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    <title>Bent: A Writing Institute</title>
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    <link rel="service.post" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=1" title="Bent: A Writing Institute" />
    <updated>2008-05-02T23:26:02Z</updated>
    
    <generator uri="http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/">Movable Type 3.2</generator>
 
<entry>
    <title>Bent and Andrea Gibson May 13!</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/2008/05/bent_and_andrea_gibson_may_13_1.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=1/entry_id=40" title="Bent and Andrea Gibson May 13!" />
    <id>tag:www.bentwriting.com,2008://1.40</id>
    
    <published>2008-05-02T23:14:49Z</published>
    <updated>2008-05-02T23:26:02Z</updated>
    
    <summary>Join Bent Writing Institute for an evening of fierce poetry featuring nationally acclaimed queer poet, Andrea Gibson! Gracing the stage with a showcase of Bent performers, Andrea joins us after placing first at the Women of the World Poetry Slam,...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Bent</name>
        
    </author>
            <category term="Events" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bentwriting.com/">
        <![CDATA[<p><strong>Join Bent Writing Institute for an evening of fierce poetry featuring nationally acclaimed queer poet, Andrea Gibson!</strong></p>

<p>Gracing the stage with a showcase of Bent performers, Andrea joins us after placing first at the Women of the World Poetry Slam, just the latest in a string of victories on the international Slam scene. Reviewers call Andrea's work <em>"jaw-dropping"</em> and add that <em>"it could change your life."</em></p>

<p>Don't miss your chance to see Bent and Andrea Gibson, a perfect mixture of fabulous and fierce, for this one-night-only spectacular performance.<br />
<strong><br />
Only $10 -- Pay at the door!<br />
Wednesday, May 13, 7:30 door, 8:00 p.m. show</p>

<p>Rebar</strong><br />
1114 Howell St.<br />
Seattle, WA</p>

<p>Andrea Gibson is a queer poet/activist whose work deconstructs the foundations of the current political machine, highlighting issues such as patriarchy, gender norms, white-supremacy, and capitalist culture. Listen to her work and learn more at <a href="http://www.andreagibson.org">www.andreagibson.org</a>.<br />
<br /><img alt="AGposterWEB.jpg" src="http://www.bentwriting.com/AGposterWEB.jpg" width="500" height="386" /></p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>
<entry>
    <title>Bent Gets a New Pad!</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/2008/01/bent_gets_a_new_pad.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=1/entry_id=39" title="Bent Gets a New Pad!" />
    <id>tag:www.bentwriting.com,2008://1.39</id>
    
    <published>2008-01-19T18:07:21Z</published>
    <updated>2008-01-24T21:49:01Z</updated>
    
    <summary>Bent Arts is pleased to announce that as of Sunday, we have been subletting a space from the Community Coalition for Environmental Justice (CCEJ). Finding a space in the center of the queer community was one of Bent’s top priorities,...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Bent</name>
        
    </author>
            <category term="News" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bentwriting.com/">
        <![CDATA[<p><strong>Bent Arts is pleased to announce that as of Sunday, we have been subletting a space from the <a href="http://www.ccej.org/">Community Coalition for Environmental Justice</a> (CCEJ). <br />
</strong><br />
Finding a space in the center of the queer community was one of Bent’s top priorities, and we are thrilled <strong>Bent has moved only six blocks from its former home.</strong> CCEJ is located in the daylight basement of the Madison Non-Profit building, near the Capitol Hill Trader Joe's. On the border between Capitol Hill and the CD, in a space shared with other non-profit organizations, the new home comes with opportunities for Bent to reach out to neighbors and invite new voices to the Bent community.</p>

<p>As you may know, the LGBT Center has moved from its location on Pike Street—since Bent was a sublettor of the Center, we were displaced. We are very grateful for the nurturing home base the Center provided, and wish the organization the best of luck in their new situation.<br />
<strong><br />
Bent is proud to share its new space with CCEJ. The organization fights for environmental and economic justice in low income communities and communities of color. </strong>Bent students, staff, and board are pleased to have this opportunity to share ideas with a valued social justice organization.<br />
<strong></p>

