2/1 All Good Things
Happy February!
First: My mom celebrated another birthday this past week. Happy birthday, Ro!
And now—
THINGS HAPPENED
Winter break meant museum overload, mostly in NYC. It also meant buying an extra ten-trip ticket for the train before the MTA stopped selling them. I got to feature at Oceanside Library and realized I haven’t read poetry in front of folks in a long time, so it was refreshing to do so on a recently renovated and spectacularly new stage for mostly people I’d never met before, with gratitude to Peter Dugan, the host, whom I’ve known for either a little over or a little under twenty years. Additionally, I packed in some online workshops thanks to ESWA and The Writers’ Center and a yoga webinar with BeYogi about Qi Gong. Thanks to the TLA Network, I got to host online Meditate, Move, & Create, one of my most favorite things to do. Book club unfolded as a movie-watching-cross-over event starting at 9:45 AM which meant pajamas and popcorn and I didn’t read the book even though I hosted. However, I’m a book and a half ahead for the next few months. But I’m getting ahead of myself here. Let’s jump into the nitty gritty.
WELLNESS CORNER
Slow flow is flowing gloriously every Tuesday at 7:15-8:15 PM at Sukha Studio! I have not fallen asleep during class, so the later time seems to be working out. Join in the fun here.
Also, I’ve got limited availability for Reiki, meditation, yoga, and wellness endeavors throughout the month. Info here.
Can’t join in person? Here’s a playlist that I add to when I find a song I like, and eventually, I will make useable playlists out of this mishmash. If you make a playlist from it, please share.
To stay warm between massive shoveling, I finally tried bone broth hot cocoa. If you’re wondering, it tastes exactly like what it’s called. Drop me a line if you’d like the recipe.
KUDOS!
Heather Lang-Cassera’s collection Firefall (Unsolicited Press) has been named the Independent Press Award winner in the category of Poetry: The Natural & Creative World!
Reality Gays with Mattie and Poodle has been nominated for an Ambie in the category Best Ad Read!
Katie Manning’s poem “At The Bird Rehab Facility In Vermont” is the Poem Of The Month at Only Poems!
BOOKSHELF
As aforementioned, I’m getting ahead with book club books—I finished February’s Dead Romantics and March’s Project Hail Mary (future book club dates and reads are here). I also read another solid chunk of Figuring along with a bunch of short fiction, poetry, and other genres in various lit mags (if you submit to lit mags, please read them, too).
Poetry
“Sleeper” by Krisztina Toth
“From Top to Bottom” by Francis de Lima
Two poems by Mel Nichols
“Comprehensive Ranking System” by Chimwemwe Undi
“[from the time we were talking]” by Henri Meschonnic
“Sempre Libera” by George Guida
“Attachment Detached: for Qi Hong” by Yuan Changming
“Instrument” by Dao Strom
“We, Made of Bone” by Mahtem Shiferraw
“Breathe. As in. (shadow)” by Rosamond S. King
“The Problem with Invention” by Charles Rafferty
“I Put Tasks I Do For Free Into A Folder Titled ‘Jobs’” by Emily Lee Luan
“Persephone Renewed—After a sculpture by Ivy Parsons” by Pat Valdata
“Perspective” (and another poem) by Sydney Lea
“The City” by Nathalie Handal
“Those Who Can’t” by Taylor Franson-Thiel
Fiction
Excerpts from Fort Fort Wayne by Michael Martone
“Pack Hunters” by John Dermot Woods
Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston (Sunday Funday Book Club for Feb!)
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (Sunday Funday Book Club for March!)
Cartoons
Cartoons by Jonathan Borthwick
Art
“Studio” by Al Schnupp
Photography by Anna Maeve
Mixed Media / Cross Genre
“missing things” by Maudie Bryant
Three pieces by Jerome Berglund
“Norman Rockwell Paints Deterrence” and “The Sea is Red” by Evan Wambeke and Laura Weiler
“Coal Hollow Fire, UT” (and other pieces) by Emily Lawson *Note: I’m putting this under cross genre because the writer lists these pieces as lyric essays though the publication lists it as poetry
Internet
Interview with Marie Brennan, first winner of the Hugo Award for Poetry
Definitely not a news story
“How To Visit The Site of Julius Caesar’s Assassination in Rome”
“Phantom Quotation: When Writers Make Us Hear What Wasn’t Said”
Gina Sipley’s latest newsletter
And of course check out these:
Typewriter photographs! Erasure poems! Post card sentiments! Signed copies of How We Make Amends! All here.
