October 19, 2021, 5pm PST
Virtual Book Launch Party
The Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc. and Paloma Press are hosting a virtual book launch party to celebrate the release of Lara Stapleton’s short story collection, The Ruin of Everything.
Joining Lara are Filipino American writers Eileen Tabios, Beverly Parayno and Ricco Siasoco. Aileen Cassinetto and Edwin Lozada will host.
October 19, 5pm PST/8pm EST via Zoom & FB Live.
More information about the book here.
PAST EVENTS
September 14, 2021, 6pm PST
Aquí: Immigrant Poets on Building and Belonging
Celebrate our community as a place where everyone belongs — no matter where you’re from, we welcome you to San Mateo County! Join our Office of Community Affairs Immigrant Services team as they kick off #WelcomingWeek2021 with a poetry workshop featuring San Mateo County’s Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto and local poets Hilary Cruz and Kevin Madrigal. Via FB Live.
On September 16 at 9:30am, join us for the Immigrant Engagement Summit, bit.ly/3DFKZvt
August 26, 2021, 5pm PDT
Women’s Equality Day
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and Women in County Government (WICG) are hosting a virtual event for this year’s Women’s Equality Day on Thursday, August 26 from 5:00-6:15pm.
From 5:00-5:30pm we are featuring San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto, Supervisor Carole Groom, Presidents of the WICG & CSW and important aspects of the upcoming election by the Voter Education and Outreach Advisory Committee.
From 5:30-6:15pm we are hosting and rotating Networking Break-Out Rooms focusing on:
– At Work: the Value of Experience & Learning to Adapt to Change
– Career Opportunities & Career Transitions for Women
– Childcare Resources
– Leadership Opportunities for Women
– Collaborating on Projects that impact Women in SMC
Please register at https://tinyurl.com/WomensEqualityDay2021 to receive the zoom link and calendar invitation to your inbox.
August 20, 2021, 7pm PDT
Poetry for the People hosted by Kim McMillon
Register here.
August 14, 2021, 2pm PDT
Celebration: Poets Honor Janice Mirikitani
Poets celebrate the life and legacy of Janice Mirikitani. Featuring San Francisco Poet Laureates past and present, Tongo Eisen-Martin (January 2021 – present), Kim Shuck (June 2017 – January 2021), Alejandro Murguía (July 2012 – December 2015), Jack Hirschman (January 2006 – January 2008, devorah major (April 2002 – April 2004). Along with many esteemed and loved Bay Area and beyond poets, Aileen Cassinetto, Susan Kitazawa, Genny Lim, Lauren Ito, Kimi Sugioka, Dr. Mary Wardell Ghirarduzzi, Michael Warr and Nelly Wong.
Janice Mirikitani was a visionary, a revolutionary artist and the very embodiment of San Francisco’s compassionate spirit. As a poet, including as Poet Laureate of this City from 2000 to 2002, she used the power of her words to further the fight for equality and to call for a more just and peaceful world. Through her work at Glide Memorial Church, along with her husband the Reverend Cecil Williams, she served our most vulnerable residents for decades and provided a place of refuge and love for all. She was boundless in her energy and in her devotion to this City and to her fellow San Franciscans.
Register to join the webinar or watch on YouTube.
August 11, 2021, 5pm PDT
Youth Ecopoetry Workshop with Meera Dasgupta
Register here.
July 31, 2021, 9am-10am
Have you ever wanted to plan and build your own city? Well, now’s your chance. Join Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County for a family-friendly and socially distanced day at the beach and build your own sand city! In the process, we’ll learn what makes an ideal city and how best to advocate for affordable homes.
Snacks, water, buckets and shovels will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. You’ll have 1 hour to build your own city out of sand!
All ages welcome.
Register here: https://hlcsmc.salsalabs.org/sandmateocounty/index.html
July 28, 2021, 6pm-8pm
La Honda Lit Nite
Hosted by Joe Cottonwood and Terry Adams, featuring SMC Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto with Monica Korde and Megan Duffy Brown. Please bring a poem to share!
We’ll meet on the patio behind the Restaurant at 8865 La Honda Rd. There will be space for distancing. Masks are welcome. Dress for coolness (both kinds).
July 1-November 4, 2021, 3pm-7pm
Make It Main Street
Make It Main Street is a new collaborative community event taking place in Downtown Half Moon Bay on the first Thursday of each month. The event will bring together artists, musicians, and other performers to celebrate local arts and culture and to support the businesses in downtown Half Moon Bay.
When: First Thursday of the month, 3pm–7pm, July through November 2021 (2022 dates to be determined) Where: Main Street in Half Moon Bay
Plenty of free parking is generally available within a block of Main Street on Johnston and Purisima Streets.
June 29, 2021, 6-7:30pm PDT
Environmental Justice in our Backyards
*Featuring Kevin Madrigal of Farming Hope, Ken Chan of the Housing Leadership Council, and Wendy Chou of Acterra
Join on Zoom:
Webinar ID: 891 8913 0643
Passcode: 238360
March-July 2021
Burlingame Public Library’s community Book to Action program “Burlingame Reads,” running March-July 2021, with support from California Center for the Book, and with Community Partners Citizens Environmental Council, Sustainable San Mateo County, Farming Hope, San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto, and Nethra Samarawickrema and Yuri Zaitsev of the Listening Lab.
June 19, 2021
Youth Climate Ambassadors Summer Retreat organized by the Office of Sustainability
*With Keynote Address & Workshop by National Youth Poet Laureate Alexandra Huynh
(The Ecopoetry workshop, organized by San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto, was made possible with support from The Academy of American Poets and Urban Word NYC.)
SMC Pride Celebration, June 6-12
Grand Celebration includes poetry by Mimi Tempestt, Randy James, Hilary Cruz, Michael Sagum & Loa Niumeitolu on June 12, 1pm to 3pm
Register here.
May 2021
Breaking the Cycle Against Hate
Our program “Breaking the Cycle Against Hate” will premiere today, at 4:30pm on (local Comcast) Cable Channel 30 and will air the whole month of May on Tuesdays at 4:30pm, Thursdays at 11am, Saturdays at 5pm, Sundays at 9:30am, and Mondays at 9pm. To watch the program outside the local broadcast area, please visit: The Midpen Media Center
Featuring San Mateo County Harbor District Commission President & Menlo Park Fire Protection Board Director Virginia Chang Kiraly, Burlingame City Councilmember Donna Wills Colson, Redwood City Councilmember Jeff Gee, East Palo Alto City Councilmember Antonio López, former City of South San Francisco Mayor Karyl Matsumoto, and Redwood City Councilmember Michael Smith, as well as youth activist Ashlyn So, Filoli and The Midpen Media Center team for supporting the program.
May 28, 2021, 6pm PDT
The Menlo Park Youth Advisory Committee cordially invites you to the 2021 Poetry Slam and Open Mic Night.
Our annual Youth Poetry Contest has returned!
Join us for a virtual celebration of the winners reading their original poems that captured the elements of our theme “Under the Stars.”
All winners will be presented with cash prizes generously provided by the Menlo Park Library Foundation.
In addition, we will be featuring our Open Mic presenters with Menlo Park youth, and special guests:
City of East Palo Alto Councilman Antonio Lopez & San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto
May 26, 2021, 7pm PDT
Where meditation and verse come to life.
Mindfulness and poetry are related and helpful practices for gaining a sense of safety and agency in our lives.
Celebrated local poets will read poetry and discuss its connection to mindfulness, followed by an introduction of the Calm app.
Begin your poetry and mindfulness journey with San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto, San Mateo County Poets Laureate Emerita Caroline Goodwin and Lisa Rosenberg, and San Mateo County Supervisors Carole Groom and Warren Slocum. Presented by the San Mateo County Libraries.
May 25, 2021, 3:30pm PDT
Skyline College Human Book Mixer
Join us for the our second Human Book Mixer, a chance for Human Library volunteers like you are invited to share and connect in a relaxed, no schedules kind of way. On Zoom, this is a little different so in advance of next week, we ask that you let us know if you are open to being a “book” again or if you prefer to be a reader for this event. Please email Pia at walawalkars@smccd.edu if you are interested in being a “book”.
