6/1 Creative Things Newsletter
Hi everyone,
As is what happens every year around this time…getting the team back together! http://act.alz.org/goto/christinamrau
And now—
THINGS HAPPENED
The longest semester in the history of semesters ended. It was a great semester; my sci-fi class was everything I could have wished it to be. Still, long. A lovely reading unfolded with Martha Rhodes at Cedarmere (thanks to co-host and curator Stefanie Maura!) and book club was a fun time as usual (thanks to Nikki always!). Also, I started going to puppy class, which may sound like a fun time, but it’s what my nightmares are made of; however, I am training myself to be better with furry friends, which is a win.
KUDOS!
Pramila Venkateswaran’s poem “Body Language” was the Academy of American Poets’ poem of the day!
https://poets.org/poem/body-language
Hiram Larew is in the spotlight for SHINE Poetry Series!
https://samanthaterrell.weebly.com/shine-poetry-series/may-30-hiram-larew
Brian Geraghty launched his first poetry collection This Too Is A Place!
https://www.amazon.com/This-Too-Place-Brian-Geraghty/dp/B0F3CYPG57
BOOKSHELF
I’m brushing off my spatial-cognition skills to read a graphic novel for book club (Mortals). Also, I’m reading creative nonfiction about marine mammals and Black feminist activism as well as more Murderbot! (I contain multitudes).
Fiction
The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam
You can read the follow up for book club here.
Exit Strategy (The Murderbot Diaries #4) by Martha Wells
Nonfiction
Buddha’s Brain by Rick Hanson
Poetry
You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World, edited by Ada Limon
“Moments of Grace with a Line from Thoreau” by Joan Roger
https://rustandmoth.com/work/moments-of-grace-with-a-line-from-thoreau/
“Moving Box” by Heidi Zeigler
https://poetrycurrency.com/poem/heidi-zeigler/moving-box/
“Disaster Box” by Heidi Zeigler
https://poetrycurrency.com/poem/heidi-zeigler/disaster-box/
“Again” by Eric Shoemaker
https://barelysouthreview.com/again-eric-shoemaker-issue-16-2/
“Statuary Garden” by J Kramer Hare
https://rustandmoth.com/work/statuary-garden/
Internet
Password Strength: https://xkcd.com/936/
Lights on Mars!
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/news/content/ar-AA1EMDzS?ocid=sapphireappshare
Art in Space!
https://www.artslettersandnumbers.com/the-25th-hour
Jami Macarty’s reviews in NewPages:
Self Geofferential, by Geoffrey Gatza. BlazeVOX [books], 2024.
https://www.newpages.com/blog/books/book-reviews/self-geofferential-by-geoffrey-gatza/
Upstage, by Bruce Andrews & Sally Silvers. Ugly Duckling Presse, 2024.
https://www.newpages.com/blog/books/book-reviews/upstage-by-bruce-andrews-and-sally-silvers/
Marlena Chertock’s Newsletter offers a round-up of Pride Month: Poetry Edition information.
https://marlenachertock.substack.com/p/pride-month-poetry-edition
And of course check out these:
How We Make Amends, post card sentiments, typewriter photographs, found poetry, and new inspirational stickers are all available throughout the interwebs.
LISTE
Destinies aired my poem “But Where Does The Energy Come From?” https://captphilonline.com/Destinies/Destinies_05_02_25.mp3 (Poem at 30:20)
Here’s Sunday Funday Book Club’s soundtrack for The Startup Wife.
Reality Gays chatted about The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on a two-day tear, and it is everything! Here’s the first episode. Listen to them all.
https://www.realitygays.com/the-secret-lives-of-mormon-wives-s2e1-the-book-of-revelations/
WATCH
A new animated mandala meditation with Somnambulant Visuals on loving-kindness
Guns N Roses’ greatest hits!
Thunderbolts* [sooo gooood!]
Deck Creators interviewed Somnambulant Visuals about The Eigengrau Oracle Deck.
