APHRODITE'S BACK: A VALENTINE REVEAL
with Harriet Bart, Nor Hall, and Franz Kamin

The Southern Theater — February 14th, 2005

Valentine's Day was celebrated in style with a sold-out show blending writing, sculpture, and music by these esteemed Twin Cities artists. Nor Hall presented a scintillating illustrated discursus on eros; Franz Kamin and fellow musicians performed “Coilular Angel;” and Harriet Bart read from her new artist’s book, PUNICA GRANATUM: A Symposium on the True Nature of the Pomegranate & the Myth of Aphrodite.

Dobby Gibson

Rogue Buddha Gallery — April 8, 2005

The book launch reading and reception for Dobby Gibson's debut book of poems, Polar, was a great success with standing-room-only poetry enthusiasts packing the newly relocated Rogue Buddha Gallery for a taste of Gibson's perceptive and humorous take on American life. A great time was had by all!

Gillian Conoley and Rusty Morrison

Micawber's Books — Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Two fantastic West coast poets read to a rapt crowd on a blustery spring day. Rusty Morrison read from her first collection of poems, Whethering, “agile lines that canyon-open” (Forrest Gander). Gillian Conoley read from her fifth collection called Profane Halo, where “out of old beliefs a new language speaks” (Barbara Guest).

Paul Auster

Walker Art Center — Thursday, June 23, 2005

Internationally renowned writer Paul Auster read a stunning prose poem from his new collection, Collected Poems, and then proceeded to discuss his career in writing with Rain Taxi editor Eric Lorberer. If you missed this standing-room-only event, you may go to the Walker Art Center website and view the webcast.

Raymond Federman

Nolte Library, University of Minnesota — Monday, October 3, 2005

Acclaimed experimental writer-raconteur Raymond Federman read from his latest meditation on memory, imagination, and the self, My Body in Nine Parts.

Co-sponsored by the Creative Writing Program, the French and Italian Departments, the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Jewish Studies, and the Institute for Advanced Studies.

2005 Twin Cities Book Festival

Minneapolis Community and Technical College — Saturday, October 15, 2005

Guest authors for this day-long celebration of books included Harvey Pekar, Audrey Niffenegger, Rick Moody, Ana Castillo, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Siri Hustvedt, Alison McGhee & Pete Hautman, and Eliot Weinberger & Forrest Gander.

Free Verse: Alice Notley

Walker Art Center — November 10, 2005

In her first appearance in the Twin Cities, acclaimed poet Alice Notley read from as yet unpublished work to a rapt audience. Notley, a New York School poet, now resides in Paris. Rain Taxi also celebrated the just-published Collected Poems of Ted Berrigan, which Notley edited along with Anselm and Edmund Berrigan, with a salon reading the following night.

Rain Taxi Tenth Anniversary Celebration

Rogue Buddha Gallery — December 10, 2005

Rain Taxi Review of Books turned ten this year, and we had to mark the occasion with a little shindig. Find out more about this event by clicking here!

FREE VERSE: Kenneth Goldsmith

Walker Art Center, February 23th, 2006

Goldsmith gave a highly entertaining reading, sampling from his many experimental works such as Fidget and The Weather, and rousingly sung excerpts from Head Citations, to an enthusiastic and packed crowd. Hear Kenneth Goldsmith read for yourself on the Walker Art Center web site!

R.M. Berry and Noy Holland

Micawbers Books, Friday, March 24, 2006

It was a wonderful turnout on a nice spring evening for stories. Berry read from his recent novel Frank, a wry and eloquent "unwriting" of Shelley's Frankenstein. Holland read from her recent story collection What Begins With Bird, bringing alive a lyrical and rural landscape.

FREE VERSE: Richard Hell

Walker Art Center, Thursday, April 20, 2006

The legendary Richard Hell packed the auditorium with an eclectic mix of punks and art lovers, reading from early poetry, his first novel Go Now, his collaborative work with David Shapiro, Rabbit Duck, and his most recent novel Godlike. If you missed it, check out the webcast of Richard Hell's reading on the Walker Art Center web site!

EMERGENT POETS:
Matt Hart, Anthony Hawley, Amanda Nadelberg, and Laura Sims

The Soap Factory, May 13, 2006

Words warmed a chilly Minnesota spring night, as four great new talents read from their first books to a standing room only crowd.