May 19, 2021, 5pm PDT
Kapwa: Filipino Writers on History, Legacy and Building Community featuring Eileen Tabios, Kirby Araullo, Leny Mendoza Strobel and Vince Gotera
Hosted by Daly City Public Library & San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto
Register here.
May 17, 2021, 7pm
Event with SMC Youth & Midpen Media Center
Details forthcoming.
May 12, 2021, 5:30pm-7pm PDT
GROWING HOME: Youth Poetry, Art & Music Competition in celebration of Affordable Housing Month
May 3, 2021, 6pm PDT
Menlo Park Library’s Mental Health Awareness Virtual Open Mic
Whether in poetry, spoken word, or music, let’s bring our voices together to break the silence surrounding the mental health impacts of rising anti-Asian sentiments and stand in solidarity with the AAPI community. Share your own words, or listen to others. Register here. For more info, please email John Weaver.
April 30, 2021
HLCSMC
April 29, 2021, 7pm PDT
Literary Speakeasy Benefiting Bay Area Creative
Event Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83105767581
RSVP as “Going” to receive the Zoom password.
This month Literary Speakeasy is celebrating National Poetry Month by teaming up with Bay Area Creative & SPARC Poetry. We will be collecting funds for this amazing non-profit and we have four spectacular Bay Area poets for the evening, including Guy Biederman, Aileen Cassinetto, Randy James, and Ayo Khensu-Ra. Your curator and host every month is James J. Siegel.
Bay Area Creative provides opportunities for creative expression and the study of the cultural impacts of famous and contemporary works of spoken word poetry that empower individuals to develop empathic communication skills and foster positive change in themselves and their communities. Please join us in celebrating poetry and the work of Bay Area Creative.
April 29, 2021, 3pm-5pm PDT
Community & Covid Town Hall: A Year Later
*SMC Poet Laureate will present at 3:20
Register here.
April 29, 2021, 9am to 9pm
School visit with Portola Valley first graders
Meeting with Housing Leadership Council
Paloma Press meeting
Community & Covid Town Hall
Literary Speakeasy
April 28, 2021, 6pm
Portola Valley Town Council Meeting & National Poetry Month observance
April 27, 2021, 4pm PDT
Words That Heal: An Intergenerational Community Gathering in Celebration of National Poetry Month
Explore poetry’s power to heal and to foster self-care. Enjoy readings by San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto, Tony Acarasiddhi Press, Roberta Gonzales-Gregg, Barbara Campitelli and Daly City Youth Poet Laureate Madeleine Hur. Share an original or favorite poem, or join in the creation of a community “word cloud.” All are welcome! Participate on Zoom at http://bit.ly/poetry-event or on Facebook Live.
via Zoom
April 26, 2021, 4pm
Deep Dope Soul Reading hosted by Raymond Tyler
April 26, 2021, 10:30am-3pm
AAPI event
April 24, 2021, 1pm-3pm EDT
Write Now! Poetry Festival: A community conversation addressing gun violence and providing our youth with a voice and a path forward, hosted by the Poets Laureate of the State of Delaware, twin poets Al Mills and Representative Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha (D)
April 20-25, 2021
Workshop
April 19, 2021, 6:30pm PDT / 9:30pm EDT
Redwood City Public Library is proud to present National Poetry Month Readings featuring Angela Narciso Torres with Dilruba Ahmed, Naoko Fujimoto, and Karen Llagas.
Register here.
April 17, 2021, 6:30pm PDT
Please join us on Saturday, April 17 at 6:30 pm as we celebrate the achievements of the Daly City Public Library Associates (DCPLA) over the past decade and name the Daly City Youth Poet Laureate, the first Youth Poet Laureate in San Mateo County! All attendees will be entered into a raffle to win an Apple Watch.
April 16, 2021, 6pm
ILLUMINATE II: Asian and Asian American Womxn Speak Out
Aileen Cassinetto, San Mateo County Poet Laureate; Anouk Yeh; Christine No; Clara Hsu; Jireh Deng; Kimi Sugioka, Alameda Poet Laureate; Lisa Lim; Melinda Luisa de Jesus
Statements from SF Poet Laureate, Tongo Eisen-Martin & Kim Shuck SF Poet Laurete emeritus
Co-Hosted by Lauren Ito & Kim Shuck, SF Poet Laurete emeritus
April 14, 2021
HLCSMC
DCPLA
April 8 & 13
Meeting with BoS
April 7, 2021 to April 22, 2021
Announcing Burlingame Reads 2021!
Featuring Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler (free copies are available while supplies last!), with support from the California Center for the Book, and with Community Partners Citizens Environmental Council, Sustainable San Mateo County, Farming Hope, San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto, and Nethra Samarawickrema and Yuri Zaitsev of the Listening Lab. Burlingame Reads is a Book to Action program featuring a series of events centering discussions and action around environmental justice, equity, and community care.
*Burlingame Library has a community art space out front where everyone can display a piece of art and/or words of support for the Asian American community. Find out more.
March 26, 2021, 6:30pm
Meet & Greet with CADEM API Caucus Candidates
Details forthcoming.
March 24, 2021, 12pm
The Future of Women’s History presented by the San Mateo County Commission on the Status of Women
Featuring Sanjyot Pia Walawalkar, Amanda Safi, Sophie Mateja & Hilary Cruz Mejia. With Tanya Beat & Aileen Cassinetto. (Watch the FB recording here.)
March 18, 2021, 4pm-5:30pm
With a theme of ecofeminism, EMPOWER WOMEN, EMPOWER EARTH brings together three esteemed writers in celebration of the joint work of feminism and environmentalism in saving our planet. On March 18, we’ll welcome Dr. Persis Karim, Maya Khosla, and Kim Shuck (find full bios here: http://bit.ly/PoetBios)
Registration Link: tinyurl.com/PoetryCornerEWEE
We invite you to enjoy the afternoon with us (via Zoom). If you like, bring a favorite poem or a personal piece to share. Bring a friend!
This session of Poetry Corner is brought to you by the Skyline College Library, English department faculty and Poetry Club President Hilary Cruz Mejia, in collaboration with Aileen Cassinetto, San Mateo County Poet Laureate.
The Poetry Corner Series offers the Skyline College community a space to gather and celebrate diversity and lyrical power through the art of poetry.
Poetry Corner is supported by a President’s Innovation Fund award.
March 9, 2021, 9am
Poet Laureate Opening of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Meeting in honor of Women’s History Month
via Zoom
March 8, 2021, 2pm PST / 5pm EST
“A Panel Discussion with Filipino-American Women Writers”
Hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. in honor of International Women’s Day
Panelists: Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, Migs Bravo Dutt, Luisa A. Igloria, Gayle Romasanta
Moderator: Aileen Cassinetto
Register here.
February 26, 2021, 2-4pm PST
Skyline College’s Poetry Corner: Words Changing Worlds: Activist Poetry
February 20, 2021, 5pm to 6:40pm
11th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration with Redwood City Councilmember Jeff Gee
Co-hosted by San Mateo County Harbor District Commission President Virginia Chang Kiraly & San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto
Streaming platform: Peninsula360Press.com
February 14, 2021, 12pm
Haiku Reading at Filoli (special announcement of the Haiku Competition winners)
Congratulations to the winners!
February 11, 2021, 7-9pm
THIRD ANNUAL SAN MATEO COUNTY POETRY OUT LOUD COMPETITION
“Igniting student potential through the power of poetry”
Come and watch inspiring students from various San Mateo County schools compete in the Third Annual San Mateo County Poetry Out Loud Competition on Thursday, February 11th, from 7-9 pm Via Zoom Webinar!
Register for this FREE Event here: bit.ly/SMCPoetryOutLoud2021
For more information about the California Poetry Out Loud Competition, visit https://www.capoetryoutloud.org/
For more information about the San Mateo County Arts Commission, visit https://cmo.smcgov.org/arts-commission
Submit Your Haiku on Filoli’s Winter Garden!
