Literary Events

Send your Literary Events for the MAY issue of AGENDA by April 15 to: AGENDA, 220 S. Main St., Ann Arbor, Ml 48104.

1 Monday  Writers Series: Guild House 8:30 pm, 802 Monroe. Using rhyme and rhythms JORDAN DOWLING's poetry creates a half rap, half song-like musical soundscape. GLORIA PRITSCHET is a writer, a healer, and a spiritual teacher. As a healer, Pritschet has held wellness workshops at Whole Foods and local health groups. 913-4574.

2 Tuesday  Reading: Borders 7:30 pm, Rackham Amphitheatre. MARTIN AMIS will read from his new novel, "The Information." 668-7652

4 Thursday   Reading: Borders 7:30 pm, 612 E. Liberty. To help celebrate National Poetry Month, poets JUDITH MINTY, KATHLEEN McGOOKEY, STEVEN DUNNING and PETER MARCUS will read from "The Party Train: A Collection of North American Prose Poetry." "The Party Train" is an extensive, eclectic collection of prose poems by over 100 twentieth-century North American poets. 668-7652.  Reading: Shaman Drum 8 pm. 315 S State. ROSS MILLER reads from "Here's The Deal: The Buying and Selling of a Great American City," which centers on a single city block in the middle of Chicago that brought together politicians, developers, and financiers, all looking for a way to capture its wealth. The history of Block 37 is a perfect lens through which to expose the deals by which American moneymakers and powerbrokers operate. Miller will be on hand to sign books and share refreshments. 662-7407.

5 Friday  Celebration: Shaman Drum 5:30-7 pm, 315 S. State. ADRIENNE MUNICH celebrates publication of "Queen Victoria's Secrets," the first book to explore in depth Queen Victoria's influence on England's cultural history. Munich is director of the Women's Studies Program at the State Univ. of New York and will be on hand to sign books and share refreshments. 662-7407. Benefit Performance: Jewel Heart 8 pm, Hill Aud. ALLEN GINSBURG, PATTI SMITH, and the winner of the Jewel Heart Poetry contest will share the stage.  Ginsburg, still tremendously active teaching at Brooklyn College and appearing around the world, will be presenting a number of new unpublished works along with old favorites. Smith has re-emerged into public life full force, touring with Bob Dylan, doing numerous benefits here and abroad, and releasing a new recording in May, $5-$10. 434-4411.  "First Fridays" Poetry: Galerie Jacques 8:30 pm, 616 Wesley. Detroit poets, KIM HUNTER, WILLIE D. WILLIAMS, and WE CLEAR THE LAND. Also open mic. 665-9889.

6 Saturday Children's Hour: Borders 11 am. 612 E. Liberty. "For Poetry Month our stories will rhyme, to ensure that you have a rockin' good time." 668-7652.  Reception: Shaman Drum 3 pm, 315 S. State. ALLEN GINSBERG, a founding member of the Beat generation, virtually reshaped the landscape of possibilities for American poetry with the publication in 1956 of his book-length poem "Howl." He will be signing copies of "Journals Mid-Fifties 1954-1958." newly released in paperback, along with his other books and compact disc set. 662-7407.

7 Sunday   Poetry Reading: Del Rio Bar 1:30-4:30 pm, 122 W. Washington. Join the FEED THE POETS GROUP for an afternoon of poetry from the area's finest poets, including a-10, CAROLYN WHEAT, and FAUSTO GORTAIRE. There will also be one hour of open mic reading. Interested poets should contact the Del Rio for scheduling or further info. 761-2530.

8 Monday   Writers Series: Guild House 3:30 pm, 802 Monroe. STEPHANIE HAUSMAN snaps shots of our world and molds them - mixing the immediacy of action with objective observation to create mature, texturized, and insightful poems. Winner of several Hopwood Awards and a Roy W. Cowden Fellowship, STEPHANIE IVANOFF has been published in "The American Voice," "Negative Capability, " and "Painted Bride Quarterly." 913-4574.

9 Tuesday   Talk: Borders 7:30 pm, 612 E. Liberty. Attorney ROBERT SHAPIRO, known for his representation of O.J. Simpson and his feud with F. Lee Bailey, will talk about his new book, "The Search for Justice." 668-7652.  Palm Reading Spoken Word Series: The Green Room 9 pm, 206 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti. Poetry and short fiction, open mic. Featured reader TBA. 482-8830.

10 Wednesday   Reading: Borders 7:30 pm, 612 E. Liberty. Tecumseh author CRAIG HOLDEN will read from his new suspense novel, "The Last Sanctuary." 668-7652.  Celebration: Shaman Drum 8 pm, 315 S. State. ARI ROTH, along with actors and faculty members from the U-M Theater Dept., will read scenes from his play "Oh, The Innocents." Roth is a two-time winner of both the Helen Eisner Award and the Avery Hopwood Award for Drama. 662-7407.