<p>Thanks to everyone who helped facilitate this move, and to CCEJ for welcoming Bent to our new home.</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>
<entry>
    <title>Bent Mentor Showcase -- Inspirational!</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/2007/12/bent_mentor_showcase_inspirati_1.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=1/entry_id=38" title="Bent Mentor Showcase -- Inspirational!" />
    <id>tag:www.bentwriting.com,2007://1.38</id>
    
    <published>2007-12-04T21:39:06Z</published>
    <updated>2007-12-04T21:55:27Z</updated>
    
    <summary>Once again, Bent students took the stage and --along with honored mentor Blair--left crowds wowed and inspired. Liz Meyer of the Seattle Gay News says the performers &quot;...all showed such a mastery of the wonders of words that I was...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Bent</name>
        
    </author>
            <category term="Events" />
    
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        <![CDATA[<p>Once again, Bent students took the stage and --along with honored mentor <a href="http://www.blairpoetry.com/">Blair</a>--left crowds wowed and inspired.</p>

<p>Liz Meyer of the <em>Seattle Gay News</em> says the performers <strong>"...all showed such a mastery of the wonders of words that I was left thinking not, 'Carpe diem,' but rather, 'Carpe GODDAMN!'"</strong></p>

<p><a href="http://sgn.org/sgnnews35_46/page21.cfm">Check out the entire article at the SGN website!</a></p>

<p>The Showcase would not have been possible without the work of the students, volunteers, donors, and guests. Bent is especially grateful for the support of the <a href="http://www.seattle.gov/arts/">City of Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs</a>, the <a href="http://www.theabbey.org/">Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence</a>, and <a href="http://www.pw.org/">Poets & Writers</a>.</p>]]>
        
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</entry>
<entry>
    <title>Help out with Bent&apos;s 2007 Mentor Showcase!</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/2007/10/headline_help_out_with_bents_2.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=1/entry_id=37" title="Help out with Bent's 2007 Mentor Showcase!" />
    <id>tag:www.bentwriting.com,2007://1.37</id>
    
    <published>2007-10-26T20:26:33Z</published>
    <updated>2007-10-26T20:36:26Z</updated>
    
    <summary>It&apos;s almost that time again -- for Bent&apos;s annual Mentor Showcase, an opportunity for Bent students to share the stage with an accomplished poet/writer/performer whose work they&apos;ve admired. This year&apos;s Mentor is D. Blair (www.blairpoetry.com), a singer-songwriter, performer, and spoken...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Bent</name>
        
    </author>
            <category term="Volunteer" />
    
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        <![CDATA[<p>It's almost that time again -- for Bent's annual Mentor Showcase, an<br />
opportunity for Bent students to share the stage with an accomplished<br />
poet/writer/performer whose work they've admired.  This year's Mentor<br />
is D. Blair (www.blairpoetry.com), a singer-songwriter, performer, and<br />
spoken word artist based in Detroit.  This annual event will be held the<br />
weekend of November, 9th-11th, 2007.<br />
 <br />
Wanna help?  Your energy, time, and skills are needed as Bent prepares<br />
for the annual Showcase.  For more information on volunteer opportunities<br />
associated with this event, please contact airenlydick@yahoo.com<br />
 <br />
We hope to hear from YOU!</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>
<entry>
    <title>2007 Bent Mentor Showcase with Guest Mentor D. Blair</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/2007/10/2007_bent_mentor_showcase_with.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=1/entry_id=35" title="2007 Bent Mentor Showcase with Guest Mentor D. Blair" />
    <id>tag:www.bentwriting.com,2007://1.35</id>
    
    <published>2007-10-26T19:50:32Z</published>
    <updated>2007-10-26T20:35:24Z</updated>
    
    <summary>Seattle, WA – Come bask in the brilliance, revel in the rhyme, 
and celebrate the spoken word as Bent, the nation’s only queer
writing institute, returns to the stage for its sixth annual Mentor
Showcase, honoring Detroit Poetry Slam Champion D. Blair.  
</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Bent</name>
        