Entries due January 31 | Winner announced Feb 14
Filoli is pleased to bring back for a second year its Winter Garden Haiku Poetry Competition, open to all. Entrants may submit up to three original, previously unpublished poems in the 5/7/5 format that reflect or are inspired by the beauty of Filoli’s garden in winter. San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto will judge the entries blind, selecting ten finalists and awarding prizes for first and second place (adult) and best under 18 years of age. Entries must be submitted by January 31, 2021 at midnight PST. Finalists will be announced on the website on February 10, 2021. The winners will be announced via Zoom on February 14, 2021. For more information and to submit an entry, visit: filoli.org/haiku.
February 2, 2021, 5pm PST / 8pm EST
Power to the Poets: Black History Month
Featured readers:
Tongo Eisen-Martin, new Poet Laureate of San Francisco
Glenis Redmond
Bernard Collins
James Cagney
Karla Brundage
McTate Stroman II
Raymond Tyler
Tony Robles
Tureeda Mikell
Elijah Pringle III
January 29, 2021, 2pm PST
Virtual Reading & Conversation featuring Dr. Frederick Foote, author of Medic Against Bomb, and Jeanne-Marie Osterman, author of Shellback.
Join here.
January 29, 2021, 2pm PST
January 25-February 5, 2021
San Carlos Education Foundation’s (SCEF) First Annual Read-a-Thon
January 24, 2021, 3pm PST/6pm EST
Reaching for Joy, Four Poets Read
Four poets — Jeanne-Marie Osterman, Janice N. Harrington, Laure-Anne Bosselaar, and Christopher X. Shade — read from their recent books to honor loss and grief, and at the same time celebrate hope and healing. Co-hosted by CAGIBI, a journal of poetry and prose, and Paloma Press, a San Francisco Bay Area-based independent literary press publishing poetry, prose, and limited edition books.
The link to register & join is: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/reaching-for-joy
January 18-20, 2021
Release of I Have a Dream: Inaugural Poems for a New Generation by San Mateo County Youth in honor of MLK Day 2021 and Inauguration Day
January 12, 2021, 9am
Poet Laureate Opening of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Meeting
via Zoom
January 5, 2021, 1pm PST
Opening of the San Mateo County Harbor Board District‘s Swearing-in Ceremony with a Poetry Reading by Aileen Cassinetto, Joe Cottonwood & Diane Moomey
*Photo courtesy of Commissioner Virginia Chang Kiraly
December 31, 2020, 11:30am to 12:30pm PST
Noon Year’s Eve Zoom at the Daly City Senior Center
December 24, 2020 to January 1, 2021, 6pm PST
Westlake School for the Performing Arts’ virtual rendition of The Nutcracker.
#wspanutcracker2020
December 17, 2020, 6pm PST
EAT, DRINK & SPEAK POETRY IN SAN MATEO COUNTY!
A Holiday Poetry Reading and Community Virtual Gathering presented by San Mateo County Libraries, hosted by San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto. Featuring poetry by San Mateo County Poets Laureate Emerita Caroline Goodwin and Lisa Rosenberg, San Mateo County Commissioner Virginia Chang Kiraly, local poets Megan Brown, Joe Cottonwood, Hilary King, Phyllis Klein, Monica Korde, Hilary Cruz Mejia, Diane Moomey, Carol Park, Tony Press, and David Ruettiger.
***the program will be recorded for a special showing at skilled nursing facilities in the county. For zoom details or more info, please email smcpoetlaureate at smcl dot org. A recording will be available in the SMCL YouTube Channel.
December 16, 2020, 7pm EST
Reading at Moonstone Arts Center Philadelphia
December 14, 2020, 11am PST/2pm EST/7pm GMT/11pm GST
Month of Overseas Filipinos: Mga Tula Para Sa Manggagawa
Opening Remarks by The Honorable Henry S. Bensurto, Jr., Consul General of the Philippines in San Francisco
Featured readers: Romalyn Ante (London, UK), Troy Cabida (London, UK), Prof. Eugene Gloria (Indiana, USA), Danabelle Gutierrez (Abu Dhabi, UAE), & Dr. Luisa A. Igloria, Poet Laureate of the Commonwealth of Virginia
December 11, 2020, 9am-9:50am / 10am-10:50am / 11am-11:50am
Poetry Workshop with HMB High School students
via Zoom
December 10, 2020, 6pm
California Fire & Water virtual reading, hosted by the San Francisco Public Library and SF Poet Laureate Kim Shuck, curated by Molly Fisk
via Zoom/YouTube
December 9, 2020, 5pm-6pm
Youth Poetry Workshop via Zoom
For next week’s youth poetry workshop, we’ll try our hand at writing an inaugural poem.
We hope this will encourage students to submit their work to the Academy of American Poets’ 2021 Inaugural Poem Contest.
*All youth in San Mateo County are invited to join this free workshop on 12/9 at 5pm, hosted by the Daly City Public Library Associates (DCPLA) and facilitated by San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto. To sign up, please email info@dcpla.org.
December 2 & 9, 2020, 5pm-6pm
Youth Poetry Workshop via Zoom
Daly City Public Library Associates (DCPLA) is proud to announce the launch of the Daly City Youth Poet Laureate program. In partnership with the National Youth Poet Laureate Program, Urban Word, and Daly City Public Library, the program celebrates teen poets who live or attend school in Daly City and exhibit a commitment to artistic excellence, civic engagement, leadership, and social justice. There will be an optional 2-day workshop hosted by San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto.
Register for the workshop by emailing info@dcpla.org by Dec. 1st.
Special guest on December 2nd is Siara Edmond.
November 20, 2020, 7pm
Wall + Response: Heather Bourbeau, Aileen Cassinetto, Tongo Eisen-Martin & Chris Stroffolino
Booksmith and The Bindery are proud to host a four-event series presented by Clarion Alley Mural Project (CAMP) called Wall + Response, featuring sixteen Bay Area poets responding to the social/ political/ racial/ justice narratives of four murals on Clarion Alley.
Curated by CAMP artist and organizer Megan Wilson (wall) and poet Maw Shein Win (response), the first event in the series features Heather Bourbeau, Aileen Cassinetto, Tongo Eisen-Martin and Chris Stroffolino responding to the mural Justice for Luís D. Góngora Pat by Marina Perez-Wong and Elaine Chu, working with Justice4Luis.
Justice For Luís D. Góngora Pat (2018) is a memorial to Luís Demetrio Góngora Pat, a 46-year-old man – a father, husband, son, brother, and friend to many – from the Mayan village of Teabo, in the Mexican province of Yucatán. Góngora Pat was killed by two San Francisco police officers in an act of police brutality on April 7, 2016 at the encampment he was living on Shotwell Street following an eviction. Perez-Wong and Chu presented the mural to Luís’ family and their supporters in an emotional ceremony on the two-year anniversary of his death. The Justice4Luís campaign has continued its work towards justice and restoration in the name of Luis Góngora Pat through their advocacy and organizing efforts.
This virtual event is free and all ages, but RSVP is required.
The Bindery & Booksmith (Register here.)
November 20, 2020, 4pm-5:30pm
YouTube Livestream:
Register here to join via zoom.
November 10, 2020, 4pm PT / 7pm ET
“Power to the Poets” celebrates!
Zoom (email write@aileencassinetto.com for link)
Friday, November 6, 2020, 4pm PT/6pm MT/7pm ET
Skyline College presents “2020: Re-enVISIONing Our Future Together” featuring Dr. Luisa A. Igloria, Poet Laureate of the Commonwealth of Virginia and Professor of English and Creative Writing at Old Dominion University, and Dr. Octavio Quintanilla, former Poet Laureate of San Antonio and Professor of Literature and Creative Writing at Our Lady of the Lake University. The event will also feature the work of Skyline College students.
To register: tinyurl.com/PoetryCorner2020
Saturday, October 31, 2020, 2:30pm-3pm PT
Reading with Philadelphia artivist Elijah B Pringle III in support of the California Democratic Party’s GET OUT THE VOTE! Final Four Day: Phonebanking Call-A-Thon (multiple time slots), Oct 31 to Nov 3.
