FREE VERSE: JAAP BLONK

Walker Art Center, Thursday March 29

The international master of sound poetry Jaap Blonk wowed the crowd with his breath and breadth of talent, performing classic Dada sound poems by Kurt Schwitters and Raoul Hausmann, along with contemporary masterpieces by John Cage, including 4'33", and his own work on Cheek Synthesizer! If you missed it, CLICK HERE to see this spectacular performance!

AMANDA NADELBERG

The Soap Factory, Friday, April 27

It was standing-room only for the return of poet Amanda Nadelberg who read from her second book, Bright Brave Phenomena, from Coffee House Press. The chill spring evening was warmed considerably by the enthusiastic audience, ambient music of Roy Orb, D.MT, delicious ice cream from Sonny's, and the abundantly whimsical poetry from Nadelberg.

BEDTIME STORIES: Charles Baxter

The Walker Art Center, Sunday, June 10, 2:00AM

We celebrated the all-night Northern Spark festival in style with a stellar reading of the amazing story "Gryphon," read by the author, Charles Baxter, in the James Turrell Sky Pesher at the Walker Art Center. "Gryphon" is a tale that pushes the mind into strange new territory, especially when the listener is already in the hypnagogic state. Visit Baxter's website to learn more about this fabulous story!

Bridge: A Gathering

Mill City Museum, Wednesday August 1

On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the collapse of the I-35W bridge, Rain Taxi participated in organizing and producing an artistic reflection on the transformation of lives and community that followed in this tragedy’s wake. As part of our efforts, Rain Taxi commissioned seven poets to create new works, then published the results in an accompanying chapbook.

FREE VERSE: Bernadette Mayer, Philip Good, and Jennifer Karmin

Walker Art Center, Thursday September 13

A wonderful reading from avant garde writer Bernadette Mayer who treated the audience to her new work The Helens of Troy, NY accompanied with a slide show of said Helens from Troy, NY. Then, along with poets Philip Good and Jennifer Karmin, proceeded to present poetry in a round-robin fashion. The audience was treated to the humorous yet deep "Untitled" poems of Good and the art-and-socially infused works of Karmin, including the Human Micropoem and a selection from Aaaaaaaaaaalice, complete with volunteers from the audience. All culminated with a collision of words as they read a poem about the higgs bosin particle! If you missed it, CLICK HERE to see this great performance!

2012 Twin Cities Book Festival

Saturday, October 13th

More than 5,200 book aficionados came to the Progress Center at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds to experience a day of readings, discussions, and literary community. Featured authors included Sharon Olds, Gerald Stern, Chris Ware, Mark Z. Danielewski, Susan Isaacs, Jeff and Ann Vandermeer, Kate Bornstein, and Candace Savage. Click here for more highlights!

SOCIAL/BRIEF: THE LOVE VERSION

Walker Art Center, Thursday, February 14

The love-struck and lovelorn gathered to share snippets of verse amid Cindy Sherman revelers. Poets include Brian Beatty, Kevin Carollo, John Colburn, Maria Damon, Venus DeMars, James Lenfesty, John Pistelli, Lynette Reini-Grandell, William Waltz, and a host of others who offered their swift words of woe and love, including an adorable couple celebrating 50 years of marriage.

FREE VERSE: TAN LIN

Walker Art Center, Thursday, March 28

The eloquent Tan Lin treated his audience to videos which featured a computer-voiced reading, PowerPoint movies of animated text citing bibliographic material and detritus of the digital age, and more—all challenging the temporal activity and passivity of reading, not to mention the genre-bending question of what is poetry. If you missed this reading or want to see it again, it is up on the Walker Art Center Channel HERE.

RICHARD HELL

The Soap Factory, Saturday, March 30

It was standing room only at the Soap Factory as Richard Hell read excerpts from his new memoir, I Dreamed I Was A Very Clean Tramp and fielded questions from his fans. He revealed his admiration of Geoff Dyer and the Libertines and discussed how he approached writing about the joy of making a racket in a band in the early ’70s.

NATALIE DIAZ

Macalester College, Friday April 12

Natalie Diaz gave a powerful reading from her book, When My Brother Was an Aztec, as well as some new poems, enthralling the crowd with her rhythmic intonations and revealing her penchant for forms such as the pantoum.