John Koethe

Magers & Quinn Booksellers, June 16, 2006

It was a dark and stormy night, but that didn't deter Milwaukee's John Koethe from delivering a delightful reading to a rapt crowd from his latest book, Sally's Hair.

FREE VERSE: The Poetry Bus Tour

Walker Art Center, September 14, 2006

The Poetry Bus Tour, sponsored by Wave Books, hit Minneapolis on a gorgeous day! Flocks of poetry lovers (along with Canada geese) followed visiting and local poets as they read through the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. More readings continued (sans geese) inside the Walker Art Center as poets and listeners moved through the galleries and finally ended up at the cinema. Sixteen poets read from their work: Joshua Marie Wilkinson, Chris Fischbach, Amanda Nadelberg, Travis Nichols, Scott Helmes, Anthony McCann, Becky Peterson, Brian Engel-Fuentes, Matthew Zapruder, Kelly Everding, Joshua Beckman, John Colburn, Catherine Wagner, G.E. Patterson, Tina Brown Celona, and Anselm Berrigan. The Poetry Bus, making a 50-city tour through the United States and Canada, truly exposed the Twin Cities as a flourishing poetic landscape!
Click here to see pictures from the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden readings!

Brandon Downing and Macgregor Card

Spot Art Gallery, October 6, 2006

On this night of the harvest moon, Brandon Downing and Macgregor Card read poems to an enthusiastic crowd at this co-sponsored event with Spout Press. The evening also featured an animated short film by local Tom Schroeder and music by The Godevils. For a picture and Eric Lorberer's stress-induced introductions (for which he truly apologizes) click here.

2006 Twin Cities Book Festival

Minneapolis Community and Technical College — , October 14, 2006

Guest authors for this day-long celebration of books included Mark Z. Danielewski, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, John Yau, Mary Roach, Julie Powell, Steven Lee Beeber, Lawrence Sutin, Kelly Link & Gavin Grant, Shannon Hale, and Amanda Adams.

Marjane Satrapi

Lyndale Congregational Church, October 26, 2006
co-sponsored by Magers & Quinn

Internationally acclaimed Iranian cartoonist Marjane Satrapi spoke to a full house--348 people!--about her experience writing her award-winning comic book autobiography, Persepolis and Persepolis 2, as well as her newest memoir, Chicken With Plums. Her wit and wisdom concerning dictatorships, world affairs, art, and the pleasures of life kept the audience laughing and engaged on this rare occasion.

Rosamond Purcell

Minnesota Center for Photography, November 14, 2006
co-sponsored by the Minnesota Center for Photography

Rosamond Purcell presented a stunningly beautiful retrospective of her career as a photographer, including work from natural history museum collections, her own collections of dessicated books and rescued objects, and her carefully constructed collages, all in celebration of her new book Bookworm.

FREE VERSE: Keith and Rosmarie Waldrop

Walker Art Center, November 30, 2006

Poets, translators, and Burning Deck Press publishers Keith and Rosmarie Waldrop read from their expansive oevre, including a collaborative poem, to a rapt audience on this last, cold November evening.

FREE VERSE: Neil Gaiman & Dave McKean

Walker Art Center, January 11th, 2007

The amazing duo of Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean dazzled a full house at the Walker for our first event of 2007—Dave showed both still and moving pictures from his amazing body of work, Neil read poems and related juicy tidbits about the pair's long collaborative friendship, then both men conversed with each other and with the audience about everything from depictions of violence in comics to current and upcoming projects. See the webcast here. Also, listen to an interview with Neil and Dave on MPR.

Michael Lesy

Minnesota Center for Photography, Monday, February 26, 2007

Photographic historian Michael Lesy gave a fantastic presentation about his new book Murder City: The Bloody History of Chicago in the Twenties, an engrossing portrait of violence in the heartland of America. Lesy introduced the audience to the many sordid characters involved in criminal mayhem. The event was co-presented by the Minnesota Center for Photography.

Michael Friedman & Anselm Hollo

Rogue Buddha Gallery, Thursday, March 29, 2007

A great crowd braved gray skies to hear these two extraordinary and humorous authors read from recent works. Friedman read from his prose poems in Species and his new novel Martian Dawn. Hollo read from his newest collection of poems, Guests of Space.