    </author>
            <category term="Events" />
    
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        <![CDATA[<p>Bent, a writing institute, and D. Blair<br />
Piggott Auditorium, Seattle University Campus<br />
901 12th Avenue (at Marion Street)<br />
 <br />
Friday November 9th and Saturday November 10th<br />
Doors 6:30 p.m., Curtain 7:30 p.m.<br />
 <br />
D. Blair Mentor Writing Workshop<br />
Seattle LGBT Community Center<br />
1115 E Pike Street<br />
Sunday November 11th<br />
1:00 p.m. - 3 p.m.<br />
 <br />
Tickets :: www.brownpapertickets.com<br />
More Info :: www.bentwriting.com</p>]]>
        <![CDATA[<p>Seattle, WA – Come bask in the brilliance, revel in the rhyme, <br />
and celebrate the spoken word as Bent, the nation’s only queer<br />
writing institute, returns to the stage for its sixth annual Mentor<br />
Showcase, honoring Detroit Poetry Slam Champion D. Blair.  </p>

<p><br />
Bent, “the little queer writing institute that could ”, continues to <br />
support up-and-coming writers as they put voice to queer <br />
experiences.  In the past year alone, Bent has been represented <br />
at the National Poetry Slam, the San Francisco Queer Arts <br />
Festival, QueerFest Seattle, Seattle Black Pride, Seattle Poetry<br />
Festival, Reed College, University of Washington, Seattle University, <br />
and the Skagit County Human Rights Week.<br />
 <br />
As a part of the 2007 Bent Mentor Showcase more than thirty <br />
outstanding local poets and performers will take the stage for two<br />
nights this November in Piggott Auditorium on the Seattle University<br />
Campus, along with honored mentor D. Blair.<br />
 <br />
D. Blair is a poet, singer-songwriter, performer, and spoken word<br />
artist from Detroit whose work, in the word s of Detroit’s Metro Times,<br />
"focuses on the hope that rises from the ashes of despair." According<br />
to Real Detroit Weekly, “Blair is a Detroit artist that cannot be overlooked<br />
” whose work is “a set of experimental confessionals born of <br />
uncompromising soul an d unmatched lyrical weight.”<br />
 <br />
Blair’s work and talent have led him to the titles of National Poetry <br />
Slam Champion (2002 Team Detroit) and Detroit Grand Slam Champion<br />
(2003).  He's been named Best Solo Artist by the Real Detroit Weekly<br />
Readers' Poll and has inspired writers and reviewers across the country<br />
and around the world .<br />
 <br />
The 2007 Bent Mentor Showcase is an opportunity to hear the words<br />
and work of an incredibly gifted, powerful, and nationally renowned <br />
word smith as well as the voices of emerging and acclaimed local <br />
queer writers. These artists are rising to the challenge of articulating <br />
the kaleidoscope of beauty and difficulty of lives lived upon the ever <br />
shifting boundaries of queer identities.<br />
 <br />
In addition to the Showcase performances on Friday, November 9th <br />
and Saturday, November 10th, Blair will be facilitating a writing workshop<br />
on Sunday, November 11th.<br />
 <br />
Tickets to both evenings of the Bent Mentor Showcase and to the Mentor<br />
Writing Workshop are available at www.brownpapertickets.com</p>]]>
    </content>
</entry>
<entry>
    <title>Internship deadline extended!</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/2007/08/internship_deadline_extended.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=1/entry_id=34" title="Internship deadline extended!" />
    <id>tag:www.bentwriting.com,2007://1.34</id>
    
    <published>2007-08-16T22:54:13Z</published>
    <updated>2007-08-16T23:33:27Z</updated>
    
    <summary>Great news -- you now have until September 15 to apply for the Bent internship. Check out the job description (pdf). If you&apos;re thinking about a career in non-profit management, or if you&apos;re interested in picking up some credits for...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Bent</name>
        
