Saturday, December 2, 2023

Starting today: Ethical or Legacy Wills -- Writing a Love Letter to your Family at WCC

Starting today

Ethical or Legacy Wills -- Writing a Love Letter to your Family
3 Sats, Dec 2 - 16, 2023, 10am-12pm EST, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Other Winter writing classes at Washtenaw Community College (WCC) coming up

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Tonight! Kundiman Midwest's 11th Hour Salon

I'm excited to be selected as one of 15 featured poets reading at Kundiman Midwest's 11th Hour Salon on Zoom on Wednesday, November 29th at 7:30pm EST/ 6:30pm CT/ 4:30pm PST/ 2:30pm HST .  Thanks to Helene Achanzar for organizing.

Here's the Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84104748461

More re Kundiman Midwest https://www.kundiman.org/regional-groups-1 

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Reading at Kundiman Midwest's 11th Hour Salon

I'm excited to be selected as one of 15 featured poets reading at Kundiman Midwest's 11th Hour Salon on Zoom on Wednesday, November 29th at 7:30pm EST/ 6:30pm CT/ 4:30pm PST/ 2:30pm HST .  Thanks to Helene Achanzar for organizing.

Here's the Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84104748461

More re Kundiman Midwest https://www.kundiman.org/regional-groups-1 

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Inaugural Washtenaw Artist Grant

Big thanks to CultureSource and and the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation for including me in their inaugural Washtenaw Artist Grant! And big congrats to friends Chien-An Yuan Is/Land: A Performance Collaborative and Eileen S. Ho Raion Taiko Drummers

https://culturesource.org/stories/announcing-the-inaugural-washtenaw-artist-grant-recipients/

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Writing class starting today: Writing Op-Eds or opinion essays at WCC

Starting today

Writing Op-Eds or opinion essays
3 Sats, Nov 4 - 18, 2023, 10am-12pm EST, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Other Fall writing classes at Washtenaw Community College (WCC)

Ethical or Legacy Wills -- Writing a Love Letter to your Family
3 Sats, Dec 2 - 16, 2023, 10am-12pm EST, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Thanks Skazat Poetry Series at Sweetwaters Cafe

Thanks everyone for joining us tonight at the Skazat! Poetry Series at Sweetwaters on Zoom. It was great to see so many friends and hear so much great writing. Thanks to the organizers, Scott Beal and Ellen Stone, and check out their new publication https://www.publicschoolpoetry.com/ 

And as always thanks to our dear friends at Sweetwaters. 

Monday, October 23, 2023

Poetry Reading at Skazat! Poetry Series at Sweetwaters Tues Oct 24 7:00 pm EDT on Zoom

 I'll be reading Tuesday Oct 24 7-8:30pm EDT at Skazat! Poetry Series at Sweetwaters on Zoom. There will also be an Open Mic so hope you read with us too!


Welcome to Skazat! We are back for another season and invite you to come and share poetry with us virtually.

Here is the Zoom link to join the event on Tuesday, Oct 24 at 7pm EDT:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81213611123...
Meeting ID: 812 1361 1123
Passcode: 716735

This month's feature: FRANCES KAI-HWA WANG!
Frances Kai-Hwa Wang is a poet, essayist, journalist, scholar, and activist focused on issues of Asian America, race, justice, and the arts. Her writing has appeared at Cha Asian Literary Journal, Kartika Review, Ricepaper, Drunken Boat, Knight’s Library. She is a founding member of IS/LAND Asian American Contemporary Performance Collaborative. She co-created a multimedia artwork for Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. She wrote “You Cannot Resist Me When My Hair Is in Braids,” Wayne State Press. She teaches creative writing at Washtenaw Community College. She has a weakness for a well-crafted argument and a lyrical turn of phrase. Franceskaihwawang.com @fkwang

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Writing class starting today: Jumpstart your Memoir at WCC

Starting today

Jumpstart your Memoir
3 Sats, Oct 7 - 21, 2023, 10am-12pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Other Fall writing classes at Washtenaw Community College (WCC)

Writing Op-Eds or opinion essays
3 Sats, Nov 4 - 18, 2023, 10am-12pm EST, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Ethical or Legacy Wills -- Writing a Love Letter to your Family
3 Sats, Dec 2 - 16, 2023, 10am-12pm EST, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Starting today: Finding the Writer Within Continuing Writers Workshop at WCC

Starting today
Finding the Writer Within Continuing Writers Workshop
10 Sundays, Oct 1 - Dec 10, 2023, 12-2pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Other Fall writing classes at Washtenaw Community College (WCC)