Clayton Eshleman

Magers & Quinn Booksellers, Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Celebrating the completion of a lifelong translation odyssey, poet and translator Clayton Eshleman read stunning selections from the recently released The Complete Poetry of César Vallejo as well as stirring poems from his own latest poetry collections, An Alchemist with One Eye on Fire and Reciprocal Distillations.

FREE VERSE: Kevin Young

Walker Art Center, May 3, 2007

Kevin Young gave a stirring presentation and reading in conjunction with the exhibition Kara Walker: My Complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love, presenting racially charged images of daguerrotypes and stereotypes and discussing the use of these images in Walker's art. Young also read poems from his powerful collections including To Repel Ghosts and For the Confederate Dead, as well as new poems from a series of odes. Click here to view the webcast of this reading!

Austin Grossman and Douglas Wolk

Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Thursday, June 28, 2007

Comics enthusiasts gathered at MCAD to hear a super-powered presentation! Douglas Wolk, author of Reading Comics: How Graphic Novels Work and What They Mean gave a powerpoint presentation of the state of comics today, declaring we are entering a new "golden age." Austin Grossman read from his riveting novel Soon I Will Be Invincible, taking on the voice of his evil mastermind Dr. Impossible with remarkable aplomb. Joining our heroes was MCAD Comic Art professor Barb Schulz in a discussion of their books and the state of comics in general.

FREE VERSE: Jerome Rothenberg

Walker Art Center, September 6, 2007

Esteemed poet and translator Jerome Rothenberg presented an historical context for Picasso's writing and gave a rousing reading of the great painter's poetry from The Burial of the Count of Orgaz and Other Poems. Rothenberg also read from his own work influenced by modernist artists and writers, including poems from That Dada Strain and The Lorca Variations. Click here to view the webcast of this reading!

2007 Twin Cities Book Festival

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Thousands flocked to the one-day celebration of the written word! The Festival included an exhibit featuring an excellent array of publishers, literary organizations, magazines, and authors, as well as readings and panels scheduled throughout the day. Special guests this year included Chris Abani, Gina B. Nahai, Diane Williams, Bin Ramke, Laura Moriarty, Linda Spalding, Andrew Helfer, David Lubar, and terrific children's activities in the Children's Storytelling Circle! Click here for more info on this and other past Festivals.

Joe Sacco

Walker Art Center, Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Internationally acclaimed cartoonist and journalist Joe Sacco attracted nearly 300 comics aficionados and other intrigued people to hear him discuss the inspiration and experiences behind his award-winning books such as Palestine, Safe Area Gorazde, and The Fixer. Sacco also answered many questions posed by the engaged audience. This special event was co-presented by the Walker Art Center in conjunction with their Brave New Worlds exhibit. If you missed it, click here to listen to the webcast!

Ron Padgett
in conversation with Garrison Keillor

Virginia Street Swedenborgian Church, Sunday, November 18, 2007

Eager enthusiasts packed the pews on a Sunday afternoon to hear New York poet Ron Padgett read from his newest collection of poetry, How To Be Perfect. Padgett was introduced by radio personality Garrison Keillor, who engaged the author in an on-stage conversation for the remainder of the program, resulting in lively banter about Padgett's unique take on the nature of poetry. The event was co-presented by Common Good Books.

Johannes Göransson & Joyelle McSweeney

Rogue Buddha Gallery, March 7, 2008

Johannes Göransson and Joyelle McSweeney dazzled with a "variety hour" style reading from recent works of poetry, translation, and fiction. Göransson read from his poetry books A New Quarantine Will Take My Place and Pilot (Johann the Carousel Horse). McSweeney read from her works Flet and the baroque noir novella Nylund, the Sarcographer, along with some new poetry.

FREE VERSE: Kent Johnson

Walker Art Center, April 10th, 2008

The gracious Kent Johnson read poems from Hiroshima survivor Araki Yasusada's Doubled Flowering and presented an enlightening essay on authorship which addressed the controversy behind the publication of this created persona. If you missed this fascinating reading due to the spring storm, the Walker Art Center will post an audio recording of this event. Click here to listen.

