Literary Calendar for Central Arkansas_2014

7/27/2019 Literary Calendar for Central Arkansas_2014

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Literary Calendar of Events

for Central Arkansas

2014-15 January edition)

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Live from the Back RoomSun., Feb. 1, 7:00 p.m., Vinos, 923 W. 7thSt., Little Rock

Writers of every genre are welcomed to present their work in a public forum that isalso a relaxed and encouraging environment at Vinos Pizzeria on the first Sunday of eachmonth. To date, Live From the Back Roomhas fostered the publication of several books ofpoetry in addition to at least one memoir. By the very nature of this literary salon concept, itencourages new writers and readers to participate in any capacity they feel comfortable. LiveFrom the Back Room is by no means a competition; its a chance to increase the literaryconversation in our community.

For more information contact [email protected].

Rock Town SlamWed., Feb. 11, 7:00 p.m., Arkansas Arts Center, 9th & Commerce /

MacArthur Park, Little RockGet your poetry on at the Rock Town Slam! Slam artists will perform during this

friendly competition. You can too! Sign up at the door to perform or come and hear the mostexciting poets around. Poets are judged on the delivery of written poetry. Doors open at 7:00,the show starts at 7:30first, open mic for original or cover poetry, flash fiction, or music;then, around 8:00 p.m., the slam.

Note: This event, which is certified by Poetry Slam Inc., occurs regularly, the 2ndWednesday of every month, at the same time and location.

Audience admission $5, slam contestant entry fee $10, payable at the door. For moreinformation contact Amoja Sumler at 501-541-0681 or [email protected].

An Evening with Poet Laure-Anne BosselaarThurs., Feb. 12, 6:00 p.m., Donaghey Student Center, Room 205D,

University of Arkansas at Little Rock2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock

Laure-Anne Bosselaargrew up in Belgium. She is the author of three collections ofpoetry in English: The Hour Between Dog and Wolfand Small Gods of Grief (both published byBOA Editions) andA New Hunger, which was published by Ausable Books and that the AmericanLibrary Association selected as a Notable Book for 2008. A graduate of the Warren Wilson MFAProgram for Writers, she has taught poetry workshops at Emerson College, Sarah Lawrence, andat many conferences across the United States. She is also an anthologist and an editortranslating American poetry into French and Flemish. She and her late husband, the poet KurtBrown, published The Plural of Happiness, Select Poemsby Herman de Coninck with The FieldTranslation Series at Oberlin College Press. Currently, she teaches at the College of CreativeStudies at University of California Santa Barbara and is part of the founding faculty at the low-residency MFA at Pine Manor College in Boston.

Refreshments to start at 6:00 with reading to follow at 6:30 pm. For more information,contact Prof. Nickole Brown at [email protected].


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Big Rock Reading Series:Paul Lake (poetry) and John Vanderslice (fiction)Reading, Audience Q&A, and Book SigningTues., Feb. 17, 6:00 p.m., R.J. Wills Lecture Hall, Campus Center 2nd

Floor, Pulaski Technical College, North Little RockPaul Lake took an unusual route on his journey to become a poet and English professor.

He began by dropping out of community college, marrying the love of his life at age twenty,working as a pipeline inspector in rural Maryland, and then, after returning to college andgraduating from Towson University, teaching in an inner-city junior high school in Baltimore.Lake received a Stegner Fellowship to Stanford University, where he received his M.A. He laterbecame an English professor at Arkansas Tech, publishing poems in such journals as The NewRepublic, The American Scholar, Poetry, Paris Review, The New Criterion, and SouthernReview.

John Vanderslice teaches in the MFA program at the University of Central Arkansas,where he also serves as Associate Editor of Toad Suck Reviewmagazine. His fiction, poetry,essays, and one-act plays have appeared in Seattle Review, Laurel Review, Souwester,Crazyhorse, Southern Humanities Review, and dozens of other journals. His latest book, IslandFog(Lavender Ink, 2014), is a collection of linked short stories, half historical and halfcontemporary, all set on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts.

For more information contact 501-812-2302 or [email protected].

