Theresa Whitehill • Poet

Fort Bragg Library Poetry Open Mic
2025-09-04 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-08-07 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-07-03 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-05 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Fort Bragg Library Meeting Room, 499 East Laurel Street, FORT BRAGG, CA, 95437, United States
First Thursday Poetry Open Mic in Fort Bragg, CA has returned to meeting in person. You can also attend this event via Zoom.
Since the library is a crossroads and we want to reduce risk of illness, we still ask you to wear masks while you’re in the audience. Wear a sweater because we need to ventilate the room well. When you’re at podium reading poems, you won’t need a mask.
We ask that you keep your reading under 10 minutes and stick to poetry in all its variety of forms.
To receive an invitation to the Zoom reading, or for more information, contact Dan Hess, Branch Librarian (info in Organizer section below).

Kirk Lumpkin and Mike Edwards, Mendocino Poetry Series
2025-08-30 16:00 - 18:00 | Mendocino Art Center, 45200 Little Lake Street, Mendocino, CA, 95460, United States
Dear Poets and lovers of poetry,
You are invited to attend the August 30th Mendocino Open Mic Poetry Series at the Mendocino Art Center.
The August featured readers are Kirk Lumpkin and Mike Edwards. There is a sign-up sheet available for poets reading in the open mic following the featured readers.
Directions:
Mendocino Open Mic Poetry Series
Last Saturday of the month: August 30th
Mendocino Art Center at the Stevenson Studio
Time: 4-6 pm
Format: Reading begins with featured readers in the first hour and is followed by an open mic.
Open mic poets are asked to read one or two poems no longer than five minutes total.
Questions Contact:
Devreaux Baker
dbaker@mcn.org
www.devreauxbaker.org

Lauren Sinnott, Writers Read Ukiah
2025-08-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Grace Hudson Museum Community Room, 431 South Main Street, Ukiah, CA, 95482, United States
Writers Read Ukiah last Thursday poetry series will meet on Thursday, August 28, at 7 PM at the Grace Hudson Museum in Ukiah. The featured reader is Lauren Sinnott of Point Arena.
Open mic session will follow the featured reading. Maximum time for each reader is six minutes. Event will end at 9 PM.
For Information, contact Writers Read Ukiah MC Michael Riedell, innisfreeriedell@gmail.com
Writers Read happens on the last Thursday of almost every month and has been happening in Ukiah since 1999. This reading series is sponsored by Colored Horse Studios, Michael Riedell, Dan Barth, the Poet Laureate Committee of Ukiah, the Grace Hudson Museum and donations. Since the start of 2023, donations have not been keeping up with expenses. Please consider a one-time or once-a-year larger than usual donation to help us keep this reading series going. Contact Michael—innisfreeriedell@gmail.com—if you can help. Thanks.

Brenda Yeager, Point Arena Third Thursday Poetry & Jazz - hybrid event
2025-08-21 19:00 - 21:00 | The Record, 265 Main Street, Point Arena, CA, 95468, United States
On Thursday, August 21, at 7pm The Third Thursday Poetry & Jazz Reading Series will feature Brenda Yeager.
The reading will take place at The Record at 265 Main Street in downtown Point Arena. The reading begins with live music, followed by a featured reading with the musicians accompanying Yeager, then an open mic with musical improv, and finally the reading concludes with a live music jam. Poets, storytellers, and musicians welcome.
Third Thursday Poetry & Jazz is supported by The Third Thursday Poetry Group, anonymous supporters, and Poets & Writers, Inc.

Rhythm Running River on KZYX Public Radio
2025-08-17 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-08-03 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-20 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-06 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-15 15:00 - 17:00 | KZYX & Z, 88.1, 90.7, & 91.5 FM, 9300 HWY 128, Philo, CA, 95466, United States
Rhythm Running River poetry programming every 1st Sunday and every 3rd Sunday from 3 to 5 pm on KZYX&Z Public Radio, 90.7, 91.5, and 88.1 FM with host Dan Roberts.
For playlists, visit Rhythm Running River on Out Far Press. Stream the audio here.

