Opened Window: a steaming evening of erotic verse

Verse In Person presents“Opened Window: a steaming evening of erotic verse”
· Featured readers will be Celina Wigle, Dena Rash Guzman, Joaquin Lopez, Ross Robbins, Sterling Clark
· A short open mic dedicated to erotic poems will precede the featured poets.
· Minors will be permitted if accompanied by a mature-looking adult.
· If an adult’s mature appearance is dubious, measurements of cranium and beadiness of eye will determine a subject’s grade of perversity and subsequent permission to enter event.
· Folding fans may be employed should audience members swoon.
· Smelling salts will not be provided.

STERLING CLARK is a poet, performance artist and creator. She hails from Los Angeles, CA where she began writing at the age of seven. Her poetry has been described as raw, erotic, and honest. She flays her heart open, exposes her vulnerability and presents it for all to hear through written word. She does queer, polyamoury and sex work activism and is a student of sexology. Her intent as a writer is to inspire honesty in a world so inhabited by fear.

DENA RASH GUZMAN is the author of Life Cycle-Poems (Dog On A Chain Press 2013.) Editor of the literary journal Unshod Quills, she is managing director for the Shanghai, China based English language publisher, HAL Publishing. In 2010 she was awarded Judge's Prize for Best Performance at the first known erotic fiction competition in post-Mao mainland China, at Glamour Bar in Shanghai.

JOAQUIN LOPEZ is a musician, writer, cultural events and music producer, and small business owner. Producer credits include Taste of Mexico at the Portland Art Museum and the annual cultural performance for Portland Latino Gay Pride: Voz Alta. In 2012, he released the album, “…For the Disenchanted,” a Spanish language ode to melancholia and longing featuring boleros. Joaquin received his BFA in Theatre Arts from Southern Oregon University and sits on the board of Business for Culture and the Arts, Momentum Alliance and Portland Latino Gay Pride. He works at La Bonita with his family.

ROSS ROBBINS lives, writes, and loves in Portland, Oregon. He is an avid self-publisher of chapbooks. His latest, "I want to say how I feel and be done with it forever," is available for purchase at his appearances, along with his other work.

CELINA WIGLE is an Oregon native and graduate of Portland State University's English Literature program. Her mystic alter ego, the Celestial Concubine, has produced three chapbooks and a spoken word album. She is a certified postpartum doula, freelance writer, steampunk fashion model, contributor to the Happy Hysteria holistic sexual health community, and a volunteer co-editor for VoiceCatcher literary journal.

Sign up begins at 5:45 pm. Reading runs 6:00 pm – 7:45 pm
Wednesday, June 26th
Northwest Library
2300 NW Thurman Street

For more info or questions email: verse.in.person.pdx@gmail.com