Jumpstart your Memoir
3 Sats, Oct 7 - 21, 2023, 10am-12pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Writing Op-Eds or opinion essays
3 Sats, Nov 4 - 18, 2023, 10am-12pm EST, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Ethical or Legacy Wills -- Writing a Love Letter to your Family
3 Sats, Dec 2 - 16, 2023, 10am-12pm EST, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Poetry Reading with Matwaala Sept 28


 Matwaala Asian American Poetry Reading 

Flavors of Verse: Marinating in the diverse voices of E and SE Asia

Thurs., Sept. 28, 2023, Zoom  https://www.matwaala.com/

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Auto workers in Detroit share why they’re striking | PBS NewsHour

My article for PBS NewsHour
Auto workers in Detroit share why they’re striking | PBS NewsHour
Nation Sep 21, 2023 4:45 PM EST

At the UAW “Stand up for our Communities against Corporate Greed” rally in Detroit, UAW members and allies talk with the PBS NewsHour Communities Initiative about the challenges of working for the Detroit Big Three and why they are striking.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/auto-workers-in-detroit-share-why-theyre-striking

Saturday, September 16, 2023

WCC Fall writing classes starting today

 Fall writing classes at Washtenaw Community College (WCC)

Introduction to Publishing
2 Saturdays, Sept 16-23, 2023, 10am-12pm EST, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Finding the Writer Within Continuing Writers Workshop
10 Sundays, Oct 1 - Dec 10, 2023, 12-2pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Jumpstart your Memoir
3 Sats, Oct 7 - 21, 2023, 10am-12pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Writing Op-Eds or opinion essays
3 Sats, Nov 4 - 18, 2023, 10am-12pm EST, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Ethical or Legacy Wills -- Writing a Love Letter to your Family
3 Sats, Dec 2 - 16, 2023, 10am-12pm EST, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Thursday, September 7, 2023

How states are responding after federal funding for free school meals for all ends | PBS NewsHour

The Communities Initiative team discusses

How states are responding after federal funding for free school meals for all ends | PBS NewsHour

Sep 7, 2023 6:30 PM EST

During the pandemic, the federal government provided funds for free healthy school meals for students, but that program ended in 2022. Most states went back to the system they had before, but some will continue providing meals. NewsHour Communities Correspondents…

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-states-are-responding-after-federal-funding-for-free-school-meals-for-all-ends

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

How gardens enable refugees and immigrants to put down roots in new communities | PBS NewsHour

my article for PBS NewsHour

How gardens enable refugees and immigrants to put down roots in new communities | PBS NewsHour

Sep 6, 2023 5:08 PM EST

Gardening and community gardens can help immigrant and refugee communities supplement their pantries by growing their own culturally appropriate food that isn’t readily found in grocery stores while maintaining a connection with their homeland across generations. Two community garden projects…

Monday, August 21, 2023

After leaving prison, returning citizens find new ground on this Michigan farm | PBS NewsHour

My article for PBS NewsHour

After leaving prison, returning citizens find new ground on this Michigan farm | PBS NewsHour

Nation Aug 21, 2023 4:45 PM EST

We the People Opportunity Farm is a nonprofit organization and organic farm changing the soil in people’s lives and reducing recidivism one seed at a time in in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/after-leaving-prison-returning-citizens-find-new-ground-on-this-michigan-farm

Sunday, August 6, 2023

WCC Fall 2023 writing classes

Fall writing classes at Washtenaw Community College (WCC)

Introduction to Publishing
2 Saturdays, Sept 16-23, 2023, 10am-12pm EST, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Finding the Writer Within Continuing Writers Workshop
10 Sundays, Oct 1 - Dec 10, 2023, 12-2pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Jumpstart your Memoir
3 Sats, Oct 7 - 21, 2023, 10am-12pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Writing Op-Eds or opinion essays
3 Sats, Nov 4 - 18, 2023, 10am-12pm EST, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Ethical or Legacy Wills -- Writing a Love Letter to your Family
3 Sats, Dec 2 - 16, 2023, 10am-12pm EST, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Sunday, July 30, 2023

Finding the Writer Within Continuing Writers Workshop starting today

Starting today!

Finding the Writer Within Continuing Writers Workshop
5 Sundays, July 30-Aug 29, 2023, 12-2pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom ?