    </author>
            <category term="Volunteer" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bentwriting.com/">
        <![CDATA[<p>Great news -- you now have until September 15 to apply for the Bent internship. <a href="http://www.bentwriting.com/Registrar-web.pdf">Check out the job description (pdf).</a></p>

<p>If you're thinking about a career in non-profit management, or if you're interested in picking up some credits for helping out a great organization, this internship is for you. It's low stress, high reward, you get to hang out with great queer writers, and it's a good notch on your resume. </p>

<p>Are there other areas of arts and non-profit management that interest you? It's possible we could work those into the internship -- contact Chris Leasure at <a href="mailto:lcleasure@gmail.com">lcleasure@gmail.com</a>, and we'll talk.</p>

<p>Don't let this one slip by, apply before September 15.</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>
<entry>
    <title>Bentsters at Seattle Black Pride</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/2007/07/bentsters_at_seattle_black_pri_1.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=1/entry_id=33" title="Bentsters at Seattle Black Pride" />
    <id>tag:www.bentwriting.com,2007://1.33</id>
    
    <published>2007-07-17T19:18:55Z</published>
    <updated>2007-07-17T19:33:56Z</updated>
    
    <summary>Join Bent students Amber Flame and Chad Goller Sojourner at Seattle Black Pride this weekend, July 19-22. They will be performing spoken word at the Kickoff on Friday night, as well as between films, 3:30 - 4:00 p.m., at the...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Bent</name>
        
    </author>
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bentwriting.com/">
        <![CDATA[<p>Join <strong>Bent students Amber Flame and Chad Goller Sojourner</strong> at <a href="http://www.seattleblackpride.org/pride/2007/schedule.aspx">Seattle Black Pride</a> this weekend, July 19-22. </p>

<p>They will be performing spoken word at the Kickoff on Friday night, as well as between films, 3:30 - 4:00 p.m., at the Film Festival on Saturday. Tickets to the Kickoff are $15, and for the Film Festival $12. See the <a href="http://www.seattleblackpride.org/pride/2007/schedule.aspx">full schedule</a> for film times and descriptions, as well as other great events all weekend long.</p>

<p>All are welcome!</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>
<entry>
    <title>Are you Bent&apos;s next intern?</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/2007/07/are_you_bents_next_intern_1.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=1/entry_id=32" title="Are you Bent's next intern?" />
    <id>tag:www.bentwriting.com,2007://1.32</id>
    
    <published>2007-07-16T05:52:14Z</published>
    <updated>2007-07-16T06:30:38Z</updated>
    
    <summary>Bent is seeking a registrar intern to help keep class inquiries, registration, and enrollment running smoothly. We are looking for someone for the next 9-12 months. Please apply by August 1, 2007. View the complete job description (pdf). For more...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Bent</name>
        
    </author>
            <category term="Volunteer" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bentwriting.com/">
        <![CDATA[<p>Bent is seeking a <strong>registrar intern </strong>to help keep class inquiries, registration, and enrollment running smoothly. We are looking for someone for the next 9-12 months.  <strong>Please apply by August 1, 2007.<br />
</strong><br />
View the <a href="http://www.bentwriting.com/Registrar-web.pdf">complete job description</a> (pdf). </p>

<p>For more information, or to apply, e-mail Chris Leasure at <a href="mailto:lcleasure@gmail.com">lcleasure@gmail.com</a>.</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>
<entry>
    <title>Bent&apos;s Poet Populist 2007-2008 Nominee!</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/2007/06/bents_poet_populist_20072008_n_1.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=1/entry_id=31" title="Bent's Poet Populist 2007-2008 Nominee!" />
    <id>tag:www.bentwriting.com,2007://1.31</id>
    
    <published>2007-06-30T01:29:14Z</published>
    <updated>2007-06-30T02:26:05Z</updated>
    
    <summary>Bent is proud to announce that one of our own is nominated to become the Poet Populist of Seattle for the 2007-2008 season! We were asked to nominate, Bent voted, and Chad Goller-Sojourner was chosen to be the Bent nominee....</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Bent</name>
        