HIATUS: LOBA Poetry Series at the Ukiah Library
2025-08-16 15:00 - 16:00 | Ukiah Branch Library, 105 North Main Street, Ukiah, CA, 95482, United States
We will on hiatus in August. Our next event will be on September 27th.
LOBA POETRY SERIES
Monthly Poet Features & Open Mic
Join Ukiah Branch Library staff as we host in-person poetry events on the third Saturday of each month at 3 p.m. This free event is open to both teens & adults – all are invited to share poems in any form or style, or just listen to others.
Please contact the Ukiah Branch Library at 707-463-4490 or carrm@mendocinocounty.gov for more information.
SERIE DE POESÍA LOBA
Funciones mensuales de poeta y micrófono abierto
Únase al personal de la biblioteca sucursal de Ukiah mientras organizamos eventos de poesía en persona el tercer sábado de cada mes a las 3 p.m. Este evento gratuito está abierto tanto a adolescentes como a adultos; todos están invitados a compartir poemas en cualquier forma o estilo, o simplemente escuchar a otros.
Comuníquese con la biblioteca sucursal de Ukiah al 707-463-4490 o carrm@mendocinocounty.gov para obtener más información.

Kim Rosen: Feast of Losses, Poetry Workshop
2025-08-16 13:00 - 17:00 | Spirit House Center, 16550 Franklin Road, Fort Bragg, 95437, United States
Join poet Kim Rosen at the Spirit House for an immersive alchemy of poetry, music, movement, guided explorations, writing, and sharing, as we open into all that arises as we turn towards aging, death, and letting go.
This event will take place on Saturday, August 16, from 1–5 pm at Spirit House Center, 16550 Franklin Road, Fort Bragg. Cost is $40–$50 (sliding scale), $60 at the door, space permitting.
To register, email ron@spirithousehealing.org.

The Last Ecstatic Days: Poetry and Film
2025-08-15 18:30 - 21:30 | Spirit House Center, 16550 Franklin Road, Fort Bragg, 95437, United States
In the underground sanctuary of the Spirit House, welcomed by music and poetry, we will watch the movie, The Last Ecstatic Days, followed by a communion of kirtan, poetry, meditation, and sharing. Join Aditi Sethi, Jay Brown, and Kim Rosen for a life-changing and potentially death changing evening, a portrait of what it means to meet death, and the powerful and poignant journey towards it, undefended and curious.
This event will take place on Friday, August 15, from 6:30–9:30 pm at Spirit House Center, 16550 Franklin Road, Fort Bragg. Cost is $30–$40 (sliding scale).
To register, email ron@spirithousehealing.org.

Georgina Marie Guardado, Poetry At The Cobalt
2025-08-10 17:00 - 19:00 | Cobalt Gallery, 430 Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA, 95437, United States
THIS IS AN INVITATION TO ALL POETS, WRITERS, READERS, AND LOVERS OF LITERATURE, YOUNG, OLD, IN BETWEEN, KNOWN, UNKNOWN, SUBMERGED, EMERGED AND EMERGING: Rhyming, free verse, expensive or expansive verse, reverses, metered, learned, unlearned, experimental—all varieties, styles and non-styles are welcome.
The reading series, Poetry At The Cobalt, is located in downtown Fort Bragg at the beautiful Cobalt Gallery, thanks to Button Quinn, artist and gallery owner who has graciously made the space available to us. The readings are the 2nd Sunday of the month, 5–7 pm. The next reading at the Cobalt Gallery will be Sunday, August 10, 2025, featuring Georgina Marie Guardado, followed by open mic readings. There is a signup sheet and each poet reads for 5 minutes. Please get this around far and wide, as we’d like to reach all over Mendocino County and beyond. Any suggestions or ideas you have, including other people to invite, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, and looking forward to seeing you Sunday, August 10th at the Cobalt Gallery.
PEGASUS SOARS NO MATTER WHAT,
Larry Felson & Joe Smith
510-684-8270

