six degree reading

So a conversation i find myself having with other Pittsburgh writers and artists a lot discusses the fragmented nature of the writing community here. You have your performance poets, your Slam team, your grad students, your university professors, your DIY self-publishers, your small presses, your experimentalists, your bloggers, your various lit mags and workshops and event planners, but it's rare to go to a reading that represents this diversity. Also, the people who make up these unofficial groups rarely interact or collaborate with one another.

I don't believe it's intentional, but the iso-geographic complex Pittsburghers are so famous for sometimes translates to the poetry world, and we hesitate to cross the bridge into another literary neighborhood, because our own little block has its own grocery store, bar and book shop.

That's the inspiration behind the reading i'm hosting on February 7th: the Six Degree Reading.

Poets and writers i've known from the beginning of my writing exploration here in my home city, and the folks who love to listen to them, will collapse their degrees of separation for few hours, and their distinct styles will all breathe the same air. Its an event whose spirit is community, connection and damn fine verse.

You're invited.

Six Degree Reading

featuring:
Renée Alberts
Sophie Klahr
Holly Coleman
Michelle Stoner
Jerome Crooks
Nikki Allen
Jason Kirin

Saturday, February 7th
7:oo pm
Most Wanted Fine Art
5015 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15224

$5
BYOB

In a little extra hell yeah, a new art installation of works by Elizabeth Scott and Lauren Tooey opens at Most Wanted the night before the reading. Here's the teaser from Unblurred promotion: "SEXUAL Elisabeth Scott and Lauren Tooey will be displaying their images of women and sexuality. These images are for mature audiences and deserve respectful consideration."

Yee-fuckin'-haw, pilgrims.