Spotlighted Literary Events

Date: Tuesday, December 9
Sign up to participate or just kick back and listen to Broken Word Poetry at the Alberta St. Pub. The weekly series has amassed a following of performers and spectators. And it has turned the spoken word into the written word by publishing anthologies of past performers. Every week offers entertainment and inspiration. 21 and over only
Where: Alberta St. Pub, 1036 NE Alberta St., Portland, OR 97211
When: sign-up for performing is 7:00pm; show starts at 7:30pm
Cost: Free
For more info, call 503-284-7665

Date: Wednesday, December 10
The Mission Theater hosts Back Fence PDX, a storytelling series featuring true, unmemorized 8-minute stories told by musicians. This round is based on the theme "Rock the Bells", and performers include Gideon Freudmann of Portland Cello Project, Adam Shearer of Weinland, and Menomena's Danny Seim. Lend your ear to these musicians telling stories, and enjoy the full bar and menu at the Mission.
Where: The Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan, Portland, OR 97209
When: doors open at 7:30pm; show starts 8:00pm
Cost: $10 at the door; $9 online
For more info, visit http://www.backfencepdx.wordpress.com/

Date: Wednesday, December 10
At Looking Glass Books, the late writer and activist Grace Paley will be celebrated on the eve of what would have been her 86th birthday. Paley's friend, Ursula LeGuin, and biographer Judith Arcana (Grace Paley's Life Stories, A Literary Biography) will read along with other Portland writers. There will be good food, good drinks, and good memories to share.
Where: Looking Glass Books, 7983 SE 13th Ave., Portland, OR 97202
When: 7:30pm
Cost: Free
For more info, visit http://www.lookingglassbooks.qwestoffice.net/ or call 503-227-4760

Date: Saturday, December 13
Celebrate the opening of Guapo Comics and Coffee's new location in conjunction with a graphic novel release party. Joining Guapo in the event are Capacity's Theo Ellsworth, Invincible Summer's Nicole Georges, and The Night of Your Life's Jesse Reklaw, all of whom will read from their works. There will also be other cartoonists and multimedia comic readings, as well as refreshments. In the words of Guapo's blogger, the party will be an adventure in the "everyday fantastic".
Where: Guapo Comics and Coffee, 6350 SE Foster Rd., Portland, OR 97206
When: 7:00pm-10:00pm
Cost: Free and open to the public
For more info, visit http://www.guapocomicsandbooks.com/ or call 503-772-3638