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Delve Readers Seminars Online: The Essays of James Baldwin

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

This Delve will examine the essays of James Baldwin, the leading literary voice of the black freedom struggle. We will devote our first session to Baldwin’s early autobiographical writings, literary criticism, and essays. We will consider how Baldwin draws on personal experience to reach conclusions about identity, morality, and power and we will confront Baldwin’s early thoughts on the responsibilities of the writer. In Session 2, we will consider some Baldwin’s major pieces on the “lover’s war” between the writer and their society. In these pieces, we will find Baldwin diagnosing the ills of the American soul and gesturing toward a prescription for what ails us. In Session 3, we will travel to the American South with Baldwin as he visits the region for the…

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$220

True Crime Book Club (Remote)

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

The True Crime Book Club is led by the true crime aficionado Rachel Newton Cumley. We would like to extend an invitation to all of our true crime enthusiasts. Our book discussions aim to bring people together to talk about books in a safe and inviting atmosphere. Our meetings are lovely and inclusive; we invite you to attend. Come and enjoy a lively discussion about the chosen book with other readers. Join us for the May meeting of the True Crime Book Club. This month's pick is The Five: The Untold of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold. Miscast in the media for nearly 130 years, the victims of Jack the Ripper finally get their full stories told in this eye-opening…

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Free

Spring Storytelling Intensive

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

This four-week intensive will help you master the art of live true personal storytelling, as seen in The Moth and Back Fence PDX. The workshop covers crafting stories using the five-part story arc, delivering your best performance onstage, and a treasure trove of secrets to this satisfying artform. You will get personal feedback to support you in developing your unique storytelling voice and style. Mindy Nettifee is a producer of Back Fence PDX and host for The Moth. She is an award-winning writer, performance poet, and storyteller. In addition to her many years teaching the craft of live storytelling, she has taught creative writing and performance workshops at several places, including NYU and Lewis & Clark college. She is currently a doctoral candidate in Depth…

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$175

Uncovering our Resilience, Gratitude, and Connections During COVID-19

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

Together, we will share our challenges during COVID-19 and through storytelling, discover how we might create a path of healing for both ourselves and our loved ones. Paul Iarrobino is a skilled facilitator and founder of Our Bold Voices, a local storytelling company. This event is for adults aged 50+. Please include your email address in your registration so we can send you information on how to join this virtual event.

Free

Covid-19 Story Time with Pediatrician Dr. Beth Links Torwekar

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

Next Virtual Event! Dr. Beth Links Torwekar Reads JULIE AND THE EVIL QUEEN An Educational Story just for kids about Covid-19! We will post a Facebook Page Link on Tuesday, June 2nd at 11am. Hear this amazing new book written by a local pediatrician to help kids deal with the pandemic!

Free

Book Talk: Finding Venerable Mother & I’m Still Here

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

Join us for readings and an intimate Q&A session with Martina Reeves and Cindy Rasicot, in celebration of their most recent releases! Register to join us via Crowdcast here: https://www.tworiversbooks.com/event/book-talk-im-still-here-finding-venerable-mother Finding Venerable Mother by Cindy Rasicot (https://www.tworiversbooks.com/book/9781631527029) When Cindy moves to Thailand with her husband and teenage son, she finds herself strangely adrift in a foreign culture, unprepared for the challenges she encounters there. On an impulse she signs up for a conference where she unexpectedly meets a Thai Buddhist nun, Venerable Dhammananda Bhikkhuni, who leads her on a spiritual journey from which there is no turning back. Along the way she discovers the beauty of the Thai people and culture. This soulful and engaging memoir is the story of one woman’s journey of physical,…

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Free

Summer 2020 Online: Starting the Memoir

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

Begin generating the first draft of a memoir or collection of personal essays. John D’Agata describes memoir as “an agitation of memory,” which suggests memory-based writing as not just the expression of memory but volatile, vital consideration of memory. Participants will look at elements of craft, including point of view and detail, and examine various writing processes. They’ll also look at examples of prose memoir in which the writer uses the poet’s tools of meditation, dream, and lyricism, and then do their own memory-based writing. At the end of the class, students will set deadlines and be offered resources to help them continue drafting. June 6-7 and 13-14, 2020 Saturday and Sundays, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (4 class meetings) online via Zoom Jay Ponteri…

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$185

Longreads Club: The Twilight of the Iranian Revolution

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

For decades, Ayatollah Khamenei has professed enmity with America. Now his regime is threatened from within the country. 9,900 words, about 50 minutes ARTICLE: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/05/25/the-twilight-of-the-iranian-revolution A cached copy, if you are paywalled: http://archive.is/P5zpa A player for the spoken version can be found at the top of the article. The Longreads Club is a twice-monthly program hosted by WorldOregon's Young Professionals group. Join us for Longreads Club where we discuss a long-form article focused on global topics every other week. Rather than skim the headlines, we are trying to dive deep and learn from each other to gain a better understanding of world events. No membership or registration required - although it's nice to know who's coming so RSVPs are encouraged. Read the article, show up,…

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Free

Cookbook Club with Lorena Jones & Isabelle Eyman

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

Join us via Crowdcast as we converse with Cookbook Maven Lorena Jones (Ten Speed Press - https://crownpublishing.com/archives/imprint/ten-speed-press & Lorena Jones Books - https://crownpublishing.com/archives/imprint/lorena-jones-books) and local Pacific Northwest writer Isabelle Eyman (The Everygirl - https://theeverygirl.com/contributor/isabelle-eyman/l) about all things cooking! Registration Fee: $5 This registration fee can be used throughout the month of June toward the purchase of any cookbook featured during this event! (Coupon code will be emailed upon registration. Discount cannot be combined with Cookbook Club Discount or any other promotions.) Register and attend here: https://www.tworiversbooks.com/event/special-edition-cookbook-club-lorena-jones-isabelle-eyman A list of featured books can be found at the bottom of the registration & event page linked above. New to Crowdcast? Here's a Quick Reference to get you started - https://docs.crowdcast.io/en/articles/651701-attendee-quick-reference-guide

$5

VIRTUAL IPRC: Toxic Productivity and the Creative Cycle

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

In this workshop hosted by Marina Martinez-Bateman, we will be deconstructing the toxic habit many of us have of associating our worth with our ability to produce. Especially in this uncertain and stressful time, we feel external pressure to make work that will help others contextualize a situation we ourselves may not yet have a handle on. Add to that isolation combined with a constant social media feed of friends and colleagues to unfairly compare ourselves to, and this is a recipe for despair. We will talk about where toxic productivity comes from, how to identify it, and we will practice some exercises that will help us develop other coping strategies. Participants should come with pen and notebook and/or anything else that helps them think…

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Free – $15
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