Minted: The Rise (And Fall?) of the NFT
Untold: The Liver King
OPPORTUNITIES
Read at the Oceanside Gazebo
https://olny.patronpoint.com/r/30e1cf93bce6adf2ad744bee1/AAAAAhQFEQFzFAIGABEFZW1haWwGAQaJEQFlBokRAnN0ERY2ODI0YzRlYTAzZDdmNTkxMjk2MzM4EQFsCEEHEQFjFAEOAgaJ
Creative Music Intensive 2025 with arts letters & numbers, Deadline June 15 https://www.artslettersandnumbers.com/creative-music-intensive-2025
WWBA anthology open to poetry submissions on Democracy, Deadline June 15 www.waltwhitman.org
SUGGESTED THINGS
The Now: Materiality at Pen & Brush, through June 7
https://www.penandbrush.org/
My tax guy is a great tax guy in case you need a tax guy.
https://mentincpa.com/contact-us.html
MISCELLANY
Folks, my mom is one tough cookie (for those of you who know her, you know this already). Still, she could use some good groovy vibes sent her way right now as she recovers from a few bone fractures. Send some love out if you’ve got any extra. Please and thanks.
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 is here!
Monday, June 2, 2025, 6pm
Poets House Walk Across The Brooklyn Bridge: https://poetshouse.org/event/27th-poetry-walk-across-the-brooklyn-bridge/
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 11 AM
Kids Craft Workshop at WWBA: Stained Glass—Where Imagination Take Shape https://waltwhitman.org/event/craft-workshop-series-for-kids/ $15
Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 7 PM EST
Journal of Expressive Writing Reading and Open Mic featuring Maureen Murdock https://www.eventbrite.com/e/featured-author-maureen-murdock-open-mic-with-15-writers-registration-1365007798069?aff=oddtdtcreator&mc_cid=0233eb732d&mc_eid=1c029454bf
Free
Friday, June 6, 2025 at 7 PM
Walking With Whitman at WWBA
https://waltwhitman.org/event/walking-with-whitman-poetry-in-performance-4/ $12
Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 2 PM
Signs of Pride: Poster Crafting at WWBA
https://waltwhitman.org/event/signs-of-pride-poster-crafting-at-the-birthplace/ Free
Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 3:30 – 7:30 PM (rain date June 14)
Summer Celebration of the Arts: Climate of Hope at Cedarmere
www.friendsofcedarmere.org $18 in advance/$25 at door
Sunday, June 8, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Workshop: Turning Lead into Gold: The Alchemy of Peer-Workshopping Your Poems with Nicole Caruso Garcia
In Person: Trumbull Public Library: 33 Quality Street, Trumbull, CT.
Register: https://trumbull.libcal.com/event/14317729
FREE, Accessible.
Saturday, June 14, 2024 at 7-10 PM
Paint Your Partner Night with Unknown Legends, The Art of Yoga in Oceanside NY, and ESS $50
Sunday, June 15, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM PDT (4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Eastern)
Reading: Jonas Zdanys and Alexis Krasilovsky, followed by an open reading. Host: Visions International Arts Free, no registration required. Open to anyone on or off Facebook.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87881657891?pwd=Sm3rmCfi6WVYLWpHVvOmIsbmbrxS6H.1
Meeting ID: 878 8165 7891 Passcode: 240496
Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 5 PM
Juneteenth Celebration at WWBA
https://waltwhitman.org/event/celebrate-juneteenth-at-the-walt-whitman-birthplace/ Free
Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 12:15-1:15 PM
Donation-Based Reiki Circle for The Longest Day
Proceeds support the Alzheimer's Association
Sukha Studio, Garden City, NY
If you can’t attend, you can still donate. Email me.