STATE-TO-STATE POETS EXCHANGE
featuring Christina Davis

Open Book, April 28, 2008

The inaugural State-to-State Poets Exchange (a collaborative effort between Rain Taxi Review of Books and the Poetry Society of America) started off with a bang with poet Christina Davis (author of Forth A Raven) reading from her work in progress. She then joined editors Eric Lorberer (Rain Taxi) and Rob Casper (jubilat) for an on-stage interview, a transcript of whch was featured in the summer 2008 issue of Rain Taxi Review of Books!!

RAIN TAXI 50TH ISSUE CELEBRATION

August 20th, 2008

Rain Taxi Review of Books celebrated 50 continuous issues with a party and fundraiser at the offices of our long-time colleagues Consortium Book Sales and Distribution. Find out more about this event by clicking here!

FREE VERSE: THE FLARF COLLECTIVE

Walker Art Center, September 25th, 2008

If you were lucky enough to attend this hilarious event, then you know who the Flarf Collective is: poets Nada Gordon, Sharon Mesmer, K. Silem Mohammed, and Gary Sullivan read from their "Google-sculpted" works of strange and entertaining poems that cast a parodic look at the world of the inter-nets. The four provacateurs effortlessly choreographed their reading, delving into themes of assorted and sordid human foibles vis-à-vis unicorns, kitty cats, and robots, to name a few. If you sadly missed this unique reading, fear not! For Flarf lives on in—of all places—the web! View this momentous historical event for yourself.

2008 Twin Cities Book Festival

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Thousands flocked to the one-day celebration of the written word! The Festival included an exhibit featuring an excellent array of publishers, literary organizations, magazines, and authors, as well as readings and panels scheduled throughout the day. Special guests this year included Alan Cheuse, Ana Clavel, Jaime Hernandez, Valerie Martin, Bill Morgan, Bragi Ólafsson, Nathaniel Tarn, Jess Winfield, Robert Bly, and Robert Hedin as well as terrific storytelling and children's activities in the Children's Storytelling Circle! Click here for information about this and other past Festivals.

STATE-TO-STATE POETS EXCHANGE
featuring William Waltz

Lillian Vernon House at NYU, Thursday, November 6, 2008

Part two of our inaugural State-to-State Poets Exchange (a collaborative effort between Rain Taxi Review of Books and the Poetry Society of America) featured emerging poet William Waltz (author of Zoo Music) reading from his work in progress. He then joined editors Eric Lorberer (Rain Taxi) and Rob Casper (jubilat) for an on-stage interview, a transcript of which will be featured in an upcoming issue of Rain Taxi Review of Books!

SAMUEL R. DELANY

Walker Art Center, November 15, 2008

Lucky listeners were treated to a rare appearance by visionary author Samuel R. Delany who gave a lively reading from his newest work of fiction, Dark Reflections. After answering audience questions, Delany then read a stirring and illuminating excerpt from his memoir, The Motion of Light in Water, recently re-printed by the University of Minnesota Press. For those of you who were unable to attend this momentous occasion, you can listen to it here!

Dobby Gibson

Open Book, January 9, 2009

It was standing room only at the book launch celebration of local poet Dobby Gibson's second collection of poems Skirmish. Nearly 200 people gathered this chilly winter evening to hear Gibson read these finely crafted poems and then receive original fortunes written by Gibson at the reception afterwards.

Dan Beachy-Quick

Open Book, January 30, 2009

At this special event held in the Minnesota Center for Book Arts gallery, Dan Beachy-Quick read from his genre-bending book A Whaler's Dictionary, prodding the audience to dictate the course of metaphysical definitions inspired by Melville's Moby-Dick. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a hearty rum punch and hardtack crackers!

Multiples Mall and Chapbook Lecture

Walker Art Center, February 21, 2009

The very first book fair at the Walker Art Center was a grand success! Minnesota artists who make book-related multiples set up shop for a day of merriment, complete with short presentations on the history of chapbooks, radical reasons for making multiples, and more. Also, Eric Lorberer presented a slide show lecture on the History of the Chapbook. View the lecture now at the Walker Channel.