Poet, Novelist-in-Verse, and Nonfiction Writer Ellen HopkinsTues., Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m., Public reading and book signing, College of

Business Auditorium 107, UCAWed., Feb. 18, 11:00-11:50 a.m., Craft talk/Q & A, 331 Thompson Hall

Ellen Hopkins is a poet, freelance writer, and the award-winning author of twentynonfiction titles and nine NY Timesbestselling young adult novels-in-verse, including Perfect,Fallout, Tricks, Glass, Identical, Impulse, Burned, and Crank.She has published hundreds ofarticles on subjects ranging from aviation to child abuse to winegrowing. Hopkins mentorsother writers through her position as a regional adviser for the Nevada chapter of the Societyof Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). In 2012, she founded Ventana Sierra, Inc., acharitable organization whose mission is to help disadvantaged youth into safe housing and

working toward career goals through higher education, vocational training, and the arts.For more information contact Dr. Gayle Seymour at 501-450-3295 or [email protected].


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An Evening with Hendrix-Murphy Visiting Writer Kevin BrockmeierFeb. 19, 7:30 p.m. Reves Recital Hall, Hendrix College, 1600 Washington

Ave., Conway

Kevin Brockmeier,a native of Little Rock, is a much-lauded writer of fantasy andliterary fiction. He is the author of the novels The Illumination, The Brief History of the Dead,and The Truth About Celia;two short story collections; and two childrens novels.His latestrelease is the memoirA Few Seconds of Radiant Filmstrip: A Memoir of the Seventh Grade. Hiswork has appeared in such venues as The New Yorker, The Oxford American, McSweeneys, andTin House. He has received several awards, including a PEN USA, a Borders Original Voices,and three O. Henry awards. He is in residence at Hendrix College during the spring semester asthe Hendrix-Murphy Visiting Writer, teaching a creative writing course, Science Fiction andFantasy.

Sponsored by the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation Programs in Literature and Language.Reception and book-signing to follow. For more information contact Henryetta Vanaman at501-450-4597 or [email protected].

Directors Discussion by Freddie Ashley

Thurs., Feb. 26, 11:10 a.m., Murphy House Seminar Room, Hendrix College,1600 Washington Ave., Conway

Freddie Ashley,Hendrix-Murphy Visiting Theatre Director, will discuss the play he isdirecting, The Laramie Project, by Moiss Kaufman. [See March 4 7, 2015, for playperformance schedule.]

Live from the Back RoomSun., March 1, 7:00 p.m., Vinos, 923 W. 7thSt., Little Rock

Writers of every genre are welcomed to present their work in a public forum that isalso a relaxed and encouraging environment at Vinos Pizzeria on the first Sunday of eachmonth. To date, Live From the Back Roomhas fostered the publication of several books ofpoetry in addition to at least one memoir. By the very nature of this literary salon concept, itencourages new writers and readers to participate in any capacity they feel comfortable. LiveFrom the Back Room is by no means a competition; its a chance to increase the literaryconversation in our community.



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Arkatext FestivalMon., March 2Fri., March 6, UCA, Conway

Arkatext is the UCA Writing Department's celebration of Arkansas writers, whetherthey're a "born-here" or a "come-here." The week-long festival features readings, presentations,and craft lectures. For more information see www.uca.edu/writing/arkatext-festival .

Arkatext Undergraduate Reading, Mon., March 2, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Grand Foyer,

Thompson Hall, UCAUndergraduate writing students at UCA will read and perform original works of prose,

poetry, and hybrid works. Names to be announced at a later date. This event is free and opento the public and appropriate for all ages. For more information contact Sean Ironmanat [email protected] (501) 450-3654.

Arkatext Graduate Student & Creative Writing Faculty Reading, Tues., March 3,1:40-3:00 p.m., Grand Foyer, Thompson Hall, UCA

Second-year MFA candidates Audrey Carroll, T.J. Heffers, and Becca Hawk will readwith creative writing faculty members Mark Spitzer, John Vanderslice, and StephanieVanderslice. This event is free and open to the public and appropriate for all ages. For moreinformation contact Lynn Landis at [email protected] (501) 450-5833.

Dennis Vannatta: Arkatext Craft Talk, Wed., March 4, 11:00-11:50 a.m., ThompsonHall 331, UCA

Fiction writer Dennis Vannatta will deliver a craft talk and respond to questions andanswers. This event is free and open to the public and appropriate for all ages. For moreinformation contact Garry Craig Powell at [email protected] (501) 450-5110.