The Word-Music Continuum: Starlight Lounge
2025-08-09 19:00 - 22:00 | Starlight Lounge, Willits Community Theatre, 37 W Van Lane, Willits, CA, 95490, United States
Pictured above: The Word-Music Continuum (L. to R.) Paul Mills, Kirk Lumpkin, Mark Wieder
Mendocino County Poet Kirk Lumpkin brings an exciting poetry and music performance to the Willits Community Theatre on Saturday, August 9 at 7pm. Lumpkin will perform his words with Bay Area musicians Paul Mills on guitar and Mark Wieder on bass in celebration of their third CD release as The Word-Music Continuum trio, Wildflowers of Collaboration.
DJ Kathy Rippey of KZYX radio says of the CD, “It’s absolutely astounding. Wonderful, empathetic accompaniment. Kirk Lumpkin’s voice is so expressive…every cut a great adventure.”
The Word-Music Continuum has performed at festivals, art centers, clubs, cafes, and bookstores from the North Beach Festival to Burning Man, the Watershed Environmental Poetry Festival to the Petaluma Poetry Walk, the Marin Poetry Festival, Mills College, Cody’s Books, and the Beat Museum, among other venues.
Kirk Lumpkin is the author of two books of poetry In Deep and Co-Hearing and has released two CDs of original rock songs. He says, “My most persistent poetic mode is eco-spiritual, including poems of celebration, love, witness and social criticism.” His performances have included naturalist stories, rants, prayers, and a recent accent on raps in costume.
The Willits Community Theatre is located at 37 W. Van Lane, Willits, CA, 94590. Admission is by donation. An open reading will follow the featured performance.

Summer Break, Writers Read Ukiah
2025-07-31 19:00 - 21:00 | Grace Hudson Museum Community Room, 431 South Main Street, Ukiah, CA, 95482, United States
Writers Read Ukiah last Thursday poetry series is on Summer Break for July. The event will resume on Thursday, August 28.
Open mic session will follow the featured reading. Maximum time for each reader is six minutes. Event will end at 9 PM.
For Information, contact Writers Read Ukiah MC Michael Riedell, innisfreeriedell@gmail.com
Writers Read happens on the last Thursday of almost every month and has been happening in Ukiah since 1999. This reading series is sponsored by Colored Horse Studios, Michael Riedell, Dan Barth, the Poet Laureate Committee of Ukiah, the Grace Hudson Museum and donations. Since the start of 2023, donations have not been keeping up with expenses. Please consider a one-time or once-a-year larger than usual donation to help us keep this reading series going. Contact Michael—innisfreeriedell@gmail.com—if you can help. Thanks.

Closed for July, Mendocino Poetry Series
2025-07-26 16:00 - 18:00 | Mendocino Art Center, 45200 Little Lake Street, Mendocino, CA, 95460, United States
Dear Poets and lovers of poetry,
There is no Mendocino Open Mic in July as we are closed for the Music festival. We’ll be back on the last Saturday in August on the 30th.
Questions Contact:
Devreaux Baker
dbaker@mcn.org
www.devreauxbaker.org