LISTEN
Talking Comics Podcast Issue 737: It’s Cats, Man featuring Bob Reyer
WATCH
Greenland 2: Migration (2026)
Stranger Things (caveat: watch if you’ve watched the other seasons and are a completist; otherwise, meh)
Free Solo (2018)
Butterfly In The Sky (Netflix)
Meru (2015)
NHK World – it’s a channel that I can’t stop watching
OPPORTUNITIES
Field Projects Gallery Solo Show and Residency, Deadline February 2
The Cell Theatre Residency, Deadline February 2
Long Island Biennial at Heckscher Museum, Deadline February 2
Juniper Summer Writing Institute Independent Residency, Deadline February 5
Bechdel Project’s Room of One’s Own Residency, Deadline February 6
MTA Arts & Design call for work, Deadline February 8
Caumsett 2026 Artist in Residence opportunity, Deadline February 15
Furious Flower Poetry Prize, Deadline February 15
Breaking and Entering Theatre Collective Rooftop Readings, Deadline February 15
Long Meadow Residences, Deadline February 18
Rabbit Island Residency, Deadline February 22
Dance Workforce Resilience Fund, Rolling deadline to March 3
Silent River Poetry Prize, Deadline March 31
Keyholder Residency at LES Printshop, Deadline April 1
Corning Museum of Glass Residencies, applications open in 2026
dxrose on Threads listing opportunities that pay
Oak Spring Garden Foundation Eliza Moore Fellowship, Opens Feb 2026/Closes May 2026
SUGGESTED THINGS
Nassau County Museum of Art: Real. Surreal. Photoreal.
Society of Illustrators: About Face; The Original Art (children’s book illustrations); and Something Else Entirely (Edward Gorey)
Japan Society: Chiharu Shiota: Two Home Countries (may be closed by the time you read this)
The Met: Man Ray: When Objects Dream; View Finding; The Magical City: George Morrison’s New York; Casa Susana (may be closed by the time you read this); Divine Egypt (may be closed by the time you read this)
MISCELLANY
Aparigraha (Sanskrit) means non-attachment, which is a tenet for which I strive. Also, I accidentally left my Contigo travel mug that I’ve owned for over ten years and for which I recently replaced the gasket so I wouldn’t have to buy a new one at the yoga studio, and when I returned to teach a few days later, it was not in the Lost and Found, and I am totally okay with letting it go because I’m totally not attached to it and even though I’m still thinking about it weeks later and wondering if whoever accidentally took it will eventually return it I’m completely fine, it’s fine, it is totally fine.
All good things,
Christina
**Of course, you can forward this email to those you think may have interest. If you post information publicly, please link back to me. Appreciate it.
THINGS ARE HAPPENING
My calendar https://www.christinamrau.com/calendar
Updated book club info: https://www.christinamrau.com/book-club
Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 2PM
Poets of Queens presents Susan Michele Coronel, C. Francis Fisher, Amy Lemmon, and Rae Decker Stanley
QED, Astoria
Tickets here: https://qedastoria.com/products/poets-of-queens-1
$10
Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 1-3 PM EST
New England Poetry Club presents Reimagined and Recomposed: Transforming Great Poems with Brian Evans-Jones
Advanced prep and registration required.
Tuesday, February 10 at 2:00pm
Writers Reading Series, featuring Kim Roberts, followed by Q&A
Anne Arundel Community College, 101 College Parkway, HUM 102, Arnold, MD Information here. Free
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Typewriter Poetry! (private event – click here to find out more)
Tuesdays, February 17, 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 2026, 7:00-9:00 PM EST
Poetry and Its Forms: Learn the Rules, Then Break Them with Sarah Stern via Zoom More information and registration
$445 for six-week Zoom Workshop WritingWorkshops.com
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 1-4 PM
Poet Body: Unbridled, a workshop through The Poetry Barn
Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 10-noon
Sunday Funday Book Club at Great South Bay Brewery reading The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 7 PM
The Gagootz Show interviews Christina M Rau on Strong Island, TV
Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 7 PM
“I Must Stay Where I Belong:” Ellen Emerson, Faith, 7 1st Parish in Concord with Kate Culkin
Concord, MA
Friday, February 27, 2026 at 7 PM
Speakeasy Soiree and Fundraiser with Islip Arts Council, 1701 Sunrise Hwy, Bay Shore, NY
Saturdays, March 7, 14, 21, & 28, from 12-2pm EST
Play With Matches – Workshop #16: Horse and Rider; layers of consciousness in art with Cori Kresge
Register here. $222, scholarships available, returning members pay-as-you-wish
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 7 PM
An Intimate Chat with Valerie Bertinelli at Madison Theatre, Molloy College, RVC
Tickets here.
Saturday – Sunday, March 14 and 15, 2026
Moonlight Market Expo at Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Tickets here.
Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 3-5 PM
Cedarmere Poetry Series presents Peter Balakian
Cedermere, Roslyn Harbor, NY. Info here.
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Pride Poetry Workshop: Queer Homage with Marlena Chertock and DC Pride Poets Info here.
Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 10-noon
Sunday Funday Book Club reading Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (place TBA)
Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 3-5 PM
Cedarmere Poetry Series presents Long Island Writers Guild members
Cedarmere, Roslyn Harbor, NY. Info here.
Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 10-noon
Sunday Funday Book Club reading Unreliable Narrator: Me, Myself, and Imposter Syndrome by Aparna Nancherla (location TBA)
Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 10-noon
Sunday Funday Book Club reading Shutter by Ramona Emerson (location TBA)
Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 10-noon (tentative)
Sunday Funday Book Club reading Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café by Fannie Flagg
Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 2-3:30 PM
The Gypsy Felons at the Center Moriches Free Public Library
On The Regular (Always check with venues. If no contact info is listed below, google it. If your series has changed, let me know for next time. If you want to add your series, drop me a line).
One Sunday a month: Mid-Island Y JCC Poetry Series 2-4 PM
First Sundays: Poetic License, online, 4 PM
One Sunday a month: Speculative Sundays with Akua Lezli Hope, online, 7 PM EST
Third Sundays: Sunday Reading Series at The Hungry Brain, 6:30 PM,
Every Monday: Open Mic at Great South Bay Brewery, Bay Shore, 6:30 PM
Every Monday: Restless Open Mic, Marché Le Woof 31-03 Vernon Boulevard Astoria. Signups at 6:30 PM
Every Monday: Phoenix Reading Series, Shades of Green 125 e 15th NY NY, 6:30 PM, $5 plus food purchase
Every Monday: The Underground Open Mic at Bar Freda (Queens/Brooklyn Border), 7:30 PM
Every Monday: Easy Paradise Open Mic at KGB Red Room, 8 PM, sign up in advance, 21+, 2 drink min
First Tuesdays: First Tuesdays Series, Espresso 77 Cafe, Jackson Heights, 6:40 Sign up, 7 PM open begins, feature follows, $5 purchase
First Tuesdays: Poetry At Greenspace, 47 Broadway Rocky Pt, NY, 7 PM (open mic sign up 6:30), jeweliasdad@aol.com for info
First Tuesdays: Calling All Writers Spoken Word Open Mic, Urban Coffee, 101 Broadway, Greenlawn, NY, 7-8 PM, 5 minute limit, kindness required
Every Wednesday: Wednesday Night Poetry, Kollective Coffee and Tea, Hot Springs, AZ, 6:30-9 PM
First Wednesdays: The Platform, Madison Community Arts Center 10 Kings Rd Madison NH, 8 PM
Second Wednesdays: Poetry: It's a Shore Thing!, Long Beach Library (NY), 6 PM
Second Wednesdays/Thursdays: The Muse at Neirs Tavern, Queens, 7 PM
Fourth Wednesdays: Risk of Discovery at QED Astoria, 7:30-9 PM
First Thursdays: BVAC at Jack Jacks, Babylon, 7 PM
First Thursdays: Poetry Circle Open Mic, Living Room Café, Ardmore, PA, 6:30 PM
Third Thursdays: Poetry Pairs Series, Literature Repository Reading, Bohemia, 7 PM
Third Thursdays: NeuroNautic Institute Presents open mic with features, Otto’s Shrunken Head, NYC, 7-9 PM
Third Thursdays: At Brookline Booksmith, MA, 7 PM
Third Thursdays: SAFTA Reading Series, Pretentious Beer Co, Old City Knoxville, TN
Every Friday: Fridays: Seed Café Open Mic, 250 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI, 6:30 PM
First Fridays: Revolutionary Poetry Nights, Grounds Books and Coffee, Tuscon, AZ
First Fridays: Maryland Writers’ Association, 7 PM EST, online
Third Fridays: Hudson Valley Writers Center in person and online, 7 PM
Last Fridays: Northport Arts Coalition Poetry Reading, Northport and online, 7:30 PM EST
Last Fridays: Friday Night Fire, Teatro Yerbabruja Second Avenue Fire House, Bay Shore, NY, 7 PM,
Last Fridays: Redmond Association of Spoken Word, Centro Cultural Mexicano Redmond, WA, 7-9 PM
Every Saturday: Astoria Music Collective Saturday Songwriters at The Local Bar, 3 PM,
Every Saturday: Cultivating Voices Live, online, 3 PM EST
Biweekly Saturdays: Lip Balm, online, 5 PM EST
First Saturdays: PPA East Meadow Library, 1-3 PM, hosted by J R Turek and Margarette Wahl
Third Saturdays: PPA Levittown Town Hall, 1-3 PM, hosted by J R Turek
Various Saturdays: It’s Poetry Baby!, Oceanside Library, NY, 2 PM
Last Saturdays: Poetry Street On The Road at Riverhead Library and online, Riverhead NY, 2 – 4 PM,
Various monthly: Ludy Café and Hudson Valley Poetry, Irvington, NY
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