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
An Evening of Chris Marker: Le Dépays Reading, Music + Sans Soleil Screening (Tomorrow Theater)
Saturday, November 9th, 5:00 p.m. | Tomorrow Theater, 3530 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202 | TICKETS
Come for a special event: Le Dépays live table reading, music by Spencer Doran (of Visible Cloaks) + a rare screening of Sans Soleil. Join us for a multimedia reading of the first English-language edition of Chris Marker’s 1982 photo-essay on Japan, Le Dépays. Inspired by readings of the book organized in Paris and Tokyo over a decade ago, our reading is voiced by artists Midori Hirose and Matt Carlson and features live music by Spencer Doran of Visible Cloaks. Marker’s photography from Le Dépays—which offers a stunning portrait of his favorite country through its people, cats, and metros—will be projected behind the readers while Doran’s live compositions create an atmosphere of high summer in Tokyo.
Juhea Kim in Conversation With Theo Downes-Le Guin (Powell’s Books)
Tuesday, November 26th, 7:00 p.m. | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St. Portland, OR 97209 | FREE
On a White Night in 2019, prima ballerina Natalia Leonova returns to St. Petersburg two years after a devastating accident stalled her career. Once the most celebrated dancer of her generation, she now turns to pills and alcohol to numb the pain of her past. She is unmoored in her old city as the ghosts of her former life begin to resurface: her loving but difficult mother, her absentee father, and the two gifted dancers who led to her downfall. One of those dancers, Alexander, is the love of her life, who transformed both Natalia and her art. The other is Dmitri, a dark and treacherous genius. When the latter offers her a chance to return to the stage in her signature role, Natalia must decide whether she can again face the people responsible for both her soaring highs and darkest hours. Painting a vivid portrait of the Russian ballet world, where cutthroat ambition, ever-shifting politics, and sublime artistry collide, City of Night Birds (Ecco) unveils the making of a dancer with both profound intimacy and breathtaking scope. Mysterious and alluring, passionate and virtuosic, Juhea Kim’s second novel is an affecting meditation on love, forgiveness, and the making of an artist in a turbulent world. Kim will be joined in conversation by Theo Downes-Le Guin, president of the Ursula K. Le Guin Foundation.
Words & Wine — A Book Fair Pop Up (Hip Chicks Do Wine)
Saturday, November 30th, 12:00–5:00 p.m. | Hip Chicks Do Wine, 4510 SE 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97202 | FREE
Join us on Saturday November 30th 12pm – 5:00 p.m. for a Book Fair Pop Up! Meet local Authors and have the chance to purchase books right on site! Get a flight or a glass of wine paired specially with your favorite genre of books! Food and Wine available for purchase. Free admission to the Book Fair Pop Up.
The Magic We Miss: An Anthology of Magic All Around Us (Powell’s Books)
Saturday, November 30th, 3:00 p.m. | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St. Portland, OR 97209 | FREE
In a city (very much inspired by Portland and its surrounding boroughs) we find a young lady riding alone on public transit. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she catches a glimpse of the strangest sight. An ogre! An actual ogre wearing a tattered overcoat, a flat cap, and reading a newspaper! What follows is a growing friendship between the girl and the world-weary magical creature. Their interactions will help reveal a world of wonders that exists parallel to our own, but invisible to most. The stories in Brian and Josie Parker’s anthology, The Magic We Miss (Believe in Wonder Publishing) — crafted by a diverse group of authors and visionaries — will unfold in this setting, each one a unique take on the idea of “magic all around us.” The stories will feature magic, mystery, chills, thrills, and true connection, all with a focus on imagination, resilience, and embracing the unknown. Anthology editor Brian Parker will be joined in conversation by The Magic We Miss contributor Benjamin Gorman, with readings by contributors John Slovacek, Niyyah Ruscher-Haqq, Sean Fishback, Annie Carl, Colleen East, and Stephanie Carrier-Boodram.
Bard Bingo (Wonderwood Springs)
Tuesdays, 7:00–9:00 p.m. | Wonderwood Springs, 8811 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203 | FREE
Bard Bingo at Portland Artist Mike Bennett’s Wonderwood Springs is a lively bingo event hosted by a traveling bard’s musical musings. Held every Tuesday night, this event features four exciting rounds with cards priced at $5 each. It’s cash-only, offering chances to win various prizes such as original artwork, stickers, gift cards, lawn signs, and the coveted jackpot.
Big Cheese Poetry Slam (Hi-Lo Hotel)
Tuesday, September 10th–Sunday, December 15th | F320 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR 97204 | $5–$15
Welcome to the Big Cheese Poetry Slam, a competition designed to earn these poets some cheddar. On the 2nd Tuesday of Every Month, up to 16 poets compete against each other for the Top Three of the Evening. The top three poets of each month’s Big Cheese Poetry Slam will have their poem PUBLISHED in an anthology series at the end of the season. In addition to publication, these Poets of the Evening will receive a CASH PRIZE for contributing to the anthology. 3rd place gets $50, 2nd place gets $75 and 1st place will receive $100, bragging rights AND a victory lap poem.
