4/7 Creative Things Newsletter
Hi everyone,
Happy National Poetry Month! Let’s start off with a prompt—thanks to Rick Lupert at Poetry Super Highway for sharing my specpo prompt as part of their prompt-a-day event: https://www.poetrysuperhighway.com/psh/april-2-2025-poetry-writing-prompt-from-christina-m-rau/
Also, I’ve got a poetry event April 19 at The Curry Club that includes food, writing time, an open mic, and some featured readers. Join in the Spring Tides series! (details below)
THINGS HAPPENED
Lots of art to see and folks to chat with at the Outsider Art Fair in NYC. Lots of poetry and chatting about poetry and a random reunion of a girl scout and a troop leader happened at Cedarmere’s poetry reading featuring Nicole Cooley. Kumail Nanjiani live on stage is an event everyone needs in their lives—I laughed for a full hour straight.
I spent part of my Spring Break in Rhode Island; check out all the boulders I climbed here:
Also, I made it to book club this month to host again, and yup, it’s always a highlight. You can see the follow-up here.
KUDOS!
Akua Lezli Hope’s poem, “Black Orpheus V,” won Synkroniciti’s Winter Poetry Contest!
Lynn McGee’s collection Science Says Yes is out now! (launch info in Things Are Happening)
Bruce AllOne Pandolfo & PurpDon released I Rap The Body Electric!!(one exclamation in the title; the other exclamation for excitement).
Brian Geraghty’s poetry collection This Too Is A Place debuts this month! (launch info in Things Are Happening)
BOOKSHELF
I read almost 100 more pages of Figuring, which makes me happy and proud, and I’m a few pages into April’s book club choice The Radium Girls plus a serendipitous find of Radium Girls, a graphic novel about the same topic (book clubbers, take note!). Also, I’ve jumped on the Murderbot bandwagon, and it’s delightful.
Fiction
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
All Systems Read (The Murderbot Diaries #1) by Martha Wells
Artificial Condition (The Murderbot Diaries #2) by Martha Wells
Poetry
Carmina Magazine published my speculative poem “The Encantada.”
Off Topic Publishing included my poem “Suddenly, There’s Letchworth” in their tea box program (which has unfortunately ended, but what a great idea to send tea with poetry).
“Atmospheric Retraction, 604 North” by Christy Lee Barnes
“Surviving In A Painting by Hieronymus Bosch” by David Salner
“Interpretation of Signs” by C. Dale Young
“The Murder House” by Caroline Bird
Internet
Interview with China Mieville who says scifi is not to blame for everything
Jami Macarty’s reviews on NewPages: Lemonade: A Paranormal Investigation, by Catalina Vargas Tovar. Ugly Duckling Press, 2024.
and
d-sorientation, by Charlene McClure. BOA Editions, 2024.
Ann Cefola’s spring Annogram
Gina Sipley’s newsletter
And of course check out these:
How We Make Amends, post card sentiments, typewriter photographs, found poetry, and new inspirational stickers are all available.
LISTEN
Destinies aired my poem “Calling The Satellites Home.” (Poem at 00:47)
Mankh interviewed Linda Opyr about her new book The Kite.
“Abundance” by Hiram Larew on SoundCloud
Couples Therapy comedy podcast interview with Hanif Abdurraqib
Here’s Sunday Funday Book Club’s soundtrack for Mexican Gothic.
WATCH
A five-minute meditation in collaboration with Somnambulant Visuals
“You Deserve Porches (For Hiram)”
Interstellar
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
OPPORTUNITIES
Find a prompt a day with Zingara Poetry Review and then submit a poem based on one of the prompts next month.
Omnidawn Broadside Contest, Deadline April 17, Fees
SUGGESTED THINGS
Pete Kornowski Art
Rhode Island Edition
Ninigret Park Trolls (Charlestown)
Norman Bird Sanctuary (Middletown)
Cliff Walk (Newport)
Newport Art Museum
Fort Adams State Park (Newport)
Brenton Point State Park (Newport)
Redwood Library & Athenaeum (Newport)
Electromagnetic Pinball Museum and Restoration (Pawtucket)
Hasbro to see Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head (Pawtucket)
MISCELLANY
Where can I get new boots? My riding boots are about to fall apart, and I’ve bought and returned four different pairs of various sizes and brands. Or can someone custom-make me boots, please and thanks?
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
My calendar https://www.christinamrau.com/calendar
Book club details: https://www.christinamrau.com/book-club
Tuesday, April 8: Rex Manning Day! Damn the man! Save the Empire!