Saturday, June 21 at 2pm
Kim Roberts and Michael Gushue read from Q&A for the End of the World The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda, MD
Register: https://writer.org/event/gushue-roberts/
Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 6-10 PM
Solar Faire Summer Solstice Night Market
KOC Park 759 Long Island Avenue, Deer Park, NY, 11729
Sunday, June 22, 2025 noon to 4 PM
Empowered Path Expo Holistic Festival—join for Reiki, meditation, and Somnambulant Visuals
KOC Park 759 Long Island Avenue, Deer Park, NY, 11729
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 6 PM
Green Pavilion Reading hosted by Evie Ivy plus an open mic
4307 18th Ave, Brooklyn NY
Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 10 AM – Noon
Hike Around and Write with WWBA and Christina M. Rau at Jayne’s Hill https://waltwhitman.org/event/hike-around-write-with-christina-m-rau/ $20
Sunday, June 29, 2025 at 1 PM – 3 PM ****
Sunday Funday Book Club, Lithology in Farmingdale, reading Mortals by John Dermott Woods and Matt L
July 17-20, 2025
ReaderCon in Burlington, MA
I’ll be paneling! Details on the way…
Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 10-noon
Sunday Funday Book Club at Ghost Brewing Company reading Saltwater Buddha by Jaimal Yogis (nonfic)
Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 11 AM
Tactile Poetry Workshop at Oceanside Library (NY)
Registration link on the way
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 https://www.gaylteller.com/mid-island-2/
First Sundays: Poetic License, online, 4 PM, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82298684083#success
One Sunday a month: Speculative Sundays with Akua Lezli Hope, online, 7 PM EST https://akualezlihope.com/speculative-poetry
Later-in-the-month Sundays: Book Club at Ghost Brewing Company from 10-noon
Third Sundays: Sunday Reading Series at The Hungry Brain, 6:30 PM, http://www.hungrybrainchicago.com/
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, https://firsttuesdays.net/
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, https://www.madisonartsnj.org/about/community-arts-center
Second Wednesdays: Poetry: It's a Shore Thing!, Long Beach Library (NY), 6 PM https://longbeachlibrary.org/
Second Wednesdays/Thursdays: The Muse at Neirs Tavern, Queens, 7 PM
Fourth Wednesdays: Risk of Discovery at QED Astoria, 7:30-9 PM https://www.pw.org/content/the_risk_of_discovery_reading_series_and_the_queens_literary_scene
First Thursdays: BVAC at Jack Jacks, Babylon, 7 PM babylonvillagearts.org
First Thursdays: Poetry Circle Open Mic, Living Room Café, Ardmore, PA, 6:30 PM livingroomardmore.com
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, www.brooklinebooksmith.com
Third Thursdays: SAFTA Reading Series, Pretentious Beer Co, Old City Knoxville, TN https://www.sundresspublications.com/safta/reading-series/
Every Friday: Fridays: Seed Café Open Mic, 250 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI, 6:30 PM
https://allevents.in/pawtucket/seed-caf%C3%A9-open-mic-fridays/200025919132025
First Fridays: Revolutionary Poetry Nights, Grounds Books and Coffee, Tuscon, AZ www.revolutionarygrounds.com
First Fridays: Maryland Writers’ Association, 7 PM EST, online, https://marylandwriters.org/first_fridays
Third Fridays: Hudson Valley Writers Center in person and online, 7 PM https://writerscenter.org/calendar/
Last Fridays: Northport Arts Coalition Poetry Reading, Northport and online, 7:30 PM EST https://www.northportarts.org/
Last Fridays: Friday Night Fire, Teatro Yerbabruja Second Avenue Fire House, Bay Shore, NY, 7 PM, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/friday-night-fire-featured-artist-and-open-mic-event-tickets-488297128857
Last Fridays: Redmond Association of Spoken Word, Centro Cultural Mexicano Redmond, WA, 7-9 PM, www.centroculturalmexicano.org
Every Saturday: Astoria Music Collective Saturday Songwriters at The Local Bar, 3 PM,
https://happeningnext.com/event/saturday-songwriters-open-mic-at-the-local-bar-astoria-eid3a0889pfbk
Every Saturday: Cultivating Voices Live, online, 3 PM EST
https://www.nmpoetry.com/wp/events/cultivating-voices-live-poetry-online/
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 www.oceansidelibrary.com
Last Saturdays: Poetry Street On The Road at Riverhead Library and online, Riverhead NY, 2 – 4 PM, poetrystreetontheroad.com
Congrats! You've made it to the end! As always, this newsletter is gratis. If you wish to at any time, you can feel free to buy me a tea (or a coffee).