“Sights + Sounds Picks” is our weekly guide to the Bay Area arts scene through the eyes and ears of local artists. On this episode, Host Jeneé Darden speaks with writer MK Chavez. MK is the Executive Director of the Berkeley Poetry Festival. Their next event is “Poetry Takes Root.” There will be live poetry, music, tarot card readings, games, prizes and more. This is a celebration to mark that the Berkeley Poetry Festival will officially be a non-profit organization. Proceeds from this event will go towards the festival planning and paying artists. This is all happening at Donkey & Goat Winery in Berkeley on August 22.
Poet Natasha Dennerstein
Natasha's work centers on what it means to be human and what people have in common. Her poetry has been published in literary magazines such as Fourth Floor, Landfall and The North American Review. Natasha is also the founder of Cherry Pie Press, which is a publishing company that specializes in LGBTQ+ poetry.
Writer Jennifer Hasegawa
Jennifer grew up in Hawai’i but now lives in San Francisco. She wrote the experimental, poetic, surreal story “NAOMIE ANOMIE: A Biography of Infinite Desire.” The story is about a woman looking back on what went wrong in her life as she prepares to shelter-in-place during the COVID pandemic.
Poet James Cagney
Identity, loss and love are some themes James explores in his writing. His work is very deep and personal. In his latest poetry collection “Ghetto Koans: A Personal Archive,” he writes his thoughts and experiences about living in the ghetto. James is someone we’ve featured a few times here on “Sights + Sounds.”
“Poetry Takes Root” is happening at Donkey & Goat Winery in Berkeley on August 22. Admission is free but this is also a fundraiser so donations are welcome