Winter in America (Again - reading, Sacramento Poetry Center
2025-07-21 19:30 - 21:30 | Sacramento Poetry Center, 1719 25th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95816, United States
Winter in America (Again: Poets Respond to 2024 Election
A Hybrid Reading Featuring Readers from the Anthology
The readers — some of whom are editors and editorial board members for the book as well as contributors — include Greg Bem, Francisco Dominguez, Lara Gularte, Lorin Medley, Paul Nelson, William O’Daly, Roxi Power, Beverly Parayno, Theresa Whitehill, Cathleen Williams, Katie Sarah Zale, and Patrick Grizzell
Monday, July 21, 2025
7:30 to 9:30 pm Pacific Time
Format: in person and via Zoom (Zoom link below)
Sacramento Poetry Center
1719 25th Street
Sacramento, CA 95816
https://www.sacpoetrycenter.org/
admin@sacpoetrycenter.org
(916) 968-0304
Program:
– Introduction by Patrick Grizzell, president, Sacramento Poetry Center
– 12 poets reading, 6 in person and 6 via Zoom
– Event will end with time for questions and discussion
Info to join on Zoom:
Date/Time: Jul 21, 2025 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7638733462?pwd=[REDACTED]
Zoom Credentials: Meeting ID: 763 873 3462 / Passcode: [REDACTED]
About the Reading:
The Sacramento Poetry Center is grateful to be able to host a reading featuring contributors to the important anthology, Winter In America (Again — Poets Respond to 2024 Election (Carbonation Press, Spokane, 2025). They will be joined by local poets who will also read selections from the book. As we already see dire consequences to the results of the election, it is imperative that all of us work toward actions that will help mitigate the damage. Poets are often at the forefront of such action — talking back and speaking to the heart of the issues. So it is with this collection. Many thanks to all of the contributors and local participants. Special gratitude is offered to poet and translator (and anthology contributor) William O’Daly for his efforts to make this event possible.
About the Anthology, Winter in America (Again: Poets Respond to 2024 Election
Poets from the United States and beyond respond to the 2024 Presidential election. The poems are rooted in a belief that the incoming administration will not relieve or heal us from our nation’s past: the destruction of the environment, the unbridled use of power, the pervasive narrative that Black lives do not matter, patriarchy, reproductive injustice for women, silent support for the US prison-industrial complex, and the lack of compassion for diverse gender identity, immigrants, the indigenous, and unsheltered populations. The editorial team worked tirelessly for six weeks to publish this anthology before the January 20, 2025 inauguration.
– Lead Editors: Katie Sarah Zale, Paul E. Nelson
– Editorial Board: allia abdullah-matta, CChristy White, Gabriella Gutiérrez y Muhs, Robert Lashley, Roxi Power & Theresa Whitehill

LOBA Poetry Series at the Ukiah Library
2025-07-19 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-21 15:00 - 16:00 | Ukiah Branch Library, 105 North Main Street, Ukiah, CA, 95482, United States
LOBA POETRY SERIES
Monthly Poet Features & Open Mic
Join Ukiah Branch Library staff as we host in-person poetry events on the third Saturday of each month at 3 p.m. This free event is open to both teens & adults – all are invited to share poems in any form or style, or just listen to others.
Please contact the Ukiah Branch Library at 707-463-4490 or carrm@mendocinocounty.gov for more information.
SERIE DE POESÍA LOBA
Funciones mensuales de poeta y micrófono abierto
Únase al personal de la biblioteca sucursal de Ukiah mientras organizamos eventos de poesía en persona el tercer sábado de cada mes a las 3 p.m. Este evento gratuito está abierto tanto a adolescentes como a adultos; todos están invitados a compartir poemas en cualquier forma o estilo, o simplemente escuchar a otros.
Comuníquese con la biblioteca sucursal de Ukiah al 707-463-4490 o carrm@mendocinocounty.gov para obtener más información.

Frej Barty, Point Arena Third Thursday Poetry & Jazz - hybrid event
2025-07-17 19:00 - 21:00 | The Record, 265 Main Street, Point Arena, CA, 95468, United States
On Thursday, July 17, at 7pm The Third Thursday Poetry & Jazz Reading Series will feature Frej Barty.
The reading will take place at The Record at 265 Main Street in downtown Point Arena. The reading begins with live music, followed by a featured reading with the musicians accompanying Barty, then an open mic with musical improv, and finally the reading concludes with a live music jam. Poets, storytellers, and musicians welcome.
Third Thursday Poetry & Jazz is supported by The Third Thursday Poetry Group, anonymous supporters, and Poets & Writers, Inc.