    </author>
            <category term="Events" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bentwriting.com/">
        <![CDATA[<p>Bent is proud to announce that one of our own is nominated to become the <a href="http://www.seattlepoetpopulist.org/">Poet Populist</a> of Seattle for the 2007-2008 season!<br />
<strong><br />
We were asked to nominate, Bent voted, and Chad Goller-Sojourner was chosen to be the Bent nominee. Not only was he nominated by Bent, but also by the <a href="http://www.cdforum.org/">Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas</a>.</strong> </p>

<p>This year, Chad will produce <em>Sitting In Circles With Rich White Girls Memoirs Of A Bulimic Black Boy</em>, a one-person show funded by the NEA via the CD Forum. Also look for Chad at Voices Rising, an LGBTQ of color literary arts and culture festival on July 1 at Richard Hugo House. (Info: <a href="mailto:stormepoet@hotmail.com">stormepoet@hotmail.com</a>)</p>

<p>Not only are we thrilled that Chad is a candidate for Poet Populist, but we are excited by the company he keeps in Poet Populist-land. Among representatives of organizations close to Bent's heart like the <a href="http://www.poetryfestival.org/slam/">Seattle Poetry Slam</a> and <a href="http://www.myspace.com/youthspeaksseattle">Youth Speaks</a>, a <strong>former Bent student, Amy Mahoney, has also been nominated</strong> by <a href="http://www.knockjournal.org/">Knock Journal</a>.</p>

<p>Visit the Poet Populist website to vote. And if you'd like to hear some great poetry, you can hear Chad on stage at the downtown Seattle Public Library for the <a href="http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=calendar&trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D67033819&eventid=65923122">first of two nominee read-offs</a>.</p>

<p><strong>Don't forget to <a href="http://www.seattlepoetpopulist.org/vote.htm">vote</a> by August 1! Tell your friends! Go Chad!</strong></p>

<p></p>

<p><strong>Voices Rising:</strong><br />
<img alt="voices rising flyer.JPG" src="http://www.bentwriting.com/images/voices%20rising%20flyer.JPG" width="420" height="285" /></p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>
<entry>
    <title>Bentsters at the Queer Slam!</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/2007/06/bentsters_at_the_queer_slam.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=1/entry_id=30" title="Bentsters at the Queer Slam!" />
    <id>tag:www.bentwriting.com,2007://1.30</id>
    
    <published>2007-06-24T19:43:25Z</published>
    <updated>2007-06-25T20:17:48Z</updated>
    
    <summary>If you missed us at Queerfest, or you&apos;ve been dazzled and can&apos;t wait another day for more, hang on at least until Tuesday, and you&apos;ll be rewarded with more great Bent poetry.[Via Seattle Poetry Slam] This Tuesday June 26th is...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Bent</name>
        
    </author>
            <category term="Events" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bentwriting.com/">
        <![CDATA[<p>If you missed us at Queerfest, or you've been dazzled and can't wait another day for more, hang on at least until Tuesday, and you'll be rewarded with more great Bent poetry.<ul>[Via <a href="http://www.poetryfestival.org/slam/">Seattle Poetry Slam</a>]</p>

<p>This Tuesday June 26th is the 3rd annual QUEER Slam, the Seattle Poetry Slam's event in honor of Seattle PRIDE. <strong>Hosted by Tara Hardy, founder of the Bent Writing Institute. </strong>This slam is for "self identified QUEERS" only.</p>

<p>Every Tuesday night at ToST, Seattle Poetry Slam (Seattle's longest running weekly show) hosts a spoken word blow-out: an extravaganza of words, performance and passion that you will have a hard time finding anywhere else.</p>

<p>To get on the mic you'll need to sign-up between 8 & 8:30pm. First comes the OPEN MIC - an open stage for anyone to share their words with the audience.  </p>

<p>At 9pm, a Featured Poet take center stage with an extended set. Then, finally - The SLAM. </p>