C.A. Conrad, Aaron Kunin, and Magdalena Zurawski

Magers & Quinn Booksellers, March 8, 2009

In celebration of Small Press Month, three talented and entertaining authors read from recent works: Aaron Kunin read from his novel The Mandarin (Fence Books), C.A. Conrad read poetry from a variety of new and upcoming books including advanced ELVIS course (Soft Skull Press, 2009) and The Book of Frank (Chax Press, 2009), and Magdalena Zurawski read from her novel The Bruise (FC2).

FREE VERSE: The Collaborative Artists' Book

featuring Bill Berkson, Vincent Katz, and Lewis Warsh

Walker Art Center, April 16th, 2009

In conjunction with the Walker exhibition Text/Messages: Books by Artists, Berkson, Katz, and Warsh read and presented images from their collaborations with artists. Afterwards, they were joined by Eric Lorberer for a lively discussion on the process of collaboration. Vincent Katz read from his book Judge, a collaboration with Wayne Gonzalez as well as Alcuni Telefonini, a collaboration with Francesco Clemente; Lewis Warsh read his work Debtor's Prison, a collaboration with video artist Julie Harrison;, and Bill Berkson read from his work, Gloria, a collaboration with Alex Katz. You can view this event here.

Joanna Rawson & John Koethe

Common Good Books, September 11, 2009

In the acoustically-optimal depths of Blair House, Rain Taxi kicked off a new season with an intense double-header poetry reading. John Koethe read from his new book of poems, Ninety-Fifth Street, including the meditational and evocative title poem. Joanna Rawson read from her second volume of poems, Unrest, dark, challenging poems on this eighth anniversary of 9/11.

Kate Greenstreet & Norma Cole

Micawber’s Books, Tuesday, September 29, 7:30 pm

Those brave enough to face the gauntlet of traffic and highway construction were very lucky to catch this wonderful reading by Norma Cole and Kate Greenstreet. Kate read from her recent publication, The Last Four Things, and Norma read from her recent selected, Where Shadows Will: Selected Poems 1988-2008, along with new poems.

2009 Twin Cities Book Festival

Saturday, October 2009

Special guest authors for this one-day celebration of the written word included Diane Ackerman, Lorrie Moore, Nicholson Baker, Robert Olen Butler, Christian Bök, Adam Zagajewski, David Allen Sibley, Gabrielle Bell, and Ethan Gilsdorf. Click here to see more of the highlights from this great celebration of the book!

Dara Wier & Ed Sanders

Rogue Buddha Gallery, Wednesday, October 28, 7:30 pm

Poetry enthusiasts packed the gallery for this powerful, synergistic reading by two outstanding poets. Dara Wier and Ed Sanders, each employing a mesmerizing musicality, read from their respective (and newly released) Selected Poems to a wowed audience.

FREE VERSE: DIGITAL POETRY with Oni Buchanan & Brian Kim Stefans

Walker Art Center, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 7:00 pm

The audience was treated to a unique presentation of poetry in motion. Buchanan read from her organic and moving The Mandrake Vehicles, while Stefans beguiled with entropic fonts and Lovecraftian fish. See a video of this event HERE

Mickey Leigh & Legs McNeil

Nick and Eddie Restaurant, Friday, December 18, 9:00 pm

Punk rock fans got a glimpse of a legend's past as Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh and "Please Kill Me" author Legs McNeil read from their collaborative new book, I Slept With Joey Ramone. After the reading, Mickey and a trio of Twin Cities rock musicians played a few Ramones tunes onstage! (Co-sponsored by Nick and Eddie.)

Emergent Poets III
featuring Julie Carr, Christine Hume, and Andrew Zawacki

Magers & Quinn Booksellers, January 9, 2010

Three excellent poets with three books each read about Georgia, violence, and too many Daves, warming up a poetry-ready crowd on a frigid wintry night in Minneapolis.

An Evening with Brian Evenson and Zak Sally

Bryant Lake Bowl, January 25, 2010

Those who braved the frigid winter temps were treated to an evening of haunting music, disquieting fiction, and a conversation about comics, horror, and more. Local musician and cartoonist Zak Sally, also celebrating his latest graphic novel release Like A Dog, played four songs from his new solo album, Fear of Song. Then award-winning author Brian Evenson read stories from his new book Fugue State. Finally, both Zak and Brian joined Rain Taxi editor Eric Lorberer for an on-stage conversation. (Co-sponsored by Magers and Quinn Booksellers.)

