Upcoming
Events
December 27, 2016 | 2 p.m.
Malvern Books
613 W. 29th Street | Austin, Texas
Reading by J. Scott Brownlee, John Fry, and Susan B.A. Somers-Willett
March 30-April 3, 2016
AWP
Conference & Bookfair | Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles Convention Center
Friday, April 1 | 10:30-11:45 AM
Black Bodies Matter: A Reading and Discussion
Room 515 A, LA Convention Center, Meeting Room Level
Jonah Mixon-Webster, Adriana Ramirez, Justin Phillip Reed, Patricia Smith, Susan Somers-Willett
The Black Lives Matter movement is a recent response to a larger history of violence against Black bodies in the U.S. and abroad. What roles does poetry play in this response, and how do poets negotiate the lenses of race, gender, sexuality, and class in their responses? Can poets write about racialized violence without re-inscribing it on others? A diverse group of poets gather to read their work and discuss their approaches to writing about brutality against Black bodies.
Past
Events
April 8-11, 2015
AWP
Conference & Bookfair | Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis Convention Center and Hilton Minneapolis Hotel
Saturday, April 11 | 10:30-11:45 AM
"Poetry in the Program Era"
Room 200 B&C, Level 2, Minneapolis Convention Center
Darin Ciccotelli, Jessica Piazza, Kent Shaw, Susan Somers-Willett, Glenn Shaheen
In his 2009 book The Program Era, Mark McGurl reads postwar American fiction by way of its origins in the creative writing classroom. In doing so, he finds that familiar lessons of craft ("show-don't-tell") and originality ("find your voice") can have far-reaching aesthetic consequences. Can the same be said about poetry? This panel will explore how creative writing pedagogy has impacted recent poets, noting how elliptical, formalist, and slam poetries have fared in this new academic era.
April 11-13, 2014
Poetry at Round Top
Round Top, Texas
Reading, Workshop, and Manuscript Consultations by Susan B.A. Somers-Willett
October 18-19, 2013
Auburn Writers' Conference
Auburn University
Reading and Workshops by Susan B.A. Somers-Willett
March 6-9, 2013
AWP
Conference & Bookfair | Boston, MA
Hynes Convention Center and Sheraton Boston Hotel
Saturday, March 9 | 9-10:15 AM
"On Labor: Junior Women Faculty in Creative Writing Programs"
Room 101, Plaza Level, Hynes Convention Center
Professional development discussion with Jenny Browne, Yona Harvey, Erika Meitner, Susan Somers-Willett, and Rachel Zucker
Many female faculty begin their careers during their
childrearing years, posing unique demands on their families and writing.
What are the concerns of junior women as they labor in writing programs, and
how might these programs best support them? Panelists on, off, and spaces
in-between the tenure-track reflect honestly on their careers, finding work,
negotiating pay, mothering, and labor divisions across rank and gender
lines. Pre-conference questions are invited on our womenwriting Tumblr: http://womenwriting.tumblr.com/
February 7-9, 2013
"The Poetics and Politics of Hip-Hop Cultures" Symposium
Confluencenter for Creative Inquiry
The Unverisity of Arizona at Tuscon
Invited Speaking Engagement by Susan B.A. Somers-Willett
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The Center for the Book Arts | New York City
Annual Chapbook Reading and Broadside Release
Featuring a reading by V. Penelope Pelizzon and broadside releases by Rob Stephens and Susan B.A. Somers-Willett. Curated by Sharon Dolin and Phillis Levin.
Saturday, May 26 | 7:30-midnight
Lord Weary's Reading Series
500 W. 34th Street | Austin, TX
7:30 Show & Tell of Small Press Artifacts
8:30 Readings by Rosa Alcala, Jeff Sirkin, and Susan B.A. Somers-Willett
9:30-midnight We Can Be Heroes house party
Books for sale at event from $10-$20
Friday, April 13 | 7PM
Virginia Tech MFA Visiting Writers Series
Reading by Susan B.A. Somers-Willett
Thursday, April 5-Friday, April 6
Sequels Conference, Ethnic and Third World Literature Concentration
English Department
The University of Texas at Austin
Keynote by Susan B.A. Somers-Willett
Friday, March 23| 7:30 PM
University of Texas at San Antonio
Business Building University Room, 2.06.04
Reading by Susan B.A. Somers-Willett
February 29-March 3, 2012
AWP
Conference & Bookfair | Chicago, IL
Chicago Hilton & Palmer House Hilton Hotels
Friday, March 2 | 3-4:15 PM
"Sophomore Year: The Maturation of the Slam Poetry Movement"
Red Lacquer Room, Palmer House Hilton, 4th Floor
Roundtable discussion with Robbie Q. Telfer, Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz, Derrick Brown, Mahogany L. Browne, Susan B.A. Somers-Willett
In 1986, the Poetry Slam Movement was created in Chicago by poet Marc Smith. And now, with two and half decades of poetry and audience engagement under its belt, the movement is growing in new, innovative ways. With its diverse collection of poets, organizers, and publishers from across the U.S., this panel will shine a spotlight on these new developments, showcasing what poetry slam has learned from traditional poetry and what traditional poets might learn from the poetry slam.
