Creative Colloquy Literary Reading and Open Mic @ The New Frontier Lounge
Creative Colloquy lures readers and writers out of hiding, to connect and conspire.
Join us on the 3rd Monday of every month for literary reading and open mic at The New Frontier Lounge!
Our featured readers include:
Joshua Swainston
Ashley Fent
Cynthia Pratt
Samantha Pardo Irigoyen
The Writer's Workshop Series presents How to Build a Seed: Designing Your Own Writing Prompts
In this workshop, writers will plan ahead for the days when we know we need to grow new work but our creative soil is bone-dry or chock full of rocks. Bring a handful of favorite poems or the titles & memories of beloved prose pieces to use as fertilizer. We’ll use the materials we always have on hand to consider what a new literary creation needs in order to break open and throw roots. Plan to leave with a small collection of your own prompts to plant during any upcoming winters of the mind.
Tacoma’s Port of Poets Writing Group
A creative harbor for poets to gather, grow, and contribute. Port of Poets is a welcoming Tacoma-based writing group where poets of all backgrounds come together to create, reflect, and build community. We nurture new work, share thoughtful feedback, and deepen our craft through the power of community.
Whether you’re just beginning or have years of experience, this is a space to explore our voice and connect with others. Our first sessions include a short prompt-based free-writing warm-up, a group discussion of the assigned reading (Finger Exercises for Poets by Dorianne Laux), a second writing prompt inspired by the reading, and end with sharing, feedback and revision using Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process. As a group we can direct the flow and form of future sessions that can best meet our interests and goals.
Discover Your Inner Artist: A Creative Journey with The Artist’s Way
Let’s embark on an adventure through creativity with Julia Cameron’s transformative book, The Artist’s Way. Every fourth Saturday from 1 - 3 p.m. we’ll gather to share our personal discoveries and challenges as we build a thriving creative practice.
During the first 90 minutes, we’ll engage in discussions about our experiences navigating the book's exercises. In the final half hour, we’ll put our imaginations to the test with a still-life prompt, inviting you to express yourself through poetry, scene writing, sketches, or any medium that speaks to your creative soul (BYO supplies).
Tacoma’s Port of Poets Writing Group
A creative harbor for poets to gather, grow, and contribute. Port of Poets is a welcoming Tacoma-based writing group where poets of all backgrounds come together to create, reflect, and build community. We nurture new work, share thoughtful feedback, and deepen our craft through the power of community.
Whether you’re just beginning or have years of experience, this is a space to explore our voice and connect with others. Our first sessions include a short prompt-based free-writing warm-up, a group discussion of the assigned reading (Finger Exercises for Poets by Dorianne Laux), a second writing prompt inspired by the reading, and end with sharing, feedback and revision using Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process. As a group we can direct the flow and form of future sessions that can best meet our interests and goals.
Annual Creative Colloquy Crawl
Tacoma’s annual literary pub crawl brings writers, poets, and performers to local venues within a walkable footprint for an evening of stories, music, and community. Wander from spot to spot, discover new voices, and celebrate the vibrant South Sound literary scene. See full line up HERE.
The Writer’s Workshop Series presents TALISMANIA: a word/play in four acts
TALISMANIA: a word/play in four acts
One Saturday morning, three hours: Leave your real life at the door. Bring a character you’re working on or pick one from the hat. We’ll meditate, show ‘n tell, dance, have tea, and find a creative performative flow. It’s writing. It’s theater. It’s art that inspires more art.
Tacoma’s Port of Poets Writing Group
A creative harbor for poets to gather, grow, and contribute. Port of Poets is a welcoming Tacoma-based writing group where poets of all backgrounds come together to create, reflect, and build community. We nurture new work, share thoughtful feedback, and deepen our craft through the power of community.
