I’m excited to invite you to a series of fun poetry + translation events coming up at the last weekend in July!

On Friday, July 24, I’m thrilled to join fabulous poets and translators Diana Arterian, Angela Narcisco Torres, and Naoko Fujimoto for a reading at 5:30pm at North Figueroa Bookshop in Highland Park.

On Saturday, July 25, Naoko Fujimoto will read with Tamara Madison at 2pm at the Claremont Public Library, 205 N Harvard Ave. in Claremont as part of the monthly Fourth Saturdays: Poetry at the Claremont Library reading series.

And, on Sunday, July 26, Naoko Fujimoto will lead a Japanese waka translation workshop at 2pm, and then read poems at 3pm at the American Museum of Ceramic Art in Pomona, CA, in conjunction with their exhibition Tōgei: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics.

Can you tell I’m excited about this group of readings and events?

Toad Press published Naoko’s chapbook 09/09 Nine Japanese Female Poets, a wonderful collection of literal and poetic translations of Japanese poems from the 7th century to the 12th century, accompanied by essays and drawings by the author. It’s a wonderful collection! Naoko lives in Chicago, so far away from my home in southern California, so when she let me know she was planning a trip out here to promote her new book of Women, I couldn’t help by try to tag along — and help schedule some fun events for her near my home.

If you’re in town, I’d love to see you at one of these fun events! Naoko‘s projects are always fascinating, and I can’t wait to hear her read from her new book, and learn more about what she’s working on now!