JANE HIRSHFIELD

Plymouth Congregational Church, Monday April 15

Celebrated Zen poet Jane Hirshfield read from recent work in the esteemed Literary Witnesses reading series to a rapt audience. She treated us to selections from her new work, Come, Thief, as well as translations of ancient sacred and ecstatic poetry by women, including Mirabai.

KATE GREENSTREET AND RICHARD MEIER

Common Good Books, April 26

On the first true and warm day of spring, people gathered to hear poetry from the barefoot and ever-entertaining Kate Greenstreet reading from her book Young Tambling, and the charming and mysterious Richard Meier reading from his book, Pure Block of the Whole Imaginary and new poems.

ANALOG CAVE at NORTHERN SPARK

Bedlam Theater, June 8, dusk to dawn

Rain Taxi and mnartists.org joined forces for the third annual Northern Spark festival to create Analog Cave, a dreamlike participatory installation that combined the tactile intimacy of a handwritten letter with the fleeting immediacy of social media. See HERE for a fuller description and photos of this glorious all-night burst of imagination and fun!

SOCIAL/BRIEF: BIG JOY

Walker Art Center, Thursday August 22

Poets and poets-to-be gathered together to express their brief bliss before the screening of the jovial and moving Big Joy: The Adventures of James Broughton. Among those following their weird were: Dobby Gibson, Terri Ford, John Minczeski, Jack Walsh, Matt Mauch, Jennifer Fossenbell, Fred Schmalz, Michelle Filkins, and Patrick Werle.

DESSA: an evening of poetry with special guests

Walker Art Center, Thursday, October 3

An amazing night at the Walker Art Center for the release of Dessa's poetry chapbook A Pound of Steam, published by Rain Taxi. A sold-out crowd was treated not only to Dessa's reading of the poems, but also to commissioned musical interpretations by three of her musical comrades—Aby Wolf, Sims of Doomtree, and Benjamin Burwell and Jake Pavic of Taj Raj. Afterwards the crowd gathered for a booksigning and reception, including a cocktail inspired by one of Dessa's poems, "The Bullet Rosette."

CLICK HERE to see pictures from this event.

CLICK HERE to see a recording of this event on the Walker Art Channel.

To purchase A Pound of Steam, see our chapbook page HERE.

2013 Twin Cities Book Festival

Saturday, October 12th

More than 6,000 book aficionados came to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds to experience a day of readings, discussions, and literary community. Special guests included Rae Armantrout, David Wojahn, Howard Mohr, Nicholson Baker, Delia Ephron, Ytasha Womack, and Mircea Cartarescu. Click here for more highlights!

ROBERT BLY

Plymouth Church, Wednesday, October 16

Acclaimed and legendary poet and translator Robert Bly gave a stirring reading from his new book, Stealing Sugar from the Castle. This event was sponsored by Upper Midwest Literary Archives and co-sponsored by Friends of the University Libraries, Literary Witnesses at Plymouth Congregational Church, The Loft Literary Center, and Rain Taxi Review of Books.

BRENDA HILLMAN

Macalester College, Sunday, November 10

Brenda Hillman gave an extraordinary reading from her latest volume Seasonal Works with Letters on Fire, the last in her series on the elements. Hillman eloquently combined animal, spiritual, and political themes to a rapt crowd, plied with hot chocolate and cider.

ERIN MURPHY, WILLIAM STOBB, and RODNEY WITTWER

Magers & Quinn Booksellers, Monday, November 18

Three noted poets traveled from afar to read on a chilly night to an enthusiastic crowd. Erin Murphy charmed with Distant Glitter (and a love poem with a colonoscopy), Rodney Wittwer broke open the flawed world with Gone & Gone, and William Stobb drew laughs at fumbled watermelon with new poems and work from Absentia.

SOCIAL/BRIEF: BLANK SLATE

Walker Art Center, Thursday, January 2

We rang in the new year with readings of short resolutions and poems, featuring work by local writers William Alexander, Margaret Hasse, Steve Healey, Kathleen Jesme, Kate Kysar, Gretchen Marquette, Colin McDonald, Leslie Adrienne Miller, and Tim Nolan. Many were indelibly printed by the wonderful Lunalux folk, so no wriggling out of these new year promises!

KIM STAFFORD

Plymouth Congregational Church, January 27

Kim Stafford gave a soaring talk about the life and work of his father William Stafford, celebrating the centennial of his birth and the publication of Ask Me: 100 Essential Poems by William Stafford. This free event was sponsored by Literary Witnesses and co-sponsored by Rain Taxi, the Loft Literary Center, and Graywolf Press.

