Notable Philadelphia: 5/28–6/3
Wednesday 5/29: Celebrate the five-year anniversary of You Can’t Kill a Poet, the long-running local reading series dedicated to providing a space for queer and/or trans writers to share their work! Featuring readings by Berry Grass, Laura Kochman, lii xu, Genise Deal, Quinn Rodriguez, Katbug, and Cashmere Harper! Hosted by Boston Gordon. 7:30 p.m. at Tattooed Mom.
Thursday 5/30: The Dead Bards of Philadelphia will present an evening of poetry featuring readings by Zach Blackwood, June Gehringer, and Amy Saul-Zerby, followed by an open mic. 8 p.m. at Venice Island Performing Arts Recreation Center.
The Song-Poems series at the Free Library, where Philadelphia musicians interpret and perform works from the library’s poetry collection, will return with a concert featuring experimental guitarist Bill Nace. 6 p.m. at Free Library of Philadelphia.
Friday 5/31: The Wooden Shoe will host a reading by Sham-e-Ali Nayeem, author of the new poetry collection City of Pearls. Sham-e-Ali will be joined by Marissa Johnson-Valenzuela, Vanessa Huang, Kirwyn Sutherland, and Yalini Dream. 7 p.m. at Wooden Shoe Books and Records.
The Philly Pigeon will present “Dismantle the House,” a choreopoem about the intimacy of power, violence, and revolution from director and performer Kai Davis, and also featuring Shanel Edwards, Ashley Davis, Afaq, and David Gaines. Ticketed performances will take place on May 31st and June 1st. $20 reserved seating, $15 at the door (limited availability). 8 p.m. at Community Education Center (CEC).
Saturday 6/1: A Novel Idea on Passyunk will host the launch of Tianna G. Hansen’s debut poetry collection Undone, Still Whole. Featuring readings by Tianna G. Hansen, Rebecca Kokitus, Kaitlyn Buhrman, and Dani Tauber. 7 p.m. at A Novel Idea on Passyunk.
Poetry at P&P returns with readings by Jim Cory, Anne-Adele Wight, and Sean Hanrahan, followed by an open mic. Hosted by Bob Zell. 8 p.m. at Pen & Pencil Club.
Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books will host an author talk and book signing with Common, acclaimed musician, actor, activist, and author of Let Love Have the Last Word. 1 p.m. at Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books.
Sunday 6/2: Moonstone Poetry will host a day of poetry, camaraderie, and refreshment as they celebrate the publication of their twenty-third Poetry Ink, a chapbook anthology of poems from writers of all different backgrounds, styles, and influences. The event will feature readings by one hundred poets! See Moonstone’s website for lineup and reading schedule. 12 p.m. at 1319 Locust Street.
A Novel Idea on Passyunk will host an afternoon with LL Holt, author of Invictus. 3 p.m. at A Novel Idea on Passyunk.
Shakespeare & Co. will host a discussion with Julia Plevin, author of The Healing Magic of Forest Bathing: Finding Calm, Creativity, and Connection in the Natural World. 6:30 p.m. at Shakespeare & Co.
Monday 6/3: The June edition of the Community Drafts open mic will take place at A Novel Idea on Passyunk! The open mic is open to all artists of all genres, and sign-ups begin at 7:30. Hosted by Christina Rosso-Schneider. 8 p.m. at A Novel Idea on Passyunk.
*
Philly Recommended Reading: Each week we’ll recommend work by a local writer featured in Notable. This week, it’s “closet skeleton” by Rebecca Kokitus (Yes Poetry, February 2019). Enjoy!
***
If you have a Philadelphia event listing you’d like us to consider for Notable Philadelphia, please contact notablePhiladelphia@therumpus.net as far in advance as possible, and include the date of the event in the subject line.
***
Logo art by Max Winter.