It is with great excitement that we announce an extension of the popular Easy Speak reading series to Jude’s Old Town in Rainier Beach on the first Monday of each month beginning on December 4, 2017. The Easy Speak series started five years ago at the Wedgwood Ale House and continues to attract good crowds who listen well and participate in an open mic that is the best in Seattle since Red Sky Poetry Theater ended in 2005.

SPLAB has not had a presence in our home neighborhood since the Columbia City SPLAB in the old Columbia School featured a well-attended writer’s critique circle and special events like the Ginsberg Marathon and visits by Nate Mackey, Brenda Hillman, Cedar Sigo and CA Conrad, among others. Now that we are in Rainier Beach, we’re delighted to have a literary beachhead. Jude’s is generally not open on Mondays, but will make an exception for us. They’ll feature a limited menu and their specialty cocktails made from locally-distilled alcohol. We are grateful for their support.

Our first featured reader is the new Civic Poet of Seattle, Anastacia Renee. The former 2015-2017 Poet- in-Residence at Hugo House is a hybrid genre writer, workshop facilitator and multivalent performance artist. She is the author of four books: Forget It (Black Radish Books), (v.),(Gramma Press), Answer( M e) (Argus Press), and 26 (Dancing Girl Press) and her poetry, prose and fiction have been published widely.

In addition, music for the evening will be provided by the Jim O’Halloran Trio, featuring Jim on flutes, Evan Flory-Barnes on bass and Jacques Willis on drums.

Come on out, read a poem, play a tune, or come just to listen and enjoy a night of music and literary art. We hope to see you on December 4, New Year’s Day, or any of the upcoming first Mondays.

Dec 4 – Anastacia Renee
Jan 1 – New Year’s Day Matinee, 5-8pm all Open Mic
Feb 5 – Claudia Castro-Luna
Mar 5 – Wendy Call
Apr 2 – T. Clear