Register here!
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Guest speaker at SFSU
September/October 2020
Peninsula Virtual Bookfest
The Peninsula Virtual Bookfest brings together a diverse community of writers and book lovers, in a series of vital and inspiring readings and conversations during the months of September and October.
Curated by San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto, the virtual bookfest will feature 60 authors, in collaboration with the Burlingame Public Library, the Daly City Public Library, the San Mateo County Libraries and the South San Francisco Public Library, and local booksellers.
PENINSULA VIRTUAL BOOKFEST 2020 SCHEDULE
Welcome Message from San Mateo County Supervisor Carole Groom and local librarians
September 2, 1pm PT
Burlingame Public Library presents a virtual bookfest featuring NPR’s Malaka Gharib, Sari-Sari Storybooks’ founder Christina Newhard & NYT bestselling YA author Erin Entrada Kelly. Webinar/FB Live. (Fiction, Middle School/YA)
September 3, 5pm PT
Poetry & Home in Diaspora featuring Kai Coggin, Lee Herrick, Antonio Lopez & Persis Karim. SMCL Youtube Channel. (Poetry/Nonfiction)
September 7, 5pm PT
San Mateo County Libraries presents a virtual bookfest featuring Irenosen Okojie, London-based author & winner of the 2020 AKO Caine Prize for African Writing, Murzban Shroff, Mumbai-based & recipient of the John Gilgun Fiction Award, and Ricco Siasoco, San Francisco-based author & National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow. Facebook Watch Party. (Fiction)
September 10, 6pm PT
Burlingame Public Library presents a virtual bookfest featuring Thea Matthews with MK Chavez, Natasha Dennerstein & Tongo Eisen-Martin. Webinar/FB Live. (Poetry)
September 16, 6pm PT
Daly City Public Library presents a virtual bookfest featuring Veronica Montes with Alan Chazaro, Elsa Valmidiano & Ricco Siasoco. Webinar/FB Live. (Fiction)
September 17, 6pm PT
Daly City Public Library presents a virtual bookfest featuring Barbara Jane Reyes with Arlene Biala, Marianne Chan, Janice Lobo Sapigao & Jean Vengua. Webinar/FB Live. (Poetry)
September 20, 2020
“The Makers’ Call to Action” featuring Kai Coggin, Samuel Getachew, Tureeda Mikell, Dena Rod and Michael Simms.
September 21, 2:30pm PT
Burlingame Public Library presents a virtual bookfest featuring Ellen Bass, Hugh Behm-Steinberg, Danusha Lameris, hosted by San Mateo County Poet Laureate Emerita Lisa Rosenberg. Webinar/FB Live. (Poetry)
September 21, 6pm PT
San Mateo County Libraries presents a virtual bookfest featuring Johanna Ely, Joel Katz, Phyllis Klein, Ron Riekki, Jacki Rigoni, Kim Shuck, Tanuja Wakefield & July Westhale. Hosted by San Mateo County Inaugural Poet Laureate Caroline Goodwin. Zoom/SMCL YouTube Channel. (Poetry)
September 22, 6pm PT
Daly City Public Library presents a virtual bookfest featuring Janet Stickmon with Michelle Bautista, Herna Cruz-Louie & Melinda Luisa de Jesus. Webinar/FB Live. (Nonfiction)
September 24, 6pm PT
Daly City Public Library presents a virtual bookfest featuring Maw Shein Win with Jennifer Hasegawa, Jenny Qi & Audrey T. Williams. Webinar/FB Live. (Poetry)
September 30, 6pm PT
San Mateo County Libraries presents a virtual bookfest featuring Carole Bumpus, Mignon Bravo Dutt, Joan Gelfand, Audrey Kalman & Geri Spieler, with California Writers Club Immediate Past President Lisa Meltzer Penn. Zoom/SMCL Youtube Channel. (Fiction/Nonfiction)
October 3, 1pm PT
South San Francisco Public Library presents a virtual bookfest featuring children’s book authors Christina Newhard, Gayle Romasanta & Justine Villanueva, and illustrator Lynnor Bontigao. Webinar/FB Live. (Fiction/Nonfiction)
October 5, 5pm PT
San Mateo County Libraries presents a virtual bookfest featuring Cody Tolmasoff. SMCL YouTube Channel. (Middle School/YA Fiction)
October 13, 3pm PT
San Mateo County Libraries presents a virtual bookfest with devorah major, Jason Bayani & James Cagney. Zoom/SMCL Youtube Channel. (Poetry)
October 23, 2pm PT
South San Francisco Public Library presents a virtual bookfest featuring July Westhale, author of “Occasionally Accurate Science” and Nomadic Press’ J.K. Fowler. Webinar. (Poetry)
October 26, 5pm PT
San Mateo County Libraries presents a virtual bookfest featuring Francesca Bell, Barbara Berman, Joe Cottonwood, Peter N. Carroll, Ken Haas, Kathleen McClung, Connie Post, & Lee Rossi. Hosted by San Mateo County Poet Laureate Emerita Lisa Rosenberg. Facebook Watch Party/SMCL Youtube Channel. (Poetry)
October 28, 2020
“Speak Poetry” Open Mic
Please click here for the full schedule.
Saturday, October 11, 2020, 8:30am
Clarion Alley Mural Project filming with Megan Wilson, Maw Shein Win, Adriana Camarena, Luis Poot, Evan Karp, Mahima Kotian, Heather Bourbeau, Chris Stroffolino, Tongo Eisen-Martin.
Clarion Alley San Francisco
Sunday, September 20, 2020, 4pm
The New Genesis with Ambition the Poet
FB Live
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Poet Laureate Opening of the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting
Once each quarter, the Poet Laureate will open the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors’ Meeting with a poem.
via Zoom
Thursday, September 10, 7pm
Words for a Better Today: Antonio López for City Council of East Palo Alto, CA
FB Live/YouTube
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Poets & Writers Virtual Check-In for Bay Area Literary Presenters
via Zoom
Wednesday, August 26, 2020, 4pm-4:30pm Pacific
Book, Please! Women and the Vote
Join this casual discussion where we share what we are reading on the topic of voting rights and equality. In particular, we want to honor the contributions of women of color in the fight for the vote.
San Mateo County Libraries
Wednesday, August 26, 2020, 10:15am Pacific
R.I.S.E. 2020: Women’s Equality Day Celebration!
With poetry by SevanKelee Boult, Ina Cariño, Meera Dasgupta, Bethlehem Roberson (vocussionist), Kim Shuck, Tynea Smith & Angelique N. Zobitz, hosted by San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto. Keynote from Congresswoman Jackie Speier.
This is a free event. Please register here to join the zoom meeting.
Or watch via Facebook Live.
August 8 & 9, 2020
THE 27th ANNUAL PISTAHAN
“Quarantine Kwentos: Pilipinx Poetry”
Thursday, July 30, 2020, 5pm Pacific
Power to the Poets: Vote for Change
Bethlehem and Sad Patrick
Harini Krishnan
John Wesley Shipp
Karen Bryant Shipp
James Cagney
Kai Coggin
Raymond Tyler
Tony Robles
Poetess April J. Armstrong
Timothy Proctor
Tynea Smith
Lydia Cook
Aquil Ali
Emunah The Poetess
POWER TO THE POETS is a live reading series curated by San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto. We’ll be broadcasting live on this event page. Video will appear as a post under the Discussion tab. The reading will be archived here.
Saturday July 18, 2020 5pm Pacific Time (US and Canada) / Sunday July 19, 2020 8am Philippine Time
In the Dictator’s Aftermath: Conversation and Book Launch for PAGPAG by Eileen R. Tabios
Saturday, July 11 & 16, 2020, 2pm Pacific
Guest speaker at the Los Angeles Public Library High School Career Day Presentation
Thursday, July 9, 2020 at 5pm Pacific/7pm Central/8pm Eastern
Via Facebook Live
Josiah Luis Alderete
April J. Armstrong
Bernard Collins
Meera Dasgupta
Shanelle Gabriel
Ambition the Poet Harper
Antonio Lopez
Shikha Malaviya
Tureeda Mikell
Albert Mills
Greer Nakadegawa-Lee
Elijah Pringle III
Octavio Quintanilla
Gentle Ramirez (They/Them)
Amos White
POWER TO THE POETS is a live reading series curated by Aileen Cassinetto. We’ll be broadcasting live on the event page. Video will appear as a post under the Discussion tab. The reading will be archived here.