Friday, March 2 | 6-7:30PM
AWP Off-Site Reading
for Everyman's Library anthology Villanelles, co-edited by Annie Finch and Marie-Elizabeth Mali
Harold Washington College, Room 102
30 E. Lake St. (Wabash & State), Chicago, IL
Readers include Grace Bauer, Robin Becker, Bruce Bennett, Martha Collins, Brendan Constantine, Steven Cramer, Timothy Donnelly, Danna Ephland, Annie Finch, Charles Fort, Claudia Gary, Matthew Hittinger, Marie-Elizabeth Mali, Taylor Mali, Patricia Monaghan, Kamilah Aisha Moon, Marilyn Nelson, Kathleen Ossip, Lois Roma-Deeley, Jill Allyn Rosser, Susan B.A. Somers Willett, Kate Sontag, Lisa Vihos, and Ken Waldman.
February 2-5, 2011
AWP
Conference & Bookfair | Washington D.C.
Marriot Wardman Park | 2660 Woodley Road NW
Thursday, February 3 | 3-4:15 PM
"Does School Kill Poetry? Can It Be Poetry’s BFF?"
Nathan Hale Room,
Marriott Wardman Park, Lobby Level
Roundtable discussion with James Armstrong, Kevin Prufer, Michael McLaughlin, Susan B.A. Somers-Willett, Brandon Cesmat, Laura Armstrong
Is the marginalization of poetry in American culture the result of the way it is taught? This panel considers how poetry pedagogy both at the K-12 and the beginning college level affects the public perception of poetry. What do high school teachers actually say about poetry? Do programs that bring poets into schools help? Does the slam poetry scene have an effect? Does college English win students back, or does it increase the indifference? How should educators at all levels teach poetry?
Saturday,February 5 | Noon-1:15 PM
"Poetry as Multimedia Documentary"
Delaware Suite Room,
Marriott Wardman Park, Lobby Level
Reading and discussion with Kwame Dawes, Erika Meitner, Susan B.A. Somers-Willett, Natasha Trethewey, Ted Genoways
Can poets use the tools of journalism and other media to produce new models of storytelling? Poets reporting from communities in crisis (Jamaica, Haiti, Troy, Detroit, and Gulfport) gather to debate the possibilities of poetry as documentary and discuss their collaborations with radio producers and photographers. Part reading and part discussion, the panel puts into conversation writers whose work blurs the lines between art and journalism through text, photography, audio, and video.
Friday, December 3, 2010 | 7:30 PM
First Fridays Contemporary Writers Series
Western Sullivan Public Library, Tusten-Cochecton Branch
198 Bridge Street | Narrowsburg, NY
Reading by Susan B.A. Somers-Willett
Tuesday,
November 16, 2010
7PM | 9th Annual Drew Darrow Memorial Reading
Bucknell Hall | Bucknell University | Lewisburg, PA
The Darrow Memorial Reading honors the memory of Drew
Darrow, a 1986 Bucknell graduate. The annual reading is co-sponsored
by the Writing Center and the Stadler Center for Poetry, with support
from Drew Darrow's family and friends. A reception and book signing
with Susan B.A. Somers-Willett will follow her reading.
