{open} books . music . magazines . art » literary events

August 8: Wine + Social Networking w/ Rob Gokee

open — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 19:47:04 +0000

Long Beach resident Rob Gokee joined the website Twitter as a composer for film and television looking for work. What he found there was that and so much more. In fact, it changed his life … so much so that he wrote a book “In The Belly of the Fail Whale.”

Join us for a discussion with Rob about his book and Twiteriffic experience and Allison Vanore, who will provide some insight into Twittering itself.

PLUS, to help all the twittering to go down easy, Art du Vin will be hosting a mini wine-tasting!

Sunday, August 8 // 4-6pm // free!

July 9: Mindy Netifee’s “Rise of the Trust Fall” book release party

open — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:35:34 +0000

Fri, July 9 // 8pm // free

Join us for the book release party for Mindy Netifee’s

Rise of the Trust Fall

Details coming forthwith …

June 21: PRISM-index magazine release party

open — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:37:26 +0000

mon. june 21 // 8pm // $5

PRISM-index Release Party

Performances by: Castanets + Ohioan + Chris Schlarb
Projections and Presentation by PRISM-index editor Jeffrey Bowers.

June 19: Black Candy book release party

open — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:41:56 +0000

sat, june 19 // 8pm // free

Black Candy book release party

music from Alyssandra Nighswonger
poetry from Kyle Moreno and Raul Ruiz
theatre sketch featuring Jasper Oliver + members of the Alive Theatre Co.

plus an art-and-craft storybook workshop!

FREE!

[Show as slideshow]

TBA: Preservation for Drinkers – workshop with Delilah Snell

open — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:06:14 +0000

We’re very excited to team up with the lovely Delilah Snell, of the Road Less Traveled store and the Patchwork Indie Arts & Crafts Festival, to bring you one of her one-of-a-kind workshops!

Delilah will demonstrating how to infuse plain ole’ liquor, like vodka, with fresh, real flavors, like kumquats! The workshop includes all supplies, stuff to take home and LOTS of samples (we recommend you walk or find a ride!). Reserve your spot now! Learn how to make fruit-infused liquor!

$40 per person, RSVP required, includes jars of finished product, drinks during the workshop and recipes/guide

May 14: Book signing and reading with Abby Dees (part of Long Beach Pride)

open — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 22:58:44 +0000

We’re kicking off Pride weekend with author Abby Dees, who will be reading and signing her brand-new book, “Queer Questions Straight Talk: 108 Frank, Provocative Questions it’s OK to Ask Your Lesbian, Gay or Bi Loved One.” Plus, she’ll have a very special guest with her to join in on the discussion… her mother, Cathy, who also edited the book!

About Queer Questions Straight Talk: An invitation to talk, honestly and lovingly, about what it really means to be gay, lesbian or bisexual. Get more details here!

May 14 || 7pm || FREE

Apr 3: {open}’s 3 Years on 4th + The Ceremony

open — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 23:25:07 +0000

{open}’s 3rd 4th Street anniversary

Book release party for Karen Finneyfrock’s Ceremony for the Choking Ghost

with music by Vancouver’s CR Avery
and Jay Buchanan
–
words by
Mindy Nettifee and Derrick Brown
–
apr 3 // 8pm // all ages // $6

April 17: Bye Bye Byloos: art, words + music

open — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 23:18:02 +0000

Reading from and going-away party for MATTY BYLOOS

also featuring:

- readings from Michael Roberts + Maggie Wells
- visual accompaniment by Josh Atlas
- acoustic performance by The Soft Hands

sat, apr 17 // 8pm // FREE

March 2: An Open Mic Tribute to Shel Silverstein

open — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:48:39 +0000

The Garage Theatre just opened their 2010 season with “An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein” and to celebrate, we’re teaming up to host an open mic tribute to the poet himself!

It’s pretty simple: Bring your favorite Shel Silverstein poems to read! or just come listen! The folks from The Garage will be on hand to read their faves (and maybe even a bit o’ the play!), plus we’ll have some refreshments to take the edge off!

Please come enjoy an evening of super fun poetry with us!

Feb 13: Kevin Staniec of ISM presents I AM. YOU ARE.

open — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:34:38 +0000

Share your reflections (i am) or impressions (you are): iamyouare.blog.com

Saturday, February 13 // 8-11pm // free

• Purchase a limited edition signed copy of the book I AM. YOU ARE.
Written by Kevin Staniec and Melanie Moore. Illustrated by Emilio Santoyo.

• Get a one-of-a-kind Valentine’s card drawn by artist Emilio Santoyo.

• Share your personalized I AM or YOU ARE to be posted on Valentine’s day.

Featuring performances by
The Dan Reckard Quartet (jazz)
Zak Salazar and the Western Junkyard (indie)

www.ISMcommunity.org/RSVP

I AM. YOU ARE. follows a series of successful projects including the Untitled Love book and traveling art showcase, the Good Things About America patriotic anthology and poetry tour, and the Instant Gratification, Polaroid 600 Series, tribute exhibition and upcoming instant film book featuring over 200 participating photographers from around the world.

Inspired by the iconic Americana series, Dick and Jane, Staniec’s I AM. YOU ARE. samples the child-like simplicity and purity of these classic reading books while focusing on a contemporary design themed on the grown-up complexities of communication and relationships.

Whether out of boredom or loneliness the book began when author Kevin Staniec decided to list his obvious inadequacies in an attempt to better himself. Somewhere along the way, these fragmented perceptions began to read like poems. He then invited San Francisco based writer Melanie Moore to respond with her opinions and asked Emilio Santoyo, a successful illustrator living in Los Angeles, to add color to their emotions.

The blog was produced as a supplement to inspire people to write and share their emotions. Using an open forum format for guests of all ages to share personal reflections (I AM) or impressions (YOU ARE), they are asked to ‘Think less like a poem and more like a simple sentence or a short statement’. Submissions must be less than 25 words and begin with either I AM or YOU ARE.