Watch Power to the Poets: Poets of Color for Change.
Watch Power to the Poets: A Juneteenth Special.
Sunday, July 5, 2020, 5pm Pacific
5th of July Poetry in Protest curated Raymond Tyler
Via FB Live
Saturday, July 4, 2020, 10am Pacific
RED, WHITE & THROUGH: Poetry & Other Unsilent Words organized by Megan Brown
Via FB Live
Friday, July 3, 2020, 5pm Pacific
Black Love Poetry Series presents Aileen Cassinetto and Guy Stanford on the African-Asiatic Connection. Hosted by Aquil Ali and Tynea Smith aka Queen T.
Blogtalkradio.com
Friday, June 19, 2020, 5pm Pacific / 8pm Eastern
POWER TO THE POETS: Juneteenth
Thank you to everyone who supported last week’s POWER TO THE POETS which featured Josiahluis Alderete, Ina Cariño, Bernard Collins, Melinda Luisa de Jesús, Tongo Eisen-Martin, Cole Larry Eubanks, AmbitionthePoet Harper, Venus Jones, Antonio López, Indigo Moor, Elijah B Pringle III, Tony Robles, Dena Rod, Glenis Redmond, Erika Clay Robinson & Raymond Tyler.
Due to the number of requests for an encore, we are proud to present
Friday, June 19, 2020
5:00PM Pacific / 8:00PM Eastern
Facebook Live
Special guest:
Howard Wiley
Featured poets:
Vernon Keeve III (Oakland, CA)
devorah major (San Francisco, CA)
Elijah Pringle III (Philadelphia, PA) & Melinda Luisa de Jesús (Oakland, CA)
Kim Shuck (San Francisco, CA)
McTate Stroman II (San Jose, CA)
Raymond Tyler (Atlantic City, NJ)
Howard Wiley (San Francisco, CA)
Maw Shein Win (El Cerrito, CA)
Angelique N. Zobitz (West Lafayette, IN)
Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 5pm Pacific / 8pm Eastern
POWER TO THE POETS
Poets of Color for Change
Please join this historic gathering of poets of color from the East Coast & West Coast, organized by Aileen Cassinetto.
Featured readers:
Josiahluis Alderete (Oakland)
Ina Cariño (Raleigh)
Bernard Collins (Philadelphia)
Melinda Luisa de Jesús (Oakland)
Tongo Eisen-Martin (San Francisco)
Cole Larry Eubanks (Mays Landing)
AmbitionthePoet Harper (Sicklerville)
Venus Jones (San Jose)
Antonio López (East Palo Alto)
Thea Matthews (San Francisco)
Indigo Moor (Sacramento)
Elijah B Pringle III (Philadelphia)
Tony Robles (Hendersonville)
Dena Rod (Oakland)
Glenis Redmond (Greenville)
Erika Clay Robinson (Orange County)
Raymond Tyler (Atlantic City)
Sunday, June 7, 2020, 5pm PDT
Our Voice: Part 3, The Struggle
Via Zoom/FB Live
Sunday, June 7, 2020, 1pm PDT
Reading with Tayve Neese and Michael Simms
Via Zoom/FB Live
Sunday, June 7, 2020, 9am PDT/12pm EDT
Via Skype
Saturday, June 6, 2020, 3pm PDT
San Mateo County Arts Commission presents “PRIDE & POETRY,” with readings by Dena Rod, Joe G. Mendoza & Jan Steckel, and music performances by Erinn Louise Washburn and members of our local West Bay Community Band, and Karen Bryant Shipp of the Oakhurst Choir in Georgia. This event will be hosted by Aileen Cassinetto & JP Mangalindan.
Via Facebook Live
Friday, June 5, 2020, 5pm PDT
The Arts & Music Think Tank presents First Fridays with Raymond Tyler
Via Zoom/FB Live
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Conversation with Philadelphia Poet Laureate Trapeta Mayson
via YouTube
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Opening of the San Mateo County Arts Commission Meeting
Via Zoom
Friday, May 29, 2020, 7pm
Via Zoom
Thursday, May 28, 2020, 6pm
“Poetry & Home in the Diaspora,” Reading & Conversation with Kai Coggin, Lee Herrick, Persis Karim & Antonio López
“If home in diaspora is about belonging, how do we shape this home?”
Please join us on Thursday, May 28, at 6pm PDT via Facebook Live for a reading and conversation on the theme, “Poetry & Home in Diaspora.”
Via Facebook Live
Wednesday, May 27, 2020, 6pm
La Honda Lit Night hosted by Terry Adams, Joe Cottonwood & Peter Chupity with the La Honda Fire Brigade
Via Zoom
Monday, May 25, 2020, 9am Pacific
Via FB Live
Saturday, May 23, 2020, 3pm
Register here!
To purchase works by the poets, visit http://www.asiabookcenter.com
Saturday, May 16, 2020, 1:30pm PDT
“A Feast of Filipino American Poets“
Featuring Luisa Igloria, Melinda Luisa de Jesus, Tony Robles and Vince Gotera.
Mango with a twist and more than adobo, four award-winning Filipino American poets will be reading poems on Filipino food via Facebook Live! This Saturday, May 16 at 1:30pm PDT / 4:30pm EDT.
Via FB Live/Zoom
Friday, May 15, 2020, 7pm
Poetry with Portola Valley students
Via Zoom
Saturday, May 9, 2020, 4pm EDT (CANCELLED)
Poetry with Tayve Neese, Aileen Cassinetto & Michael Simms
Friday, May 7, 2020, 6pm
HOME COULD BE HERE: AN ART, POETRY & MUSIC COMPETITION
Join the Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County and San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto for an evening of song, art and poetry. The finalists from each category will present their work, and the grand prize winners will be announced by San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Warren Slocum.
*This virtual event is free to attend. Please register here. (You will receive the Zoom details upon registration. Individuals who register are automatically giving permission for their likeness to be shared and recorded.)
With thanks to Facebook and other donors for sponsoring the Housing Leadership Council’s Affordable Housing Month Events.
Saturday, May 2, 2020, 2pm
Reading with the San Francisco Bay Area Poets Laureate
Via Zoom
Friday, May 1, 2020, 7:15pm
#BreaktheStigma
Join our Mental Health Open Mic, organized by Menlo Park Library
***This is a FREE event but registration is required. Please register here.
Whether in poetry, spoken word, or music, let’s bring our voices together to break the silence surrounding suicide and mental illness. Share your own words, or listen to others. We’ll also be joined by trauma specialists from StarVista. For more information, please visit the library website.