Victor Poturica, Poetry At The Cobalt
2025-07-13 17:00 - 19:00 | Cobalt Gallery, 430 Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA, 95437, United States
THIS IS AN INVITATION TO ALL POETS, WRITERS, READERS, AND LOVERS OF LITERATURE, YOUNG, OLD, IN BETWEEN, KNOWN, UNKNOWN, SUBMERGED, EMERGED AND EMERGING: Rhyming, free verse, expensive or expansive verse, reverses, metered, learned, unlearned, experimental—all varieties, styles and non-styles are welcome.
The reading series, Poetry At The Cobalt, is located in downtown Fort Bragg at the beautiful Cobalt Gallery, thanks to Button Quinn, artist and gallery owner who has graciously made the space available to us. The readings are the 2nd Sunday of the month, 5–7 pm. The next reading at the Cobalt Gallery will be Sunday, July 13, 2025, featuring Victor Poturica, followed by open mic readings. There is a signup sheet and each poet reads for 5 minutes. Please get this around far and wide, as we’d like to reach all over Mendocino County and beyond. Any suggestions or ideas you have, including other people to invite, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, and looking forward to seeing you Sunday, July 13th at the Cobalt Gallery.
PEGASUS SOARS NO MATTER WHAT,
Larry Felson & Joe Smith
510-684-8270

Spirit of Place: Mendocino County Women Poets Anthology Book Launch
2025-06-28 16:00 - 18:00 | Mendocino Art Center, 45200 Little Lake Street, Mendocino, CA, 95460, United States
Join us at the Mendocino Art Center’s main gallery for book launch celebration of the anthology Spirit of Place: Mendocino County Women Poets. There will be a sign-up sheet for poets who want to read their published poem from the book.
Saturday, June 28, 2025
4–6 pm
Mendocino Art Center, Main Gallery
45200 Little Lake Street, Mendocino, CA 95460
Snacks and beverages will be provided. Books will be available for puchase to audience members.
Produced by Devreaux Baker, Poet Laureate of Mendocino County along with a group of co-editors
For more information: poetryanthology2@gmail.com

Zida Borcich, Writers Read Ukiah
2025-06-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Grace Hudson Museum Community Room, 431 South Main Street, Ukiah, CA, 95482, United States
Writers Read Ukiah last Thursday poetry series will meet on Thursday, June 26, at 7 PM at the Grace Hudson Museum in Ukiah. The featured reader is Zida Borcich.
Open mic session will follow the featured reading. Maximum time for each reader is six minutes. Event will end at 9 PM.
For Information, contact Writers Read Ukiah MC Michael Riedell, innisfreeriedell@gmail.com
Writers Read happens on the last Thursday of almost every month and has been happening in Ukiah since 1999. This reading series is sponsored by Colored Horse Studios, Michael Riedell, Dan Barth, the Poet Laureate Committee of Ukiah, the Grace Hudson Museum and donations. Since the start of 2023, donations have not been keeping up with expenses. Please consider a one-time or once-a-year larger than usual donation to help us keep this reading series going. Contact Michael—innisfreeriedell@gmail.com—if you can help. Thanks.

Diane Frank, Point Arena Third Thursday Poetry & Jazz - hybrid event
2025-06-19 19:00 - 21:00 | The Record, 265 Main Street, Point Arena, CA, 95468, United States
On Thursday, June 19, at 7pm The Third Thursday Poetry & Jazz Reading Series will feature Diane Frank.
The reading will take place at The Record at 265 Main Street in downtown Point Arena. The reading begins with live music, followed by a featured reading with the musicians accompanying Frank, then an open mic with musical improv, and finally the reading concludes with a live music jam. Poets, storytellers, and musicians welcome.
Third Thursday Poetry & Jazz is supported by The Third Thursday Poetry Group, anonymous supporters, and Poets & Writers, Inc.

Blake More: Starlight Lounge
2025-06-14 19:00 - 22:00 | Starlight Lounge, Willits Community Theatre, 37 W Van Lane, Willits, CA, 95490, United States
Point Arena poet Blake More is the featured reader at a poetry reading to be held on Saturday, June 14, at the Willits Community Theatre Playhouse, located at 37 West Van Lane, in Willits. The reading will begin at 7 p.m.
Blake More’s work includes performance poetry, video, murals and teaching. She is a longtime AC & teacher with California Poets in the Schools, host hosts a monthly poetry & jazz series and two radio shows. Her most recent book is DystopiaUnplugged: Please Talk Back. More info at bmoreyou.net.
An open reading will follow the featured readers. Entry by donation; suggested donation $10. However, no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.