Starting next month: 

Writing with Style, Finding your Voice
2 Saturdays, August 19, 26, 2023, 10am -12pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Register here Creative Writing Classes - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & College Development

Sunday, July 16, 2023

Upcoming WCC writing courses Summer and Fall 2023

Register today for upcoming courses at Washtenaw Community College (WCC)

Summer 2023

Finding the Writer Within Continuing Writers Workshop
5 Sundays, July 30-Aug 29, 2023, 12-2pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom 

Writing with Style, Finding your Voice
2 Saturdays, August 19, 26, 2023, 10am -12pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Fall 2023

Introduction to Publishing
2 Saturdays, Sept 16-23, 2023, 10am-12pm EST, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Finding the Writer Within Continuing Writers Workshop
10 Sundays, Oct 1 - Dec 10, 2023, 12-2pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Jumpstart your Memoir
3 Sats, Oct 7 - 21, 2023, 10am-12pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Writing Op-Eds or opinion essays
3 Sats, Nov 4 - 18, 2023, 10am-12pm EST, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Ethical or Legacy Wills -- Writing a Love Letter to your Family
3 Sats, Dec 2 - 16, 2023, 10am-12pm EST, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Register here Creative Writing Classes - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & College Development

Friday, June 23, 2023

Performing poetry today, "Angel Island," with IS/LAND at Synapse Arts, Chicago

I'll be test driving a new poem today, "Angel Island" (in development) with the amazing movers and musician of IS/LAND

New Works 2023 with Synapse Arts, at Berger Park Cultural Center, Chicago, IL
Friday June 23, 2023 7pm and Sat June 24, 2023 7pm with audience talk back afterwards

Featuring new works by:
IS/LAND @‌islandperformance
Jamila Kekulah @‌themovingsoul
Reign Drop @‌reigndrop333
Tickets at http://synapsearts.com



Thursday, June 22, 2023

Discussion: Storytelling and communities journalism

Looking forward to discussing storytelling and communities journalism with the incredible PBS NewsHour Interns today! 


Highlight of the week having & 🐶 talk w/ our interns at Classroom & about being a Communities Reporter at PBS covering Michigan. Journalism advice from Frances: Be sure to learn some of the rich history of the people you're reporting on! #sschat
Image

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

How rising water costs could drive this Michigan city to bankruptcy | PBS NewsHour

 My article at PBS NewsHour

How rising water costs could drive this Michigan city to bankruptcy

Highland Park, Michigan, an enclave city surrounded by Detroit, may be facing bankruptcy over tens of millions of dollars in water bills in the costly aftermath of a financial crisis that left residents without a working water plant. Many minority-majority…

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/how-water-costs-could-drive-this-michigan-city-to-bankruptcy

Saturday, June 3, 2023

Starting today Writing to Save the World at WCC

Starting today

Writing to Save the World
2 Saturdays, June 3-10, 2023, 10am-12pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Next classes 

Finding the Writer Within Continuing Writers Workshop
5 Sundays, July 30-Aug 29, 2023, 12-2pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom ?

Finding your Voice, University of Hawaii Hilo, July 2023?

Writing with Style, Finding your Voice
2 Saturdays, August 19, 26, 2023, 10am -12pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Monday, May 29, 2023

The state-level battles brewing in America over LGBTQ+ rights | PBS NewsHour broadcast

On the broadcast talking about recent MI LGBTQ+ legislation

The state-level battles brewing in America over LGBTQ+ rights

More than a dozen GOP-led states have passed bans with limits ranging from healthcare to sports participation, while Democratic-controlled states have sought to shore up protections for LGBTQ+ rights. Geoff Bennett discussed the efforts with NewsHour Communities correspondents Gabrielle Hays in Missouri, Adam Kemp in Oklahoma and Frances Kai-Hwa Wang in Michigan.

Saturday, May 20, 2023

Performing "Kizuna Tree" with IS/LAND at AADL downtown

Performing a new poem, "Kizuna Tree," with the fabulous movers of IS/LAND and poets Zosette Guir and Kyunghee Kim, and musician Chien-An Yuan

IS/LAND Presents: Kizuna Tree
Saturday May 20, 2023: 6:00pm to 7:30pm 
Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown Library: 1st Floor Lobby
https://aadl.org/node/612231 

Kizuna Tree is an interactive installation/performance collaboration between AAPI performance collaborative IS/LAND, Detroit Public Television, and Rising Voices. Comprised of an Ikebana Tree designed by Celeste Shimoura Goedert, sound recordings from the collaborative series AAPI Stories originally co-developed by Zosette Guir of DPTV and journalist Dorothy Hernandez as a response to the Atlanta spa shootings in 2021, and movement, visuals, and readings by IS/LAND, Kizuna Tree is an exploration of communal healing for AAPI peoples, across generations, communities, and ethnicities. The restorative and healing properties through this physical movement and storytelling offers the audience an experiential exploration of the interactive connections between the dancers with each other, the audience, and the tree itself.

