philadelphia--this week at robin's bookstore

[Raha]

Moonstone Readings

At Robin’s Bookstore
108 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, 215-735-9600, www.robinsbookstore.com
Books & Events for Independent Minds from Philadelphia’s Oldest Independent Bookstore
Free and open to Everyone


Tuesday May 16, 7pm – Fiction
Allison Whittenberg author of Sweet Thang ($15.95 Delacorte Books for Young Readers)
Growing up in Philadelphia in 1975, 14-year-old Charmaine Upshaw is obsessed with justice. Unfortunately, she gets none of it in her life. Can Charmaine learn to love herself, her mahogany skin, and her attention-starved little cousin? When fourteen-year-old Charmaine Upshaw's favorite aunt is killed, a victim of domestic violence, Charmaine is devastated by the loss and further perturbed when her aunt's small son, Tracy John, becomes part of her own family. As she learns to live with the precocious Tracy John, her attitude progresses from resentment and anger to love and acceptance. Meanwhile, the academically gifted Charmaine compromises her ethical standards to win the love of heartthrob Demetrius McGee, completing his homework and even writing a major term paper for him. Charmaine struggles with many issues integral to African-American life: whether to wear her hair straightened or natural, how to deal with her feelings of inferiority about her dark skin, and how to embrace her own intellectualism without inciting the ire of jealous peers. The story takes place in 1970s middle-class black Philadelphia, and many artifacts of the era surface: afros, dashikis, bell-bottom jeans, and phrases like jive turkey. When Charmaine emcees a Kwanzaa program at church, readers experience a black sermon with all of its call-and-response flair and hear about the accomplishments of some important historical black heroes.

Wednesday May 17, 7pm – Non-Fiction
Paul Schneider author of Brutal Journey: The Epic Story of the First Crossing of North America ($26.00 Henry Holt)
Despite his failure to suppress the rebellious Corté s in Mexico, would-be conquistador Pá nfilo de Narvá ez was given another chance by the king of Spain, who awarded him governorship over the entire Gulf Coast of the modern United States. But Narvá ez's luck was no better this time: the expedition, which arrived in 1528, was a complete disaster. Out of the 400 men who went ashore in Florida, only four made it to Mexico eight years later, long after Narvá ez himself was lost at sea in a makeshift boat. Schneider ("The Adirondacks") has only two firsthand documents to work with, but he ably combines the raw narrative with a wealth of secondary research to create a vivid tale filled with gripping scenes, as when natives lead the starving Spanish forces into a swamp ambush. Though primarily concerned with the Spaniards' experiences, Schneider also provides well-rounded portrayals of the indigenous cultures they came in contact with –among them tribes that came to regard the handful of survivors as magical healers who could raise the dead. The ethnographic balance takes a thrilling adventure and turns it into an engrossing case study of early European colonialism gone epically wrong.
""Brutal Journey is a wonderfully rich account of an incredible cross-country journey of survival. Paul Schneider's beautifully crafted book takes us to another time in another world, a place of native American shamans, Spanish conquistadors, and unbelievable determination. Best of all, it really happened."--Jerald T. Milanich, Ph.D., archaeologist at the Florida Museum of Natural History and author of Florida Indians from Ancient Times to the Present

Thursday May 18, 7pm – Fiction
James McNay Brumfield author of Across the High Lonesome ($14.95 Tres Picos Press)
Across the High Lonesome is a modern western odyssey that invites the reader to hitch a ride through the glacial carved vales and over the high lonesome passes of California‘s Range of Light. A journey of love, pain and adventure, brimming with unforgettable characters, salty humor, and recalcitrant mules. Brumfield is a sixth generation Califonian who has spent more then 25 years working as a wilderness guide and packer and has taken a lifetime of experience packing dudes into the mountains and distilled it into a delightful work of fiction.
“I thoroughly enjoyed Across the High Lonesone – It’s fresh, readable, well paced – enough nature but not too much� Larry McMurtry