Theresa Whitehill, Dancing with La Muerta: poems, publication event
2025-06-08 17:00 - 19:00 | Online Event
Carbonation Press celebrates the June 1, 2025 publication of Dancing with La Muerta: Poems, Theresa Whitehill in a Book Release Virtual Event taking place on Sunday, June 8, 2025 from 5 to 7 pm with Featured Readers Roxi Power, Devreaux Baker, and Theresa Whitehill
Zoom access: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87837329387
Meeting ID: 878 3732 9387
Format: virtual, via Zoom
5:00: join in, socialize, settle in
5:30 to 6:30: readings
6:30: conversation
Dancing with La Muerta is a short cycle of poems by Theresa Whitehill that speak of grief and of the impetuous urge to feel fully alive and awake in the face of the loss of her husband of thirty years. Beginning with an homage to fellow Mendocino coast poet, William “Bill” Bradd, Whitehill touches on memories of coming of age and other rites of passage, along with the passing of family members, while building a slow, sustained homage to La Muerta, giver of the great gift, consummate dance partner.
* * * * *
Roxi Power, Santa Cruz, California; Roxi Power is a poet, performer, educator, and publisher. She teaches at UC Santa Cruz, and has been involved in the Cascadia Poetics Lab and its annual Cascadia Poetry Festival, where she and Theresa first met. They were two of eight co-editors of the January 2025 anthology, Winter in America (Again: Poets Respond to 2024 Election. https://www.satoriarts.org/roxi-power
Devreaux Baker: Mendocino, California; Devreaux Baker wrote the introduction to Dancing with La Muerta, and has been a poetry colleague of Theresa Whitehill in Mendocino County from the 1980s. Her awards include the 2024 Barbara Mandigo Kelly Peace Poetry Prize and the 2011 PEN/Oakland Josephine Miles Poetry Award. She is the inaugural Poet Laureate of Mendocino County. https://devreauxbaker.org/
Theresa Whitehill: Theresa is a California-born poet and letterpress artist from Ukiah and St. Helena, California. She has served as Poet Laureate of Ukiah, and is a co-founder of Watershed Poetry Mendocino. Her poetry and letterpress broadsides are in many fine press collections, including the John Hay Library at Brown University, the Getty Center for the Arts, the British Library, and the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art in Washington State. https://theresawhitehill.com/
Greg Bem, publisher, Carbonation Press, https://gregbem.com/carbonation-press-catalog/
Cover Art, Paula Gray, “Prescription for Pollination,” medical prescriptions from 1890 collaged on cradled board, 2019
Books will be available from the poet, the publisher, and from Lulu.com on June 1, 2025

Armand Brint, Poetry At The Cobalt
2025-06-08 17:00 - 19:00 | Cobalt Gallery, 430 Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA, 95437, United States
THIS IS AN INVITATION TO ALL POETS, WRITERS, READERS, AND LOVERS OF LITERATURE, YOUNG, OLD, IN BETWEEN, KNOWN, UNKNOWN, SUBMERGED, EMERGED AND EMERGING: Rhyming, free verse, expensive or expansive verse, reverses, metered, learned, unlearned, experimental—all varieties, styles and non-styles are welcome.
The reading series, Poetry At The Cobalt, is located in downtown Fort Bragg at the beautiful Cobalt Gallery, thanks to Button Quinn, artist and gallery owner who has graciously made the space available to us. The readings are the 2nd Sunday of the month, 5–7 pm. The next reading at the Cobalt Gallery will be Sunday, June 8, 2025, featuring Armand Brint, followed by open mic readings. There is a signup sheet and each poet reads for 5 minutes. Please get this around far and wide, as we’d like to reach all over Mendocino County and beyond. Any suggestions or ideas you have, including other people to invite, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, and looking forward to seeing you Sunday, June 8th at the Cobalt Gallery.
PEGASUS SOARS NO MATTER WHAT,
Larry Felson & Joe Smith
510-684-8270