Via Zoom
April-May 2020
Poets Laureate Reading for Hope
Poets Laureate Reading for Hope is a project brought to you by our local Poets Laureate and San Mateo County Libraries. The Poets Laureate are video recording themselves reading “poems of hope” while we shelter in place, both their own and those from the community.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Poetry Class with Half Moon Bay High School Students
Via Zoom
Monday, April 27, 2020
Poetry Class with Portola Valley elementary school students
Via Zoom
Sunday, April 26, 2020, 4pm EST
Poetry Reading
Aileen Cassinetto, Tayve Neese and Michael Simms will host a Facebook Live event featuring Ivy Alvarez, Madeleine Barnes, Laure-Anne Bosselaar, Chard deNiord, Joe Osterhaus & Christopher X. Shade
Via Zoom
Friday, April 24, 2020, 12pm
Skyline College’s Human Library April 2020 Edition: Sharing Stories in Real Time
Via Zoom
Tuesday, April 21, 2020, 9am
San Mateo County Poet Laureate Opening of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Meeting
San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto will present the community poem, “Love in the Time of COVID-19: A Community Poem for Healthcare Workers and Other Frontliners, from San Mateo County” to the Board of Supervisors as part of the county’s National Poetry Month observance and in honor of all frontliners
Via Zoom
Tuesday, April 21, 2020, 7pm (CANCELLED)
California Fire & Water: A Climate Crisis Anthology (ed. Molly Fisk)
A Poetry & Dance event hosted by Claudia Monpere
Santa Clara University
The Music Recital Hall
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053
Monday, April 16, 2020
New Orleans Poetry Festival (Co)Video
Online
Thursday, April 9, 2020, 6:30pm
Via Zoom
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Genoa International Poetry Festival’s Poetry in sDreaming
Online
Friday, April 3, 2020, 6:45pm (CANCELLED)
California Fire & Water: A Climate Crisis Anthology (ed. Molly Fisk)
A Reading hosted by Caroline Goodwin, Lisa Rosenberg & Aileen Cassinetto
CuriOdyssey
1651 Coyote Point Dr.
San Mateo, CA 94401
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Poets on Sheltering curated by Aileen Cassinetto
Saturday, March 14, 2020, 3pm (CANCELLED)
Eastwind Books of Berkeley Celebrates Women’s History Month with Asian American Poets Laureate Maw Shein Win & Aileen Cassinetto
Eastwind Books of Berkeley
2066 University Avenue, Berkeley
Saturday, March 7, 2020, 10am (CANCELLED)
AWP20 Poets Laureate Gathering hosted by the Academy of American Poets
Henry B. González Convention Center
Cantilever Room (Room 220)
900 E. Market Street, San Antonio, Texas
Sunday, March 1, 2020 at 12pm (Reading & Reception)
Winners of Filoli’s First Winter Haiku Competition will read their winning poems at a ceremony at Noon on March 1, 2020.
Awards: Filoli Household Plus Membership and Gift Basket of hand-crafted Filoli products for first place, Filoli Individual Plus Membership for second place and a Filoli Household Membership for our under 18 winner.
Rights: Poems submitted will be used by Filoli for promotional materials, the winning poems will be displayed in the Visitor and Education Center, and the winning poems will be published on our social media and marketing channels.
Filoli
86 Cañada Road
Woodside, CA 94062
Saturday, February 15, 2020, 12pm (submission deadline)
The winter season at Filoli is one of beauty and reflection. Submit a haiku inspired by Filoli’s winter garden to our Haiku Poetry Competition by 2/15/2020.
Deadline: Entries should be submitted by February 15, 2020, 12:00 pm. The finalists will be announced on February 19 and invited to the event on March 1, where the winners will be announced.
Eligibility: The awards are open to the public. You may submit up to three original haikus that have not been previously published. Haikus must be in the 5-7-5 format and be inspired by Filoli’s winter garden.
Submissions: Entries can be submitted in person at the Filoli Visitor Center, via mail, or online. You may submit up to three haikus. If submitting in person, please place your haiku and contact details in a sealed envelope and put in the marked box at the Visitor Center.
Saturday, February 8, 2020, 11am to 3pm
You’re invited to check out a living, breathing book on February 8 at the Portola Valley Library Community Hall. On that day the library will be hosting a Human Library, where the “books” are people with diverse experiences and stories to share with you, the readers.
Portola Valley Library – Community Hall
765 Portola Road, Portola Valley, CA
Friday, February 7, 2020, 7pm
2nd Annual San Mateo County Poetry Out Loud Competition
Youth from several San Mateo County high schools perform for advancement to the state level in this nationwide competition. The evening features student and mentor performances, judging, and a reception with refreshments. Mentors and judges include former and current San Mateo County Poets Laureate Caroline Goodwin, Lisa Rosenberg, & Aileen Cassinetto, and East Palo Alto Poet Laureate Kalamu Chache.
Foster City Recreation Center, Mist Room
650 Shell Boulevard Foster City, CA, 94404
Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 7pm
Poetry Center San José‘s Well-RED series presents Aileen Cassinetto and Pushpa MacFarlane
Open mic will follow the performance.
Works/San José
365 South Market Street
in downtown San José
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Poet Laureate Opening of the Reorganization of the Board of Supervisors of San Mateo County
Hall of Justice
400 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063
Saturday, December 28, 2019, 2pm
The Poets of Pacifica
Featured readings and open mic
with host Camincha Benvenutto, Poet Laureate of Pacifica, and guest co-host Aileen Cassinetto, Poet Laureate of San Mateo County
Bring a poem and snacks to share to celebrate the end of the year! All are welcome.
Florey’s Books
2120 Palmetto Avenue
Pacifica
Monday, December 23, 2019, 7pm
San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto is the featured reader for the month of December.
Open mic follows.
Himalayan Flavors Restaurant
1585 University Ave. Berkeley 94703
Saturday, December 14, 2019, 2pm
A Holiday Poetry Concert & Reception
Presented by the San Mateo County Libraries and San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto
featuring the Poets of San Mateo County
with the West Bay Community Band Flute Trio and The West Bay Saxtet
Poetry Reading by
Caroline Goodwin, San Mateo County Poet Laureate 2014-2016
Lisa Rosenberg, San Mateo County Poet Laureate 2017-2018
Camincha Benvenutto, Pacifica Poet Laureate
Poetess Kalamu Chaché, East Palo Alto Poet Laureate
Tanuja Wakefield, Belmont Poet Laureate Emerita
Kaitlin Bonfiglio
Chuck Brickley
Stephanie Dobler Cerra
Sanderson Dean
Paul Fericano
Sophia Gamini
Emilia Hansen
Sarah Hansen
Monica Korde
Ida J. Lewenstein
Abigail Milne
Genevieve Zaidain
Free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
*This event is part of the San Mateo County Poet Laureate’s campaign, “Speak Poetry,” which aims to elevate and celebrate the literary arts and their roles in public life.
Millbrae Library
1 Library Avenue
Millbrae CA 94030
Thursday, November 21st, 2019 at 7pm
Penelope’s Coffee & Teas
3 Plaza View Ln, Foster City, CA 94404
Tuesday, November 19, 2019, 7pm
Poetry Night hosted by Belmont Poet Laureate Jacki Rigoni featuring San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto
Belmont Library
1110 Alameda de las Pulgas
Belmont CA 94002
Saturday, November 16, 1:00PM to 3:30pm
San Mateo County Libraries with San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto present
“LOCAL ROOTS”
On Poetry & Indigenous Edibles
featuring Ron Riekki, author of My Ancestors Are Reindeer Herders and I Am Melting In Extinction: Saami-American Non-Fiction, Fiction, and Poetry, and chef/lecturer John Farais
Poetry Reading by
Caroline Goodwin, San Mateo County Poet Laureate 2014-2016
Jacki Rigoni, Belmont Poet Laureate 2018-2021
Lisa Rosenberg, San Mateo County Poet Laureate 2017-2018
Tanu Wakefield, Belmont Poet Laureate 2015-2018
This is a family-friendly event which includes poetry reading and food tasting. However, space is limited, and RSVPs are required.
To RSVP: Belmont Library
Belmont Library
1110 Alameda de las Pulgas
Belmont CA 94002
Sunday, November 17, 2019 at 4pm
Bay Area Poets Laureate on Social Justice Tour
(Events with poetry readings by city and county Poet Laureate recipients, reading their poems on social justice issues and Q&As with the audiences)
Aileen Cassinetto, San Mateo County Poet Laureate 2019-present
D.L. Lang, Vallejo Poet Laureate 2017-2019
Juanita J. Martin, Fairfield Poet Laureate 2010-2012
Cynthia Patton, Livermore Poet Laureate 2017-present
Lois Requist, Benicia Poet Laureate 2012-2014
and host Ron Riekki, co-editor of Undocumented: Great Lakes Poets Laureate on Social Justice
Book Passage
51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Corte Madera CA 94925
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 7pm
Doors open at 6:30 P.M., and the features begin at 7:00 P.M. A poetry open mic will begin around 8:00 P.M. This will feature 10 poets who have 5 minutes each to speak their work – no music, please. A signup sheet will be available at the coffee bar. As usual, beverages and light fare will be available all evening.
