Each month, Literary Arts staff will round up news, events, and more happening in Portland, and beyond. Let us know in the form below the blog if you have any events or news to share.
EVENTS
Consider This with Eli Saslow (Oregon Humanities)
Wednesday, April 3rd, 7:00 p.m. | Online or in person at Alberta Rose Theatre | $15
Eli Saslow is a national reporter for the New York Times. His recent reporting has focused on homelessness, inequality, and opioid addiction in Arizona, California, and Oklahoma. He lives in Portland. This conversation—the last in the 2023–24 Consider This series about fear and belonging—will explore how intersecting crises of housing, drug addiction, and mental health affect people and communities across the country. It will also discuss the stories we tell about these crises. From what perspectives are they told? And who are they for?
Off the Charts Song Poem Contest (Hollywood Theatre)
Thursday, April 4th, 7:30 p.m. | In person at Hollywood Theatre | $12
Off the Charts is a beautiful and entertaining documentary about the “song poem” industry. Starting in the 1940s and continuing on to the present day, ads have been placed in newspapers urging folks to send song lyrics along with some cash. Their lyrics, no matter how surreal, grotesque, satanic, or just plain bad, would be set to music, pressed on a record, and sent back to them. Director Jamie Meltzer will be in attendance to introduce the film. After the movie, bands will perform song poems written by Portland locals, including a performance from a couple secret surprise guests!
The Reser Presents: Alphabet Rockers (The Reser)
Saturday, April 6th, 11:00 a.m. | In person at The Reser | Tickets priced at $15–$20
Grammy-winning Alphabet Rockers make music that makes change, creating brave spaces to shape a more equitable world through hip hop. Their hip hop concerts (assemblies) and workshops engage communities in critical thinking and conversations about diversity, skin color, gender identity, and social justice. Their music, videos, concerts, and curriculum are designed by an intercultural team of anti-bias thought leaders, educators, artists, parents, and young people of all genders.
Willa Schneberg Reading: The Naked Room (J. Pepin Art Gallery)
Sunday, April 14th, 2:00 p.m. | In person at J. Pepin Art Gallery | FREE to attend
Willa Schneberg will be reading from her latest poetry collection, The Naked Room at J. Pepin Art Gallery, a gallery which focuses on “reframing the perception of mental illness to be one of mental health.” Works from her “Bookish” ceramic sculpture series will be available for purchase Friday, April 12th–Sunday, April 14th. Willa has been touched by mental health issues in her private and professional life. All of her books, to a certain degree, have explored strong emotions and the capacity for resilience.
I Lived to Tell the World: Author’s Conversation with Elizabeth Mehren (The Immigrant Story & Beaverton City Library)
Tuesday, April 16th, 6:00 p.m. | In person at Beaverton City Library Auditorium | FREE to attend
The Beaverton City Library and The Immigrant Story invite you to commemorate Genocide Awareness Month with an intimate literary evening with Elizabeth Mehren as she discusses her latest book, I Lived to Tell the World: Stories from Survivors of Holocaust, Genocide, and the Atrocities of War. She will be in conversation with Sankar Raman, founder and president of The Immigrant Story.
Salman Rushdie in conversation with Suleika Jaouad (PEN America & Random House Publishing Group)
Tuesday, April 16th, 5:00 p.m. | Online | Ticket + book bundle available through Powell’s, $28
PEN America and Random House Publishing Group are proud to present internationally renowned writer, free speech advocate, and Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie in conversation with Suleika Jaouad, the New York Times bestselling author of Between Two Kingdoms, founder of The Isolation Journals, and subject of the Netflix documentary American Symphony.
Book Launch: Reboot by Justin Taylor (Powell’s Books)
Tuesday, April 23rd, 7:00 p.m. | In person at Powell’s Books | FREE to attend
Justin Taylor’s Reboot (Pantheon) is a madcap speculative comedy for our era of glass-eyed doom-scrolling and Millennial nostalgia — and yet it’s still full of heart. It’s a tale of former teen heartthrobs, striving parents, internet edgelords, and fish-faced cryptids, for anyone who has looked back on their life and wanted — even if but for a moment — to hit “reset.” Taylor will be joined in conversation by Jon Raymond, author of Denial.
Speaking Up for Street Books: A Spoken Word Showcase and Fundraiser (Street Books)
Tuesday, April 23rd, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. | In person at Up Up Books | Fundraiser, FREE to attend, RSVP preferred
Enjoy an evening of spoken word poetry by some of Portland’s powerful poets, and support the vital work Street Books does, providing literature and a community of care on the streets of Portland. This event will kick off Street Books’ spring campaign, raising $20,000 in support of one of Portland’s essential nonprofit organizations. Sparkling wine, tea and cupcakes provided!
Ekphraestival (The Writers Block, Soliloquy Fine Arts, Blackfish Gallery, and The Lobby)
Thursday, April 4th–Thursday, April 25th | In person, various locations | FREE to attend
Celebrate National Poetry Month this April with Ekphraestival! This 1st annual event arose out of a collaboration between 25 poets and 26 visual artists bringing together poetry & art. Named for the rhetorical term ekphrasis, which is often understood as a literary interpretation of visual art, Ekphraestival uses the term more broadly, celebrating the creation of visual work in response to poetry. During the month of April, Ekphraestival will feature three new exhibitions and a series of readings that will take place at galleries in NW and SE, including: Soliloquy Fine Arts, The Writers’ Block, Blackfish Gallery, and The Lobby.