OKEY NDIBE

The Soap Factory, February 21

Diehard Minnesotans braved treacherous roads to come hear the amazing Okey Ndibe speak and read from his brilliant new novel, Foreign Gods, Inc. The charming Ndibe enthralled the audience with stories, including one about the pitfalls of his name, Okey (sounds like "okay"—you figure it out!), and discussed the differences between writing fiction and political journalism. We hope to see him back here soon!

LaTasha N. Nevada Diggs

Walker Art Center, March 20

Nevada Diggs flexed her linguistic muscles with hypnotic musicality, humor, and verve, reading from her astounding book TwERK. Tapping into Michael Jackson's dance moves, animé, birdsong, and more, Nevada Diggs took the audience on a cultural ride through language and sound, race and ritual. If you missed this extraordinary experience, CLICK HERE and view the video now.

PATTIANN ROGERS

Plymouth Congregational Church, April 28

Colorado poet Pattiann Rogers delighted a rainy night audience with poems spanning her career and ranging in topics from one-celled organisms to the cosmos. The event was sponsored by the Literary Witnesses program, with cosponsorship from Rain Taxi, Milkweed Editions, and the Loft Literary Center.

MICHAEL MCCLURE

Walker Art Center, May 1

Beat legend Michael McClure roared in May with a mighty reading from his recent books, including the GAHRRRREAAAT Ghost Tantras, "BE NOT SUGAR BUT BE LOVE"—along with beautiful love poems to his wife Amy, a poem dedicated to Ray Manzarek and much more. See this link for a video recording in case you missed this momentous reading!

POETRY TAROT

Walker Art Center, June 14-15, Northern Spark

Crowds filled the Garden Terrace gallery to find their fortune at the Poetry Tarot event for Northern Spark. Seven poets read the cards and produced personal poetry for over a lucky people. If you want to share your poem, please post it on our Facebook page! CLICK HERE to see a recap of this event!

SOCIAL/BRIEF: CAT POETRY

Walker Art Center, Thursday, September 4

Some of the Twin Cities’ meowiest writers took the mic to unleash their cat poems in celebration of the third annual Internet Cat Video Festival.

Social/Brief, an occasional series that collides gregariousness and brevity, is co-presented by Rain Taxi Review of Books and the Walker Art Center.

NAJA MARIE AIDT and DORTHE NORS

Danish American Center, September 23

Danish authors Naja Marie Aidt (Baboon from Two Lines Press) and Dorthe Nors (Karate Chop from Graywolf Press) read from their short story collections, recently translated into English. The beautiful Danish American Center was the setting for this rare event, with an enthusiastic crowd eager to listen and learn about their work and inspiration.

2014 Twin Cities Book Festival

Saturday, October 11th

We broke all kinds of records on a beautiful fall Saturday with the 14th Annual Twin Cities Book Festival with almost 7000 attendees. Special guests included Ann Hood, Laird Hunt, Okey Ndibe, J. Otis Powell‽, Katha Pollitt, Matthea Harvey, Hoa Nguyen, Stephan Eirik Clark, Julie Schumacher, Dylan Hicks, Anders Nilsen, and Zak Sally. Click here for more highlights!

CORY DOCTOROW

Rondo Library, October 19

Cory Doctorow presented his new YA graphic novel In Real Life and took questions from an eager audience with grace and eloquence.

J. OTIS POWELL‽

Patrick's Cabaret, November 7

This special launch event featured spoken word legend J. Otis Powell‽, accompanied by his musician friends Donald and Faye Washington and Davu Seru, read selections from his new chapbook Pieces of Sky, a fantastic, improviXational jazzy rendering. See a video of this event HERE.
Rain Taxi, in partnership with J. Otis Powell‽, is a fiscal year 2013 recipient of a Cultural Community Partnership grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

FREE VERSE: GILLIAN CONOLEY and BRIAN LAIDLAW

Walker Art Center, November 20

Gillian Conoley read beautifully from her recent translation of Michaux poems, Thousand Times Broken, a new book of poems, Peace, accompanied by beautiful imagery of Michaux's art. Twin Cities-based poet and songwriter Brian Laidlaw, renowned for his work with his “folk orchestra" The Family Trade, accompanied Conoley for a poem and performed music from his latest project, a poetry chapbook and vinyl album in one titled Amoratorium. It was wonderful event! If you missed it, you can see a video recording HERE.

