Friday April 8, 2022 | 8 pm

SAY IT LOUD: THE BLACK POETS OF WORLD STAGE PRESS

Hosted by Hiram Sims

African American Poets have been the cornerstone of the LA Poetry Scene for decades, and on this night, we will celebrate Black poets of the past, present a future. Join us to honor some of the best Black poets Los Angeles has ever produced, published by World Stage Press!

Saturday April 9, 2022 | 8 pm

The Gold Standard
AAPI community: Music & Words

Hosted by Arianna Lady Basco

A celebration of AAPI voices through music and words. Come share a night experiencing these gold narratives’ adversity and honoring of – culture, family, and love.

Hosted by Arianna Lady Basco of Palms Up Academy and The Fabulous Filipino Brothers. She will be accompanied by the meticulously curated Gold Standard Band: Camping, Madima, Magnum Nadal, and Fuzzzy. They will be weaving through poets: Sav, Sun Luu, Majik MC, Ashley C. Lanuza, and Joe Limer. Time allows. Lady B will open mic to the audience.

Friday April 29, 2022 | 8 pm

FAB FILM NIGHT

Ella Jay Basco x The Phenoms (Deuce and Emerson Basco) will be opening the evening with a musical performance.

Then we screen DPL Founder Dante Basco’s directorial debut, The Fabulous Filipino Brothers. It stars his siblings (Derek, Darion, Dionysio, Arianna) and parents (Darius and Aida). It is a love letter from their family to yours.

DPL Founder Shihan Van Clief will also be screening his short FADE.

FADE: Guy and Girl have been together for a long time, today their relationship will change forever. When love is filled with miscommunication. Who ever really has the right words?

Sunday April 24, 2022 | 2 pm

YOUTH DAY at MTP

Hosted by Alyesha Wise and Matthew Cuban Hernandez

The Melrose Trading Post will open its stage to showcase some of LA’s brightest up and coming Poets. Hosted by Alyesha Wise and Matthew Cuban Hernandez.

Sat. April 30, 2022 | 8 pm

INKSLAM
HEAD TO HEAD SLAM COMPETITION – Event

Hosted by Pages Matam

Hosted by Pages Matam

8 of the best poets from around the country compete in a 3 round head to head style Slam competition. Top 2 winners will receive cash prizes.

• 1st Prize is $1500
• 2nd Prize is $500

Saturday April 9, 2022

Release & Let Go:
Intro To Creating A Solo Show – Workshop

Led by Juliette Jeffers

EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL… WHAT’S YOURS? In this workshop, participants will learn the art of creating a solo show, including content, structure and more. Juliette will share her process and guide students through the journey of a successful solo show artist.

Saturday April 23, 2022 | 2 pm

Ekphrastically Speaking

Led by Ed Mabrey

We will discuss why there is no such thing as writer’s block. Then we’ll dive into why every poem is an ekphrastic poem and write one.

2nd Prize is $500

Sunday April 24, 2022 | 2 pm

LET’S GET YOUR BOOK OUT

Led by Ed Mabrey

In this workshop we will continue the discussion as to why there is no such thing as writer’s block. Then thru guided writes of various forms, we will write a themed manuscript.

Friday April 22, 2022 | 8pm

RED THREAD
birthing a new world

Led by Fei Hernandez

A night of performance by queer and trans BIPOC Birthworkers/Doulas/Parents

Performer: Stevie Merino (she/her) — Misol

Performer: Jasmin Castillo (she/they) — Ray

Performer: Jay Castillo (they/them) — Metztli  & Nature

Saturday April 23, 2022 | 8pm

LAGD Playwright Circle

As part of LAGD Playwriting Circle introduced at last year’s festival. Writers were tasked to work on a new work infusing poetry into their play.

The Works –

• BERN’S ECHO — a new work by Arianna Lady Basco
• Bitter. Sweet. — by Tahirih Moeller

Tuesday April 26, 2022 | 8pm

WOMEN & FEMME NIGHT

Hosted by Yesika Salgado and Jasmine Williams 

Celebrating the voices of women and femmes in our community. We gonna dance, shout, get free, and be present in our bodies because it’s a celebration to be together again!