11 Thursday  "Great Gardening Books": Borders 7:30 pm, 612 E. Liberty. RICHARD TUTTLE, owner of Saguaro the rare plant nursery, will give a talk on great gardening books to help us get ready for Spring. 668-7652.  Readings & Performances: "Fix The Cat" 7:30 pm, McKenny Union Intermedia Gallery, EMU. The EMU graduate student creative writing group, "Fix The Cat," presents fiction, poetry, performance, art and literary mewsings on fixations and addictions, all of which challenge traditional notions of literature, text and "reading." 487-0148.  Reading and Discussion: Shaman Drum 8 pm, 315 S. State. Astute social commentator and bestselling author BARBARA EHRENREICH reads from "The Snarling Citizen," a frank, acerbic, fiercely funny collection of essays exploring the ethos of the 1990s. The author of nine books, her articles have also appeared in numerous magazines, including the "New York Times Magazine," "Ms.," "The Nation," "Z," and "Mother Jones." Reception and book signing to follow. 662-7407.

12 Friday  Book Signing: Palladium Communications 12:30-1 :30 pm, Shahrayar Restaurant, 328 Maynard St. Paraguayan poet EDGAR GALEANO DOMINGUEZ has published "Elegy," a book of nocturnes, lyrics, and political poems. 668-4646.  Reading: Palladium Communications 4-5:30 pm, Kuenzel Room, Mich. Union. Poet EDGAR GALEANO DOMINGUEZ reads from "Elegy." 668-4646 Book Signing: Palladium Communications 6-7 pm, Rendezvous Cafe, 1110 S. Univ. Poet EDGAR GALEANO DOMINGUEZ signs books. 668-4646.  Reception: Palladium Communications 7:30-9 pm, Kuenzel Room, Mich. Union. Pre-publication party with Poet EDGAR GALEANO DOMINGUEZ. 668-4646. Reading: Shaman Drum 8 pm, 315 S. State. Vietnam vet writer/poet W.D. EHRHART reads from his most recent collection of poetry "Mostly Nothing Happens." He is the author of numerous collections of poetry, essays, and a memoir in three parts. He will be on hand to sign books and share refreshments. 662-7407.

13 Saturday   Children's Hour: Borders 11 am, 612 E. Liberty. Guest storyteller Chris Craig - stories and more. 668-7652. After Hours Poetry Series: Bob Hicok & Shaman Drum 8 pm, 315 S. State. Poet RICHARD JONES reads from his books 'A Perfect Time," "At Last We Enter Paradise," and "Country of Air." Jones is the editor of "Poetry East." Reception and book signing to follow. 662-7407.

14 Sunday   "Kerry Tales-Simply Springtime with Mother Goose": Kerrytown Shops 2 pm, Workbench, 2nd fl., 410 N. Fourth Ave. TRUDY BULKLEY, storyteller, entertains as Mother Goose with rhymes and riddles. All ages welcome. 769-3115.  Poets on Poems: Shaman Drum 2-4 pm, 315 S. State. Showcase event for National Poetry Month. Local poets read from and discuss their favorite poet's works. Line-up includes LINDA GREGERSON, DIANE WAKOSKI. KEITH TAYLOR. RON ALLEN, ARWULF ARWULF, BOB HICOK, and RICHARD TILLING-HAST, with others TBA. Winners of the first annual Shaman Drum Poetry Contest will also read their work. 662-7407.

15 Monday   Celebration: Shaman Drum 5-7 pm, 315 S. State. DAGMAR HERZOG celebrates publication of "Intimacy and Exclusion: Religious Politics in Pre-Revolutionary Baden." Herzog will be on hand to sign books and share refreshments. 662-7407.  Reading: Borders 7:30 pm, 612 E. Liberty. JACK MILES will read from "God: A Biography." 668-7652. Writers Series: Guild House 8:30 pm, 802 Monroe. Native Swede ERKKI LAPPALAINEN's one-month tour of the U.S. will promote his latest book as well as the 1997 Poetry Olympics in Johannesburg. Entering the U-M as the oldest freshman in the early 1960s at age 44, GRETCHEN SETTLE won a Hopwood that year. 913-4574.

16 Tuesday   Celebration: Shaman Drum 4-6 pm, 315 S. State. GRANT FARRED celebrates publication of "Rethinking C.L.R. James," a collection of essays which he edited. Farred, a U-M Assistant Prof. of Cultural Studies, will be on hand to sign books and share refreshments. 662-7407. Reading: Shaman Drum 5pm, Rackham Amphitheatre. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, novelist, and critic MAXINE KUMIN reads from her work as the 1996 Roger M. Jones College of Engineering Poet-In-Residence at the U-M. Following the reading, a reception and book signing will be held at Shaman Drum Bookshop. 662-7407.

17 Wednesday   Reading: Borders 7:30 pm, 612 E. Liberty. KATHLEEN NORRIS, author of "Dakota, ' will read from "The Cloister Walk." 668-7652 .

18 Thursday   Reading: Borders 7:30 pm, 612 E. Liberty. JOHN LANCHESTER will read from "The Debt to Pleasure." 668-7652 .

