Making Progress

I spoke with someone from Houston Waste Management. It looks like they are going to accept our donation of 200 recycling bins. Hooray Houston!

Now we have to see if we can get matching funds, perhaps from Exxon, a Houston company. Houston needs 25,000 more recycling bins.

The Progressive Reading Series For Houston

Hey everyone. There was a piece in this week's New York Times about recycling in Houston. One of the problems Houston is having with recycling is a lack of recycling bins. Apparently, some people have to wait years for a recycling bin. With that in mind, a portion of the funds from the August 16 reading will go to purchasing recycling bins for Houston. We're hoping to purchase 200 bins, but we're waiting to hear back from the city on the bins' specifications. Hopefully we'll be able to contract with a factory in Houston to make the bins. Here's the original article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/us/29recycle.html.

Comedian Ali Wong is joining the August 16th bill. And there will be music from The Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels, along with readings from Jonathan Franzen, Davy Rothbart, Michelle Tea, Matthew Eck, and Tom Barbash.

Jonathan Franzen to headline the August 16 Progressive Reading

Announcing The Eight Progressive Reading of 2008
Saturday, August 16th

7 PM at the Makeout Room
3225 22nd Street
San Francisco
415.647.2888
$10–20 sliding scale

Featuring

Jonathan Franzen, author of The Corrections

Matthew Eck, author of The Farther Shore

Michelle Tea, author of Rose of No Man's Land

Tom Barbash, author of The Last Good Chance

Davy Rothbart, This American Life contributor and editor of Found Magazine

and music by The Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels

Hosted by Stephen Elliott

Proceeds benefit progressive congressional candidates

Click here for advance tickets

First there were grapes, then a dinosaur

The first reader was Tara “Who’s that hot chick walking down Valencia Street?” Jepsen. Before reading she told us a story about being a kid in San Francisco with her father. They’d visit Tara’s uncle, who lived on Fell Street in the original Grotto location. All the residents were all a little Cu-koo (her words, not mine) thanks to the punk bands they were in and the heroin they were on; the two go hand and hand. Her father used to shield young Tara’s eyes from all the riff-raff going in and out of the building. It was good to hear that her uncle is now sober and living in Green Bay. And Tara ending up completely unsullied by the events. Happy endings all around. Anyway Tara read this wicked piece about Paloma and Irma, two young women causing a ruckus while demanding respect for the girls at a strip club in North Beach. If you need more Tara catch her show Getting In on the Ground Floor and Staying There at The Center for Sex and Culture.

Before introducing Frank Portman, Stephen told us we were free to bring our own folding chairs, “so you’ll always be guaranteed a seat.” Also the floors had just been cleaned. So what’s your problem? Frank read a piece from his novel King Dork about how shockingly little French Tom Henderson knew even after years of classes. He could only discuss the activities of his friends, Claud and Jean, in present tense. I’m sure they were your French class friends too. I myself remember them fondly, if a little dimly. Au revoir, Claud and Jean. Au revoir.

Upon his arrival at the Makeout Room Neal Pollock told me how much he enjoyed being back in San Francisco, where writers are actually appreciated. “In LA," he said, (where he lives now) "writers are considered to be one notch above drug-addled pan handlers.” But he and his wife wanted to raise their son in a place that’s calm and quiet and that has good values and clean air. I think it’s working because Elijah Pollack’s insightful maxim upon being told nobody’s perfect: Everybody’s perfect. Neal also told us a story about his very open-minded SF cab driver. Judging by the groan from the audience I’d say the squick factor was about an eight. Up on Dublit soon. And don’t say you weren’t warned.

Next we had W. Kamua Bell. He’s voting Obama. McCain: the name just sounds like he’s already been president. He thinks we should just build McCain a library and send him on his way. Sounds like a good plan to me. Minus the library actually. The All-Star Minstrels were up next and sang about watching the tall grass grow. Looks like these two have already quit their day jobs.

Po Bronson, co-founder of the Grotto, illuminated the stage next and in a quiet voice read from a work in progress, which came out of this article in New York magazine. He’ll be finished in a long time or two weeks depending on how you look at it. His piece had to do with why white parents don’t talk about race to their children. When he was finished he got a rock and roll scream like he was Ringo, Paul, George and John. Even the rowdy Pentecostals next door got drowned out.

Ethan Canin, the other Grotto founder, concluded the evening reading and by then we were just stunned by the talent in the room. Ethan urged us all to vote yes on the ballot measure to name the sewage treatment plant after George Bush and then read from his just-out novel, America, America, which is about a liberal senator running for president in 1972. Sound familiar? It should. But remember, this is fiction, not truth, so don’t expect Nixon in the White House at the end of that book, or maybe do. I haven’t finished it—please nobody spoil it for me. Next month on the 16th we’ll welcome Jonathan Franzen, Michelle Tea, Matthew Eck, Tom Barbash and Davy Rothbart. It’ll be just two days after I come back from an east coast visit, so I won’t have as much time to fulfill my life’s mission of putting posters up on every pole in San Francisco. You guys will have to pay extra attention to those emails Steve sends out. Thank you to Vivian for giving me the dinosaur, to Eric Tang and to my homonym twin for the pictures.