This event is in partnership with AAPI performance collaborative IS/LAND, Detroit Public Television, and Rising Voices. 

Banner image for IS/LAND Presents: Kizuna Tree event

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Speaking Today: Kizuna Tree Panel: Storytelling as an Act of Resistance at AADL downtown

Speaking today with a great panel of folks

Kizuna Tree Panel: Storytelling as an Act of Resistance
Wednesday May 17, 2023: 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown Library: 4th Floor Meeting Room

How do we use storytelling to create real world change? How do we find our voices and get our message out? How does the sharing of stories help build community? How do we use storytelling to touch, inspire, persuade, and provoke readers to action?

Join our panel featuring author and interdisciplinary artist Frances Kai-Hwa Wang of PBS News Hour, documentary producer Zosette Guir of Detroit Public Television, Jasmine Rivera, Executive Director of Rising Voices, and interdisciplinary artist Okyoung Noh.

Hosted by Chien-An Yuan, in partnership with AAPI performance collaborative IS/LAND, Detroit Public Television, and Rising Voices. This event is part of a series leading up to the performance of Kizuna Tree on May 20th.

https://aadl.org/node/616347
Banner image for Kizuna Tree Panel: Storytelling as an Act of Resistance event

The Library will be providing a live stream of this event and we intend to make it available for future viewing. A video player will appear on this page 1 hour before the start of the event.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Teaching "Writing to Save the World: Academia Version" today at Rackham

Looking forward to teaching my "Writing to Save the World: Academia" writing workshop today at Univ. of Michigan Rackham Graduate School Program in Public Scholarship Institute for Social Change, 

Tues., May 16, 2023, 3-4:30pm (private)

The Institute for Social Change (ISC) is a cohort-based spring program that allows students to explore the conceptual and practical dimensions of public scholarship—the diverse ways we can create and circulate knowledge for and with publics and communities. The program introduces graduate students to an array of publicly engaged scholarship, pedagogy, and practices focused on social change and university-community partnerships.

https://rackham.umich.edu/professional-development/program-in-public-scholarship/institute-for-social-change/

Saturday, May 13, 2023

Starting today Introduction to Magazine Writing at WCC

Starting today

Introduction to Magazine Writing
2 Saturdays, May 13-20, 2023, 10am-12pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Next classes 

Writing to Save the World
2 Saturdays, June 3-10, 2023, 10am-12pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Summer 2023

Finding the Writer Within Continuing Writers Workshop
5 Sundays, July 30-Aug 29, 2023, 12-2pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom ?

Finding your Voice, University of Hawaii Hilo, July 2023?

Writing with Style, Finding your Voice
2 Saturdays, August 19, 26, 2023, 10am -12pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Sunday, May 7, 2023

Starting today Finding the Writer Within Continuing Writers Workshop at WCC

Starting today

Finding the Writer Within Continuing Writers Workshop
5 Sundays, May 7-Jun 11, 2023, 12-2pm EST, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Next classes:

Introduction to Magazine Writing
2 Saturdays, May 13-20, 2023, 10am-12pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Writing to Save the World
2 Saturdays, June 3-10, 2023, 10am-12pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Summer 2023

Finding the Writer Within Continuing Writers Workshop
5 Sundays, July 30-Aug 29, 2023, 12-2pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom ?

Finding your Voice, University of Hawaii Hilo, July 2023?

Writing with Style, Finding your Voice
2 Saturdays, August 19, 26, 2023, 10am -12pm EDT, Washtenaw Community College, Zoom

Monday, May 1, 2023

Exhibit | Kizuna Tree with IS/LAND

Exhibit | Kizuna Tree with IS/LAND
Monday May 1, 2023: 10:00am to Wednesday May 31, 2023: 8:00pm
Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown Library: 1st Floor Lobby
https://aadl.org/kizunatree

Kizuna Tree is an interactive installation/performance collaboration between Detroit Public Television, WDET, and IS/LAND. Comprised of an Ikebana Tree designed by Celeste Shimoura Goedert, sound recordings from the collaborative series ‘AAPI Stories’ developed by Zosette Guir of DPTV and Dorothy Hernandez of WDET as a response to the Atlanta spa shootings in 2021, and movement and readings by AAPI Performance Collaborative IS/LAND, Kizuna Tree is an exploration of communal healing for AAPI peoples, across generations, communities, and ethnicities; offering the audience an experiential exploration of the interactive connections between the dancers with each other, the audience, and the tree itself.

