Author Archive
Filmmaker Showcase with Paul Bryan and Richard Bailey–Lit Hop!
Paul Bryan and Richard Bailey
Filmmaker Showcase and Reading
The Bath House Cultural Center,
Co-Hosted by Dallas VideoFest
Wednesday, April 18, 7:30 pm Reception, 8 pm Film
Expo Park Crawl
Can there be a Lit Hop without a Pub Crawl? No, there cannot.
This years Literary Pub Crawl is co-hosted by The Writer’s Garret. It takes place in the Expo Park area, at venues located along Exposition Avenue and Parry Street.
5 pm: Eight Bells Alehouse, 831 Exposition Ave
Dallas Youth Poets
Hosted by Rage Almighty and Terry Odis
Featuring winners of Dallas’ competition team for Brave New Voices.
6 pm: Las Almas Rotas, 3615 Parry Avenue
Verse and Rythmn
Hosted by Priscilla Rice and Brenda Randall
Featuring: Sergio Ramos, Tara Humphrey, Lynishia Smith
Followed by Open Mic!
7 pm: Craft and Growler, 3601 Parry Avenue
Art Speak
Hosted by Moni Bell
Featuring Laney Yarber, Moni Bell & Chris Merlick & The Duchampaphone
8 pm: Sandaga, 813 Exposition Ave
Poets on X+
Hosted by Opaline Salas
Featuring:
Hector Ortiz, Kristine Spinner, Altaf Tyrewala, Carlos Salas
Special Thanks to our partners The Writers Garret!
Lit Hop Kick Off! The Lollapalooza of Dallas Performance Lit
Saturday, April 7, 4-8
Deep Ellum Art Company, 3200 Commerce, 75226
Co-Hosted by WORD (Writers Organizations ‘Round Dallas)
Performance Lit Showcase
featuring
4-6 pm: Outdoor Stage
Faded Deejays
Music and Rap Collective
(Rafael Tamayo, Ekzile, Mutemor, Soi, Lil Chris, Nemeses, Storm, Roc-it)
Julissa Martinez
Writer and Rapper
Southern Outcasts
Musicians, Writers and Rappers
(Mike Johnson, KL, Jenoba)
Indoor Stage:
5:30 pm
Dancing Tongue
(Tim Cloward, Lisa Huffaker, Kim Corbet, Fran Carris, Richard Allen)
6:00 pm
The Summit: MC 900 Ft. Jesus–Decadent Dub Team
(Mark Griffin and Jeff Liles)
6:30 pm
Jessica Thomas
(Independent dance artist)
7 pm
Dead White Zombies
Winner, Dallas Observer Best Theatre 2017
(Thomas Riccio & Co.)
Faded Deejays is a Dallas based collective. In sharing the love for music & culture, we host a monthly party (looks like we’re their party this month!), along with several events at different venues around town. Always four turntables, hosted by Ekzile, with music that varies from Hip-Hop to Cumbia and everything in between. The collective includes Rafael Tamayo, Ekzile, Mutemor, Soi, Lil Chris, Nemeses, Storm, Roc-it)
Julissa Martinez is a brilliantly talented rapper and writer based in Pleasant Grove.
Jessica Thomas is an independent dance artist and multidisciplinary explorer. Her inborn curiosity for the latent unknown– inside and outside of ourselves– serves as a continuous source of playful investigation and evolution. The core of her performances stem from self-inquiry collaborations with Contemporary Dance/Fort Worth and surrounding DFW creatives. She is also the founder of The Soma Movement– thesomamovement.com— where she provides integrative bodywork and expressive arts therapies.
The Summit: Jeff Liles and Mark Griffin. Bringing together anecdotes of antics in the Deep Ellum music scene, in a conversation between two of its most distinguished writers. Jeff Liles is artistic director of the Kessler Theatre, former director of Theater Gallery and Roxy Theater in LA, a writer and member of Decadent Dub Team. Mark Griffin is a classically trained turned rapper and experimental musician performing and recording as MC 900 Ft. Jesus.
Southern Outcasts (Mike Johnson, KL, Jenoba) is a thrilling new rap group based in Pleasant Grove and making big waves.
Dead White Zombies–Thomas Riccio is the founder and director of the immersive theatre group, Dead White Zombies. College professor, gypsy and distinguished artist, Riccio presents an installment from his upcoming year long, city wide new production–“Blue Jelly”.
