I’m busy this month again, somehow, but next month - November - I intend to lie fallow for a spell. We’ll see how well that works out 😅
Gathering Sound, October 2nd, 2026 (with The Sonoglyph Collective 🤩)
I’m thrilled to be performing — with backing music, for the first time ever! — at the Midway Music & Arts Fest, which runs October 2nd-4th in the Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul.
Gathering Sound is “…a special evening of music, poetry and sound in community with music by Artu Duo and Debbie Briggs Vintage Jazz, a hybrid poetry and music performance by The Sonoglyph Collective performing with poets Davi Gray and Halee Kirkwood, and community singing led by Midway Songs of Hope. Audience participation is strongly encouraged!”
6 pm Artu Duo
6:45 Midway Songs of Hope
7 pm Debbie Briggs
7:45 Midway Songs of Hope
8 pm The Sonoglyph Collective
Better Things 5x5 Reading & Open Mic, October 6th, 2026
I’m hosting another Better Things 5x5 Reading & Open Mic on Tuesday, October 6th, at Moon Palace Books. We’re featuring five fantastic artists: Bridget Gordon, Wordsworth Prescott Musinguzi, Marquise Bowie, KJ Kieras, and Najeeba Syeed, followed by an open mic; both reading and open mic will feature ASL interpretation.
Better Things is a series of events sponsored by ReEntry Lab, in partnership with the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop (MPWW) and Moon Palace Books. The ReEntry Lab is an organization working to connect writers and other artists leaving incarceration to a community that’s ready to receive them.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Poetry Night at Boneshaker, October 10th, 2026
I’m excited for this poetry reading at Boneshaker Books with the fabulous poets luna rey hall and Bridget Gordon! Saturday, October 10th, 5:30pm.
Protection Spells for Perilous Times, October 13th, 2026
I’m co-leading a poetry workshop with University of Minnesota professor Kathryn Nuernberger at the Liberal Arts Engagement Hub on Tuesday, October 13th, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. More info is available at the Hub website, including location and parking directions; registration is encouraged but not required.
BuckSlam October Poetry Slam, October 14th, 2026
You know what it is! And if you don’t, you can find out, on Wednesday, October 14th, at 7:00 pm 😉
Into a Darker Wilderness podcast, Episodes 7 & 8
If you haven’t yet gotten around to checking out the podcast I produce, Into a Darker Wilderness, we’re wrapping up the first season soon, so this is a great time to catch up with what it’s all about!
MPWW Annual Student Reading, October 24th
This year’s very special 15th anniversary capstone event will feature MPWW alumni, teachers, mentors, family, and some special guests who will read powerful poetry, fiction, and essays written by students. This will be another unforgettable night celebrating MPWW students’ work and wonderful community. This is a free event open to the public. All are welcome.
Saturday, October 24th, 2026
7:00-9:00 PM
Klas Center, Kay Fredericks Room (3rd Floor)
Hamline University
1537 W Taylor Ave, St. Paul 55104
The reading will also be live-streamed via Zoom. Registration is required to receive the link to the livestream (register here). No registration is required for the in-person reading. I hear rumors that There Will Be Snacks 😉
Count Us In Democracy Fair, October 24th, 2026
I’m helping plan the Count Us In Democracy Fair, happening at the Sabathani Community Center from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm (you don’t have to attend the whole time). Lots of election and voting resources will be available, including extremely practical bits (like how to fill out a ballot), a shuttle to go to early voting, free lunch, a democracy play by Mixed Blood Theater, and more. If you or anyone you know has been impacted by the criminal legal system but has been hesitant to vote because they don’t know how, or whether they can (everyone not currently incarcerated can vote!), or how to find out who’s running, or even why they should vote, this is the place to be.
Until next time…