19 Friday   Celebration: Shaman Drum 4-6 pm, 315 S. State. JANET HART celebrates publication of "New Voices in the Nation: Women and the Greek Resistance, 1941 - 1964." Hart describes, often in the words of the Greek women involved, how lives were transformed by active participation in the resistance against the Nazis and in the anti-communist aftermath of WW II. Hart will be on hand to sign books and share refreshments. 662-7407.  Reading: Shaman Drum 8 pm, 315 S. State. Poet GERRY LaFEMINA reads from his body of work, including "The City of Jazz and Punk," "Rest Stops," and "23 Below." Poet Jim Daniels considers LaFemina "to be the Iggy Pop of contemporary American poetry." 662-7407.

20 Saturday   Children's Hour: Borders 11 am, 612 E. Liberty. Stories about brothers and sisters we can't live with - or without. 668-7652 .

21 Sunday   Reading: Shaman Drum 4-6 pm, 315 S. State. DAVID TREUER reads from his highly acclaimed first novel "Little" as part of the "Rainbow Writer's Salon Series. Toni Morrison says "Treuer's accomplishment is a wonder... He has forged a strong, intricate narrative in his first novel." 662-7407.

22 Monday   Reading: Borders 7:30 pm, 612 E. Liberty. A name familiar to listeners of NPR, BAILEY WHITE will read from "Sleeping at the Starlite Motel." 668-7652.  Writers Series: Guild House 8:30 pm, 802 Monroe. With his experimental fiction appearing in over two dozen journals, Univ. of Minn. faculty writer ERIK BELGUM will be reading from his new book "Star Fiction." Two-time Hopwood Award winner and Creative Artist Award recipient JOE MATUZAK will read from his new book "Eating Fire." 913-4574.

23 Tuesday   Celebration: Shaman Drum 4-6 pm, 315 S. State. MARK LOOKER, Prof. of English at Concordia College, celebrates publication of "Atlantic Passages: History, Community and Language in the Fiction of Sam Selvon," the first book-length study to place Selvon's fiction at the center of postcolonial theoretical debates. Looker will be on hand to sign books and share ref refreshments. 662-7407.  Reading: Borders 7:30 pm, 612 E. Liberty. Local author and poet LAURA KASISCHKE will read from her new novel, "Suspicious River." 668-7652.  Palm Reading Spoken Word Series: The Green Room 9 pm, 206 West Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti. Poetry and short fiction open mic. Featured reader TBA. 482-8830.

24 Wednesday   Reading: Borders 7:30 pm, 612 E. Liberty. SUSAN RICHARDA SHREVE, author of "The Train Home," will read from her new novel, "The Visiting Physician." 668-7652.

26 Friday   Celebration: Shaman Drum 4-6 pm, 315 S. State. MARK CHESLER and BARBARA CHESNEY celebrate publication of "Cancer and Self-Help: Bridging the Troubled Waters of Childhood Illness." They provide essential information for families of children with cancer (and other chronic life-threatening illnesses), for health-care professionals working with them, and for scholars of self-help and psychosocial processes in health care - including explanations of how self-help groups function, why they are effective, and how they can be created and maintained. Chesler is Prof. of Sociology at the U-M and founder of a local self-help group for parents of children with cancer. Chesney is Assoc. Prof. of Sociology at the Univ. of Toledo. 662-7407.

27 Saturday Children's Hour: Borders 11 am, 612 E. Liberty. Special musical guest RICK PALIERI will entertain with songs and a variety of musical instruments. 668-7652.

28 Sunday Celebration: Shaman Drum 5:30 pm, 315 S. State. ALAN SROUFE, a featured speaker at the Mich. Association for infant Mental Health 20th Annual Conference, celebrates publication of "Emotional Development: The Organization of Emotional Life in the Early Years." Sroufe is the William Harris Prof. of Child Psychology at the Univ. of Minnesota and will be on hand to sign books and share refreshments. 662-7407.

29 Monday   Writers Series: Guild House 8:30 pm, 802 Monroe. Host of Detroit's longest running reading series, "Horizons on Poetry, "RON ALLEN is a Motor City icon. He will read from his latest book, "I Want My Body Back." Ron judges the Metro Times annual writing contest and continues to read non-stop in the Metro area. Chicago native and Purdue graduate AL LAGRONE's poetry is inspired by photographs and news features in today's media. Al has been published in "The Haraka Reader" and the textbook "Expressively Black" and has participated in many readings and workshops at Purdue's Black Cultural Center. 913-4574.

30 Tuesday   Reading: Shaman Drum 4-6 pm, 315 S. State. MARTIN PERNICK celebrates publication of "The Black Stork: Eugenics and the Death of 'Detective' Babies in American Medicine and Motion Pictures." The book shows how efforts to improve human heredity (eugenics) became linked with mercy-killing (euthanasia) and with race, class, gender and ethnic hatreds. lt demonstrates how cultural values influence science, and how scientific claims of objectivity have shaped modern culture. Pernick, Prof. of History at the U-M, will be on hand to sign books and share refreshments. 662-7407. Reading: Borders 7:30 pm, 612 E. Liberty. MTVs Spoken Word star, HAL SIROWITZ, will be at Borders to read from his collection, "Mother Said." 668-7652.