Portland Design Month (Weird By Design)
Various dates, September 25th–October 26th | Various locations
Portland Design Month is more than a festival — it’s an invitation to see our city with new eyes. In the past, this event was limited to one week. This year, we’re excited to announce that it will run for a full month, featuring numerous events and workshops around the city by nonprofits, designers, students, companies, and you (our awesome attendees).
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS
November Writing Support Group (Write Around Portland)
October 30, 2024- December 4, 2024 | $125 for five sessions amnd a limited number of FREE sports
Would you enjoy the challenge of drafting a novel in a month? We can help! Join us as we support each other, write together, and give each other positive, strengths-based feedback that will help shape your work and give continuous inspiration. And—we made it a 6-week workshop to include planning and celebratory meetings designed to get the most out of November! We can’t wait to write with you! Facilitated by Brandy Bell.
Workshop: Copyright Basics for Artists in Oregon (Portland Center Stage)
October 27th and November 10th, 12:00–2:00 pm | Portland Center Stage at the Armory, 128 NW 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 | FREE
Join us for a FREE community workshop series called Copyright Basics For Artists In Oregon, led by Oregon Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts member Marcena Day. This program will highlight key elements every artist and creative medium should consider when sharing or borrowing copyrighted materials. We will explore the who, what, why, when, and how to register copyrighted works. *Each workshop will cover the same information and it will be presented on different dates to accommodate community availability.
Call for entries: The Library Writers Project (Multnomah County Library & Ooligan Press)
October 1-31, 2024 | Free to submit
Multnomah County Library wants to read your book! From October 1-31, the library will be accepting submissions from local authors who would like to see their work added to the library’s collection. After library staff review submissions, they will add the best ones to the library’s e-book collection on the Libby app and OverDrive website, together visited by over 9,000 MCL patrons every single day. Submissions also have the potential to be published in print by Ooligan Press.
Soapstone Study Groups (Soapstone: Celebrating Women Writers)
Various dates, August–November 2024
Soapstone offers a program of six study groups each year on women writers. Enjoy lively, friendly, in-depth conversations with other readers, skillfully led by writers and teachers. People of all genders and identities are welcome. No previous knowledge of the works discussed is necessary. Scholarships are available.
Benjamin Saltman Poetry Award (Red Hen Press)
Deadline to submit: October 31st, 2024 | $25 entry fee
Established in 1998, in honor of the poet Benjamin Saltman (1927–1999), this award is for a previously unpublished original collection of poetry. The awarded collection is selected through an annual competition that is open to all poets. Winner awarded $3000 and $3000 book publication by Red Hen Press.
FOR KIDS / TEENS
Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical (Oregon Historical Society)
November 1st–17th | Newmark Theatre, Antoinette Hatfield Hall, 1111 SW Broadway Ave., Portland, OR 97205 | TICKETS
Cat Kid and Molly Pollywog have started an epic club to teach 21 rambunctious baby frogs how to make their own comics! Their fishy father Flippy is overjoyed that his kids will learn to unleash their creativity, but when the frogs’ constant bickering and outrageous imaginations send their comics comically off the rails, Flippy flips out! Will the club survive? Will the frogs ever get along? And will creativity finally save the day? All will be answered in this madcap musical based on Dav Pilkey’s irreverently hilarious book series.
A Kids Book About Racism, with Jelani Memory (Multnomah County Library)
Saturday, November 23rd, 2–2:30 pm | 801 SW 10th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205 | FREE
Meet local author, Jelani Memory, a TED X Portland alum, and entrepreneur who created a “A Kids Co,” the series of kids books exploring big topics. Jelani will read, “A Kids Book About Racism” and share about creating literature for children on challenging, empowering, and important subjects. Elementary aged children accompanied by adults are welcome! Get ready for an engaging, special event with this visionary.
Teen Anime and Manga Club (Multnomah County Library)
Tuesday, November 26th, 4–5 pm | 801 SW 10th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205 | FREE
View, review, snack and yak about all things anime and manga. We meet the fourth Tuesday of the month to discuss our favorite series, watch anime, read manga, and eat snacks!
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 Powell’s every Saturday for kids’ storytime.
IN THE NEWS
Portland Book Festival returns for 10th year (KOIN)
Here’s the winner of the 2024 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction (LitHub)
2024 National Book Awards Longlist for Fiction (National Book Foundation)
BOLD Coffee & Books Opening in Goose Hollow (Willamette Week)
Zadie Smith is ruthless about getting rid of books (The Washington Post)
RECOMMENDED READING
La Biblioteca Recomienda: Celebrando el Día de Muertos | Day of The Dead (Multnomah County Library)
Democracy & Government K-5 (Multnomah County Library)
Gritty urban fantasy (Multnomah County Library)
Read with PRIDE: Two-spirit and Indigiqueer voices, for adults (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!
