Bent: A Writing Institute

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, just the latest in a string of victories on the international Slam scene. Reviewers call Andrea's work "jaw-dropping" and add that "it could change your life."

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.

Only $10 -- Pay at the door!
Wednesday, May 13, 7:30 door, 8:00 p.m. show

Rebar
1114 Howell St.
Seattle, WA

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 www.andreagibson.org.

Posted by Bent at 03:14 PM | Permalink

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 "...all showed such a mastery of the wonders of words that I was left thinking not, 'Carpe diem,' but rather, 'Carpe GODDAMN!'"

Check out the entire article at the SGN website!

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 City of Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and Poets & Writers.

Posted by Bent at 01:39 PM | Permalink

Bent, a writing institute, and D. Blair
Piggott Auditorium, Seattle University Campus
901 12th Avenue (at Marion Street)

Friday November 9th and Saturday November 10th
Doors 6:30 p.m., Curtain 7:30 p.m.

D. Blair Mentor Writing Workshop
Seattle LGBT Community Center
1115 E Pike Street
Sunday November 11th
1:00 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Tickets :: www.brownpapertickets.com
More Info :: www.bentwriting.com

Continue reading "2007 Bent Mentor Showcase with Guest Mentor D. Blair" »

Posted by Bent at 11:50 AM | Permalink

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. Not only was he nominated by Bent, but also by the Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas.

This year, Chad will produce Sitting In Circles With Rich White Girls Memoirs Of A Bulimic Black Boy, 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: stormepoet@hotmail.com)

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 Seattle Poetry Slam and Youth Speaks, a former Bent student, Amy Mahoney, has also been nominated by Knock Journal.

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 first of two nominee read-offs.

Don't forget to vote by August 1! Tell your friends! Go Chad!

Voices Rising:

Posted by Bent at 05:29 PM | Permalink

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.

[Via Seattle Poetry Slam]

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

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.

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.

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

A Poetry Slam is a competitive poetry reading in which the focus is placed on the content as well as the performance.

Don't miss it, and click below for more information on Elaina and her work, and for directions to ToST.

Continue reading "Bentsters at the Queer Slam!" »

Posted by Bent at 11:43 AM | Permalink

Join your favorite spoken word performers at Queerfest in Volunteer Park this Saturday, June 23, 2007! We'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 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.

Check out the entire Queerfest entertainment lineup.

Posted by Bent at 01:27 PM | Permalink