Wednesday, 6/24: Red Hen Press at City Lights with Ron Carlson (short story writer, novelist, poet and educator who co-directs the MFA writing program at UC Irvine), Dean Kostos (This Is Not A Skyscraper), and Amy Uyematsu (The Yellow Door). Free, 7 p.m., City Lights Bookstore.
Petaluma has an active literary scene, for which the Get Lit reading series, hosted by Dani Burlison and Kara Vernor, is a vibrant vector. The series celebrates their two-year anniversary with local writers Leilani Clark (freelance journalist), Amanda Janik (Boyfriends, Husbands and Bad Ideas), and distinguished artist turned memoirist Victoria Wagner. Free, 7 p.m., Corkscrew Wine Bar, Petaluma.
Thursday, 6/25: The lovely Bird and Beckett Book store hosts many events, including Avery Burns’s Murmuration Series. Tonight’s features include Tod Thilleman, Lewis Warsh, and Toni Mirosevich. Free, 7 p.m., Bird & Beckett Books and Records.
San Francisco poet laureate emeritus Jack Hirschman regularly hosts Thursdays At Readers at Readers Bookstore in Fort Mason. Tonight’s featured readers are Julia Vinograd and Robert Anbian. Free, 6:30 p.m., Readers Bookstore, Fort Mason, Building C.
In Berkeley, National Book Award nominee Kate Walbert will read from and discuss her new novel, The Sunken Cathedral, in conversation with Ann Packer. Free, 7:30 p.m., Mrs. Dalloway’s Bookstore.
Friday, 6/26: Admirers of YA literature have a second chance to check out Mrs. Dalloway’s to hear 2015 Newbury Award-winner Kwame Alexander present his new novel, The Crossover. Free, 5:30 p.m., Mrs. Dalloway’s Bookstore.
Nomadic Press continues to enlighten and enliven the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland with poet Nick Johnson and music by Totem Pulse. Free (donations kindly requested), 7 p.m., Nomadic Press.
Saturday, 6/27: The Beatnik Shindig, presented at Fort Mason by North Beach’s Beat Museum, is largest Beat Generation Conference held in 20 years. Sessions will run all day on Saturday and Sunday, and will feature a huge roster of beat celebrities and current practitioners of the Beat aesthetic. Many events are free and some are ticketed. The complete schedule is posted on the website.
We recommend:
A free 60-minute poetry writing workshop with Neeli Cherkovski. Free, 2 p.m., Readers Bookstore, Building C.
Levi Asher will moderate a panel discussion with the surviving children of Neal and Carolyn Cassidy (Cathi, Jami, and John Cassidy) along with family friends Al Hinkle and Brian Hasset. $15, 4 p.m., Fort Mason Center.
Sunday, 6/28: Beatnik Shindig continues. See the website for a complete schedule. All events are at the Fort Mason Center.
We recommend:
Jack Hirschman speaking on The Politics of Poetry. Free, 12 p.m.
David Meltzer, Poetry & Story Telling, $15, 4:00 p.m.
Ruth Weiss, Can’t Stop The Beat!, with jazz musicians Doug O’Connor, Rent Romus, and Hal Davis. $25, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, 6/30: Lauren Saft (Those Girls) in conversation with Josh Mohr (Fight Song). Free, 7 p.m., Green Apple Books on Clement.
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This week’s theatre recommendation is A Wake presented by San Francisco Theatre Pub whose mission statement reads, “Make it good, keep it casual, have a beer.” A Wake is described as “an immersive piece featuring a series of events occuring throughout the PianoFight! bar.” Audiences are encouraged to “move as if you’re just out to drink, and experience the night unfold around you.” Tickets are free, although a $5.00 donation is encouraged. For further information, click here.
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Evan Karp is taking a short break from his series of videos with local authors, usually featured in this space. They will be back soon.