Friday May 19, 7pm –Poetry
A Group Reading from the anthology Gathering Ground: A Reader Celebrating Cave Canem’s First Decade ($19.95 University of Michigan Press)
Readers will include Herman Beaver, Toni Brown, Michelle Elliot, Monica Hand, Nzadi Keita, Cherice Pollard, Sonia Sanchez, Simmone White, Yolanda Wisher
Co-Sponsored by Cave Canem
Cave Canem is committed to the discovery and cultivation of new voices in African American poetry. When Toi Derricotte shared her dream of a retreat for African American poets with Cornelius Eady and his wife Sarah Micklem, they agreed to work together to make it a reality. In Pompeii, Italy, they found a fitting symbol for the safe space they hoped to create: the mosaic of a dog guarding the entry to the House of the Tragic Poet, with the inscription CAVE CANEM (Beware of the Dog). It symbolized for them the role that Cave Canem could play: it would protect the poets and, by breaking the chain, it would unleash these vital new voices into the literary world.
Beginning as an all-volunteer effort in 1996, Cave Canem has moved swiftly to become a non-profit organization with a full-time staff and an active Board, funded through individual donations and foundation and government grants. Our program has expanded from a summer retreat to include regional workshops, a first book prize, annual anthologies, readings and events in major cities around the United States. We are a national community of emerging and established poets, a family of writers who create, publish, perform, teach, study poetry, and support each others' work.

Saturday May 20, 2pm – Writer’s Group
TIUWG (Together In Unity Writers Group) Round Table Writers Group Meeting
TIUWG invites you to join other imaginative minds one afternoon every month to critique, network, and invigorate your creative energy. Contact: tiuwg@aol.com

Monday May 22, 7pm – Fiction
Delia Falconer author of The Lost Thoughts of Soldiers ($16.00 Soft Skull Press)
Georgia, 1898: On what may be the last day of his life, Captain Frederick Benteen -- the man who saved Custer's Seventh Cavalry from almost certain death at Little Bighorn -- receives a letter from an ambitious boy offering to "restore" his reputation. For over 23 years Benteen has silently watched Custer's legend grow. His General has been dead for more than 20 years, killed in action, considered a hero, while the public has never forgiven Benteen for surviving. Now, at last, he begins to put down some account of those two horrific days pinned down on a ridge. What follows is an exquisite eulogy for his fellow soldiers, both alive and dead. Funny, moving, rich in character and incident, this acclaimed novel avoids the bloody battle scenes and maudlin romance that characterize much Civil War-based fiction in favor of an unsparing and poetic story that explores what it means to be a soldier -- then and now.
Delia Falconer is one of Austraila's leading young writers.



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[Revolutionary_Student]

Asante for this thread brotha Raha. This is right in my area.

[Raha]

Moonstone Readings

At Robin’s Bookstore
108 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, 215-735-9600, www.robinsbookstore.com
Books & Events for Independent Minds from Philadelphia’s Oldest Independent Bookstore
Free and open to Everyone



Thursday May 25, 7pm – Fiction
Brian Harrison author of Sugar to Shit
“i was born and raised in north philadelphia during the glory days of hip hop.i attended william penn hs in north philly till second semester of my junior year and then transferred to springfield twp hs in montgomery county where i graduated.i moved onto howard university in washington d.c where i majored in radio/tv and film.while at howard university i honed my emcee skills by promoting parties with my biz partner sylvester anderson and deejay trouble trev.we brought salt n pepa down to d.c for a concert and just-ice in the late 1980's and of course i had to open up the shows with my crew(o.s.a.g.e nation) featuring trouble trev on the 1's and 2's.eventually i met mary ann vieira in washington d.c who would later become ladybug and i met ishmael butler in philly who became butterfly.i left school to pursue music fulltime and eventually butterfly acquired a recording deal with up and coming label pendulum records in nyc and the digable planets legend was born …�

Saturday May 27, 7pm – Special Event
MEMORIAL ARTS FESTIVAL
“remembering the past, celebrating the future of possibilities"
NATIONAL BLACK ARTS SPOKEN WORD TOUR & NATIONAL BLACK AUTHORS TOUR
Anniversary Celebration of Free Workshops, Featured Readings and Open Mic
2pm
Workshop:" How to Break into the Performing Arts Field, Entertainment Business, Publishing and Music Industry"
This workshop will teach new, aspiring and experienced performers and writers about the tricks of the trade and hidden secrets of how to develop and market their talents, skills, abilities and gifts for entrance into the mainstream and mass appeal of pop culture.
3pm
Open Mic with a Featured Reading by the National Black Arts Spoken Word Tour and National Black Authors Tour members who are published in the POETRY INK - 10th Anniversary Anthology
4pm
Workshop: "How to Become a Successful Recording Artist of Spoken Word, Rap Music and Gospel Music."
This workshop will provide the encouragement and skills development for producing, recording and marketing CD recordings and single record releases
5pm
Youth Slam Open Mic with a featured Reading from members of Philly's Teen Slam Team which achieved success as Top 5 in the Country during a Live Performance at the World Famous Apollo Theater in New York. Also featured will be performances from the CD Releases from the Teen Coaches Just Greg and Zanora & Asad Wright-EL.
6pm
Workshop: "How to Develop your Performance Skills for the Stage or a One Person Show"
This workshop will show poets, spoken word artists and performers how to adapt there works and words for the stage and other public ventures for oratorical exchange (storytelling, monologues, readings, etc.)
7pm
Open Mic with Guest Performances by members of the National Black Arts Spoken Word Tour, the National Black Authors Tour and the Hip Hop Business School for the Arts and Humanities.
The National Black Authors Tour celebrates its 20th Year Anniversary, the National Black Arts Spoken Word Tour celebrates its 10th year Anniversary and the REAL (Research in Exemplary Afrikan Literature) celebrates its 5th year Anniversary. These groups are responsible for hosting, mentoring and/or teaching some of the top nominees and winners of the Tony Award, Grammy Award, Emmy Award, Academy Award, American Book Award, Writers Digest Award, Pew Fellowship, Daimler Chrsyler National Poetry Competition and the Washington Post National Poetry Competition.

Tuesday May 30, 7pm – Fiction
Denise Dennis & Gregory Miller the authors of Becoming His Father’s Son
Set in Philadelphia and revolving around a suspenseful legal case, the novel Becoming His Father’s Son tells the story of Alex Hamilton’s redemption. A successful, Ivy League-educated, African American attorney, Alex feels superior to other African Americans. In fact, he has achieved his success by winning racial discrimination cases--using questionable tactics--for wealthy, corporate clients. In stark contrast to Alex, his physician father, “Dr. Nate� Hamilton, has been practicing medicine in the inner city for thirty years, often giving free treatment to patients who cannot afford to pay. Dr. Nate, the son of a sharecropper, grew up poor in Alabama and worked his way through college and medical school, unlike Alex who has lived a life of privilege. Alex and Nate haven’t spoken to each other in years, a situation that grieves Alex’s mother, May Hamilton. When Dr. Nate is accused of Medicare fraud and stands to lose everything he has worked for, he turns to his son for help. Alex makes a critical choice to defend his father; a decision based on love--and it irrevocably changes his life. His law partners scheme to maneuver him out of the firm when they learn of his father’s indictment; and Alex begins to question all his former assumptions. As they work on the defense case, Nate reveals to Alex family secrets he had until then kept to himself, and father and son achieve a new understanding. The story ends with a suspenseful courtroom trial--the trial of Alex’s life--and a surprise twist at the conclusion.
A collaboration of Gregory P. Miller, a senior partner in the law firm of Miller, Alfano and Raspanti and author Denise Dennis, Becoming His Father’s Son follows the story from Independence Hall to the North Philadelphia ghetto. The novel holds the readers’ interest until the last page is turned.

Wednesday May 31, 7pm – Non-Fiction
David Lindroff author of The Case for Impeachment: The Legal Argument for Removing President George W. Bush from Office ($23.95 Thomas Dunne Books)
It's time for the American people and Congress to act. With so much at stake, we have a president whose administration stands out in its criminality and disdain for the rule of law. The Case for Impeachment explains the legal history and grounds for impeaching George W. Bush and brings forth more than a half dozen articles of impeachment the likes of:
*Lying and inducing Congress and the American people into an unjust war.
*Allowing his friends and business cronies to profiteer off the war in Iraq.
*Authorizing torture and rendition of prisoners of war and suspected terrorists--a
complete violation of the Geneva Conventions, a treaty the U.S. has signed and is
therefore part of our law.
*Stripping American citizens of their Constitutional rights--holding people with no
charge, wiretapping them illegally, offering them no trial, and never allowing them
to face their accusers.
*Failing in almost every way possible to defend the homeland and our borders.
Hard hitting and persuasive in its argument, The Case for Impeachment will be one of the most talked-about political books for the pathetic remainder of the Bush Presidency.
Dave Lindorff has been an investigative reporter/journalist for 30 years.