<p>A Poetry Slam is a competitive poetry reading in which the focus is placed on the content as well as the performance.</ul><strong>Best of all, the featured poet for the evening is Bent's own Elaina Ellis.</strong> And at least eight other current or former Bent poets will sign up to throw down some words and compete to become the Queer Slam 2007 champion.</p>

<p>Don't miss it, and click below for more information on Elaina and her work, and for directions to ToST.</p>]]>
        <![CDATA[<p>Elaina Ellis is a Word Nerd. Nothing gets her hotter than a good game of Taboo, a ruthless edit of somebody else's work, or a smoldering night of her own Confessional Performance Poetry. A Queer Femme Half-Jew from Portland, Oregon, Elaina now calls Seattle home and is proud to be a student and volunteer teacher at Bent Writing Institute.</p>

<p>If you're lucky you'll catch Elaina spitting fire on one of the following topics: desire; high heels; sin; gender; love; social change; recovery from an eating disorder; and/or coffee. Elaina's words have graced many stages including: The National Queer Arts Festival; Seattle Poetry Festival; QueerFest; Jewish Arts Festival; Seattle Spit; Seattle Poetry Slam; Evergreen State; Reed College; and Seattle University. Her work will be published in the upcoming issue of PUSH Magazine. Also, look for her brand-spankin' new chapbook, Kind of Animal, out this June!</p>

<p><br />
ToST is located in downtown Fremont, in the heart of the Center of the Universe. </p>

<p>Directions:<br />
ToST is on the south side of N. 36th St. in downtown Fremont, at Evanston St, right across the street from the Lenin statue.</p>

<p><strong>From Aurora/SR-99</strong><br />
Take the Woodland Park Zoo exit (N 46th St.).<br />
Go west to Fremont Ave.<br />
Turn left on Fremont Ave.<br />
Turn right on N. 36th St.</p>

<p><strong>From I-5</strong><br />
Take the N. 45th St. exit.<br />
Go west on 45th all the way through Wallingford; it will change to N. 46th St.<br />
Turn left on Fremont Ave.<br />
Turn right on N. 36th St.</p>

<p><strong>By Bus</strong><br />
Check the <a href="http://tripplanner.metrokc.gov/cgi-bin/itin_page.pl?resptype=U">King County Metro Trip Planner</a> for the quickest way to get there. Just enter "513 N 36th St." as your destination.</p>]]>
    </content>
</entry>
<entry>
    <title>Bent at Queerfest!</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/2007/06/bent_at_queerfest.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=1/entry_id=29" title="Bent at Queerfest!" />
    <id>tag:www.bentwriting.com,2007://1.29</id>
    
    <published>2007-06-21T21:27:21Z</published>
    <updated>2007-06-21T21:37:49Z</updated>
    
    <summary>Join your favorite spoken word performers at Queerfest in Volunteer Park this Saturday, June 23, 2007! We&apos;ll be at Stage 2 at 2:45, and again at 4:15! Featured Bent performers include 2002 Seattle Poet Populist Tara Hardy and current Seattle...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Bent</name>
        
    </author>
            <category term="Events" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bentwriting.com/">
        <![CDATA[<p>Join your favorite spoken word performers at <a href="http://www.queerfest.org/index.html">Queerfest</a> in Volunteer Park this Saturday, June 23, 2007! We'll be at Stage 2 at 2:45, and again at 4:15!</p>

<p>Featured Bent performers include 2002 Seattle Poet Populist Tara Hardy and current Seattle Poet Populist nominee Chad Goller-Sojourner. From Stonewall '69 to Gay Marriage '07, our words will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you think. You don't want to miss it.</p>

<p>Check out the entire <a href="http://www.queerfest.org/entertainment.html">Queerfest entertainment lineup</a>. </p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>
<entry>
    <title></title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/2006/10/post.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=1/entry_id=28" title="" />
    <id>tag:www.bentwriting.com,2006://1.28</id>
    
    <published>2006-10-15T20:24:35Z</published>
    <updated>2007-06-12T23:10:08Z</updated>
    
