7/3 Creative things Newsletter
Hi everyone,
Thanks to everyone who joined the Reiki circle at Sukha studio on The Longest Day to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Association. If you’d like to support with a donation and/or with some words to cheer on Team J and J, you can do so here.
And now—
THINGS HAPPENED
Puppy class ended. The last thing that happened was I sat on a folding chair during puppy play time and all the dogs decided to sit on my lap at the same time. I’m still having nightmares. The Vanderbilt hosts Shakespeare in the plaza, and I caught A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The production was wonderful, and I don’t know how the actors ran on cobblestone. I also saw my scif-eye doctor, and my contacts are bifocals—but not for long because it’s super weird. Book clubs collided when Sunday Funday met up with Comic Book Club at Lithology because we all read a graphic novel (thanks, Nikki and Lithology!).
KUDOS!
Chip Williford is Suffolk County’s Poet Laureate!
Brendan McEntee’s Dimming The Stars is out now!
https://a.co/d/1THJieN
BOOKSHELF
I read and understood a graphic novel! I have a complaint for Martha Wells who wooed me into reading the murderbot series because it’s been short scifi, and now I’m reading the one that is over three hundred pages. Not cool—but also, it’s so good! Lots of poetry also moved from my to-read to finished piles. I also read a few more pages of Figuring.
Fiction
Mortals by John Dermot Woods and Matt L (this is the book club graphic novel)
Nonfiction
Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals by Alexis Pauline Gumbs
Poetry
Flint & Fire by Lisa Hase-Jackson
Rhapsody in Plain Yellow by Marylin Chin
This Too Is A Place by Brian Geraghty
“Therianthropy” by Abigail Lilith Ravenheart
https://rustandmoth.com/work/therianthropy/
“Commencement Speech” by Amalie Kwassman
https://www.muleskinnerjournal.com/commencement-speech
“Altitude” by Airea D. Matthews
https://poets.org/poem/altitude-1
“Chronic Pain” by Colleen S. Harris
https://thedisappointedhousewife.com/2025/06/10/chronic-pain-poetry-by-colleen-s-harris/
“An Experiment On A Bird In An Air Pump” by Ela Begum Kumcuoglu
https://theromereview.com/an-experiment-on-a-bird-in-an-air-pump-or-ela-begum-kumcuoglu
Three poems by Hiram Larew
https://substack.com/home/post/p-166347241
Creative Nonfiction
“Please Verify That You Are Human” by Callie Dean
https://matterpress.com/journal/2025/02/17/cnf-please-verify-that-you-are-human/
Internet
The Disappointed Housewife on Bluesky—their guideline explanations are hil.air.eee.us!
https://bsky.app/profile/offbeatlit.bsky.social
“New York To Get New Space For Video, Sound, and Performance Art”
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/canyon-video-art-performance-sound-new-york-space-1234745078/
“The Three Artisans Have What Their Peers Can Only Dream Of: Unlimited Access To The Met”
https://www.culturedmag.com/article/2025/06/10/these-three-artisans-have-what-their-peers-can-only-dream-of-unlimited-access-to-the-met/
Exophonies at The Rome Review
https://theromereview.com/exophonies
donjon: Fantasy World Generator
https://donjon.bin.sh/fantasy/world/
“What To Read When Your Ex Takes The Dog”
https://therumpus.net/2025/06/20/what-to-read-when-your-ex-takes-the-dog/
“It’s Really All About The Voice”
https://beyondcraft.substack.com/p/its-really-all-about-the-voice
“Portrait of a Faceless Man Without a Country: A Review of Alparegho, Like-nothing-else by Helene Sanguinetti, translated by Ann Cefola
https://www.asymptotejournal.com/blog/2025/06/25/portrait-of-a-faceless-man-without-a-country-a-review-of-alparegho-like-nothing-else-by-helene-sanguinetti/
And of course check out these:
How We Make Amends, post card sentiments, typewriter photographs, found poetry, and inspirational stickers are all available.
LISTEN
Here’s Sunday Funday Book Club’s soundtrack for Mortals.
“The Aldean Instrument” on Hyper Fixed
https://podbay.fm/p/1762447440/e/1750309200
WATCH
Broad Peak
Alparegho, Like-nothing-else Book Launch
https://youtu.be/i8HPP10pdLk?si=xPN29HsW-X19HTs9
FUBAR, Season 2 (and Season 1 if you missed it) (Netflix)
Titan: The OceanGate Submersible Disaster (Netflix)
Everest
Reality Gays and Barkbox
This guy won the Pedro Pascal look-alike contest.