Miranda Mellis & Megan Vossler

Franklin Art Works, March 3, 2010

Miranda Mellis read excerpts from her novella, The Revisionist, amid the Sound Signals exhibit by Megan Vossler. Later, Vossler discussed with Mellis the impact of this novella on her work.

FREE VERSE: Susan Howe & David Grubbs

Walker Art Center, April 29, 2010

A stunning and moving performance of Souls of the Labadie Tract by Howe and Grubbs kept the audience mesmerized. This unique collaboration combined soundscapes and word meditations on the Labadist sect which occupied territory in Maryland in the early 1700s before being scattered to the wind. View the performance now. See pictures from this event HERE.

A Celebration of Midwestern Poetry

Minnesota Center for Book Arts, May 14, 2010

Crowds flocked to celebrate Midwestern Poetry, with standing room only at the 4pm panel discussion featuring local poets Dobby Gibson, Sarah Fox, G.E. Patterson, Sun Yung Shin, Michael Walsh, and Bryan Thao Worra, and a full house enjoying poetic offerings by Antler, Marvin Bell, Robert Bly, Heid Erdrich, Ray Gonzalez, Mary Kinzie, Jim Moore, and Thylias Moss. Co-sponsored by Rain Taxi and the Poetry Society of America, celebrating its 100th anniversary. This activity is made possible, in part, by funds provided by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council from an appropriation by the Minnesota Legislature.

Steve Healey and Gillian Conoley

The Soap Factory, September 10, 2010

It was standing room only as poetry lovers flocked to the Soap Factory to celebrate the book launch of local poet Steve Healey's new collection, 10 Mississippi, and revel in California poety Gillian Conoley's new collection of poetry, The Plot Genie. The rain fell, the waves of the Mississippi lapped along the banks, and poetry filled the air!

2010 Twin Cities Book Festival

Saturday, October 2010

Throughout the day, book-lovers filled the reading rooms, eager to hear words come alive with readings by M. T. Anderson, Richard Paul Evans, Mary Catherine Bateson, James Howard Kunstler, Frederic Tuten, Jean Valentine, and Jeffrey Zaslow. Click here for more highlights!

Eileen Myles

The Loft, Open Book, Sunday, November 7, 2010

The lucky group that came out on this mild November evening enjoyed a terrifically vibrant and funny reading by poet, novelist, essayist and raconteur Eileen Myles from her most unusual and definitive book yet, Inferno (a poet’s novel). See pictures from this event HERE.

FREE VERSE: John Yau

Walker Art Center, Thursday, November 11, 2010

Poet and art critic John Yau wowed the crowd reading a work he created especially for new Walker exhibition: Yves Klein: With the Void, Full Powers. Taking on the persona of Klein, Yau brought a new level of understanding to this much-misunderstood artist and provocateur. If you were unfortunate to miss out on this amazing evening of channeling the immaterial and impossible spirit of Klein, you will be able to view the performance at the Walker Channel. View the performance now at the Walker Channel. See pictures from this event HERE.

The Graphic Novel Today
a talk by Mark Siegel, editor of First Second Books

Minneapolis College of Art & Design, February 25th

Nearly 100 people ventured out on a frigid Friday evening to hear Mark Siegel speak about the evolution of graphic novels, tracking the key developments in France, Japan, and the U.S. which combined and culminated in his unique and successful vision for First Second Books.

AleŠ Šteger

The Book House in Dinkytown, Sunday, April 3

Slovenian award-winning poet Aleš Šteger gave a stirring reading from his first volume to be translated into English, The Book of Things (BOA Editions, translated by Brian Henry), to a rapt audience this lovely spring evening. Surrounded by philosophy and theoligian texts, Šteger discussed the difficulties and rewards of translating his poems into English, offering a few readings in his native language. Read a review of his book here!

FREE VERSE: Erasure Poetry
featuring Matthea Harvey, Janet Holmes, and Travis Macdonald

Walker Art Center, Thursday, April 7

An eye-opening, multi-media presentation of erasure poetry by three skilled practioners (and one surprise guest!) wowed the crowd, with Travis Macdonald reading from O Mission Repo, an erasure of the 9/11 Commission Report; Janet Holmes read from The Ms of My Kin (Shearsman), an erasure of The Poems of Emily Dickinson; Eric Lorberer read "Lessons of the World," an erasure of portions from the 1919 book Lessons of the World War; and Matthea Harvey read Of Lamb, an illustrated erasure of a biography of Charles Lamb. If you missed this excellent event, CLICK HERE to view the Walker channel webcast!