    <summary>For a fifth straight (or, really, bent) year, Bent Writing Institute has filled and brought down the house. With much thanks due to the incomparable Dorothy Allison, this weekend&apos;s fifth Mentor Showcase and awards show illuminated First United Methodist Church....</summary>
    <author>
        <name>bessington</name>
        
    </author>
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bentwriting.com/">
        <![CDATA[<p>For a fifth straight (or, really, bent) year, Bent Writing Institute has filled and brought down the house. With much thanks due to the incomparable Dorothy Allison, this weekend's fifth Mentor Showcase and awards show illuminated First United Methodist Church.</p>

<p>If you were unable to attend, don't fret! <a href="http://www.sgn.org">The Seattle Gay News (SGN)</a><br />
will be bringing coverage to your local newsstand right quick. As well, check back with our website to find photos of the event and clips of Dorothy Allison, Tara Hardy, and Bent students performing the heck outta the stage.</p>

<p>We also want to give a big shout out to our award recipients for this year.<br />
<a href="http://www.qpocliberation.org">The Queer People of Color Liberation Project</a> accepted the Organizer of the Year award for their tireless work of bringing to the fore voices of queer people of color through theatre productions and discussion series. Likewise, Katinka Kraft accepted the Volunteer of the Year award for her countless hours and efforts to grow Bent from a dream to a lived reality.</p>

<p>Last but certainly not least, we must give utter THANKS to our volunteers,<br />
community partners, and allies for making this event possible and a huge<br />
success. So THANK YOU:</p>

<p>Dorothy Allison, First United Methodist Church, John Breene, Sisters of<br />
Perpetual Indulgence, Poets & Writers, Pride Foundation, Tara Hardy, G&H<br />
Printing, Britt Ashley, Patch Avery, Sean Bishop, Ty Bosma, Ken Bowman, Greg<br />
Brisendine, Laurie Cox, Jacob D’Annunzio, Amy Davies, Barbie Danielle<br />
Decarlo, Kim Driscoll, Elaina Ellis, Martha Elridge, Roma Everly, Suzanna<br />
Everly, Ingrid Eyen, Bess Fernandez, Amber Flame, Chad Goller-Sojourner,<br />
Miryam Gordon, Sarah Gustavus, Karolyn Hicks, Cass Hodges, Martin Horn, Leah<br />
Hughes, Meg Hunter, Erin Kilpatrick, Katinka Kraft, Sye Laird, Toby<br />
Langford, Erin Lavery, Jenny Lowery, Airen Lydick, MacFinn, Kaden Mack,<br />
Carol Maki, Piper MacKenzie, Amy Mahoney, Lindsay Martin, Joanna Michelson,<br />
Mary Anne Moorman, A. Tyler Perry, Sid Peterson, Kathy Reim, Anthony<br />
Ricardi, Zan Scommodau, Erick Seelbach, Jill Seidenstein, Sister Glo Euro<br />
N’Wei, Jenn Steff, Sandi Strehlau, Joe Stevens, Zorn B. Taylor, Davey<br />
Wilkes, Auction Donors, Queer People of Color Liberation Project, The<br />
Audience, Food Donors, and Showcase Performers.  <br />
</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>
<entry>
    <title>Tickets Still Available</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/2006/10/tickets_still_available.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=1/entry_id=27" title="Tickets Still Available" />
    <id>tag:www.bentwriting.com,2006://1.27</id>
    
    <published>2006-10-13T21:09:22Z</published>
    <updated>2006-10-13T21:09:55Z</updated>
    
    <summary>TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR: $17/ person $12/ student or under 25 (with ID)...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>bessington</name>
        
    </author>
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bentwriting.com/">
        <![CDATA[<p>TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR:<br />
$17/ person<br />
$12/ student or under 25 (with ID)<br />
</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>
<entry>
    <title>Bent Mentor Showcase 2006 : Featuring Dorothy Allison</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/2006/08/bent_mentor_showcase_2006_feat.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=1/entry_id=21" title="Bent Mentor Showcase 2006 : Featuring Dorothy Allison" />
    <id>tag:www.bentwriting.com,2006://1.21</id>
    