Whether you’re just beginning or have years of experience, this is a space to explore our voice and connect with others. Our first sessions include a short prompt-based free-writing warm-up, a group discussion of the assigned reading (Finger Exercises for Poets by Dorianne Laux), a second writing prompt inspired by the reading, and end with sharing, feedback and revision using Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process. As a group we can direct the flow and form of future sessions that can best meet our interests and goals.
Discover Your Inner Artist: A Creative Journey with The Artist’s Way
Let’s embark on an adventure through creativity with Julia Cameron’s transformative book, The Artist’s Way. Every fourth Saturday from 1 - 3 p.m. we’ll gather to share our personal discoveries and challenges as we build a thriving creative practice.
During the first 90 minutes, we’ll engage in discussions about our experiences navigating the book's exercises. In the final half hour, we’ll put our imaginations to the test with a still-life prompt, inviting you to express yourself through poetry, scene writing, sketches, or any medium that speaks to your creative soul (BYO supplies).
Tacoma’s Port of Poets Writing Group
A creative harbor for poets to gather, grow, and contribute. Port of Poets is a welcoming Tacoma-based writing group where poets of all backgrounds come together to create, reflect, and build community. We nurture new work, share thoughtful feedback, and deepen our craft through the power of community.
Whether you’re just beginning or have years of experience, this is a space to explore our voice and connect with others. Our first sessions include a short prompt-based free-writing warm-up, a group discussion of the assigned reading (Finger Exercises for Poets by Dorianne Laux), a second writing prompt inspired by the reading, and end with sharing, feedback and revision using Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process. As a group we can direct the flow and form of future sessions that can best meet our interests and goals.
Tacoma’s Port of Poets Writing Group
A creative harbor for poets to gather, grow, and contribute. Port of Poets is a welcoming Tacoma-based writing group where poets of all backgrounds come together to create, reflect, and build community. We nurture new work, share thoughtful feedback, and deepen our craft through the power of community.
Whether you’re just beginning or have years of experience, this is a space to explore our voice and connect with others. Our first sessions include a short prompt-based free-writing warm-up, a group discussion of the assigned reading (Finger Exercises for Poets by Dorianne Laux), a second writing prompt inspired by the reading, and end with sharing, feedback and revision using Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process. As a group we can direct the flow and form of future sessions that can best meet our interests and goals.
Discover Your Inner Artist: A Creative Journey with The Artist’s Way
Let’s embark on an adventure through creativity with Julia Cameron’s transformative book, The Artist’s Way. Every fourth Saturday from 1 - 3 p.m. we’ll gather to share our personal discoveries and challenges as we build a thriving creative practice.
During the first 90 minutes, we’ll engage in discussions about our experiences navigating the book's exercises. In the final half hour, we’ll put our imaginations to the test with a still-life prompt, inviting you to express yourself through poetry, scene writing, sketches, or any medium that speaks to your creative soul (BYO supplies).
Discover Your Inner Artist: A Creative Journey with The Artist’s Way
Let’s embark on an adventure through creativity with Julia Cameron’s transformative book, The Artist’s Way. Every fourth Saturday from 1 - 3 p.m. we’ll gather to share our personal discoveries and challenges as we build a thriving creative practice.
During the first 90 minutes, we’ll engage in discussions about our experiences navigating the book's exercises. In the final half hour, we’ll put our imaginations to the test with a still-life prompt, inviting you to express yourself through poetry, scene writing, sketches, or any medium that speaks to your creative soul (BYO supplies).
Creative Colloquy Literary Reading and Open Mic @ The New Frontier Lounge
Creative Colloquy lures readers and writers out of hiding, to connect and conspire.
Join us on the 3rd Monday of every month for literary reading and open mic at The New Frontier Lounge!
Our featured readers include:
C. L. Halvorson
&
Brasswax
BONUS! A special guest emcee Cat Melaunie!
Bridges Book Fair: Building Bridges and Community at Owen Beach Pavilion
"Bridges Book Fair: Building Bridges and Community" -- an inaugural bookfair created by Floating Bridge Press.
