Is El Niño dampening your day? Stay dry at these indoor literary events.
Quiet Lightning + Radar Productions Presents a Queer Literary Mixtape
What happens when two of San Francisco’s most beloved reading series come together? Some seriously great literature. Quiet Lightning and Radar Productions are joining forces to bring the Castro a night of literary bliss featuring an amazing lineup curated by Maisha Z. Johnson and Evan Karp. Readers include the likes of Kitty Stryker, Bonnie Kwong, Ed Wolf, Natasha Dennerstein, Brian Thorstenson, and many more. Plus, not only will there be a special performance by San Francisco band GAYmous, but each of the readings performed will be printed in a book featuring cover art by Ariel Dunitz-Johnson; the first hundred attendees will receive a free copy. This event is open to the public and free for all, so there’s no reason not to show up. // Sunday, February 7, 4:30-6:30pm: Eureka Valley Recreational Center (100 Collingwood St, San Francisco); facebook.com/events
Known for his bestselling novel-turned-movie Life of Pi, author Yann Martel is back to transport audiences in his upcoming novel The High Mountains of Portugal, a captivating journey told in three sections, which takes the reader through the last century in Portugal. Martel will at Haight-Ashbury’s The Booksmith to discuss his latest novel and signing copies for attendees. This event is free and open to the public; seating will be first come first serve. Make sure to get your copy of Martel’s upcoming novel early, it’s sure to fly off the shelves. // Tuesday, February 9, 7:30pm: The Booksmith (1644 Haight St, San Francisco); thebooksmith.com
Lip Service West: 1,500 Word True Stories
Founded in Los Angeles, this raw and honest live performance is making its way to the Bay Area for a night of inspiring and personal storytelling. Hosted bi-monthly by San Pablo Arts District Fund, this brutally honest event will feature readers Jason Buchholz, Steven Gray, Allison Landa, John Panzer, and even Seinfeld writer Peter Mehlman. The event is dedicated to Lip Service West’s Don Grant, their long-time videographer who passed away last Christmas. As usual, the event’s signature wine and hot dogs will be served free of charge. // Friday, February 12, 7:30pm: Pegasus Books Downtown (2349 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley); lipservicewest.com
Angela Davis Discusses Mumia Abu-Jamal’s Writing on the Wall
After spending nearly 30 years on death row, journalist and activist Mumia Abu Jamal’s most recent work Writing on the Wall: Selected Prison Writings of Mumia Abu-Jamalwill be examined and discussed by fellow political activist and scholar Angela Davis and Abu-Jamal’s editor Johanna Fernandez. His work consists of over 100 unpublished essays spanning the time of his incarceration with discussions on Rosa Parks, Trayvon Martin, Edward Snowden, and more. Hosted by City Lights Books and KPFA Radio 94.1FM, this is sure to be a night of relevant and important discussion of politics, history, and social change. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. // Thursday, February 18, 7:30pm: First Congregational Church (2501 Harrison St, Oakland); kpfa.org
(Photo Courtesy of University of San Francisco)
MFA Reading Series: Louise Gluck
Continuing into its fifteenth year, The University of San Francisco’s Master of Fine Arts reading series will welcome Poet Laureate Louise Gluck to discuss her numerous books of poetry and essays. As a current Rosenkranz writer in residence at Yale University, her acclaimed poetry has won a number of awards including the National Book Award, Pulitzer Prize, and the National Book Critics Circle Award. The event is held on the University’s main campus and is free and open to the public. // Thursday, February 25, 7:45pm-9:30pm; The University of San Francisco (2130 Fulton St, San Francisco); usfca.edu