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[Raha]

Moonstone Readings


At Robin’s Bookstore
108 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, 215-735-9600, www.robinsbookstore.com Books & Events for Independent Minds from Philadelphia’s Oldest Independent Bookstore
Free and open to Everyone


Sunday June 4, 1pm Pot Luck Brunch and Poetry
Samantha Barrow author of GRIT & tendermembrane

Monday June 5, 7pm Rebels with a Cause First Person Festival Non-Fiction Kenyon Farrow and guests share their writings from Letters From Young Activists: Today〓s Rebels Speak Out and discuss critical issues facing the African American community and the changing role of activism in politics today.

Tuesday June 6, 7pm NonFiction
Paul Robeson Jr. author of A Black Way of Seeing: From “Liberty� to Freedom ($23.95 Seven Stories Press)

Wednesday June 7, 7pm Non-Fiction
Garry Cole author of Artless: the Odyssey of a Republican Cultural Creative ($19.95 Ooligan Press)

Thursday June 8, 7pm Non-Fiction
James B. Twitchell author of Where Men Hide ($24.95 Columbia University Press)

Thursday June 8, 6pm Workshop - #2
Leonard Gontarek presents The Life of the Poet Workshop
(five 90-minute sessions, $45)

Saturday June 10, 4pm - Fiction
Toya Morton Swanson author of Caught Between A Bitch and a Hard Place ($14.95 New Hope Publishing)

Sunday June 11, 2pm - Poetry
Philadelphia Poets presents Ethnic Voices with Emiliano Martin, in Spanish and English; Al Tacconelli, with Maria Elisa Clavarelli reading in Italian; and Adam Sorkin, reading the work of Romanian poets Ioan Floora and Marin Sorescu.

Tuesday June 13, 7pm Poetry
Moonstone Poetry Series Presents
Ann E. Michael & Barbara Decesare

Wednesday June 14, 7pm Fiction
Mary Sharratt author of Vanishing Point ($12.95 Mariner)

Thursday June 15, 6pm Workshop - #3
Leonard Gontarek presents The Life of the Poet Workshop
(five 90-minute sessions, $45)

Saturday June 17, 2pm Writer’s Group
TIUWG (Together In Unity Writers Group) Round Table Writers Group Meeting

Saturday June 17, 7pm Non-Fiction
Juenteenth Day Event

Sunday June 18, 1pm -Memoir
Ellen Urbani Hitebrand author of When I Was Elena ($28.00 Permanent Press)

Tuesday June 20, 7pm Poetry & Prose
RuNett Nia Ebo author of a novel All For You ($12.95) and three poetry collections

Wednesday June 21, 7pm Non-Fiction
Laurel Snyder author of Half/Life: Jew-Ish tales from Interfaith Homes ($14.95 Soft Skull Press)

Thursday June 22, 6pm Workshop - #4
Leonard Gontarek presents The Life of the Poet Workshop
(five 90-minute sessions, $45)

Saturday June 24, 2pm - Fiction
Stephanie J. Anderson-Swinton author of Pass It On…: the Journey/My Journey ($19.95 PublishAmerica)

Tuesday June 27, 7pm Poetry
Moonstone Poetry Series Presents
Docena Boyden & Niama Williams

Wednesday June 28, 7pm fiction
Jonathan Maberry author of Ghost Road Blues ($6.99 Kensington)

Thursday June 29, 6pm Workshop - #5
Leonard Gontarek presents The Life of the Poet Workshop
(five 90-minute sessions, $45)


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this is e-drum, a listserv providing information of interests
to black writers and diverse supporters worldwide.
e-drum is moderated by kalamu ya salaam (kalamu@aol.com).
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[Raha]

Moonstone Readings

At Robin’s Bookstore
108 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, 215-735-9600, www.robinsbookstore.com
Books & Events for Independent Minds from Philadelphia’s Oldest Independent Bookstore
Free and open to Everyone