For this upcoming reading, we’ll welcome Bay Area poets Aileen Cassinetto, Joel Katz and Robert Perry.
Café Society
522 Main Street
Half Moon Bay CA 94019
Tuesday, October 22, 2019, 9am
Opening of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Meeting
Once each quarter, the Poet Laureate will open the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors’ Meeting with a poem. Board meetings begin at 9:00AM, and are open to the public. You are welcome to stay for all or any portion of the meeting.
Hall of Justice
400 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063
Sunday, October 20, 2019, 2pm
HUMANITY, a reading and conversation featuring Eileen Tabios (St. Helena-based author most recently of “Witness in the Convex Mirror”), Murzban Shroff (Mumbai-based author most recently of “Fasttrack Fiction”), & Robert Cowan (New York-based author most recently of “Elsewhen”), hosted by San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto
ABOUT HUMANITY
Bird & Beckett Books
653 Chenery St.
San Francisco CA 94131
Saturday, October 12, 2019, 2pm-4pm
Litquake’s 20-20 curated by Maw Shein Win!
El Cerrito welcomes Litquake – San Francisco’s Literary Festival – coming to twenty new cities honor of the event’s 20th anniversary!
Join host and former El Cerrito Poet Laureate Maw Shein Win for 20-in-20: an afternoon of readings by local poets laureate, including:
Dani Gabriel, El Cerrito Poet Laureate
Rebecca Black, Albany Poet Laureate
Aileen Casinetto, San Mateo County Poet Laureate
Lisa Rosenberg, San Mateo County Former Poet Laureate
Ciera-Jevae Gordon, Richmond Poet Laureate
El Cerrito Library
6510 Stockton Ave.
El Cerrito CA 94530
October 12, 2019, 12:45pm & 4pm
Hot Off the Press Literary Readings hosted by Cecilia Brainard at the 5th Filipino American International Book Festival!
Koret Auditorium
San Francisco Main Library
100 Larkin St.
San Francisco CA 94102
Wednesday, October 9, 2019, 6pm
“Pssst! It’s Pilipinx Lit Night!”
The John Daly Branch Library & San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto present “Prose, Poetry, atbp, in the Pilipinx American Diaspora” in celebration of Filipino American History Month, featuring Abigail Licad, Beverly Parayno, Ivy Alvarez, Jason Bayani, Rashaan Alexis Meneses, Reme Grefalda, Walter Ang, and students from Jefferson and Westmoor High Schools
John D Daly Branch Library
134 Hillside Blvd
Daly City CA 94014
Tuesday, September 24, 2019, 9:30am
Interview with PenVoice’s Dani Gasparini
Peninsula TV Studio
1250 San Carlos Ave
San Carlos CA
Saturday, September 21, 2019, 2:30pm
The San Mateo County Arts Commission presents an All-Star Poetry Reading featuring Bay Area Poets Laureate!
“Meet Me In Millbrae”
Bay Area Poets Laureate Public Poetry Reading
Featuring
Camincha Benvenutto (Pacifica)
Cynthia L. Bryant (Pleasanton)
Aileen Cassinetto (San Mateo County)
Kalamu Chache (East Palo Alto)
Cathy Dana (Alameda)
Iris Dunkle (Sonoma County)
Johanna Ely (Benicia)
Amy Glynn (Lafayette)
Caroline Goodwin (San Mateo County)
Kevin Gunn (Livermore)
Dorsetta Hale (Pacifica)
Ronnie Holland (Dublin)
Maya Khosla (Sonoma County)
D. L. Lang (Vallejo)
Shikha Malaviya (San Ramon)
Juanita Martin (Fairfield)
Connie Post (Livermore)
Lisa Rosenberg (San Mateo County)
Jacki Rigoni (Belmont)
Thomas Stanton (Benicia)
Robert Sward (Santa Cruz County)
Maw Shein Win (El Cerrito)
All are welcome. Free & open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Millbrae Library
1 Library Avenue
Millbrae CA 94030
Saturday, August 31, 2019, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Open Mic Afternoons with San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto
Featured poets: Pacifica Poet Laureate Camincha Benvenutto and Belmont Poet Laureate Emerita Tanu Wakefield
Light refreshments will be served and open mic to follow. Please feel free to bring a poem to share! This is a free and family friendly event. All are welcome!
South San Francisco Main Library Auditorium (Basement, accessible via an elevator)
840 West Orange Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Sunday, July 28, 2019, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Open Mic Afternoons with San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto
Featured poets: Melinda Luisa de Jesús, Dena Rod, Jan Steckel
Light refreshments will be served and open mic to follow. This is a free event.
South San Francisco Main Library
840 West Orange Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Monday, July 22, 2019, 7PM
A literary reading and salon featuring the curated works of San Francisco Bay Area poets, writers and storytellers, with musical guest.
With fine Bay Area Poets & Writers!
Chris Warren Smith + Keith Mark Gaboury
Elise Shabas Kazanjian + Aileen Cassinetto
Alan Bern + Glenn Ingersoll + Rebecca Radner
Melina Selverston Scher + Corin Scher
& Musical Guest: Keefer Backer, singer/songwriter (guitar)
at Harrington Galleries in The Mission, SF
Doors open: 6 p.m. Show: 7 p.m.
Suggested donation $10, includes with chapbook
*No one turned away for lack of funds.*
Bay Area Generations literary reading series features paired readers of differing generations in a curated submission based show. Since 2013, over 400 hundred notable authors, poets, writers, playwrights and musicians have read poetry and stories, or performed at this celebrated literary salon.
Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 7PM
Summer Hot July Lyrics & Dirges
Come join us on a warm summer evening to hear fiction, nonfiction, and poetry by some of the area’s best writers.
Also enjoy the refreshments, wine, and bookstore cat. Bring a date!
Judy Bebelaar
Aileen Cassinetto
Maya Khosla
Camille Norton
Fátima Policarpo
Curated and hosted by Sharon Coleman and Mk Chavez
Pegasus Books Downtown
2349 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
Tuesday, July 9, 2019, 9:00am
Poet Laureate Opening of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors’ Meeting
Once each quarter, the Poet Laureate will open the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors’ Meeting with a poem. Board meetings begin at 9:00am, and are open to the public. You are welcome to stay for all or any portion of the meeting.
Hall of Justice
400 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063
Saturday, June 29, 2019, 12pm
San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto will read a poem at the Permanent Exhibit Opening of “Land of Opportunity: The Immigrant Experience in San Mateo County”
San Mateo County History Museum
2200 Broadway, Redwood City
June 8-16, 2019
The Literary Stage at the San Mateo County Fair presented by the California Writers Club-SF Peninsula
San Mateo County Event Center
1346 Saratoga Dr
San Mateo, CA 94403
June 8, 2019, 4pm-7pm
Celebrating the Art of Jack Cassinetto
Please join us in a reception and silent auction of Jack Cassinetto’s artworks to benefit the Sonora Area Foundation Scholarship Fund.
Sonora Opera Hall
Washington Street, Sonora
Tuesday, June 4, 2019, 6:00pm
In conversation with Christopher X. Shade, author of The Good Mother of Marseille
Book Passage
Ferry Building, One, #42
San Francisco, CA, 94111
Monday, May 27, 2019, 10:30am
78th Annual Memorial Day Observance
Musical prelude 10:30 a.m. Program 11 a.m.
San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto is a guest reader.
Golden Gate National Cemetery
1300 Sneath Lane (Veterans Way) San Bruno, CA 94066
Friday, May 24, 2019, 7:15pm to 8:30pm
Mental Health Open Mic Sponsored by Menlo Park Library
San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto joins us out in the community to help break the silence surrounding suicide and mental illness.
