Bent: A Writing Institute

Bent Writing Institute & Dorothy Allison
Seattle First United Methodist Church, 811 Fifth Avenue
Friday October 13 & Saturday October 14
Doors 7:30pm / Curtain 8:00pm

Dorothy Allison Mentor Writing Workshop
Seattle First United Methodist Church
Saturday October 14
1pm-3pm

Tickets :: brownpapertickets.com

Bent, the nation's only "little queer writing institute that could," is proud to bring to the Seattle stage an incomparable queer artist who can and who has: Dorothy Allison.
Heralded as "One of the finest writers of her generation" by the Boston Globe and
"Simply stunning!" by the New York Times Book Review, Allison will again electrify and
transform audiences. Over two nights at the First United Methodist Church, more than
30 Bent students will share the stage with Allison for Bent¹s fifth annual mentor and student showcase and award show.

This Showcase is a rare opportunity to hear not only one of the most
talented writers of our time give voice to underrepresented life
experiences, but also to hear an array of emerging and acclaimed queer
artists attest to the complex intersections of living at the margins of
margins. As Tara Hardy, Bent Founder, remarks, "Dorothy Allison has
liberated an entire generation of poor and queer voices." As Bent is guided
by that value, the chance to honor her as a mentor is not only a landmark
for the organization, but an opportunity to say thank you from an entire
community of voices who, without her example, might still be living out our
own unique, silent solitude.

Also, Allison will facilitate a writing workshop on Saturday, October 14.
This exclusive offering is an intimate environment for community members to
interact with Allison. Participants will receive advice about their own
works as well as insight into the subject of writing itself.

Bent is beyond joyful that she will be sharing the stage with our writers,
and bringing her power to our community. Always compassionate and ruthlessly
honest, Dorothy says of her work, "What I am here for is to tell you stories
you may not want to hear." Please join us to hear and to be transformed.

DOROTHY ALLISON :: Dorothy Allison grew up in Greenville, South Carolina,
and describes herself as a feminist, working class story teller, southern
expatriate, sometime poet and a happily born-again Californian. She is the
author of numerous award-winning works, including Trash, Bastard Out of
Carolina, and Cavedweller. For more information on Dorothy Allison, go to:
dorothyallison.net.

BENT :: Bent, a non-profit organization, is the only queer writing institute
in the nation. The mission of Bent is to promote and encourage written and
spoken word among LGBTIQTS people and in our communities. The concept and
work of Bent began August 2000, in the living room of Tara Hardy,
Seattle-based writer, performer, and Slam Champ. Since, Bent has grown to a
full institute, having served over 200 students, offering a variety of
weekly classes and local and regional performances.

MENTOR SHOWCASES :: These annual spoken word showcases are a chance to see
Bent students, whose works are generating much attention both locally and
nationally, perform alongside a writer whose work they look up to and have
chosen to honor. Moreover, they are a chance to bring underrepresented
voices to our greater communities. The showcases are Bent's largest annual
fundraiser. There have been four other sold-out showcases and workshops in
June 2003, January 2004, August 2004, and October 2005, with
standing-room-only crowds and growing student rolls. The last showcase was
housed at the Broadway Performance Hall on Capitol Hill, met with two packed
nights and critical acclaim. In these prior showcases, Bent has honored
queer writers and mentors: Buddy Wakefield, Juba Kalamka, Justin Chin,
Michelle Tea, Ivan Coyote, and Sini Anderson.