Stay tuned for details…
Discover Your Inner Artist: A Creative Journey with The Artist’s Way
Let’s embark on an adventure through creativity with Julia Cameron’s transformative book, The Artist’s Way. Every fourth Saturday from 1 - 3 p.m. we’ll gather to share our personal discoveries and challenges as we build a thriving creative practice.
During the first 90 minutes, we’ll engage in discussions about our experiences navigating the book's exercises. In the final half hour, we’ll put our imaginations to the test with a still-life prompt, inviting you to express yourself through poetry, scene writing, sketches, or any medium that speaks to your creative soul (BYO supplies).
Creative Colloquy Literary Reading and Open Mic @ The New Frontier Lounge
Creative Colloquy lures readers and writers out of hiding, to connect and conspire.
Join us on the 3rd Monday of every month for literary reading and open mic at The New Frontier Lounge!
Featured Readers:
Michael Keen
Ed Komenda
Dario Cvencek
The Writer's Workshop Series presents Drop Me Near the Fire: Writing the Micro Essay
The micro essay packs a punch in under 1,000 words, and we'll learn how in this generative class. We'll go over contemporary micros, discuss the form, and generate seeds of future essays through prompts and exercises.
CC Book Bike Pop Up at Storytime at Job Carr Cabin Museum
Presented by Job Carr Museum, author Mary Boone will share her new picture book Pedal Pusher at Tacoma’s Old Town Park.
Bring your child’s bike, trike, or scooter for a mini parade around the park and snag your newest read with our mobile little free library!
Discover Your Inner Artist: A Creative Journey with The Artist’s Way
Let’s embark on an adventure through creativity with Julia Cameron’s transformative book, The Artist’s Way. Every fourth Saturday from 1 - 3 p.m. we’ll gather to share our personal discoveries and challenges as we build a thriving creative practice.
During the first 90 minutes, we’ll engage in discussions about our experiences navigating the book's exercises. In the final half hour, we’ll put our imaginations to the test with a still-life prompt, inviting you to express yourself through poetry, scene writing, sketches, or any medium that speaks to your creative soul (BYO supplies).
Creative Colloquy Literary Reading and Open Mic @ The New Frontier Lounge
Creative Colloquy lures readers and writers out of hiding, to connect and conspire.
Join us on the 3rd Monday of every month for literary reading and open mic at The New Frontier Lounge!
This month’s featured readers include Mary Bradford, Helen Rowe and Michael Haeflinger.
The Writer's Workshop Series presents Writing Dangerously: Telling Truths Toward a Possible Future with Ever Jones
Writing Dangerously
"Loving yourself enough to become beautiful, to tell the truth," is the advice offered by poet Lena Khalaf Tuffaha in her acceptance speech for the National Book Award in poetry earlier this year. This workshop will explore the intersection between radical self-love and truth telling, using it as motivation to reinvent our ideas of "beautiful writing." A writing that is truthful, untethered, raw, sometimes uncomfortable and undeniably beautiful.
Discover Your Inner Artist: A Creative Journey with The Artist’s Way
Let’s embark on an adventure through creativity with Julia Cameron’s transformative book, The Artist’s Way. Every fourth Saturday from 1 - 3 p.m. we’ll gather to share our personal discoveries and challenges as we build a thriving creative practice.
During the first 90 minutes, we’ll engage in discussions about our experiences navigating the book's exercises. In the final half hour, we’ll put our imaginations to the test with a still-life prompt, inviting you to express yourself through poetry, scene writing, sketches, or any medium that speaks to your creative soul (BYO supplies).
Creative Colloquy Literary Reading and Open Mic @ The New Frontier Lounge
Creative Colloquy lures readers and writers out of hiding, to connect and conspire.
Join us on the 3rd Monday of every month for literary reading and open mic at The New Frontier Lounge!
Our featured readers include Rita Andrea, Emily Powell, Jake Lane and Julie Baldock.