    <published>2006-08-15T05:03:58Z</published>
    <updated>2007-06-12T23:26:50Z</updated>
    
    <summary> Bent Writing Institute &amp; Dorothy Allison Seattle First United Methodist Church, 811 Fifth Avenue Friday October 13 &amp; Saturday October 14 Doors 7:30pm / Curtain 8:00pm Dorothy Allison Mentor Writing Workshop Seattle First United Methodist Church Saturday October 14...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>bessington</name>
        
    </author>
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bentwriting.com/">
        <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://bentwriting.com/media/media-files/allison1-133x180.jpg" alt="Dorothy Allison" style="float:left; margin-right:10px;"/></p>

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

<p>Dorothy Allison Mentor Writing Workshop<br />
Seattle First United Methodist Church<br />
Saturday October 14<br />
1pm-3pm</p>

<p>Tickets :: <a href="http://www.brownpapertickets.com">brownpapertickets.com</a></p>

<p><br />
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.  <br />
Heralded as "One of the finest writers of her generation" by the Boston Globe and <br />
"Simply stunning!" by the New York Times Book Review, Allison will again electrify and <br />
transform audiences. Over two nights at the First United Methodist Church, more than <br />
30 Bent students will share the stage with Allison for Bent¹s fifth annual mentor and student showcase and award show.</p>

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

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

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

<p>DOROTHY ALLISON :: Dorothy Allison grew up in Greenville, South Carolina,<br />
and describes herself as a feminist, working class story teller, southern<br />
expatriate, sometime poet and a happily born-again Californian. She is the<br />
author of numerous award-winning works, including Trash, Bastard Out of<br />
Carolina, and Cavedweller. For more information on Dorothy Allison, go to:<br />
<a href="http://www.dorothyallison.net">dorothyallison.net</a>.<br />
</p>]]>
        <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://bentwriting.com/media/media-files/allison1-133x180.jpg" alt="Dorothy Allison" style="float:left; margin-right:10px;"/></p>

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

<p>Dorothy Allison Mentor Writing Workshop<br />
Seattle First United Methodist Church<br />
Saturday October 14<br />
1pm-3pm</p>

<p>Tickets :: <a href="http://www.brownpapertickets.com">brownpapertickets.com</a></p>

<p><br />
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.  <br />
Heralded as "One of the finest writers of her generation" by the Boston Globe and <br />
"Simply stunning!" by the New York Times Book Review, Allison will again electrify and <br />
transform audiences. Over two nights at the First United Methodist Church, more than <br />
30 Bent students will share the stage with Allison for Bent¹s fifth annual mentor and student showcase and award show.</p>

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

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

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

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

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

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

<p><a href="media/media-files/LOWquality--Bent-Showcase2006-11x17-FINAL-withbleed.jpg"><img alt="mentor showcase 2006 handbill" src="media/media-files/Bent-Showcase2006-palmcard.jpg"></a></p>]]>
    </content>
</entry>
<entry>
    <title>Buddy Wakefield and Tara Hardy</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/2006/08/buddy_wakefield_and_tara_hardy.html" />
    <link rel="service.edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.bentwriting.com/mt/mt-atom.cgi/weblog/blog_id=1/entry_id=25" title="Buddy Wakefield and Tara Hardy" />
    <id>tag:www.bentwriting.com,2006://1.25</id>
    
    <published>2006-08-12T23:58:44Z</published>
    <updated>2006-08-24T04:50:14Z</updated>
    
    <summary> Buddy Wakefield and Tara Hardy Check out photos from Bent&apos;s 2005 Mentor Showcase!...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>bessington</name>
        
    </author>
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bentwriting.com/">
        <![CDATA[<div style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44566428@N00/220405200/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/75/220405200_236a0e0bfe_m.jpg" alt="{photo_title"  /></a>
 <br />
 <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;">
  <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44566428@N00/220405200/">Buddy Wakefield and Tara Hardy</a>
  <br />
 </span>
</div>
Check out photos from Bent's 2005 Mentor Showcase!
<br clear="all" />]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

</feed> 

