Events, Classes, and Seminars

Our events, classes, and seminars bring the community together to hear, learn, and discuss the most compelling issues and ideas of our day. We hope you will join us in our community space and bookstore at 716 SE Grand Avenue, Portland, OR, online, and at partnering venues across Portland and Oregon.

Thursday

Feb 20

Bookstore   Free Events  

Slamlandia

Slamlandia

Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month, on the third Thursday. This mic provides a creative, fun, and welcoming space for all literary communities in Portland. We encourage poets new and old to come share their work. We strive towards a safe space for poets to read their own poetry,

Find out more
Friday

Feb 7

Bookstore   Free Events  

Art Installation: Glowing Portal Tentacles (3)

Glowing tentacles from another dimension breach realms in multiple Southeast Portland locations, including Literary Arts! Try to locate all eight intricate sculptures! This art installation by Jonas Hartley is part of the 2025 Portland Winter Light Festival.  Peer into another dimension where light itself comes alive! These mysterious tentacles breach the barriers between worlds, emerging

Find out more
Thursday

Feb 6

Bookstore   Free Events  

Bianca Mabute-Louie, Unassimilable: An Asian Diasporic Manifesto for the Twenty-First Century

Join local AANHPI community organizers and groups Ajumama Workshop, Studio Yellow, Liminal Bodies, and PDX Queer Asian Social Meetup as we welcome Bianca Mabute-Louie to Portland for the launch of her new book, Unassimilable: An Asian Diasporic Manifesto for the Twenty-First Century. Bianca will be in conversation with Portland artist and writer, Miro Jooyoung Oh,

Find out more
Wednesday

Feb 5

Tuesday

Feb 4

Bookstore   Free Events  

The Edge of Water: Olufunke Grace Bankole

Olufunke Grace Bankole reads and discusses her debut novel The Edge of Water, in conversation with Margaret Malone. Join us as we celebrate the debut novel from Portland author and Oregon Literary Fellowship recipient Olufunke Grace Bankole, published by our friends at Portland’s own Tin House. Set between Nigeria and New Orleans, The Edge of Water tells the

Find out more
Thursday

Oct 3

For BIPOC Writers   Free Events   In-person  

BIPOC Reading Series

Rescheduled from September 25.  This monthly reading series is intended to prioritize the safety, creativity, and stories of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color. Come listen to our featured readers, or sign up to share your work in our open mic. Readings will be followed by a short community discussion. Hosted by Kyle Yoshioka and Jessica

Find out more
Thursday

Sep 19

Free Events   In-person  

SLAMLANDIA

Slamlandia

Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month, on the third Thursday. This mic provides a creative, fun, and welcoming space for all literary communities in Portland. We encourage poets new and old to come share their work. We strive towards a safe space for poets to read their own poetry,

Find out more
Wednesday

Aug 28

For BIPOC Writers   Free Events   In-person  

BIPOC Reading Series – August

This monthly reading series is intended to prioritize the safety, creativity, and stories of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color. Come listen to our featured readers, or sign up to share your work in our open mic. Readings will be followed by a short community discussion. Hosted by Kyle Yoshioka and Jessica Meza-Torres. The featured reader

Find out more
Friday

Aug 16

Free Events   In-person  

Graft Union Reading Series & Open Mic

Join us for the third installment of the Graft Union Reading Series—a monthly event for sharing creative writing, food, drink, and community, featuring student writers from PDX academic institutions and beyond! The Graft Union Reading Series is a community-driven collective for students and emergent writers in Portland with an emphasis on celebrating new voices. We

Find out more
Thursday

Aug 15

Free Events   In-person  

Slamlandia

Slamlandia

Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month, on the third Thursday. This mic provides a creative, fun, and welcoming space for all literary communities in Portland. We encourage poets new and old to come share their work. We strive towards a safe space for poets to read their own poetry,

Find out more
Saturday

Aug 10

Free Events   In-person  

First Matter Press Book Launch Party

Join Oregon Literary Publishing Fellowship recipient First Matter Press on August 10th as they launch their 2024 titles, greenhouse and Suspended In My Insecticide Jar.  The evening's festivities will include featured readings from Sophie Hall and Clara McAuley, original art for purchase from 2024 cover artist Alexandra Strenfel, and readings from our 2024 Ekphrastic Poem Contest selections.

Find out more
Wednesday

Aug 7

Tuesday

Aug 6

Wednesday

Jul 31

For BIPOC Writers   Free Events   In-person  

BIPOC Reading Series – July

This monthly reading series is intended to prioritize the safety, creativity, and stories of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color. Come listen to our featured readers, or sign up to share your work in our open mic. Readings will be followed by a short community discussion. Hosted by Kyle Yoshioka and Jessica Meza-Torres. The featured reader

Find out more
Wednesday

Jul 17

Free Events   In-person  

INCITE: Queer Writers Read – July

Incite: Queer Writers Read

Incite: Queer Writers Read is a curated, bimonthly reading series for Queer writers. Incite’s hope is to create conversation, connection, and greater understanding both within the Queer community and with other communities. Hosted by Vinnie Kinsella and Jennifer Perrine. The featured readers for July are David Ciminello, Shelley Gaske, and Charlie J. Stephens. The theme

Find out more
Tuesday

Jul 16