Celebrating over 30 years as an arts organization.


The Center hosts readings, workshops, lectures, and publishes a variety of poetry publications. SPC is located in the R25 Arts Complex located on the corner of R & 25th Streets in midtown Sacramento.



Sacramento Poetry Center memberships support a variety of local poetry programs, publications, readings, and events. Members receive a free subscription to Tule Review and Poetry Now. Please send your check for $30 or more to SPC, 1719 25th St., Sacramento, CA 95816. Fixed incomes are $15.


Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Robert Grossklaus and Litany—Sept. 22, 2008

The Sacramento Poetry Center forged music and words together in its word foundry on Mon. Sept. 22. The principal smithies were Robert Grossklaus who started off the evening by reading

Prairie Creek

Poetry across the sky,
rippling softly over cement,
words meandering
their way east wind.
Afternoons melt into
hot breath, slight,
like the movement of water uphill,
more than a reflection.
waiting for the music . . .

Granite, rivers of milk
snaking their way between buildings
of imagination and institution,
towering above mortality,
crushing magnitude,
sun caking concrete
against thought, erecting walls
of spoiled earthways—
eat these meanings
and regurgitate them
into the mouths of children.

The words eschewing from still lips, breathless;
foreboding softly somewhat fierce,
focused on the becoming.
You become the target.

This is not a lament, it’s a battlecry!

Our hearts beat their way through bony prisons,
bursting outward into the dead;
the chains our restitution
for moments unbridled.
We dance toward the sun across the blood of others.
In this dream we are awake and we are unafraid.

Persist through glaciers of encumbered thought,
chip away or crash through,
the cracks and fissures are hope.
through weariness, through stagnant waters,
through the myriad of sorrow, through
the black sunsets of cold habituation—
create the catharsis, a sacred chalice filled
the blood and spit of those who’ve failed,
fallen in your wake,
swallowed up by mirrors and ephemera.

Sing those songs you never thought you could!




Grossklaus was joined by Litany [Chéne Watson on percussion, Bob Wilson on guitars (and King Crimson t-shirt) and Miles Miniaci on keyboards and vocals]. While overseen by the paintings of Dan Samborski, Litany started into their set which included “Inamorata” and “Fever Ride” (inspired by Moroccan tune). Then they played an oldie but a goodie “A Million Years” when I noticed a curious patch of tar-like residue on bob Wilson’s shoes that vaguely resembled the outline of Greenland. Next up for Litany was Mirangula which featured Chéne Watson on hammer dulcimer, improvising his way through the bridge and a groovy little quena voicing on Miniaci’s Roland. They played “One Thing” which was heavy on the keyboards and in my mind had a little bit of a Ray Manzarek feel with Miniaci’s Roland synthesizer doing double time as a Farfisa. The surfing sound dominated the “Love Hypocrites,” which featured a kind of Surfaris meets Duane Eddy sound from The guitar. They finished off with a cover of Patti Smith’s “Shooting Shark.”



Then Grossklaus joined Litany for a set of poems conjoined to Litany’s atmospherics. I guess this is what they meant by art rock, folks. It was gloriously out of style, but what can I say, I liked it. Heady stuff in an age where it simply does not pay to use one’s head or even pay homage to using it. The ensemble played “When the Sun Rose Over,” “Stranger in the Photograph,” and “The Book of Dreams" (which featured Watson on hammer dulcimer again). “Phantom Limb” reminded me a little of “Jail” by Was (Not Was) with its edgy speaker wondering who had stolen his limb. Finally, there was “Limerince” (posited by psychologist Dorothy Tennov, an involuntary cognitive and emotional state in which a person feels an intense romantic desire for another person. The concept is an attempt at a scientific study into the nature of romantic love.) with Miniaci cooking up a little bit of an Irish jig in the background. In the piece Grossklaus offered up the line “The feeling that nothing gets better than this, and you wouldn’t want it to.” This seemed to capture the moment fairly well.



The open mic was inhabited by a fairly lengthy list of a few people who are beginning to form a fairly regular list of readers: David Iribarne, David Purdy, Adam Burrell, Jeff Norman, B. L. Kennedy, Lawrence D., and Frank Graham.