Thursday June 8, 7pm – Non-Fiction
James B. Twitchell author of Where Men Hide ($24.95 Columbia University Press)
"If you ask men if they spend any time hiding, they usually look at you as if you're nuts. 'What, me hide?' But if you ask women whether men hide, they immediately know what you mean." from "Where Men Hide"
"Where Men Hide" is a spirited tour of the dark and often dirty places men go to find comfort, camaraderie, relaxation, and escape. Ken Ross's striking photographs and James Twitchell's lively analysis trace the evolution of these virtual caves, and question why they are rapidly disappearing. Ross documents both traditional and contemporary male haunts, such as bars, barbershops, lodges, pool halls, strip clubs, garages, deer camps, megachurches, the basement Barcalounger, and Twitchell examines their provenance, purpose, and appeal. He finds that for centuries men have met with each other in underground lairs and clubhouses to conduct business or, in the case of strip clubs and the modern rec room, to bond and indulge in shady entertainments. In these secret dens, certain rules are abandoned while others are obeyed. However, Twitchell sees this less as exclusionary behavior and more as the result of social anxiety: when women want to get together, they just do it; when men get together, it's a production. Drawing on literary, historical, and pop cultural sources, Twitchell connects the places men hide with figures like Hemingway and Huck Finn, Frederick Jackson Turner's theory of the American frontier, and the mythological interpretations of Joseph Campbell and Robert Bly. Instead of blaming the disappearance of the man-cave solely on feminism, simple fair play, or the demands of Title IX, Twitchell believes this evaporation is due as well to the rise of solitary pursuits such as driving, watching television, and playing videogames. By blending together anecdote, research, and keen observation, Ross and Twitchell bring this little-discussed and controversial phenomenon to light.
"Cleverly written and photographed, "Where Men Hide" is a delightful diversion, a cheery romp through those male-only spaces in which men hang up the sign on their clubhouse that says 'No Girls Allowed'." -- Michael Kimmel, State University of New York at Stonybrook, author of The Gendered Society
Twitchell is an alumni professor of English at the University of Florida. He has a regular column in Creativity magazine on advertising and its creative and historic importance on American culture.

Thursday June 8, 6pm – Workshop - #2
The Life of the Poet Workshops presented by Leonard Gontarek
BLOCKED? NO TIME TO WRITE? OUT OF IDEAS?
WELCOME TO THE CLUB.
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, all Thursdays, 6PM. (five 90-minute sessions, $45)
Contact: Leonard Gontarek gontarek9@earthlink.net 215.808.9507.

Saturday June 10, 4pm - Fiction
Toya Morton Swanson author of Caught Between A Bitch and a Hard Place ($14.95 New Hope Publishing)
Toya Morton-Swanson is taking no prisoners with her new debut novel...
“What the hell is that?� Tamara whispered to her husband Steven as she wiped the sleep from her eyes. BANG! SMASH! CRASH! The sound of breaking glass resonated through the early hours of an otherwise peaceful Sunday morning. Steven jumped from the bed and glanced out of the bedroom window, stumbling over his feet as he struggled to adjust his eyes to the dark bedroom. His eyes widened with shock as he noticed the shadowy figure of a woman in his driveway with a crowbar. “Steven what’s going on?� Tamara cried out as she grabbed the back of Steven’s shirt as she too peered out of the window. Their jaws dropped as they watched the mystery woman climb on top of their brand new 2004 Lexus Coupe. The woman began jumping up and down on the hood of the car and then began wildly swinging the crowbar at the front and back windshields. Glass shattered all over the interior of the once immaculate car. “Oh fuck that!� Steven gasped. He grabbed the cordless telephone off of the nightstand and dialed 911. As Tamara stood in the window the shape began to look familiar. Then the person glared up at her. She heard the woman exclaim before she jumped in a Ford Explorer that was waiting at the curb. “That’s for you Tamara, you fucking lying bitch!� Tamara gasped and held her hand to her mouth and whispered. “Ashley, not Ashley!�

Sunday June 11, 2pm - Poetry
Philadelphia Poets presents Ethnic Voices
Featuring Emiliano Martin, in Spanish and English; Al Tacconelli, with Maria Elisa Ciavarelli reading his poetry in Italian; and Adam Sorkin, reading the work of Romanian poets Ioan Flora and Marin Sorescu. An additional feature will be a reading of the poem "Ancestors," written by Tommi Avicolli Mecca, with its Italian translation by Angela Cingottini. Tommi's poem and the translation will be read by others, since he lives in San Francisco and Angela lives in Siena, Italy. The Bridge was written by Sorescu during the last six weeks of his life. At the time, Sorescu was Romania's nominee for the Nobel Prize for Literature. The translation has been praised in The Times Literary Supplement. Also, poet and novelist Mircea Cartarescu has written of Sorkin, "To say that he is the best translator of poetry from Romanian into English is to tell only a part of the truth. Actually, he is the re-inventor of contemporary Romanian poetry in the English speaking world. His translations are unique in their fine balance between accuracy and poetic beauty." The Bridge was awarded the 2005 biennial Popescu Prize for European Poetry Translation of The Poetry Society, London. The work was co-translated with Lidia Vianu of the University of Bucharest.


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