Past Programs | Directions to Casa Libre

Edge: a Reading Series of Emerging and Younger Writers

Curator: Melissa Buckheit

A note from the curator: I have often wanted to listen to authors who are in the same place in their careers as myself, emerging, published in journals or with a chapbook, but without a major book, still growing but full of passion, new ideas, and an edge. But there has been little opportunity for this; in fact I have often felt disappointed in the lack, that such an otherwise open community might often be so circumscribed in its programming. Additionally, featuring emerging writers engages other young as well as established writers, to support, frequent and attend Casa Libre and other writing events. This cycle creates the foundation for a writing community which self-generates, remains true, open, and allows many voices the opportunity for visibility and being heard. I want Tucson to be an artistic community which includes and features many voices and peoples. Literature is the province of communication, but also reflectivity, the reflection and representation of all our narratives and of new narratives and ideas, voices which are challenging and also challenge us.

Lisa Cole and Damon McLaughlin
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
7:30 p.m.
Suggested Donation: $5

Come to Edge: A Reading Series of Emerging and Younger Writers. Edge is a series of local and national writers and cross-genre artists, emphasizing diversity of narrative, identity and literary source. Its purpose is to create community, visibility and voice for emerging and younger writers. Broadsheets of the authors' work will accompany each reading. Books and journals will be available for purchase and signing by the authors. Refreshments will be available after the reading.

Readers:

Lisa Cole, Tucson native, is attending The University of Arizona, to obtain her MFA in Creative Writing with a concentration in poetry. When she is not writing, she tutors at the Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques (SALT) Center on the UA campus, and is interning with her friend and colleague Charles Gillispie at Cottonwood Rehabilitation Center, designing lesson plans in poetry therapy for teenaged girls. Lisa strongly believes in the healing power of writing and she wants to devote her life to education and social service. She is greatly indebted to countless people for their unconditional support while she pursues her career in the arts. Special mention goes to her father Tyler Cole, and her friend and mentor Wendy Burk.

Damon McLaughlin is an MFA graduate of The University of Arizona, and his work has appeared in the Best New Poets series; Red, White, and Blues: Poets on the Promise of America; and a variety of other anthologies and journals. His debut collection, Exchanging Lives, published by the Backwaters Press, was a finalist for the Holland Prize. He is also winner of the Briar Cliff Review Poetry Contest, the Davis Demitasse Poetry Prize, and has been nominated for a Pushcart. Currently he's finishing a second manuscript and blogs at presenteverywhere.blogspot.com.

 

 

Next Edge Reading will be held on December 11 at 8 p.m.

Past Edge Readings:

October 2008

September 2008

July 2008

June 2008

May 2008

April 2008

March 2008

February 2008

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