Friday, November 12, 2010 |
9:30 PM
Art Night Austin: E.A.S.T. After Party & Artist Party
Pine Street Station | 414 Waller Street | Austin, TX
Q&A with David Ellis, 9:45 PM
Special performance by poet Susan B.A. Somers-Willett to follow
Join Landmarks for an after party on Austin’s east side with special guest, David Ellis. To celebrate the university’s recent commission of Ellis’s motion painting, Animal, Landmarks is collaborating with Art Alliance Austin and East Austin Studio Tour for a special night of entertainment at Pine Street Station. The after party also celebrates local artists and follows the Art Night Austin E.A.S.T. official preview tour. Live painting by Sloke One and Rei, music by DJ Orion, DJ Tako and Mesanger, with performances by BBoy Recon and the Austin Urban Dancers. Admission is free with UT ID.
Monday,
May 31, 2010 | 7PM
louder ARTS Feature, Under the Red Tent
Bar 13 | Union Square, New York City
35 East 13th Street @ University Place
2nd Floor, 212.979.6677
$6 | $5 students
4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W to 14th Street | Union Square
Open mic with a feature by Susan B.A. Somers-Willett
Tuesday,
April 27, 2010
6 PM | WordShop @ Bowery Arts and Sciences: Ekphrastic Poetry
7 PM | Urbana Slam Feature: Semi-finals
Bowery Poetry Club | New York City
308 Bowery, between Houston & Bleecker
F train to Second Ave, or 6 train to Bleecker
$10 admission | All ages venue | Tickets available at the door only
In this week's WordShop, Susan B.A. Somers-Willett discusses
the possibilities and challenges of writing about painting, photography,
and sculpture as well as techniques for bringing the ancient tradition
of ekphrasis into the 21st century. The last semi-finals of the
Urbana Slam season will follow, with Susan as the featured poet
performing before the show.
April
7-10, 2010
"The Cultural Politics of Slam Poetry" Roundtable Discussion
AWP Conference & Bookfair | Denver, CO
Hyatt Regency Denver
650 15th Street
Roundtable discussion with Roger Bonair-Agard, Patrick Rosal,
Patricia Smith, Danny Solis, Susan B. A. Somers-Willett, and Lesley
Wheeler
Wednesday,
March 24, 2010 | 8 PM
Page Meets Stage: Susan B. A. Somers-Willett and Regie Gibson
Bowery Poetry Club | New York City
308 Bowery, between Houston & Bleecker
F train to Second Ave, or 6 train to Bleecker
$12 admission | All ages venue | Tickets available at the door only
A co-production of Words Worth Ink and Blue Flower Arts, the PAGE
MEETS STAGE series brings together two poets from completely different
worlds, one who writes primarily for the PAGE and another who writes
primarily for the STAGE. The poets read together for almost an hour,
back and forth, poem for poem to benefit for Bowery Arts & Sciences,
the educational arm of the Bowery Poetry Club dedicated to the preservation
and enhancement of the oral tradition of poetry via live readings,
media documentation and creation.
Sunday,
February 28,
2010
4PM | Master Class
7:30 PM | Screening and Discussion
Union Docs: A Forum for Documentary Arts
322 Union Avenue | Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
$7 suggested donation
L to Lorimer St. | G to Metropolitain Ave. | J to Hewes St.
Master class and discussion of "Women of Troy" with
radio journalist Lu Olkowski and poet Susan B.A. Somers-Willett
Thursday,
February 25, 2010
Sarah Lawrence College | Bronxville, NY
Radio journalist Lu Olkowski and poet Susan B.A. Somers-Willett
will discuss "Women of Troy" with graduate MFA students.
Wednesday,
November 18, 2009 | 2:30 PM
Live Lit Reading Series
University Hall Courtyard | Montclair State University | Monclair,
NJ
Reading and Q&A session featuring Julia Wagner, Anastasia
Rubis, and Susan B.A. Somers-Willett.
Thursday,
November 5, 2009 | 5-6:45 PM
"Hip-Hop, Poetry, and Belonging: Citizenship and the Cultural
Politics of Rhyming" Panel
American Studies Association Conference
Renaissance Hotel | Washington, D.C.