Daniel Tiffany

The Book House in Dinkytown, Sunday, April 10

Poet and critic Daniel Tiffany read from his books of poetry, Privado (Action Books) and The Dandelion Clock (Tinfish Press) on a blustery Sunday evening.

Ravi Shankar

Rogue Buddha Gallery, Sunday, April 17

Poet Ravi Shankar read selections from his books, including his new book Deepening Groove. He also read a large selection from his chapbook, Seamless Matter, published by Rain Taxi's OHM Editions and later enjoyed in a cake version. CLICK HERE to view a video of Shankar discussing the lovely cover of this chapbook by renowned artist Sol LeWitt!

NIGHTSHIFT

featuring JIM WOODRING, Bedtime Stories, and more!

Walker Art Center, Saturday, June 4-5, dusk to dawn

Held as part of the Northern Spark arts festival, NIGHTSHIFT offered a dazzling all-night tour of oneiric art. For our special midnight presentation, famed cartoonist Jim Woodring commanded the attention of a huge crowd of nightowls, insomniacs, and revellers with his 7-foot pen, inking a drawing of a severed frog's leg. Click here for video of this landmark event! Local comic artists Zander Cannon and Zak Sally assisted Woodring as he undertook the task, and when the drawing was completed Woodring let local artists try out the Giant Pen.

Other activities at NIGHTSHIFT included Skyspace Headphone Concerts, Marcus Young's Lullaby Project, and The Shape of Night, where people took part in choreographed sleep positions. The Drawing Nightclub made some nocturnal works and a bevy of local writers offered Bedtime Stories (originals and night-inspired classics) until the first light could be seen on the horizon. Readers included Will Alexander, Ute Bertog, Paula Cisewski, Gabrielle Civil, John Colburn, Valerie Deus, Gary Dop, Kelly Everding, Catherine Lundoff, Abby Travis, and Becky Weaver.

NIGHTSHIFT was cosponsored with us by the Walker Art Center and mnartists.org, two indispensable loci of the arts scene in the Twin Cities. Thanks to them, and to all who stayed up late with us! See the time lapse video of Nightshift here.

Craig Thompson

Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Monday, September 26, 2011

Craig Thompson spoke to over 330 people at MCAD, discussing the process of creating his new book, Habibi, just published by Pantheon. Thompson presented images of pages from his book, showing the painstaking development from draft to finished product, which resulted in the richly decorative and expressive art and story that comprise this 600 page graphic work. Thompson is also the author of Blankets, Good-bye, Chunky Rice, and Carnet de Voyage.

FREE VERSE: JAMES TATE

Walker Art Center, Thursday, October 13

Fans flocked to hear Pulitzer prize-winning poet James Tate read his deliciously funny and dark poems published in the Rain Taxi Brainstorm chapbook The Zoo Club. They were also treated to an amazing poetry reading by surprise guest Dara Wier who warmed up the crowd before Tate took the stage. If you missed it, CLICK HERE to see the recording of this fantastic night.

2011 Twin Cities Book Festival

Saturday, October 15th

This year’s fantastic lineup included Diana Abu-Jaber, N. M. Kelby, Jaimy Gordon, Daniel Woodrell, scientist Steven Pinker, cartoonist Ben Katchor, actor Kevin Sorbo, biographer Gary Tillery, essayist Lawrence Weschler, and many other great authors! Click here for more highlights!

FREE VERSE: ANNE CARSON

Walker Art Center, Thursday, November 17

We ended our 2011 Reading Series with a bang as a near-capacity crowd braved the first hints of winter to hear poet Anne Carson read from her work. Anne Carson appeared in conjunction with the Walker’s presentation of Big Dance Theater's Supernatural Wife, an adaptation of Euripides’s Alkestis using Carson’s translation. Anne Carson read a gripping new prose piece about a blood splatter specialist, translations of poems by the Roman poet Catullus, and selections from her recent elegaic book, Nox. CLICK HERE to see the recording of this wonderful event.

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.