Monday, January 16th – 7-9 pm
POETS! Lida Parent & Geddes Fielder, followed by an open mic
Jerry Ferrraz, m.c.

I began writing when I was 9 years old.  I learned it was a creative way I could connect my feelings to people.  My imagination took me to a live painting of opportunity.  I enjoyed reading literature, and began writing poetry at the age of 19. I loved what balance it gave to my words and the beauty poetry instilled.

During my twenties,  I met with a group of 9 poets at a coffeeshop in Winnetka,  Ca.  They became close friends and introduced me to my first open mics and poetry readings,  where I began to embrace the art of performing.  In 2013, I completed a course the Community Literature Initiative,  and became a published author at the end of the year.  In 2015, by first book of poetry was relesed entitled,  “In Love and Grace.”

My life as a poet has taken me to various readings,  including the Green Mill  Open Mic in Chicago,  The Pasadena Public Library, ArtShare LA,  The Anna Broome Room,  Echo Park Library,  and Stories,  Books,  and Cafe’s, in Echo Park. I have hosted an Open Mic at Tribal Cafe, and am currently doing my own monthly event Lyrical Flames as MCAU Gallery,  in Echo Park.  There I plan and organize a talented mix of poets,  musicians,  singers,  artists,  and I carry an open reading on that night,  as well. I am in the process of beginning my journey of writing a second book of poetry through CLI at USC.

I live in San Francisco with my partner, and we will celebrate 16 years together in July of 2003. Our little one is now 3 and a half years old and no longer a tiny baby.   I have my own business taking care of pets and am still working on a book of chldrens’ verse and stories.

I recently became an American citizen which means I can now vote. That’s a big deal to me. September 11th changed the face of the world forever and it is a good thing to be able to have a part in electing leaders who understand the world and its climate.

I have had my poetry published in anthologies including ‘the other side of midnight’, ‘The girls’ story, and also in a magazine called gaia….a London based paper. I have also given readings at women’s events in London and here in SF at our local library and bookstore.  My poetry is a compulsion that I cannot quite live without and I hope that you enjoy what you hear.