Second Wednesdays: Poetry: It's a Shore Thing!, Long Beach Library (NY), 6 PM https://longbeachlibrary.org/
Second Wednesdays/Thursdays: The Muse at Neirs Tavern, Queens, 7 PM
Fourth Wednesdays: Risk of Discovery at QED Astoria, 7:30-9 PM https://www.pw.org/content/the_risk_of_discovery_reading_series_and_the_queens_literary_scene
Third Thursdays: Poetry Pairs Series, Literature Repository Reading, Bohemia, 7 PM
First Thursdays: BVAC at Jack Jacks, Babylon, 7 PM, babylonvillagearts.org
First Thursdays: Poetry Circle Open Mic, Living Room Café, Ardmore, PA, 6:30 PM livingroomardmore.com
Third Thursdays: At Brookline Booksmith, MA, 7 PM, www.brooklinebooksmith.com
Third Thursdays: SAFTA Reading Series, Pretentious Beer Co, Old City Knoxville, TN https://www.sundresspublications.com/safta/reading-series/
Every Friday: Fridays: Seed Café Open Mic, 250 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI, 6:30 PM https://allevents.in/pawtucket/seed-caf%C3%A9-open-mic-fridays/200025919132025
First Fridays: Revolutionary Poetry Nights, Grounds Books and Coffee, Tuscon, AZ www.revolutionarygrounds.com
First Fridays: Maryland Writers’ Association, 7 PM EST, online, https://marylandwriters.org/first_fridays
Third Fridays: Hudson Valley Writers Center in person and online, 7 PM https://writerscenter.org/calendar/
Last Fridays: Northport Arts Coalition Poetry Reading, Northport and online, 7:30 PM EST https://www.northportarts.org/
Last Fridays: Friday Night Fire, Teatro Yerbabruja Second Avenue Fire House, Bay Shore, NY, 7 PM, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/friday-night-fire-featured-artist-and-open-mic-event-tickets-488297128857
Last Fridays: Redmond Association of Spoken Word, Centro Cultural Mexicano Redmond, WA, 7-9 PM, www.centroculturalmexicano.org
Every Saturday: Astoria Music Collective Saturday Songwriters at The Local Bar, 3 PM, https://happeningnext.com/event/saturday-songwriters-open-mic-at-the-local-bar-astoria-eid3a0889pfbk
Every Saturday: Cultivating Voices Live, online, 3 PM EST https://www.nmpoetry.com/wp/events/cultivating-voices-live-poetry-online/
Biweekly Saturdays: Lip Balm, online, 5 PM EST
First Saturdays: PPA East Meadow Library, 1-3 PM, hosted by J R Turek and Margarette Wahl
Third Saturdays: PPA Levittown Town Hall, 1-3 PM, hosted by J R Turek
Various Saturdays: It’s Poetry Baby!, Oceanside Library, NY, 2 PMwww.oceansidelibrary.com
Last Saturdays: Poetry Street On The Road at Riverhead Library and online, Riverhead NY, 2 – 4 PM, poetrystreetontheroad.com
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