Litany came back for one last tune at the end while (what the hell) they still had everything set up. They did “The Final Reel” as an encore. Then everyone busily set about to tear down the set and look for the half-drunk beers that B.L. Kennedy had mysteriously strewn throughout the compound. Let’s call it the Fall Equinox version of an Easter Egg hunt.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

September Literary Events

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 - 7:30 p.m. - Poets Night at the Leger Hotel in Mokelumne Hill.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 - 7:30 p.m. - Comedic poets read at the SPC, 25th and R. Plus open mic. Free. 916-979-9706. http://www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 - 7-10 p.m. - Poetry slam/open mic at Sac City Pizza at Sutterville & 21st. http://www.myspace.com/lifesentenceshow

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 - 9 p.m. - Feature plus open mic (10:30 p.m.) at The Bistro, 3rd and F Streets in Davis, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. Free. http://www.bistro33.com/bistro33_davis 530-756-4556 or aojones@ucdavis.edu

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 - 8 p.m. - Mahogany Urban Poetry Slam/Open Mic at Queen Shebas, 1704 Broadway. Your host: Malik Speaks.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 - 8 p.m. - Features plus open mic. Poetry Unplugged at Luna's, 1414 16th Street. Free. http://www.lunascafe.com, 916-441-3931.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 - 7 p.m. - RNR Music and Poetry - every first Saturday - Butch-N-Nellie's Coffee Company, 1827 I Street.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 - 7:30 p.m. - Terry O'Neal reads at the SPC, 25th and R. Plus open mic. Free. 916-979-9706. http://www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 - 7-10 p.m. - Poetry slam/open mic at Sac City Pizza at Sutterville & 21st. http://www.myspace.com/lifesentenceshow

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 - 8 p.m. - Mahogany Urban Poetry Slam/Open Mic at Queen Shebas, 1704 Broadway. Your host: Malik Speaks.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 - 7:30 p.m. - Rattlesnake Press presents a new chapbook from Patrick Grizzell at The Book Collector, 1008 24th Street, between J & K Streets, 916-442-9295, richard@poems-for-all.com, http://www.sacfreepress.com/poems/

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 - 8 p.m. - Featured reader plus open mic. Poetry Unplugged at Luna's, 1414 16th Street. Free. http://www.lunascafe.com, 916-441-3931.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 - 7-9 p.m. - Tim Kahl, Danyen Powell, Jordan Reynolds, Carol Louise Moon and Aaron Gerwer feature at The Second Friday Poetry Reading at The Vox (gallery & cafe), 19th & X Street, Sacramento, Free & Family-Friendly. Hosted by Cynthia Linville. Vegan meal pre- and post-show prepared by Caribbean Chef Kimba (served 6-10 pm). $10. info@voxsac.com

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 - 7:30 p.m. - Coleman Barks reads Rumi with Barry and Shelley Phillips. VETERANS MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM, Grass Valley, call 530-274-8384 ext 14 Noon-5, Tues-Sat for tickets. More info.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 - 3-5 p.m. - Cleo Kocol features at the Lincoln Poets Club readings and open mic at the Willow Room, 12 Bridges Library, 485 12 Bridges Drive, Lincoln. Every Second Sunday. Contact 916-434-9226 or sjclark@psyber.com

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 - 7:30 p.m. - Jim Nolt reads at the SPC, 25th and R. Plus open mic. Free. 916-979-9706. http://www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 - 7-10 p.m. - Poetry slam/open mic at Sac City Pizza at Sutterville & 21st. http://www.myspace.com/lifesentenceshow

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 - 6-8 p.m. - Reception for poet/artist Xico Gonzalez' exhibit, "Xicanismo" at the CSUS University Union Gallery (2nd floor). There will be a musical performance by The Storytellers (reggae/ska) and refreshments will be served. http://www.xicogonzalez.com

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 - 8 p.m. - Mahogany Urban Poetry Slam/Open Mic at Queen Shebas, 1704 Broadway. Your host: Malik Speaks.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 - 9 p.m. - Feature plus open mic (10:30 p.m.) at The Bistro, 3rd and F Streets in Davis, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. Free. http://www.bistro33.com/bistro33_davis 530-756-4556 or aojones@ucdavis.edu

