February First Friday

6pm-7pm, featuring:
– Children’s Storytelling with children’s book author Lashon Daley, who will be reading from her book Mr. Okra Sells Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
– Chapter 510 young author Aida Ndiaye, reading aloud from one of her published children’s books: Evil Burrito and the FBI
– Recently awarded young authors from Oakland’s own We Write Here contest !

Lashon A. Daley is a PhD Candidate in Performance Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on performances of Black cultural expressions in the U.S. As a scholar, dancer, storyteller, and choreographer, Lashon thrives on bridging communities together through movement and storytelling. Her children’s book, Mr. Okra Sells Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, was released in February 2016. Lashon is also the creator of Stories&Slams, a podcast that focuses on every day stories.

Aida Ndiaye is ten years old and in the fifth grade at Piedmont Avenue Elementary. She loves to write, read and go places (specifically Jack London Square). She believes she can fly. She dreams that she will write and publish 2,000,000 books.

7pm-9pm:
Teen Poetry Open Mic
Sign ups begin at 7pm
Show starts at 7:30pm

Featuring local poet, Quinn Edlin:

Quinn Edlin is a poet from Berkeley, California. She is a Queer, mixed Black woman who roots her work in the exploration of existing at the intersection of her identities. She was a finalist of the 2019 Teen Poetry Slam and performed at the Sydney Goldstein theatre for the 21st annual “Bringing the Noise for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” and at the Brava theatre for the 2019 Queeriosity showcase.

Come out and share your story on the mic!

Doors open at 6pm. There will be tiny bookmaking activities for the whole family, smooth jams spun by DJ XCAIROCITOSX and food available from Two Mamacitas pop up kitchen!

The Dept. of Make Believe store will be open for business as well.

FREE FOR ALL!