999 9th Street NW | Hotel Auditorium
Featuring talks from Adam Bradley, Meta DuEwa Jones, James Braxton
Peterson, and Susan B.A. Somers-Willett. Chair and respondent: Diana
R. Paulin.
Thursday,
October 8, 2009 | 6 PM
Queztal Quill Reading Series
The Cornelia Street Cafe | New York City
29 Cornelia Street in Greenwich Village | 212-989-9319
A/C/E/F/V/B/D trains to W. 4th St. stop
$7 admission (includes a free drink)
Reading with Blas Falconer, Tyehimba Jess, Helena Mesa, and
Susan B. A. Somers-Willett
Hosted and Curated by Rigoberto Gonzalez
Books for sale courtesy of Mobile Libris
Saturday,
July 11, 2009
3PM
Borderlands: Texas Poetry Review Reading
America/Americas Gallery, Blanton Museum of Art | Austin, TX
MLK at Congress on the University of Texas campus
Parking is available across the street from the museum at the Brazos
Parking Garage
A reading in celebration of Borderlands' summer 2009 issue inspired
by the Blanton Poetry Project, focusing on ekphrastic poetry and
artwork from the museum's permanent collections. The issue will
be on sale at the event, courtesy of the Blanton gift shop.
Sunday,
April 26, 2009
3 PM
BookPeople | Austin, TX
Reading and Booksigning with Anna Journey and Susan B. A. Somers-Willett
Thursday,
April 2 , 2009
7:30 PM
Michener Center for Writers Reading Series | Austin, TX
The University of Texas at Austin
Avaya Auditorium, ACES 2.302 (southeast corner of Speedway and 24th
Street)
Solo Reading and Booksigning
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
9:30-2 PM
Poetry, Voice, and Performance Symposium | Austin, TX
Sponsored by the Creative Writing Program at The University of Texas
at Austin
Asian Culture Room, Texas Union 4.224
Roundtable discussion, performance, and Q&A session with
Meta DuEwa Jones, Susan B. A. Somers-Willett, and Leslie Wheeler
Friday,
March 20 , 2009
2 PM
Virginia Festival for the Book | Charlottesville, VA
University of Virginia Bookstore
400 Emmet Street South, (434) 924-3721
VQR Series Reading with John Casteen, Ted Genoways, Victoria
Chang, and Susan B. A. Somers-Willett
February
14, 2009
6:30-7:30 PM
AWP Conference & Bookfair | Chicago, IL
New Works by Three Poets
Jeffrey McDaniel | Patricia Smith | Susan B.A. Somers-Willett
Barnes
& Noble, DePaul University Center
1 East Jackson Blvd. (between State St & Wabash Ave., 7 blocks
from the Chicago Hilton)
Reading and Booksigning
Wednesday,
January 14, 2009
10 AM
LBJ Liberal Arts and Sciences High School | Austin, TX
7309 Lazy Creek Dr.
Poetry Out Loud Workshop
Wednesday,
February 13, 2008
7PM
Trinity College | San Antonio, TX
Coates University Center
Reading and Booksigning
Monday,
February 11, 2008
4 PM
Dripping Springs High School | Dripping Springs, TX
111 Tiger Lane
Poetry Out Loud Workshop
Saturday,
February 2, 2008
4:30-6:15
PM
AWP
Conference & Bookfair | New York, NY
Twenty Years of New York City Slam
Hilton New York, 1335 Avenue of the Americas
Regent Parlor, 2nd Floor
Panel discussion with Daniel Nester, Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz,
Shappy Seasholtz, and Susan B. A. Somers-Willett
August
7-11 , 2007
National Poetry Slam | Austin, Texas
Listed events are free and open to the public
Wednesday, August 8 | 11:30AM-1 PM
Slam and the Academy Panel
Hideout Upstairs Theater, 617 Congress Ave.
Thursday, August 9| 3-4:30 PM
Is There Such a Thing as "Slam Poetry"? Panel
Discussion with Scott Woods
Hideout Upstairs Theater, 617 Congress Ave.
Friday, August 10 | 2:30-4 PM
Revenge of the Nerd Legends Showcase
Hideout Theater, 617 Congress Ave.
June
28-30 , 2007
Poetry
Cross-Training Camp | SUNY Oneonta
Instructor/Presenter
A three-day intensive conference for adults led by
some of the nation's top performance poets. The conference encompasses
writing as craft, performance tricks and tips, the creative process,
revision and editing, publishing, teaching slam in your school,
and promoting yourself and/or reading series.