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 8 p.m. - Featured reader plus open mic. Poetry Unplugged at Luna's, 1414 16th Street. Free. http://www.lunascafe.com, 916-441-3931.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 - 7-8 p.m. - POETRY IN THE HILLS reading at Wild Mountain Books, 352 Main Street, Placerville. 530-622-4540. Free, Open Mic, contact piper@innercite.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 - 7:30 p.m. - All Spanish poetry reading--An Evening of Baroque Poetry, based on the poems of the Mexican nun: Sor Juana Inés de La Cruz. At La Raza Galeria Posada (1024 - 22nd Street, between K and J streets). Call 916-456-5323 for info. Admission is $5 ($3 for students and seniors). Presented by Los Escritores del Nuevo Sol. Plus open mic.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 - James Lee Jobe is featured a The Other Voice, a poetry reading series sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis. The reading begins at 7:30 in the library of the church located at 27074 Patwin Road. Refreshments and Open Mike follow so bring along a poem or two to share. allegras@dcn.org.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 - 6-9 p.m. - Music and Poetry Reading at Carol's Books, 1913 Del Paso Blvd. Every third Saturday.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 - 7-9 p.m. - Underground Books Poetry Series at 2814 35th Street next to the Guild Theater. $3. Features plus open mic. Your host: Terry Moore. Call 737-3333 for more info. Every third Saturday.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 - 7:30 p.m. - Robert Grossklaus & Miles Miniacci with music by Litany read at the SPC, 25th and R. Free. 916-979-9706. http://www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 - 7-10 p.m. - Poetry slam/open mic at Sac City Pizza at Sutterville & 21st. http://www.myspace.com/lifesentenceshow

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 - 6-7 p.m. - Open Mic Poetry Nite at the Upstairs Art Gallery, Placerville. Every fourth Wednesday.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 - 8 p.m. - Mahogany Urban Poetry Slam/Open Mic at Queen Shebas, 1704 Broadway. Your host: Malik Speaks.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 - 8 p.m. - Featured reader plus open mic. Poetry Unplugged at Luna's, 1414 16th Street. Free. http://www.lunascafe.com, 916-441-3931.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 - 4 p.m. - The Sacramento Poetry Center and the Zen Marxist Laundrettes invite you to the first complete reading of Emily Wright’s ten-part narrative poem, “love’s laundry.” Several poets will read parts of the poem in East Portal Park, at 51st and M Streets, in Sacramento. Featuring Sandra Senne, Laura Ann, Walton, Carolyn Schneider, Ellen Johnson, Patrick Grizzell and Cecile Martin. Bring a blanket or beach chair; refreshments will be served. Look for the reading on the M Street side of the park.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 - 7-9 p.m. - The Show at the Wo'se Community Center, 2863 35th Street (off 35th and Broadway across from the parking lot). For vendor or event information please call T. Mo at (916) 208-POET. "The Show" is every last Saturday of the month. $5. This is a family event. "The BEST SHOW IN TOWN with an Open Mic, Top Notch Features and Live Band LSB." Sponsored by the FREEDOM EQUITY GROUP. http://mybmsf.com/bmsf/bmsf_peeps/peeps_poetry/wordouts_moore2.asp

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 - NOTE DATE CHANGE - 4:30 p.m. - Donald Sidney-Fryer: The Atlantis Fragments at The Book Collector. 1008 24th Street, between J & K Streets. 916.442.9295. http://www.sacfreepress.com/poems/

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 - 7:30 p.m. - Alan Williamson and Andrea Zawinski read at the SPC, 25th and R. Free. 916-979-9706. http://www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - 7-10 p.m. - Poetry slam/open mic at Sac City Pizza at Sutterville & 21st. http://www.myspace.com/lifesentenceshow

Thursday, September 11, 2008

2nd and 4th Saturday Poetry Workshops




Sacramento Poetry Center’s
2nd and 4th Saturday
Poetry Workshop

At South Natomas Community Center
next door to South Natomas Library
2921 Truxel Road, Sacramento, CA

Bring 10 copies of your one page poem!

Facilitated by Emmanuel Sigauke
and Frank Dixon Graham

contact or for info: grahampoet@aol.com

DIRECTIONS from Downtown Sacramento:
take I-5 North, then I-80 East to Truxel Exit
from exit, proceed South on Truxel, there’s a stop light at San Juan and Truxel – continue south on Truxel, pass San Juan Rd. – the Community Center is between San Juan and West El Camino on Truxel, (about one mile from the exit on I-80) at 2921 Truxel Rd.

http://www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org
http://sacramentopoetrycenter.blogspot.com