Tacoma Climate Stories at the Main Library
Join us for a day of dialogue, crafts, arts, storytelling and hands on activities centered around Tacoma and climate change.
Tacoma Climate Stories: Join the City of Tacoma Office of Environmental Policy & Sustainability and the Tacoma Public Library in sharing your experiences with climate change impacts through visual, artistic, or spoken-word mediums! Lend your voice to a new 'Climate Stories Community Archive' project. Help inform future Tacoma climate communications efforts and get inspired for your next read!
Featured storytellers include:
Cat Melaunie,
Sandy King,
Jessica Trujillo,
Courtney Bird,
JP Kemmick
&
Jennifer Preston
For more information, visit www.engagepiercecounty.com
Creative Colloquy Literary Reading and Open Mic @ The New Frontier Lounge
Creative Colloquy lures readers and writers out of hiding, to connect and conspire.
Join us on the 3rd Monday of every month for literary reading and open mic at The New Frontier Lounge!
Featured Readers Include:
Stephani Hemness
Courtney Davis
Rhea Melina
Ground to Sound Film and Art Festival @Foss Waterway Seaport
Join us on March 14th, 2025 for the second Ground to Sound Film and Art Festival at the Foss Waterway Seaport for an unforgettable night celebrating film, music, poetry, and art—all inspired by the Puget Sound!
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Documentary film screening featuring this year’s selected works
Live performances & open mics
Interactive art installations
Literary readings
Music & freestyle cyphers
EVENT DETAILS:
Doors open at 6pm
Program starts at 6:30pm
Art & community connections until 9:30pm
Creative Colloquy 11 Year Anniversary Open Mic and Literary Reading @ The New Frontier Lounge
Creative Colloquy lures readers and writers out of hiding, to connect and conspire.
This month we’re celebrating a momentous milestone — 11 years of CC!
Join us for a celebratory evening with readings, drinks, cake, music and a raffle for rad swag and prizes at The New Frontier Lounge!
Creative Colloquy Open Mic and Literary Reading @ The New Frontier Lounge
Join us every third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. for our regular literary reading and open mic gathering.
Featured Readers this month submitted works inspired by our Lunar New Year: Year of the Wood Snake call for submissions.
Featured Readers:
Ronen Perry
Christina Slack
Sasha Victor
Julie Baldock
Poetry, Essays, Short Stories- all are welcome!
Creative Colloquy Open Mic and Literary Reading @ The New Frontier Lounge
Join us every third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. for our regular literary reading and open mic gathering.
Featuring:
Mercury Sunderland
&
R. G. Mint
Poetry, Essays, Short Stories- all are welcome!
Creative Colloquy Open Mic and Literary Reading @ The New Frontier Lounge
Join us every third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. for our regular literary reading and open mic gathering.
Featured Readers Include:
Shaun A. McMichael
&
Karen Miller
Poetry, Essays, Short Stories- all are welcome!
Color Stories: A Generative Poetry Workshop
Color Stories: A Generative Poetry Workshop
Join former Tacoma Poet Laureate Kellie Richardson for an interactive workshop exploring the role and use of color in poetry, music, and prose. Color has long been used as a symbol to communicate meaning, deepen creative expression, and even call humans forth toward justice. In this workshop, we will read works of poetry, song, and prose to look at the many ways artists utilize color to explore memory, honor humanity, and practice magic. Participants should be prepared to discuss the readings and engage with prompts to generate or build on their own memories and experiences with color. This workshop is open to all levels of writers and creatives. You will be offered an opportunity to share the work you create (though not required), as well as offer generative feedback to your peers.
Creative Colloquy Open Mic and Literary Reading @ The New Frontier Lounge
Join us every third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. for our regular literary reading and open mic gathering.
Featured Readers:
Steve Tarry,
Kris Hall,
Jamie Fiano
Poetry, Essays, Short Stories- all are welcome!