Dancing Tongue is a poetry/performance ensemble which takes the spoken word, scrambles it with music, visual art, movement and video to demonstrate that literature can fuse highbrow sensibilities with low cost aesthetics. The troupe has performed around Dallas since 1990. The current edition of Dancing Tongue features founder, Tim Cloward, and independently distinguished artists, Kim Corbet, Lisa Huffaker, Fran Carris, and Richard Allen.
Our Co-Hosts: WORD (Writers Organizations ‘Round Dallas)
From their founding in March 2016, they have already grown to include over 20 DFW-area writers organizations — and are adding more all the time. The map is here to help area writers find the group that best suits their needs. Monthly meetings provide an opportunity for group leaders to share resources, problem-solve, and coordinate larger events. Their mission is as basic as they come: to connect and support North Texas writers groups, and help every writer find their tribe. Their slogan is “Don’t die along and unread”.
Robert Trammell Founders Day @ Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture
What: Founders Day and Lit Hop preview highlighting the work of WordSpace founder, Robert Trammell
When: Thursday, April 5, 7 pm
Who: David Searcy, Ben Fountain, Jerry Kelley, Frederick Turner, Tim Cloward, Martha Heimberg
Hosted by: Charles Dee Mitchell and Dr. Larry Allums
Robert Trammell led the founding of WordSpace, along with Adrienne Cox Clay, Jerry Kelley and a few other close friends in 1994. Trammell was as an advocate for city funded arts organizations and programmed his new arts organization in close collaboration with Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture. His complete works are housed at Austin College and have been included in numerous anthologies. His legacy continues today. WordSpace remains committed to Robert Trammell’s perspectives to pay Dallas writers and his focus on
contemporary thought, human rights values, sustainable environment and explorations in imaginative language, its fusions and interdisciplinary cross pollinations. These values have characterized WordSpace programming from the start and continue to day.
This event features a few historic artist friends of Robert’s from the world of Dallas intelligentsia, all of which who have been active collaborators in WordSpace programming since the beginning.
Lit Hop! Hidden Scribes @ Wild Detectives
What: HIDDEN SCRIBES, Live podcast recording
When: Thursday, April 26, 7 pm
Who: Jesus Galvan, Aubrey Moraif and Ben E. Fountain
Hosted by: Mark Millien, Blake Kimzey and Charles Dee Mitchell
Hidden Scribes is a podcast project of Mark Millien’s that share stories of emerging writers. The stories in their heads and the stories of themselves. They score their work with music and sound effects and support them in fostering an audience. His website, Seven Sages is the platform for numerous literary projects.
At his core, Mark is a storyteller who reveres the ability of a narrative to transform those who are exposed to its heart. Mark attended Morehouse College and, while there, discovered that his creative impulses ran the gamut. He pursued degrees in Theater, English and Psychology while performing in the Baldwin Burroughs Theater and writing hundreds and hundreds of pages of his own prose. Today Mark’s stories can be found in web editorials, on his podcast, and clustered in a leather binder inscribed with his wife’s name.
Lyrique Jaye @ Dallas Poetry Slam
Where: Heroes Lounge, 7402 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75231
Hosted by: Candy
Lyrique Jaye is a Dallas, Texas native and has been writing since elementary school for call mates, friends, and churches. Her first poetry contest was with The Dallas Public Library in which she won some categories for her writing. Her first open mic was at the Martin Luther King Jr Center. Since then, she has performed in many open mics all over Dallas and started slamming in 2017 with The Dallas Poetry Slam.
Lit Hop! Patrick Oliver @ Dallas Young Makers Club
MY STORY, MY VISION
A Workshop with Patrick Oliver
@ Dallas Young Makers Club
5th Floor-J. Erik Johnsson Central Library
Saturday, April 14, 2018, 10:30 am
Patrick Oliver brings his exciting and nationally celebrated program to Dallas youth to enjoy their own Lit Hop experience. Mr. Oliver will guide and engage participants in highly interactive vision book making and vision board sessions, targeting elementary, junior and high school age students. The workshop will conclude in a book display of children and teen books related to vision and dreams, incorporating books from the Dallas Public Library collection.