Cafe Zoe
1929 Menalto Ave,
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 4:30pm
Menlo Park Library Youth Poetry Awards Ceremony & Reception
Reception at the Menlo Park Main Library at 4:30PM
Ceremony at the Council Chambers at 5:30PM
Menlo Park Library
800 Alma St.
Menlo Park, 94025
Council Chambers
700 Laurel St.
Menlo Park, 94025
Saturday, May 4, 2019, 6:30pm
10th Annual CSM Asian Pacific American Film Festival
San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto is a guest reader.
CSM Theatre Building 03
1700 West Hillsdale Boulevard
San Mateo, CA 94402
Saturday, April 27, 2019, 2:00pm
POETRY & COMMUNITY: A CONCERT
Presented by the Burlingame Public Library and the San Mateo County Poet Laureate, and featuring local poets and the West Bay Community Band. Aileen Cassinetto and East Palo Alto Poet Laureate Kalamu Chache co-host.
Free and open to the public.
*This event is part of the San Mateo County Poet Laureate’s campaign, “Speak Poetry,” which aims to elevate and celebrate the literary arts and their roles in public life.
Burlingame Main Library
480 Primrose Rd.
Burlingame, CA 94010
Wednesday, April 24, 2019, 6:30pm
Portola Valley Library’s 20th Annual Poetry Celebration with San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto
Community Hall
765 Portola Rd.
Portola Valley, CA 94028
Sunday, April 21, 2019, 5:30am on NBC Bay Area // 6pm on NBC’s COZI TV (Comcast 186)
San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto on NBC Bay Area
Saturday, April 20, 2019, 11:00pm to 1:00am (show will be archived for 2 weeks)
Poetry & Conversation with East Palo Alto Poet Laureate Kalamu Chache & “BAJABA on JaZzline” host Afrikahn Jahmal Davys
Saturday, April 20, 2019, 10am
California Writers’ Club SF Peninsula Monthly Meeting
Sequoia Yacht Club
441 Seaport Ct.
Foster City, CA 94063
Tuesday, April 16, 2019, 12pm
Skyline College Celebrates National Poetry Month with San Mateo County Poet Laureate Reading
Skyline College, Building 5
3300 College Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066
Sunday, April 14, 2019, 2:00pm-3:00pm
HAY(NA)KU!
Learn a new poetic form with San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto
Is it a sigh or a form of haiku? In this workshop, with the aid of prompts and familiar poetic tools, we will try our hand at drafting new poems. We’ll write, read, critique, tweak, and talk about this deceptively simple verse form! Materials and light snacks will be provided.
This is a free event, but space is limited. Please email smcpoetlaureate@smcl.org with the subject, “WORKSHOP,” by April 7th to RSVP.
Half Moon Bay Library
620 Correas St.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Sunday, April 14, 2019, 3:30pm
PAW-ETRY OPEN READING & RECEPTION
Poets Raising Awareness for Shelter Pets
In addition to April being National Poetry Month, it is also Prevention Against Cruelty to Animals Month. On April 14th, you are invited to read a poem about a favorite pet, an animal you met at the PHS-SPCA or any shelter, a favorite poem about animals, or just come and support this worthy cause. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Half Moon Bay Library
620 Correas St.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Friday, April 12, 2019, 7:00pm
Poetry & Symphonic Masterpieces (Music of Leonard Bernstein)
Featuring music by the Aragon High School Chamber Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, & Choirs, and Poetry by San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto, San Mateo County Poet Laureate Emerita Caroline Goodwin, & San Mateo County Poet Laureate Emerita Lisa Rosenberg
Aragon High School Theater
900 Alameda de Las Pulgas
San Mateo, CA 94402
Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 9:00am
Proclamation of National Poetry Month by the Board of Supervisors of San Mateo County & Poet Laureate Opening of the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting
Once each quarter, the Poet Laureate will open the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors’ Meeting with a poem. On April 9th, the Board of Supervisors will issue an official Proclamation in support of National Poetry Month.
Board meetings begin at 9:00AM, and are open to the public. You are welcome to stay for all or any portion of the meeting.
Hall of Justice
400 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063
Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 7pm-8:30pm
Poetry for the People and CCSF African American Studies present “Still I Rise: Maya Angelou and 400 Years of Resistance to Slavery”
Featuring: Kim Shuck, San Francisco Poet Laureate; Aileen Cassinetto, San Mateo County Poet Laureate; Kitty Costello, poet; Aliyah Dunn-Salahuddin, Professor of African American Studies; Tehmina Khan, poet and Professor of English; Maurisa Thompson, poet and high school teacher; and more Poets for the People
Tea and snacks will be served.
Batmale Hall, Room 203
CCSF Ocean Campus
50 Frida Kahlo Way
San Francisco, CA 94112
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
YourArtsyGirl Podcast Featuring Aileen Cassinetto & Ivy Alvarez
Monday, April 1, 2019, 7pm
Proclamation of National Poetry Month by the Mayor of the City of San Mateo presented to San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto
City of San Mateo
330 West 20th Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94403
Thursday, March 28, 2019, 6pm
Beating Guns Tour
Join the journey to end gun violence, led by Shane Claiborne and Mike Martin. This event will feature the forging of a gun into a garden tool. San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto will share a poem.
Good Shepherd Episcopal Church
1300 Fifth Ave.
Belmont CA 94002
Monday, March 25, 2019, 7pm
Poetry Class at Maguire Correctional Facility
300 Bradford St.
Redwood City, CA 94063
***UPDATE: This tour has been rescheduled. Details TBA. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Sunday, March 17, 2019, 2:00pm
PAW-ETRY
Poets Raising Awareness for Shelter Pets
Please join San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto on a tour of the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA. RSVP by March 10th: smcpoetlaureate@smcl.org.
Lantos Center for Compassion
1450 Rollins Rd.
Burlingame, CA 94010
Saturday, March 16, 2019, 2:00pm
Laureates Speak Poetry
Celebrate Women, Words, and the Power of Poetry with San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto and San Francisco Poet Laureate Kim Shuck! Open reading to follow and light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public.
Westlake Library
275 Southgate Ave.
Daly City, CA 94015
Monday, March 11, 2019, 7pm
Proclamation on Women’s History Month by the City Council of Daly City presented to San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto
City Hall
333 90th St.
Daly City, CA 94015
Saturday, March 2, 2019, 9:30am
“WOW Voices Now: A Morning of Readings and Refreshments”
Features San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto and award-winning fiction/nonfiction writer Jacqueline Doyle.
Skyline College
Student & Community Center, Building 6
3300 College Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066
Thursday, February 14, 2019, 6:30pm
ALL WE NEED: Valentine Poetry Open Mic & Reception
Bring a loved one (a date, a partner, a grandma, a friend, a child, or yourself!), and your favorite love poem. You can even renew vows in community with those at the gathering! San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto and Belmont Poet Laureate Jacki Rigoni co-host.
Millbrae Library
1 Library Avenue
Millbrae, CA 94030
Friday February, 8, 2019, 7:00pm
Come and watch students from five High Schools compete in the FIRST SAN MATEO COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION POETRY OUT LOUD COMPETITION!
San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto and East Palo Alto Poet Laureate Kalamu Chache will be among the judges.
Foster City Recreation Center,
Mist Room
650 Shell Boulevard
Foster City, CA 94404
Monday, February 4, 2019, 7:00pm
POETS!
Reading & Open Mic featuring San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto, and former Poet Laureate of Livermore Connie Post. Kim Shuck, Poet Laureate of San Francisco, and Jerry Ferraz, poetry czar of Bird & Beckett, co-host.
Bird & Beckett Books
653 Chenery St.
San Francisco, CA 94131
Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 9:00am
Poet Laureate Opening of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Meeting
Once each quarter, the Poet Laureate will open the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors’ Meeting with a poem. Board meetings begin at 9:00AM, and are open to the public. You are welcome to stay for all or any portion of the meeting.
Hall of Justice
400 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063
December 2018
Hay(na)ku Exhibit at the Saint Helena Public Library
1492 Library Lane
St. Helena, California
Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 9:00am
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Meeting
“Adopt a resolution appointing Aileen Cassinetto to the honorary post of San Mateo County Poet Laureate for a two-year term from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020.”
Hall of Justice
400 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063