Otter Café Vibes (this is a thing)
OPPORTUNITIES
Military Families can visit museums for free this summer!
https://www.arts.gov/news/press-releases/2025/military-families-visit-museums-free-summer-part-blue-star-museums\
New York Women Composers Grant Program 2025, Deadline 7/11
https://www.nyfa.org/opportunities/opportunity-info?id=e4a9b802-0af0-4ceb-be59-b2ce9413dd13
Hortus Arboretum Artist Residency, Deadline 7/11
https://hortusgardens.org/artist-residency/
Ucross Fellowship for Native American Artists, Deadline 7/15
https://www.ucrossfoundation.org/native-american-fellowships.html
Artist in Residence at University of Arkansas, Deadline 7/20
https://www.nyfa.org/opportunities/opportunity-info?id=8381eb2f-ce15-4fba-ad84-2ff2c3c51065
Arts at Wave Hill call for work:
https://www.wavehill.org/discover/arts
Craft Literary call for work:
https://www.craftliterary.com/submit/
Jeanne’s Writing Desk (calls for work)
https://jeannelyetgassman.blogspot.com/
The American Museum of Natural History is hiring.
https://careers.amnh.org/postings/search
The New Jersey Symphony is hiring.
https://www.njsymphony.org/h/about/careers/administrative-positions
The Planting Fields Foundation, Chief of Staff position
https://plantingfields.org/careers/
San Francisco Symphony, Deputy Director of Development
https://www.nyfa.org/jobs/job-info?id=1e4d0815-d294-4e19-b578-ba4389cf4028
BodyStories, Company Manager (part time)
https://www.dance.nyc/for-artists/listings/2025/05/BodyStories-Teresa-Fellion-Dance-is-searching-for-a-part-time-Company-Manager/
Counterpublic, Exhibitions Manager
https://www.nyfa.org/jobs/job-info?id=300863c7-a0f2-456f-a247-55bf47e9fa3c
NYFA Volunteer Portal
https://www.nyfa.org/volunteers/?_page=1
Oak Spring Garden Foundation Eliza Moore Fellowship, Opens Feb 2026/Closes May 2026
https://www.osgf.org/fellowships/eliza-moore-artistic-excellence
SUGGESTED THINGS
Agnes Winterbottom Cooney: https://www.artera.ae/profiles/agneswinterbottomcooney
My nutritionist! (She meets virtually from OH) https://www.faynutrition.com/dietitians/heather-swords
MISCELLANY
Fios and I had a heated discussion, and while I didn’t get my bill reduced, I did gain access to NatGeo Wild, and now I know how to live in Alaska and can work at any zoo anywhere.
All good things,
Christina
P. S. My mom says thanks for the good vibes. You can keep them coming as she continues to heal up.
**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.
Updated book club info is here.
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 9 PM
Writers and Illustrators from Future Winner with Space Cowboy Books
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/writers-and-illustrators-of-the-future-winner-tickets-1382813064099
July 17-20, 2025
ReaderCon in Burlington, MA
Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 6 PM
I’m hosting the open mic!
https://readercon.org/
Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 4 PM
Sonic Transfigurations: Immersive Listening Experience at Walt Whitman Birthplace
$10 suggested donation
https://waltwhitman.org/event/sonic-transfigurations-immersive-listening-experience-2/
Friday, July 18, 2025 at 7 PM
Crossroads of Verse and Open Mic at Walt Whitman Birthplace
$12
https://waltwhitman.org/event/crossroads-of-verse-open-mic-night/
Saturday, July 19, 2 pm EST
Matwaala New Books Showcase presents Matwaala South Asian diaspora poets: Usha Akella, Megha Sood, Ashna Ali, Anita Nahal, Diya Kanduri, Feroza Jassawalla, Pramila Venkateswaran, Yamini Pathak, and Srinivas Mandavalli
Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87231592620
Meeting ID: 872 3159 2620 FREE
Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 10-noon
Sunday Funday Book Club at Ghost Brewing Company reading Saltwater Buddha by Jaimal Yogis (nonfic)
Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 2-6 PM
The Inner Child In You at Walt Whitman Birthplace
$75
https://waltwhitman.org/event/the-inner-child-in-you-a-re-introduction-workshop/
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 9 PM
Flash Science Fiction Night with Space Cowboy Books
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/flash-science-fiction-night-eliane-boey-suzan-palumbo-pedro-iniguez-tickets-1344263140239
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 7 PM
Smithtown Nesconset Library, Ann Cefola on “Discovering Translation,” an informal workshop and reading from Alparegho, Like-nothing-else
September 4-7, 2025
Art On Paper New York
https://ny.thepaperfair.com/
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 9 PM
Flash Science Fiction Night with Space Cowboy Books
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/flash-science-fiction-night-eugen-bacon-fj-bergmann-tara-campbell-tickets-1344265597589
Monday, September 23 at 7 PM
Watkins Glen Reading Series featuring Martha Deed
Colonial Inn & Creamery, 701 North Franklin Street, Watkins Glen, NY
Free
Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
Tactile Poetry Workshop with Christina M. Rau at Oceanside Library, NY
**This will be my final program as Poet in Residence, so I hope to see you there to say farewell!
https://oceansidelibrary.libcal.com/event/13392016
FREE
Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 8 PM
David Sedaris at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center
https://secure.whbpac.org/3153 $$$
Monday, October 6 at 7pm EST
Kim Roberts and Michael Gushue read from Q&A for the End of the World, along with Bonnie Naradzay and Michele Wolf at the Cafe Muse Series https://wordworksbooks.org/event/bonnie-naradzay-michele-wolf-kim-roberts-michael-gushue/
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
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): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/christinamrau