Patrick M. Oliver is a literary and education consultant, author, radio host and founder Say It Loud! Readers and Writers. He travels extensively, providing his services in book festivals, educational institutions, conferences and mentoring workshops. For More Information on Mr. Oliver and Say It Loud! Readers and Writers, visit www.speakloudly.com
Dallas Young Makers Club is a bi-monthly youth workshop founded and facilitated by artist Monika Bell and computer brainiac Max Bell at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library. Alongside the art and computer tracks in the program is a Robotics track, led by Buddy Whitenburg and Greg Biggs. For More Information on the Dallas Young Makers Club, visit www.DallasYoungMakers.org.
WordSpace programs are sponsored in part by City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, National Endowment for the Arts, South Dallas Cultural Center Latino Cultural Center, and Ben E. Keith.
Dallas Lit Hop 2018 Schedule of Events
AT THE HOP…
CALENDAR
UPTOWN
EVENT: FOUNDER’S DAY, A TRIBUTE TO ROBERT TRAMMELL
DATE: Thursday, April 5, 7:00 PM
VENUE: The Dallas Institute of the Humanities and Culture, 2719 Routh Street, 75201
HOSTS: Dr.Larry Allums, Executive Director, Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture; Charles Dee Mitchell, WordSpace Board President
Free
Poet Robert Trammell (1939 – 2006) founded WordSpace in 1994. Join Dallas writers Ben Fountain, David Searcy, Frederick Turner and others in a celebration of Robert’s poetry and his presence in the Dallas literary landscape.
DEEP ELLUM
EVENT: DALLAS LIT HOP KICK OFF PARTY
DATE: April 7, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
VENUE: Deep Ellum Art Co, 3200 Commerce Street, 75226
Free admission with cash bar and food trucks. (Food Trucks!)
Lit Hop really kicks into gear with this multi-media event featuring musical performers The Faded Deejays, Southern Outcasts, and Julissa Martinez. A new performance by the experimental theater group Dead White Zombies. Dance by Jessica Thomas, Spoken Word from Dancing Tongue, and a special guest appearance by MC 900 Ft Jesus and Decadent Dub Team.
BISHOP ARTS
EVENT: THE WRITERS’ LEAGUE OF TEXAS PRESENTS ONE PAGE SALON
DATE: Thursday, April 12, 7:30 PM
VENUE: The Wild Detectives, 314 West 8th Street, 75208
EVENT SPONSOR: The Writer’s League of Texas
Free admission, free tacos and cash bar.
Join novelist and screenwriter Owen Egerton as he engages a group of Texas writers who read from and discuss a single page of a work in progress. The Statesman newspaper declared One Page Salon the Best Literary Series in Austin.
DOWNTOWN
EVENT: WRITING AND BOOKMAKING WORKSHOP AT THE YOUNG MAKERS’ CLUB
DATE: Saturday, April 14 10:30 AM
VENUE: 5TH Floor, J. Erik Johnsson Central Public Library, 1515 Young Street, 75201
EVENT HOSTS: Max and Monica Bell
CO HOST: The Friends of the Dallas Public Library
Free
Patrick Oliver, educator and leader of the Speak Loudly program, leads participants aged five to eighteen in writing and bookmaking projects. This special program is part of the ongoing Dallas Young Makers Club.
EXPOSITION PARK
EVENT: LITERARY PUB CRAWL
DATE: APRIL 14, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
VENUES: Chi Gallery, Craft and Growler, Eight Bells, Las Almos Rotas, Sandaga – all in Expo Park, Across from Fair Park on Exposition and Parry
CO HOST: The Writers’ Garret
Readings and performances by ArtSpeak, Dallas Poetry Slam Youth Poets, Poets on X+, Verse and Rhythm, The WordSpacians
WHITE ROCK LAKE
EVENT: FILMMAKER SHOWCASE WITH PAUL BRYAN, PRESENTED BY RICHARD BAILEY
DATE: Wednesday, April 18, 7:30 PM reception, 8:00 PM film
VENUE: Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E. Lawther Drive, 75218
CO HOST: The Dallas VideoFest
Free admission
Paul Bryan makes haunting and often hilarious films that explore the spiritual life. Host Richard Bailey calls Bryan’s new film, Cordyceps and Convictions, “…a far-reaching, metaphysical trip”
NORTH DALLAS
EVENT: THE DALLAS POETRY SLAM
DATE: April 20, 8:00 PM
VENUE: Heroes Lounge, 7402 Greenville Ave, 75231
TICKETS: $10
WordSpace presents special guest performer Ashe, the Austin-based playwright, poet, and professional daydreamer.