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 6 PM EST
Andy Mozina features with fiction at Rose O’Neill Literary House Washington College
Also streaming: https://www.youtube.com/live/cmmWPLccSLA?si=sv_aGzVkQKGIXD1R
Thursday, April 10 from 6 to 8 PM
Lynn McGee book launch for Science Says Yes at The Evolution Store at 687 Broadway, NYC, 10012
Saturday, April 12 at 1 – 3 PM
Collective Voices (Sistah Joy, Ladi Di, Billye Okera and Brenardo Taylor) presents its 2025 National Poetry Month celebration, “From The Page To The Stage” at the Oxon Hill Library’s Sojourner Truth Lecture Hall, 6200 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD 20745. Guest Poet of Distinction: Past Maryland State Poet Laureate, Grace Cavalieri. https://www.pgcmls.info/events
Saturday, April 12 at 5 – 7 PM
PGAHC presents a poetry performance and book signing of Bridge Over Aggravated Troubles, by Brenardo Taylor, with Moderator Jayel Price and Guest Poets Collective Voices at Arts’tination, 162 Waterfront Street., Oxon Hill, (National Harbor), MD 20745.
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
Monday, April 14, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Workshop: Turning Lead into Gold: The Alchemy of Peer-Workshopping Your Poems with Nicole Caruso Garcia, Trumbull Public Library, FREE
Register: https://trumbull.libcal.com/event/14317729
Friday, April 18 at 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Ebenezer AME Church Poetry Ministry 2025 National Poetry Month Celebration, “Poetry As A Bridge For Peace and Inclusion,” with Featured Poet Legacy Severe along with The Anointed P.E.N.S. (Poets Empowered to Nurture Souls); the Ministry’s vocalist ensemble, The Psalmists of Solomon; and Djembe Drummer, Doc Powell. Plus Open Mic. 7707 Allentown Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744
Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 6-9 PM (features begin 7:30)
Spring 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
RSVP encouraged: brandt.emily@gmail.com
Friday, April 25: The Perfect Date
Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 10-noon
Sunday Funday Book Club at Ghost Brewing Company reading The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
Wednesday, April 30 at 8 – 10 PM
Busboys & Poets - 450K St. (NW), Washington, DC location presents “The Laureate’s Voice,” featuring Poet Laureate, emerita (2018-2023), Sistah Joy; Event Host: Simply Sherri.
$5 in advance; $8 at the door: www.eventbrite.com or www.busboysandpoets.com.
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: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTz446HsXlC-GQGnRfYzT6fFXlu48kVHD1hRNmLvqASPTL6A/viewform
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
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 7-8 PM
Calling All Writers Spoken Word Open Mic organized by Frank Rinck and Tammy Green at Urban Coffee, 101 Broadway, Greenlawn, NY
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 7 PM
Lit Youngstown First Wednesdays featuring Jon Graham & David Prather, Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave, Youngstown OH
Friday, May 16—Sunday, May 18
Bookstock! Woodstock, VT
https://bookstockvt.org/bookstock-workshops
Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 10-noon
Sunday Funday Book Club at Ghost Brewing Company reading The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam
Wednesday, May 28, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Workshop: Crafting Formal Verse: Dodging Common Pitfalls with Nicole Caruso Garcia
Poetry by the Sea Conference, Mercy Center, Madison, CT. Accessible.
Register: https://poetrybytheseaconference.org/2025-faculty/ Cost: $150
Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 7-8:30 PM
Brian Geraghty’s book launch for This Too Is A Place
Jack Jack’s Coffeehouse, 223 Deer Park Ave, Babylon, NY 11702
Monday, June 2, 2025, 6pm
Poets House Walk Across The Brooklyn Bridge: https://poetshouse.org/event/27th-poetry-walk-across-the-brooklyn-bridge/
Saturday, June 16, 2025 at 10 AM
Hike Around And Write with WWBA
Registration link coming soon
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
Sunday, June 29, 2025 at 10-noon
Sunday Funday Book Club, Lithology in Farmingdale, reading Mortals by John Dermott Woods and Matt L
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
First Tuesdays: Calling All Writers Spoken Word Open Mic, Urban Coffee, 101 Broadway, Greenlawn, NY, 7-8 PM, 5 minute limit, kindness required
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
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: Poetry Pairs Series, Literature Repository Reading, Bohemia, 7 PM
Third Thursdays: NeuroNautic Institute Presents open mic with features, Otto’s Shrunken Head, NYC, 7-9 PM
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 PM
www.oceansidelibrary.com
Last Saturdays: Poetry Street On The Road at Riverhead Library and online, Riverhead NY, 2 – 4 PM, poetrystreetontheroad.com