Memorial Day at the Poetry Center

Monday, May 30 · 7:30pm - 9:00pm
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The Sacramento Poetry Center
1719 25th St.
Sacramento, CA
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Hosted by Frank Dixon Graham
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A very special reading with Tulsa, Oklahoma spoken word artist, dramatist, advocate, and poet, Deborah Hunter -- and also, Modesto Poet Laureate Sam Pierstorff. These two remarkably gifted poets will be hosted by Frank Graham and sponsored by the Sacramento Poetry Center. The best part -- this event is free!

Ms. Hunter is appearing one night only. She is a jazz influenced poet whose poems can range from heart-bendingly passionat...e to light, pure, and delightfully expressive. Her prize winning poems are as effective as her award winning activism for mental health and social justice. Ms. Hunter owns the stage when she speaks. Her powerful presentations of word are quite palpable. At times, she is capable of drawing raw reaction from audience members.

Sam Pierstorff was selected specifically to compliment Ms. Hunter's style for this momentous reading. He enrapts the audience's attention with his activity on stage. His athletic delivery is unmistakably his own style. A humorist at heart. A college professor who delivers an often silly, but honest, approach at addressing life's issues. He was the youngest poet laureate in the state of California and certainly one of the most talented. A gifted poet you don't want to miss!

This event coincides with the Sacramento Jazz Festival. So come and hear all that jazz in Sacramento on Memorial Day weekend. Then relax at the Poetry Center and enjoy some jazzy poetry on Monday night!


BIOGRAPHY

DEBORAH HUNTER is a leading regional spoken word artist, poet and dramatist. Ms. Hunter has the following recognition: Winner of $5000 Jingle Feldman Award, Community Arts Training Institute Faculty/Fellow, Oklahoma Arts Council Grant Selection Committee, OkRep 24-Hour Play Festival, Invitational Playwright; Fellowship Residency - Norcroft Retreat for Women Writers, Board Member, Mental Health Association in Tulsa, Board Member, NAMI-Tulsa (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill); Board Member, T.K. Wolf, Inc., Charter Member, Tulsa Indian Coalition Against Racism, Member, Alternate ROOTS (artists org for activists), Community Arts Training Institute Faculty/Fellow, Board of Trustees, Church of the Restoration UU; Board of Directors, Center for Racial Justice; Task Force, Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless Guest speaker on mental health issues for various groups including Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Mental Health Association in Tulsa , NAMI Tulsa and Leadership Tulsa, Recipient of Tulsa PAC Diversity Grant, Oklahoma Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council, Mental Health Association in Tulsa Education Award.

SAM PIERSTORFF was born in 1975 to a Syrian/Muslim mother and an Americas/military father from Kentucky. After their imminent divorce, Sam was raised alongside one older brother, a tough-as-nails mother, and a parakeet named Tiki in Orange County, California. After moving to three homes in three cities over the next seven years, Sam finally graduated from high school, moved on to college, and eventually received his Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from CSU Long Beach before going on to become the youngest Poet Laureate ever appointed in the state of California when he was selected to the position in 2004 by the city of Modesto. Sam currently teaches English at Modesto Junior College where he is also the founding editor of Quercus Review, a national journal of prose and poetry, and host of Modesto's monthly poetry slam, "Slam on Rye." His debut poetry collection, Growing Up in Someone Else’s Shoes, was published by World Parade Books last year, and most recently, he has just won an Award of Merit from the California Association of Teachers of English. In his private life, he used to benchpress competitively (up to 355lbs.) before hurting his back. Now he swims daily and only lifts his three children when he must: Hakeem (8), Ameena (5), and Deen (2).