Now Offering: Poetry Workshop led by avery r. young

We’re pinching ourselves to make sure it’s really happening: avery r. young is headed back to Tacoma, and he’s holding a workshop with Blue Cactus Press, followed by a reading and book signing at King’s Books.

Yup, definitely hapening. We’re excited to announce that on April 5th, Blue Cactus Press is welcoming writer, performer, educator and activist avery r. young to Tacoma in celebration of his new poetry book, neckbone. avery will kick things off by leading a small poetry workshop at 2pm at Defiance Square (a.k.a. Blue Cactus Press’ office in Tacoma).

Please note that workshop space is limited to 15 participants and registration is required. Cost for the poetry workshop is $25 per participant (registration fees go directly towards compensating the artist for his time and energy). Trust us, this will be the best $25 you ever spend.

BCP will also reserve two seats for youth poets, free of charge. Youth interested in participating must email bluecactuspress(at)gmail.com with the following information: first and last name, age, school currently attending, and a short statement explaining how participating in the workshop will benefit their artistic craft. We’ll email youth to formally offer workshop seats after reviewing submissions.

Adults can sign up for the workshop by filling out the form below AND submit payment via the “Pay Your Registration Fee” button below.

Following the workshop, avery will hold a poetry reading and book signing at King’s Books at 5pm on the same day (April 5). The reading is FREE and open to the public. If you’ve never seen avery perform, you will be blown away. Do not miss this opportunity to see a nationally recognized and bomb-ass poet, activist and performer lay it down on the mic right here in Tacoma, or to create poems with him at the workshop! 

In the meantime, check out one of avery r. young’s performances here. 

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About avery r. young:

Interdisciplinary artist avery r. young is a 3Arts Award winning teaching-artist, composer and producer with work that spans the genres of  music, performance, visual arts and literature. Examining and celebrating Black American history and culture, his work also focuses in the areas of social justice, equity,  queer identity, misogyny and body consciousness. As a writer, this Cave Canem alum has work featured The Breakbeat Poets, Coon Bidness, to be left with the body and Make Magazine.  He has also written curriculum and essay on arts education which appear in Teaching Artist Journal and A.I.M. Print.  Dubbed “sunday mornin jook joint,” his performance and work in sound design merges spiritual and secular aesthetics with dramatic and comedic sensibilities. He has performed in the Hip Hop Theater Festival, Wordstock and Lollapalooza. Has recorded with house producers Anthony Nicholson, Charlie Dark and is featured on recordings such as, New World Reveal-A-Solution, Audio Truism, Catfish Haven’s Devastator and New Skool Poetiks.  His new full-length release, booker t. soltreyne: a race rekkid,  features songs and other sound designed created during his artist residency with the University of Chicago’s Arts and Public Life initiative.  It was during this residency that he worked worked on sound design and concrete poems called “cullud sign(s).” Through voice, sound, visual art and performance,  young is constantly exploring the forms and spaces in which poetry can exist. Most recently, he is the vocalist on flutist Nicole Mitchell’s Mandorla Awakening (FPE Records) and his poetry is featured in photographer 3Arts Awardee, Cecil McDonald Jr.’s debut book, In the Company of Black (Candor Arts) and his first book neckbone (Northwestern University Press) will be available June 2019.  He is currently one of four directors for the Floating Museum and touring with his band avery r. young & de deacon board.