Dennis Vannatta: Arkatext Reading, Wed., March 4, 2:00-2:50 p.m., Grand Foyer,Thompson Hall, UCA

Fiction writer Dennis Vannatta will read from original works and respond to questionsand answers. This event is free and open to the public and appropriate for all ages. For moreinformation contact Garry Craig Powell at [email protected] (501) 450-5110.

Geoffrey Brock: Arkatext Craft Talk, Thurs., March 5, 11:00-11:50 a.m., ThompsonHall 331, UCA

Poet and translator Goeffrey Brock will deliver a craft talk, followed by a question-and-answer session. This event is free and open to the public and appropriate for all ages. For moreinformation contact John Vanderslice at [email protected] (501) 450-3653.

Geoffrey Brock: Arkatext Reading, Thurs., March 5, 1:40-2:30 p.m., Grand Foyer,Thompson Hall, UCAPoet and translator Geoffrey Brock will read from original works, followed by a

question-and-answer session. This event is free and open to the public and appropriate for allages. For more information see www.uca.edu/writing/arkatext-festival or John Vandersliceat [email protected] (501) 450-3653.

Nate Jordon: Arkatext Craft Talk, Fri., March 6, 1:00-1:50 p.m., Thompson Hall331, UCA

Nate Jordon, editor and publisher of Monkey Puzzle Press, will present a craft talk onsmall press publishing in post-Beat America. For more information contact Mark Spitzerat [email protected] (501) 450-3339.

Fifth Annual Toad Suck Review Launchapalooza, Fri., March 6, 7:00 p.m., FaulknerCounty Library, 1900 W. Tyler St., Conway

Readers include Stacy Kidd, Lisa Ference, Tim Lepczyk, and Nate Jordon. Copiesof Toad Suck Review #5, contributor publications and merchandise will be available forpurchase. This event is free and open to the public and may not be appropriate for all ages. Formore information contact Editor Mark Spitzer at [email protected] (501) 450-3653.


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The Laramie Projectby Moiss KaufmanMarch 4 7, Wed.Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2:00 p.m., Cabe Theatre, Hendrix

College, 1600 Washington Ave., ConwayFreddie Ashley,this year's Hendrix-Murphy Visiting Theatre Director, will direct a

student theatrical production of The Laramie Projectby Moiss Kaufman. In 1998 MatthewShepard, a young gay man living in Laramie, Wyoming, was kidnapped and brutally murdered.

Five weeks later, Moiss Kaufman and fellow members of the Tectonic Theater Project went toLaramie and conducted more than 200 interviews with people of the town. The play is achronicle of the life of the town of Laramie in the year after the murder. Freddie Ashley hasbeen the Artistic Director of Actors Express Theatre in Atlanta since 2007, with a multitude ofdirecting credits at Actors Express as well as other area theatres. He serves on the faculty ofKennesaw State University and holds degrees from Shorter College and the University ofSouthern Mississippi.

Sponsored by the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation Programs in Literature and Language.Reception to follow. For more information contact Henryetta Vanaman at 501-450-4597 [email protected].

Rock Town SlamWed., March 11, 7:00 p.m., Arkansas Arts Center, 9th & Commerce /MacArthur Park, Little RockGet your poetry on at the Rock Town Slam! Slam artists will perform during this




Big Rock Reading Series: Writing for a LivingPresentation and Audience Q&A with Local Writers and EditorsThurs., Mar. 12, 6:00 p.m., R.J. Wills Lecture Hall, Campus Center

2ndFloor, Pulaski Technical College, North Little Rock

The Latin Graffiti of Herculaneum and the Language of Social MediaTues., March 31, 7:30 p.m., Mills C, Hendrix College, 1600 Washington

Ave., ConwayHolly Sypniewski,an associate professor of Classics and the current chair of the

Classics program at Millsaps College, is working on a project to document and analyze the Latingraffiti of Herculaneum, a city in Italy which was covered in Vesuvius's eruption in 79 CE. LikePompeii, it provides us with an exceptional snapshot into life in antiquity, and the abundantgraffiti on its walls show us how the Latin language was used by real people in real time. She isparticularly interested in examining how the graffiti at Herculaneum function as a means ofinformal communication akin to today's social media of Twitter and Facebook.

Sponsored by the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation Programs in Literature and Language.Reception to follow. For more information contact Henryetta Vanaman at 501-450-4597 [email protected].