May 13-16, 2007
Northeast Tour with Genevieve Van Cleve
Sunday, May 13| 7 PM
Poets' Asylum Reading
Series | Worcester, MA
The Java Hut
1073A Main Street (at Webster Square)
508.752.1678
Monday, May 14 | 7 PM
louderARTS
Slam Finals | New York City, NY
13 Bar | Lounge
35 East 13th Street @ University Place
2nd Floor, 212.979.6677
4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W to 14th Street | Union Square
$6 | $5 students
2 for 1 drinks
Tuesday, May 15| 7-9 PM
Urbana
Presents: Genevieve Van Cleve and Susan B.A. Somers-Willett
Bowery Poetry Club | New York City, NY
308 Bowery, 212.614.0505
Located at foot of First Street, between Houston & Bleecker
across the street from CBGBs
F train to Second Ave, or 6 train to Bleecker
Wednesday, May 16 | 8 PM
Boston
Poetry Slam | Cambridge, MA
Cantab Lounge
738 Massachusetts Ave. (Central Square)
617.354.2685
Wednesday,
March 21, 2007
4:30
PM
Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA
"Poetry in Public"
Adamson Wing, Baker Hall 136
Research Talk and Presentation
Monday,
February 12, 2007
4:30
PM
Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA
Maggie Murph Cafe, Hunt Library
Reading and Booksigning
Friday,
November 3, 2006
7
PM
Nickel City Poetry Slam | Buffalo, NY
Albright-Knox Art Gallery
1285 Elmwood Avenue
Reading and Booksigning
Friday,
October 13, 2006
Noon, Carnegie Mellon University
Center for the Arts in Society Meeting | Pittsburgh, PA
H & SS Dean's Conference Room, Baker Hall 154
R
Research Talk
Friday,
October 13, 2006
3PM, University of Pittsburgh
Writers' Cafe | Pittsburgh, PA
Pitt Writing Center, M2 Thaw Hall
Student Workshop with Deb Bogan
Friday,
October 6, 2006
8 PM (come early to ensure entry)
Gist Street Reading Series | Pittsburgh, PA
James Simon’s sculpture studio
305 Gist Street, Uptown Pittsburgh, 3rd floor | Directions
$5 suggested donation; food, wine, and socializing begin at
7 PM
Reading with Lee Peterson
August
9-12 , 2006
National Poetry Slam
| Austin, Texas
Listed events are free and open to the public
Thursday, August 10 | Noon-1:30 PM
Slam and the Academy Panel
Hideout Upstairs Theater, 617 Congress Ave.
Friday, August 11 | Noon-1:30 PM
NPS Women's Showcase
Hideout Theater, 617 Congress Ave.
Friday, August 11 | 2:15-3:00 PM
Surviving in the Small Press World Panel
Hideout Upstairs Theater, 617 Congress Ave.
Wednesday,
July 5, 2006
7:30 PM
Austin Poetry Slam | Austin, Texas
Ego's, 510 South Congress
Featured performance
Friday
and Saturday, June 30-July 1, 2006
Youth Writers' Workshop
Southern Illinois University | Carbondale, Illinois
Reading and Lecture/Workshop
Tuesday,
April 11, 2006
4:30 PM
Illini Union Bookstore Author's Corner | Champaign, Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Reading and Booksigning
Thursday,
April 6, 2006
4 PM
Southern Illinois University | Carbondale, Illinois
2005 Crab Orchard Series Award Reading
Reading and Booksigning
March
8-11, 2006
AWP
Conference & Bookfair | Austin, Texas
Thursday, March 9 | 3 PM
"Slam Poetry and the Academy" Roundtable Discussion
Austin Hilton (500 East 4th Street), Salon D
Roundtable discussion with Tyehimba Jess, Eitan Kadosh, Ed
Bok Lee, Cin Salach, Patricia Smith, Susan B. A. Somers-Willett
Friday, March 10 | 3 PM
Crab Orchard Series in Poetry Reading
Austin Hilton (500 East 4th Street), Meeting Room 404
Group reading and booksigning featuring Victoria Chang, Amy
Fleury, David Hernandez, Susan B. A. Somers-Willett
Saturday, March 11 | 3 PM
"Grassroots Austin: The Hottest Acts in Slam Poetry"
Showcase
Austin Convention Center, Meeting Room 8ABC
Group reading featuring Mike Henry, Phil West, Liz Jones,
Tony Jackson, Christopher Lee, Patricia Smith, Cin Salach, Susan
B. A. Somers-Willett
Sunday,
February 26, 2006
3 PM
Maple Leaf Bar | New Orleans, Louisiana
8316 Oak Street
A reading not to miss. Susan features at the oldest-running
reading series in New Orleans, set in the home venue of Rebirth
Brass Band, during Mardi Gras weekend. A second line to the Bacchus
parade will follow. |
