WEEK IN PREVIEW: 6/10 – 6/16

Our tops for the week starting Mon Jun 10 13. Really, make your case.

Hugh Behm-Steinberg (below), Albert Flynn DeSilver, Claire Botter & Tim Kahl are all at Sunset Poetry by the Bay on Monday, plus it’s your chance to check out The Shout storytelling (if you do, holler my way — I’m curious!). There’s also this series of one-off short plays with writers, directors, and professional actors – I can vouch for Daniel Heath and Diane Karagienakos.

On Tuesday, the Tuesday Night Writers celebrate Jon Wells and his book He Died All Day Long. This will be a moving evening, to say the least, with Glen David Gold and Molly Giles. Viracocha’s Ourshelves is doing their excerpts – read one of your favorite all-time passages and get a shot of whiskey. If you’re looking for fiction, Corrina Vacco celebrates the release of her novel My Chemical Mountain.

Learn the secrets of Nabokov on Wednesday at The Booksmith. Join the League of Somebodies in Berkeley or get raunchy with Bawdy Storytelling (theme wanderlust).

Thursday, Why There Are Words in Sausalito is a fiction extravaganza, with Jon Boilard, Melanie Abrams, Mariah K. Young, Seth Harwood, and others. Manic D PrideManic D Press celebrates pride month at Books Inc. Castro with a ridiculous lineup that includes Michelle Tea, Daphne Gottlieb, Justin Chin, Alvin Orloff, and features Daniel LeVesque. Afro-Cuban poet Nancy Morejon is in Berkeley with Al Young to benefit KPFA.

Check out Joel Landmine, Cassandra Dallett, and Gina Goldblatt at Lip Service West Friday. Gritty, raw, real indeed!

On Saturday, Brian Lucas brings his illuminated manuscripts to Bird & Beckett with readings from contributors. Brian handpainted the covers and then solicited poems from local writers, which he then wrote into the books by hand; finally, he illuminated the words with watercolors. Stellar cast of poets that includes Andrew Joron, Gilian Conoley, Sara Larsen, Micah Balard, and more. book 3 pageAlso Saturday, learn the fascinating story of Professor Risley and the Imperial Japanese Troupe (that’s at 3pm).

Sunday is Bloomsday, which means they’re partying at the Mechanics Library. If you haven’t been to Manifest, you’re really missing out. This show will feature Mariama Lockington and Liz Latty (partners in crime) with Zoe Ozma; it’s a social thing, so go open. There’s going to be a party with bbq, readings, djs, and a fire at Trees, which I don’t think you should miss either (though I’m performing, so there)! And if you’re in SF, Bird & Beckett hosts a chapbook party with Jessica Wickens and pals.

Evan KarpEvan Karp is founder and president of Quiet Lightning, a literary nonprofit that curates a monthly submission-based reading series and publication. He also writes literary culture columns for the San Francisco Chronicle and SF Weekly and curates the monthly top 10 Bay Area lit events at SFArts.orgevan@litseen.com