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS
Artist Residency, Ecological Arts Funding, and/or Writing Retreat (Fernland Studios)
Deadline to apply: April 8th, 2024
Fernland Studios is an experimental ecological arts studio offering rest, rejuvenation, and reciprocity. We provide Black, Indigenous, and all people of color artist residencies, ecological arts funding, and writing retreats at no cost and with additional funding to support their practice. These are three separate opportunities. They are hosting a virtual information session on Friday, March 22, from 10-11 am PT to discuss logistics and answer questions.
Single Poem Contest (Omnidawn Publishing)
Deadline to submit: April 12th, 2024
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a single poem. The winner also receives 20 copies of a letterpress broadside of the winning poem. Claire Marie Stancek will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a poem of 8 to 24 lines with a $12 entry fee by April 12. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
University of Iowa Press: Iowa Poetry Prize (University of Iowa Press)
Deadline to submit: April 30th, 2024
Publication by University of Iowa Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 50 to 150 pages with a $20 entry fee during the month of April. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Expert Talks: Professional Support for Cultural Producers (Regional Arts & Culture Council)
Various dates, April–May 2024 | $15 per appointment
Artists and art workers are matched with experts in the disciplines of Theatre, Film/Media, Dance/ Movement, Literary Arts, Music, Public art and Visual Arts in a program designed to provide condensed, dedicated time for individuals to receive career advice and feedback on their work from professionals in their field. Each appointment lasts up to 25 minutes and takes place virtually on Zoom.
University Club Author-in-Residence Program (University Club Portland)
Application deadline: April 30, 2024
The University Club of Portland Author-in-Residence is chosen for a residency of one year (June-May). The resident author receives a complimentary year-long membership in the University Club as well as access to reciprocal clubs worldwide. The author also receives a complimentary twice-monthly luncheon privilege for two, and an invitation to attend one complimentary University Club-sponsored event for two during the residency period, with food and non-alcoholic beverages included.
International Dublin Writers’ Festival (International Dublin Writers’ Festival)
Friday, September 20th–Sunday, September 22nd | $45–$149
This event is an opportunity for all writers, everywhere, to connect with the literary culture of Dublin and to learn from experts and peers. Their mission is to help writers excel and to provide opportunities for writers to learn from key industry professionals, aiming to provide community, inspiration, and learning opportunities for authors in all genres. Their program includes sessions on editing, (self)publishing, and marketing for authors, and includes a varied panel of renowned authors and industry experts. The featured speakers this year include Doug Richardson (Screenwriter, Author, & Literary Consultant) and A. Keith Carrero (Award-winning Author & Educator).
FOR KIDS / TEENS
A Year with Frog and Toad LIVE (Northwest Children’s Theater)
Saturday, April 6th–Sunday, April 28th | In person at The Judy | General admission $25–$35
Wake up from hibernation with this delightful musical based on Arnold Lobel’s treasure characters. Join best friends Frog and Toad as they hop, sing, and dance through a year of adventure. As the seasons change from spring to fall, the cheerful Frog and the more timid Toad plant a garden, go swimming, fly kites, and more – all while celebrating the importance of friendship. A Year with Frog and Toad features a jazzy, upbeat score that will have the whole family tapping their toes!
Toddler Storytime & Play (Sunrise Books)
Thursdays, at 10:00 a.m. | In person at Sunrise Books | FREE to attend
Join Sunrise Books every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. for toddler storytime! They’ll sing, dance, do a read aloud, and have a rockin’ good time. Perfect for ages 18 months–4 years. This storytime is free; however, they accept donations to keep it going.
Kids’ Story & Art Class at Awake Coffee & Art!
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10:00 a.m. | In person at Awake Coffee & Art | $8
Bring your little ones Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. for a storybook reading and art session!
They’ll have a hands-on art project after the reading. It could be watercolor painting, making and playing with play dough, or another creative project to engage the young artists’ talents! All materials included!
Kids’ Storytime (Powell’s)
Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. | Powell’s City of Books | FREE
Join us every Saturday for kids’ storytime.
IN THE NEWS
Portland nonprofit expanding with new Central Eastside headquarters (Portland Business Journal)
New Literary Arts headquarters will include bookstore and café in Southeast Portland (Oregon Live)
2024 Oregon Book Award Winners Announced (Willamette Week)
Literary Legacies: Local writer Ellen Waterston wins multiple awards (Bend Source Weekly)
Warm Springs elder finalist for Oregon Book Award (The Madras Pioneer)
Linfield prof wins Literary Arts fellowship (News-Register)
West Linn author nominated for third Oregon Book Award (West Linn Tidings)
Literary Arts announces 2024 Oregon Book Awards finalists (Oregon ArtsWatch)
RECOMMENDED READING
A Booklover’s Guide to Portland (Travel Portland)
10 New Books From Around the World (Powell’s)
Local Resources for Writers (Multnomah County Library)
Community News Submissions
Let us know if you have any events, news to share, or opportunities for writers for the In the Community blog and we will consider adding it to the next blog post!