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Live from the Back Room

Sun., Apr. 5, 7:00 p.m., Vinos, 923 W. 7th

St., Little RockWriters of every genre are welcomed to present their work in a public forum that isalso a relaxed and encouraging environment at Vinos Pizzeria on the first Sunday of eachmonth. To date, Live From the Back Roomhas fostered the publication of several books ofpoetry in addition to at least one memoir. By the very nature of this literary salon concept, itencourages new writers and readers to participate in any capacity they feel comfortable. LiveFrom the Back Room is by no means a competition; its a chance to increase the literaryconversation in our community.


Rock Town SlamWed., April 8, 7:00 p.m., Arkansas Arts Center, 9th & Commerce /





An Evening with Hendrix-Murphy Visiting Poet Carolyn ForchThurs., April 16, 7:30 p.m., Reves Recital Hall, Hendrix College, 1600

Washington Ave., ConwayCarolyn Forchis an acclaimed poet, translator, and human rights activist. She is

strongly associated with the literature of witness and has edited or co-edited two anthologiesof "witness" poetry. Her own four books of poetry are deeply spiritual, mystical, and filled withpraise for human existence. In addition to her work as a poet and an editor, she has translatedthe work of many writers and been awarded numerous prizes and grants. In 2013, Forch wasawarded the Academy of American Poets Fellowship for distinguished poetic achievement. Sheis Lannan Visiting Professor of Poetry and Professor of English at Georgetown University.

Sponsored by the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation Programs in Literature and Language.Reception and book-signing to follow. For more information contact Henryetta Vanaman at501-450-4597 or [email protected].


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Arkansas Literary FestivalThurs.-Sun., Apr. 23-26, multiple venues in downtown Little Rock and North

Little RockThe Arkansas Literary Festival is a stimulating mix of sessions, panels, workshops,

performances and special events. Its mission is to encourage the development of a moreliterate populace, and it has become the premier gathering of readers and writers in Arkansas.It offers once-in-a-lifetime visits with favorite authors and the chance to find new favorites.Each festival brings about 80 local and national presenters, including best-selling authors andPulitzer Prize winners.

The author roster will be announced in late January. For more informationvisit www.arkansasliteraryfestival.org.

Aonian/Hendrix-Murphy Literary Contest Winners Reception and ReadingThurs., April 30, 4:30 p.m., Murphy Seminar Room

Winners of the Hendrix-Murphy Literary Contest will read their entries during a

reception that will also celebrate the debut of this years campus literary and visual artmagazine, theAonian.

Sponsored by the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation Programs in Literature and Language. Formore information contact Henryetta Vanaman at 501-450-4597 or [email protected].

Live from the Back RoomSun., May 3, 7:00 p.m., Vinos, 923 W. 7thSt., Little Rock

Writers of every genre are welcomed to present their work in a public forum that isalso a relaxed and encouraging environment at Vinos Pizzeria on the first Sunday of eachmonth. To date, Live From the Back Roomhas fostered the publication of several books ofpoetry in addition to at least one memoir. By the very nature of this literary salon concept, it

encourages new writers and readers to participate in any capacity they feel comfortable. LiveFrom the Back Room is by no means a competition; its a chance to increase the literaryconversation in our community.


Rock Town SlamWed., May 13, 7:00 p.m., Arkansas Arts Center, 9th & Commerce /






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Southern Fried Poetry FestivalJune 3-6

Rocktown Slam and the Arkansas Arts Center are excited to host the Southern FriedPoetry Festivalin downtown Little Rock. The Southern Fried Poetry Slam, started by Ashevillepoet and writer Allan Wolf in 1993, travels to a different southern city annually, and has growninto one of the largest poetry conventions in the nation. Workshops on both performance and

literary poetry and their connections to each other will be held throughout the festival, alongwith slams, readings, and open-mic opportunities. Further details TBA as the festival drawsnear. For more information see http://sofried2015.com/or contact Amoja Sumler at 501-541-0681 or [email protected].

This calendar is a service provided by the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation Programs in Literature andLanguage at Hendrix College. By distributing a common calendar of public literary events in central

Arkansas, we hope to raise awareness of cultural happenings at nearby campuses and libraries, toencourage communication among various institutions, and to foster higher participation in their public

programs.

Literary Calendar for Central Arkansas_2014

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