DEEP ELLUM
EVENT: THE POETS PROM
DATE: April 21, 7:00 pm read carpet; 8:00 pm Let the prom begin
MUSIC: DJ MARK RIDLEN
VENUE: Common Desk, 2919 Commerce St, 75226
CO HOST: Theater Jones
Poets’ Prom — a semiformal affair. Come mix and mingle with poets, writers, and friends. Music, verse, punch (spiked or plain), and fun activities. Dress to impress.
BISHOP ARTS
EVENT: HIDDEN SCRIBES, THE PODCAST LIVE
DATE: April 26, 7:30 PM
VENUE: The Wild Detectives, 314 West 8th St, 75208
HOST: Charles Dee Mitchell
CO HOST: Writing Workshops, Dallas
Free admission and cash bar
Dallas author and actor Mark Millien produces Hidden Scribes, a podcast where actors and musicians bring short stories to life. This live recording session features work by Ben Fountain, Jesus Galvan, and Aubrey Moraif.
LIT HOP HEADLINER
EVENT: WALTER MOSLEY, PRESENTED BY WORDSPACE AND THE SOUTH DALLAS CULTURAL CENTER
DATE: April 29, 8:00 PM
VENUE: The Kessler Theater, 1230 West Davis St, 75208
TICKETS: General Admission, $35, available through Prekindle
Walter Mosley is a bestselling, prize-winning novelist and world-class raconteur. He will read from his new novel Down the River and Unto the Sea and have much to say about the world we find ourselves in now. This will be a great evening and a grand finale for a celebratory month of the Dallas literary scene.
Press Contact: Amber@culture-hype.come
Dallas Lit Hop is a four week, city-wide, interdisciplinary literary festival delivered to diverse Dallas neighborhoods during National Poetry Month. It is the 3rd consecutive Dallas Lit Hop and the 8th literary festival presented by WordSpace in its 24 year history.
Dallas Lit Hop will take place in conjunction with the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs’ annual Dallas Arts Month. It will be the largest multi-event festival honoring Dallas as a literary destination ever produced in the city.
WordSpace will present visiting writers and publishers together with Dallas writers in traditional and bar crawl readings, performance art events, literary themed parties, youth performances and Headliner performance, partially sponsored by City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, National Endowment for the Arts and South Dallas Cultural Center.
A full schedule of events for Dallas Arts Months can be found at www.dallasculture.org.
Women of the World Poetry Slam Competition
Dallas welcomes back Women of the World Poetry Slam in 2018!
It’s back. Bigger. Better. Badder.
For the second year in a row, Candy Zantea, SlamMaster of the Dallas Poetry Slam, has scored a big one for the City of Dallas.
THIS IS THE REMIX
After hosting the wildly successful Women of the World Poetry Slam (WOWPS) festival last year in Dallas, Texas, the three-day festival is returning to Big D in 2018! Dallas Poetry Slam is again proud to announce Dallas as the WOWPS host city for its 10th anniversary. This is the first time since Columbus, Ohio in 2011 and 2010 that a city has hosted two years in a row.
Chosen for its vibrant poetry and arts scenes, diverse population, and local resources, Dallas offers the hundreds of participants and attendees a host of amenities. The Majestic Theater is proud to once again be the host venue for the culminating event of the festival, Final Stage, on Saturday, March 17th.
WOWPS will bring women and women-identified poets their friends, family, and fans from around the world to Dallas for a multi-day, multi-venue, multi-sensory experience. WOWPS is a four-day poetry festival, in which 96 of the best female poets in the world compete over two nights of preliminary competitions (referred to as “bouts”). The poets with the top 12 scores move on to Finals, where one poet is crowned the champion! In addition to the competition, day events feature writing workshops, panel discussions, themed open mics, special nighttime events, and parties.
WOWPS kicks off Wednesday, March 14th with the Last Chance Slam. Festival Passes and Finals tickets are available for purchase soon at www.wowps2018.com.
Email: candy@thedallaspoetryslam.com
Presented by the national organization, Poetry Slam Inc.
Additional sponsorship made possible by
WordSpace and Latino Cultural Center
Christopher Michael @ Dallas Poetry Slam
Hosted by: Candy (DPS ED and SlamMaster)
