(Nicole McFeely)

Featured Event: Saturday June 18th

Ah, Saturday. As a day, we all know it’s usually one of the best. However, this Saturday is looking especially noteworthy thanks to two events. The first, Sixty New Beginnings, is a reading/auction/raffle/party with all proceeds benefitting one of the Bay Area’s most inspiring artists in her battle against cancer. Even if you can’t afford to contribute or bid on one of the ridiculously awesome raffle prizes, please come and show your support along with James Cagney, DW Lichtenberg, Randall Mann, Sarah Fran Wisby, Rebekah Edwards, and Daphne Gottlieb, who will each be reading in Meg’s honor.

The second event, Clattering Loom, celebrates the ever-anticipated arrival of summer by asking writers and artists Matthew James Decoster, Charles Kruger, Amanda Rino, Julie Michelle, Joanna Lioce, and Tony DuShane to craft a work inspired by the Thai phrase Sabsung. Knowing those artists, the phrase, which loosely translates as that which “slakes the thirst of emotion,” promises to inspire some equally unique responses. If you don’t know what I mean, you’ll just have to show up. If you do, you definitely didn’t need me to remind you to go! Read about the last (and first) one.

Come show some solidarity and hang out with us at Sixty New Beginnings at 7pm. Then, join the group of folks who will certainly trek the few blocks up Valencia in time to catch the beginning of the Loom.

Also this week:

• Notice how I said “the ever anticipated arrival of summer” above? Yeah. I’m counting down the days until September, and so is the monthly Rumpus. Stay warm. Join Stephen Elliott and Isaac Fitzgerald at the Makeout Room for Cold Summer Nights on Monday June 13th. Featured performers Matt Werner, Tayari Jones, Camille Dungy, Tamim Ansary, Alina Simone, and John Craigie are sure to keep you toasty. If not, there’s always the full bar…
• If you’re free for an hour around noon on Tuesday, June 14th, you should not miss Lit&Lunch w Fanny Howe. Come hear Howe’s thoughts about her poetry and her translation of A Wall of Two, a collection of verse written on worksheets stolen from the factories by two sisters in the Kraków ghetto. If you don’t know who Fanny Howe is, you best get educated. Later in the evening, Paul Hornschemeir will be in the house at City Lights to read from his book, Life With Mr. Dangerous. Hornschemeier is a Chicago-based illustrator known for his thought-provoking explorations of the layered complexities of human life.
• On Wednesday, the 15th, consider heading to Berkeley for Lyrics & Dirges. Performing this month are the legendary Erika Lopez (think amazing storytelling meets poetic rant. Here, watch this (seriously)) and Andrew Lam (who came to America with his family as a refugee from Saigon, eventually becoming a journalist and story writer) as well as Tomas Moniz, Tanya Baker, and Heidi Cooper.
• Dear Thursday, why? Why do you keep doing this to us? So many good events, not enough time. I’ll leave this one up to you. Here are the specs for the 16th:

—InsideStoryTime always features some killer writers. This month’s roll call = Daphne Gottlieb, Aífe Murray, Larry Beresford, W. Ross Ayers, and Cassandra Gorgeous.
—Condensery #12 comes complete with experimental East Bay poetry, Sara Wintz, Brian Teare, Kevin Killian, and refreshments. Consume them all! Held at a private residence, but open to everyone.
—Rebecca Bella and Rosemary Manno will read their poetry at the Thursdays at Readers series.
—Bird and Beckett hosts an exclusive preview of Jim Nelson‘s forthcoming audio tour, Everywhere Man, accompanied by two readings from the last tour, Armada of Golden Dreams, by contributors Britta Austin and Sarah Fran Wisby.

• On Friday the 17th, RADAR hosts its 3rd annual Spectacle featuring Cintra Wilson, Fauxnique, Keith Hennessy, Lil Miss Hot Mess, Lovewarz, a live art auction, and more prizes. Should be fun and outrageous. Or, outrageously fun. Probably both. Also, Friends of the Public Library is hosting their new quarterly IMBIBE series to celebrate the launch of this year’s One City One Book. This year’s author, Mary Roach, will be there to chat about her book, Packing for Mars. Members only. Get the jacket.
• On Sunday the 19th, Merchants of Reality host Sons of Razi. We have no idea what this event is going to be like, but the space is amazing, these guys are supremely badass, and we can’t wait to finally check it out. Speaking of badass, Alan Black is throwing together A Clockwork Orange Party. Alan Black is one of my favorite things about the Bay Area. So is his bar. Oh yeah, Burgess is alright too (Kidding! Settle down, droogs. No need for any of the old ultra-violence). Orrrrrr, enjoy some comedic storytelling at Previously Secret Information. Never been? Read this here article.

Happy week.