Scott McCloud

Macalester College, February 15, 2015

Nearly 200 fans clamored on a cold day to hear comics genius Scott McCloud in conversation with Rain Taxi editor Eric Lorberer as they discussed McCloud's new 500 page graphic novel, The Sculptor.

RAIN TAXI @ AWP

Association of Writers and Writing Programs 2015 Conference
Minneapolis Convention Center
April 8 - April 11, 2015

A three-day extravaganza of panels, book fair, and off site events kept everyone busy. Click here to see some highlights from Rain Taxi's busy time at AWP!

NEW SWEDISH POETRY:
Aase Berg and Johannes Göransson

American Swedish Institute
April 23, 2015

The spare and stunning poetry of these Swedish poets entranced the elegant room at ASI. They then discussed the history and trends of Swedish poetry, touching on maximalism and surrealism and the looming anxiety of influence of Tranströmer.

Martian Dawn at Northern Spark

Walker Art Center, June 13, 2015

Mad cap fun was had by all as scenes from Michael Friedman's Martian Dawn and Other Novels were performed at the Walker Art Center for the 2015 Northern Spark Arts Festival. Performers included: William Gamble, Dylan Hicks, Anne Labovitz, and Mo Perry.

Rain Taxi interviews CHARLES BURNS

Autoptic Festival, August 8, 2015

Rain Taxi editor Eric Lorberer interviewed acclaimed comics creators Charles Burns, who discussed the arc of his career and his newest work, and revealing his punk rock proclivities. Charles Burns appeared at the Autoptic Festival, a two-day celebration of indie culture and comics.

Rain Taxi at Read and Ride Day

September 2, 2015 at the Minnesota State Fair

Rain Taxi offered some unusual literary fun all day in the Carousel Park for the MELSA-sponsored Read and Ride day at the State Fair. John Colburn began the day with Good Morning poems, guiding people through the process of writing a poem. Kevin Carollo initiated people into the world of Animal Lit, cutting out cardboard animals and releasing their inner roar, bark, hoot. Paula Cisewski offered Tarot readings that culminated in a personal made-to-order-by-the-cards poem. Dessa met with fairgoers and signed her chapbook A Pound of Steam. Brian Laidlaw offered Songwriting Mad Libs, creating lyrics for a one-of-a-kind tune. And Ursula Murray Husted enticed with a Collaborative Comics project.

Portraits of Jack

October 1, 2015 Walker Art Center

In this unique in-gallery program, poet Douglas Kearney, musicians Davu Seru and Pat O’Keefe, and dancer Deja Stowers responded to the paintings of Jack Whitten through dance, music, and poetry.

2015 Twin Cities Book Festival

Saturday, October 15th

Laila Lalami kicked off Opening Night of this year’s festival with a special reading. The following one-day celebration of the written-word included special guests Jabari Asim, Christian Bök, Matt Burgess, Christopher Cardozo, Susan Cheever, Lin Enger, Allen Eskens, Lauren Fox, Sheyna Galyan, Brian Henry, Jennifer L. Knox, and Amy Klobuchar. Click here for more highlights!

Rain Taxi 20th Anniversary Event
MARK Z. DANIELEWSKI

November 2, 2015, Uptown Church

Cult favorite Danielewski read to a rapt crowd from his second volume of The Familiar series, Into The Forest, and later took questions from the audience. This event helped kick off a celebration of Rain Taxi's 20th Anniversary with a cookie reception and music performed by The Starfolk.

Rain Taxi 20th Anniversary Event
EILEEN MYLES and CHRIS MARTIN

November 3, 2015, Uptown Church

Despite suffering an injury, Eileen Myles soldiered on with a spectacular reading from her new collection, I Must Be Living Twice, among other works, to die-hard fans in the late evening. Local poet Chris Martin kicked off the event with a great reading from his new book, The Falling Down Dance. The event continued Rain Taxi's 20th Anniversary celebration with a cookie reception and music performed by Old Moon.

Rain Taxi 20th Anniversary Event
GEORGE SAUNDERS

December 7, Kagin Commons, Macalester College

A packed room of 400 people greeted beloved author George Saunders as he read from a new release of his 2000 book The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip as well as a short story from his collection The Tenth of December. This event culminated Rain Taxi's celebration of twenty years of championing the best of literature!