This exhibit is in partnership with IS/LAND and is in conjunction with the events: Exiled to Motown: The History of Detroit's Japanese American Community (May 4), Kizuna Tree: Origami Cranes (Tsuru) for Community and Solidarity (May 8 and May 16), Lessons for the Future, Lessons from the Past with Japanese Internment Camp Survivor Mary Kamidoi (May 15), Kizuna Tree Panel: Storytelling as an Act of Resistance (May 17), and IS/LAND Presents: Kizuna Tree (May 20).

Thursday, April 27, 2023

IS/LAND "Lost Constellation" at AAWAA Jade Wave Rising opening and exhibition in SF

My poem, "Lost Constellation," will be performed with IS/LAND movers
Asian American Women Artists Association 
JADE WAVE RISING: PORTRAITS OF POWER
SOMArts, San Francisco
Opening Thursday, April 27 at 6pm (dancers live with video recording)
Exhibition April - May (video recording)
This is my fourth or fifth time in this art exhibition, and this is IS/LAND's first time performing in CA!
https://www.aawaa.net/jade-wave-rising



See the video or our premiere performance at Detroit Institute of Arts: https://youtu.be/LRHWNcE3arU



from AAWAA:
Over 20 Asian American Pacific Islander women artists stand up to have their voices heard at SOMArts Cultural Center’s Main Gallery

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, March 20, 2023 - Asian American Women Artists Association (AAWAA) and the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center (APICC) present the multidisciplinary art exhibition Jade Wave Rising: Portraits of Power, as part of the 26th annual United States of Asian America Festival opening on April 27, 2023, taking place at SOMArts Cultural Center’s Main Gallery. The opening reception takes place Thursday, April 27 at 6pm, followed by a community art workshop and gallery walk-through led by curator Yeu Q Nguyen on Sunday, April 30, and a closing event on Sunday, May 21.

Inspired by the jade gemstone’s various metaphysical and cultural meanings in its association with power, jewelry and crowns, JWR celebrates the diversity of AAPI women’s artistic voices while paying homage to overlooked historical figures and community leaders. “The exhibition aims to bring visibility to the myriad of ways API woman artists have embodied, expressed, and practiced their own power through art-making and community work. In doing so, it also establishes new faces and legacies of leadership in not only the API artistic community, but also society at large,” says curator and lead artist Yeu Q Nguyen.

Beyond unveiling a new large-scale interactive installation created by Nguyen, Jade Wave Rising also features an altar by Twin Walls Mural Company that highlights significant community leaders: Grace Lee Boggs, Violeta Marasigan and Yuri Kochiyama, along with images of youth activists and six lanterns representing the victims of the 2021 Atlanta shooting.

“This show emerges at a critical point in AAPI history when people in our communities are victimized as a result of unjust violence,” says AAWAA Director, Diana Li. “As AAPI women artists, we’re here to transform the narrative and stake a claim to the collective power and resilience behind our voices - voices that have existed in the legacy of our ancestors, families and communities for generations.

Jade Wave Rising follows a series of Asian and Asian American identified women being honored in the arts and mainstream media. The late Bernice Bing, a trailblazing abstract painter and community organizer who also found a home in AAWAA’s sisterhood, made headlines in the arts last year with her work being exhibited at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Performance artist, Kristina Wong, is also a recent recipient of the Doris Duke Artist Award with an unrestricted prize of $550,000. There’s also no question that Michelle Yeoh’s recent wins at the Golden Globes and the Oscars speak volumes for Asian and Asian American women everywhere - further empowering artists like those at AAWAA to dream big and rise up against stereotypes of Asian women at all ages.

Join the Asian American Women Artists Association at the opening reception, Thursday, April 27 at 6pm. Spend the following Sunday afternoon at two empowering art workshops and exhibit walk-throughs for the community led by curator Yeu Q Nguyen, April 30 at 1pm and 3pm. On Sunday, May 21 at 1pm, the exhibition also closes with literary readings and a screening of “Manilatown Manang”, a documentary about the life and times of Jeanette Gandiongo Lazam, an original Tenant Defender of the International Hotel during the 1970s and the last evicted tenant to step out of the hotel on August 4, 1977.

The SOMArts gallery is open for visitors Thursday 3:00-7:30 PM, Friday 12:00-7:30 PM and Saturday/Sunday, 12:00-5:00 PM. A virtual 3D model of the exhibition will also be available online on the SOMArts website.