Ground to Sound Literary Pop Up & Writer’s Workshop
Whether you're a bibliophile, filmmaker, artist, or environmental enthusiast, come out to King's Books for a literary night that is free, family-friendly, and open to the public for a firsthand opportunity to participate in a great workshop open to all ages and experience levels AND have the opportunity to be filmed for a documentary...with details for a poetry submissions contest to follow. More details coming soon!
Workshop Description:
Do you care about the earth? What about the Salish Sea? Are you curious about creativity? Join literary arts teaching artist, Joy, for an interactive writing workshop where we will use writing and storytelling as a means of showcasing your care for our environment here in Tacoma! In collaboration with Creative Colloquy, this workshop will be the kickoff for literary entries for the Ground to Sound Film and Art Festival. During this exploratory workshop, you can expect time for writing, reading, sharing (if you’d like to), and learning more about the festival. With the help of literary forms, literary devices, and imagination - come away inspired! The theme for this year is "Healthy Sound. Better Tacoma. Now and Forever." This workshop is open to writers of all levels and ages. You are welcome to bring something to write with and write on, but no worries if not, we got you covered!
All Hallow's Eve at Lakewood Gardens
Chilling voices night
6:30 - 7 pm
Scary Storytelling with Creative Colloquy
Spooky stories for all ages
7 - 7:30 pm
Gravelly Lake Monster Appearance
7:30 - 8:30 pm
Paper Skull Mask Making Workshop with José Orantes
8 - 8:30 pm
Scarier Storytelling with Creative Colloquy
Terrifying tales for a more mature audience
Featured Readers Include:
Elizabeth Beck,
Cat Melaunie,
Nicole McCarthy
and more!
Also
Search for monsters hidden in the foliage in our garden scavenger hunt
Test your nerves by guessing what's contained in the mystery touch boxes
Warm up with popcorn and a warm beverage and catch a classic monster movie
Shop for spooktacular keepsakes at the vendor fair
Creative Colloquy Crawl
Join us for our annual literary extravaganza!
3 hours, various venues and dozens of storytellers in a walkable footprint.
Creative Colloquy Open Mic and Literary Reading @ The New Frontier Lounge
Join us every third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. for our regular literary reading and open mic gathering.
Featured Readers Include: Nancy Miller Gomez, Kellie Richardson More TBA …
Poetry, Essays, Short Stories- all are welcome!
Creative Colloquy Open Mic and Literary Reading @ The New Frontier Lounge
Join us every third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. for our regular literary reading and open mic gathering.
Featured Readers Include:
Richard Wilkinson
Kristina Corcoran
Sandy King
Poetry, Essays, Short Stories- all are welcome!
Peaks & Pints Gets Lit with Creative Colloquy
Tacoma will be saturated with verse during TBW thanks to Creative Colloquy.
We’ll gather brilliant South Sound writers to tell short stories, prose, or poetry, and then the floor will open for listeners to do the same — all while enjoying cocktail-themed beers and ciders at Peaks & Pints.
Featured Readers Include: Jamie Fiano Jack Cameron J.D.AardeCat Melaunie
This Poem Is Not All That Feeds You: Writing Food in Community at Dune Peninsula Park at Point Defiance
The Writer’s Workshop Series Presents: This Poem Is Not All That Feeds You: Writing Food in Community with Sarah A. Chavez.
Creative Colloquy Open Mic and Literary Reading @ The New Frontier Lounge
Join us every third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. for our regular literary reading and open mic gathering.
Featuring:
Elizabeth Beck,
Helen Rowe,
Joanne Rixon
Poetry, Essays, Short Stories- all are welcome!
Creative Colloquy Open Mic and Literary Reading @ The New Frontier Lounge
Join us every third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. for our regular literary reading and open mic gathering.
Featured Readers Include:
Samuel Snoek-Brown
Laila Tova
Elizabeth Beck
Poetry, Essays, Short Stories- all are welcome!