Brian Blanchfield
with Juliet Patterson & Paula Cisewski

Red Stag Supperclub Clubroom, April 15, 2016

Rain Taxi hosted Tucson-based poet turned essayist (and Whiting Award winner) Brian Blanchfield for a conversation about his new book of “dicey autobiography" Proxies (Nightboat Books). The event was held in the festive new Club Room at the Red Stag Supper Club. Blanchfield was joined by Minneapolis poets Juliet Patterson and Paula Cisewski, also both poets who are working on autobiographical prose books, for a conversation moderated by Rain Taxi editor Eric Lorberer and peppered with readings from their works. After the event the crowd enjoyed crostini during the book signing, and a splendid time was had by all.

Connie Wanek

Plymouth Church, April 18, 2016

The award-winning poet from Duluth, MN presented her new book Rival Gardens: New and Selected Poems (University of Nebraska Press) to an enthusiastic crowd in Minneapolis. The event was sponsored by Literary Witnesses, with co-sponsorship provided by Rain Taxi and the Loft Literary Center.

Hell, I Love Everybody:
A Celebration of James Tate

Uptown Church, April 23, 2016, 3pm and 7pm

Rain Taxi invited over two dozen poets to Minneapolis to celebrate the life and work of James Tate. The gorgeous sunny day, a respite between rain storms, was the perfect backdrop for this momentous, moving, and memorable celebration of a much beloved and missed poet. Because of the enthusiastic response and sheer number of poets, we held two sessions at Uptown Church, with participants reading James Tate's poetry, giving talks, presenting films, and even performing music! Rain Taxi thanks everyone who participated in this amazing reading: Ralph Angel, Betsy Brown, Rob Casper, Dan Chelotti, Gillian Conoley, Christopher DeWeese, Paul Dickinson, Kelly Everding, Dobby Gibson, Matthea Harvey, James Haug, Steve Healey, Richard Jackson, Lisa Jaech, Louis Jenkins, Ben Kopel, Seth Landman, Eric Lorberer, Frances McCue, Emily Pettit, Guy Pettit, Alex Phillips, Bin Ramke, Donald Revell, Eugene Richie, William Waltz, Rosanne Wasserman, and Dara Wier.

Graphic Novel Battle Royale!

Bryant Lake Bowl Theater, June 4, 2016

As part of the first Lit Crawl, Rain Taxi invited five local comics artists to present their work to an appreciative yet judgmental audience (sailing on the literary cocktails designed for the occasion by BLB bartenders) for prizes. The fight to the finish included the amazing talents of Will Dinski, Rob Kirby, Anders Nilsen, Zak Sally, and Jordan Shiveley.

Salman Rushdie

Kagin Commons, Macalester College, July 27, 2016

The esteemed Sir Salman Rushdie read to a sold-out crowd from his newest novel, Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights, thrilling the audience with a very exuberant and charismatic reading. Mr. Rushdie took questions from the enthralled audience and stayed to sign copies of this books. A limited edition letterpress broadside of an excerpt from Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights, signed by the author, was printed and is available for sale HERE.

Rain Taxi @ Uptown Art Fair

August 5–7, 2016

Rain Taxi was proud to participate as a Charitable Partner at the 2016 Uptown Art Fair. While art lovers perused the booths, they were able to learn about Rain Taxi's many programs, pick up a free issue, and participate in creative activities like writing What I See poems with poet John Colburn, receiving a Poetry Tarot reading and poem from Paula Cisewski, draw Jam Comics with Ursula Husted, and create erasure poetry.

Twin Cities Book Festival

October 15, 2016

Another great Festival in the bag! See our recap HERE.

Laure-Anne Bosselaar

Literary Witnesses, October 24, 2016

A lively and moving reading by poet great Laure-Anne Bosselaar wowed the audience at Plymouth Congregational Church. Bosselaar read from new and past work, as well as a poem by her late husband Kurt Brown.

Erica Williams is an illustrator and cute things addict in Minneapolis, MN. She is known for intricate mark-making and illustrations of flora and fauna with macabre tones, as well as custom typography and screen printed posters. Much of her work focuses on the forgotten, endangered, lore, myth, and the occult. Erica really adores her cats and tries to incorporate the reverence she feels for nature and the world around her into her work while honoring mortality. See more of her amazing work at ericawilliamsillustration.com

Erica attended Kansas City Art Institute before moving to Minneapolis, and became a freelance illustrator in 2012. Since then she has created posters, album art, t-shirts, identity, print advertisements, book covers, skateboards, and various merchandise for a variety of clients and industries.