Poetic Justice Rising

03/31/2026

Our last Poetry Slam was so much fun! We hope to see you at the next one Saturday June 13th at the Shasta Arts Council. Doors open at 7- flyer coming soon.

Open Mic is April 15th, Eric will be your emcee.

To keep up to date on many exciting events (we have a lot planned), sign up for our newsletter. Write to [email protected].

This weekend, be sure to sign up for Red City Zine Fest! Details on the flyer.

02/23/2026

If you love words, please check out this local effort to keep Cal's open and have it morph into something even more.

A message from Carl, owner of Cal's books: "To all our many customers and book lovers that over the last half-century made Cal's what it is. The disaster has happened and the official assessment is in - I myself cannot possibly put humpty-dumpty back together....

02/19/2026

It is time for our next Zine! Send in 1-3 poems, drawings, photos, or paintings (they will be printed in black and white) by March 15th. We will be sharing copies at the Zine fest on April 4th.

Send your submissions to Andrew at [email protected],

01/16/2026

If you are thinking of coming to SLAM tomorrow, and we hope that you are, here are a few details:

If you want to perform for the judges, come early. First come first served for the 10 slots. Doors open at 7.
You can also share at an open mic afterwards (not for judges).
Poems, in either care, should be 3 minutes only. You don't have to memorize the piece.
Poems should be original, the poet’s/slammers own work.
No music or props are allowed.

The tickets are $5, and snacks, beer, wine, soda, and a signature cocktail will be for sale.

12/30/2025

Start the new year with some connection to nature and creative expression. Join us for a beautiful, engaging experience with Heather Bortolussi on Sunday, January 11th from 2 to 4 pm at Viva Downtown/the IOOF hall at 1504 Market Street. Brought to you by the Words for All Coalition.

11/16/2025

This Wednesday, November 19th from 7 to 8:30, join us at Viva Downtown/the Art Hunger/IOOF building at 1504 Market St. for poetry open mic. While you are there, sign up for our newsletter and grab a free zine with offerings by local poets.

And- get excited! Our first Poetry Slam is on the books! Saturday January 17th. See the poster and check back here for details!!

10/15/2025

Open Mic Wednesday October 15th 7 to 8:30 Viva Downtown 1504 Market Street Redding.

Enter through the side alley door.

Your fabulous emcee is Susie Carlson. Come hear about our January Poetry Slam contest, our next zine- coming out very, very soon, plans for a flash fiction workshop, and the dates for the Spring Shasta College Writing Festival!

09/22/2025

This Wednesday!
We have some amazing local singer songwriters and now you’ll have a chance to hear some of these artists talk about their process.

Musicians including Sara Hoxie, George Rogers, Preston Fennell, Jacob Akana, Diane Blaylock Steinmetz, and Daniel Hill will share their thoughts on writing lyrics, sources of inspiration, and collaborating with others. Bring your questions and come enjoy a night of words and music on Wednesday, September 24th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Shasta County Arts Council (SCAC) Gallery space. SCAC is located at 1313 Market Street.

As a reminder, parking is free after 6 p.m. Please join us and share with others who might be interested.

09/08/2025

And here's the flyer for our Singer Songwriter event.

09/04/2025

Have you ever wondered how singer songwriters do what they do?

We have some amazing local singer songwriters and now you’ll have a chance to hear some of these artists talk about their process.

Musicians including Sara Hoxie, George Rogers, Preston Fennell, Jacob Akana, Diane Blaylock Steinmetz, and Daniel Hill will share their thoughts on writing lyrics, sources of inspiration, and collaborating with others. Bring your questions and come enjoy a night of words and music on Wednesday, September 24th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Shasta County Arts Council (SCAC) Gallery space. SCAC is located at 1313 Market Street.

Parking is free after 6 p.m. Hope to see you there!

Brought to you by the SCAC Words for All Coalition.

Photo by Derek Truninger on Unsplash

06/30/2025

Our Poetry as Resistance Workshop is tonight! 6 to 8 p.m. at the IOOF Hall/Viva Downtown in the conference room.

Poetry, Social Justice, and Resistance
Poet Ocean Vuong has said “We often tell our students: ‘The future’s in your hands.’ But I think the future is actually in your mouth. You have to articulate the world you want to live in, first.”

Poetry can invite us into different imaginings and seeing different possibilities by using concise words and powerful images.

Join us to hear some poems that speak to the struggle for social justice and engage in some exercises to articulate your own thoughts in poetry, prose, or other creative forms.