THIS SATURDAY!

Ethan Canin will be headlining this weeks Progressive Reading. His new book, America America, is getting tons of great attention so don't miss this opportunity to see this legendary writer.

Announcing The Seventh Progressive Reading of 2008

Saturday, July 19th

7 PM at The Makeout Room

3225 22nd Street 415 647 2888

$10–20 sliding scale



Featuring

Ethan Canin, author of America America

Neal Pollack, author of Alternadad

Tara Jepsen, author of Sister Spit

Frank Portman, author of King Dork

Po Bronson, author of What Should I Do with My Life?

Plus, comedy by W. Kamau Bell, named best comedian by the SF Weekly

and music by The Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels


Hosted by Stephen Elliott


Proceeds benefit progressive congressional candidates.
This month: Tom Perriello.


Click here for advance tickets

Tara Jepsen is a busy woman

On July 19th we'll welcome Tara Jepsen to the Progressive Reading stage. She's a busy person; a writer and performer living in San Francisco, she’s been featured at the Porchlight storytelling series, the RADAR Reading Series and Litquake. She is co-host of the long-running, beloved queer open mic, K’vetch. Her work has been published in the anthologies, Pills, Thrills, Chills and Heartache and It’s So You. She toured extensively with the original Sister Spit’s Rambling Road Show in 1997, 1998, and 1999. Her most recent short film, Diving for Pearls, won the Most Innovative Short award at the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in 2005 and was selected for the Best of Newfest screening at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. She is at work on a novel, Like a Dog, as well as a new film. Her two-woman show, written and performed with Beth Lisick, “Getting in on the Ground Floor and Staying There” opens at The Center for Sex and Culture in San Francisco on July 24th, and she holds down a day job as a landscaper. Luckily Tara found some time to answer some questions via e mail.

Sona Avakian: When was the first time you got excited about a political candidate?
Tara Jepsen:Well, I remember the fever around my family in Wisconsin about wanting to re-elect Reagan for a third presidential term because he had been just that incredible. My mom's friend worked on his campaign. I don't know how my parents felt about it; they've both become far more liberal as they've gotten older. I remember thinking if they thought it was a good idea, it probably was. Experiments in blind faith! I don't remember thinking anything else they did was a great idea so why the election carried any weight with me, I don't know. The first time I remember getting excited about a political candidate was when Matt Gonzalez ran for mayor. He came to Beth [Lisick’s] birthday party and we did shots of tequila. I thought, "I like this guy." I know that's late in life to get politically excited but better late than never. I do remember when Geraldine Ferraro ran with Walter Mondale in 1984. I knew it was exciting that a woman was running but I was in a nest of conservatism in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, a factory town about halfway between Milwaukee and Green Bay. I wasn't aware of local politics at all growing up. Now I think about it a lot more.


SA: Are there any other politicians you've done shots with? Now's your chance to tell.
TJ: I remember only a small fraction of the people with whom I've shared tequila shots (I was just reminded about a tequila spaz-out in NYC that I had completely forgotten...), and I assume there are no more people who would outwardly identify themselves as politicians...? Now if we're talking non-profit employees, unsung talents or karaoke enthusiasts, pull back the sash and let the list unfurl.

SA: Is there any book in particular you read growing up that informed your sense of community?
TJ: God, my sense of community. I do not recall feeling anything that I would label a sense of community. That language was not part of my world!! Nancy Drew books made me excited to be a smart, investigative woman. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret made me aware that girls/women wrestle with Issues. And that a contemplative life is in my future. And being tortured and indecisive. All the Madeleine L'Engle books made me want to be smart too. So maybe I just new I wanted to be a smart woman among smart women. So far so good.

SA: Is there any book you'd recommend to the two presidential candidates, or one you hope either of them have read?
TJ: Well, if any candidate has time to read a book, and I am asked to evaluate their needs, I guess I would say that I would hope they read any book that expanded their knowledge of all the different kinds of people who live and breathe in the country they are governing. Or would it ultimately benefit us more if they just went deep into a Danielle Steel novel and relaxed for a moment? I guess it feels too arrogant for me to say what book anyone should read. I don't think they would like the same shit I do, and I don't think I can conceive of their burden as president well enough to know what would make an impact. Maybe something that got them excited about green building materials, vehicles, whathaveyou! Composting for Presidents! Feminism: It's Good for All of Us! Maybe a PFLAG parenting book? Homelessness and Drug Addiction: Not Just Issues for Underpaid Socially Minded Folks! And of course, Deenie, by Judy Blume.

SA: You run K'vetch, you've toured with Sister Spit, can we look forward to something of yours in print?
TJ: I have a couple short stories published and I'm shopping a novel around right now.

SA: Who would you rather take care of your pet goldfish, a magician or politician?
TJ: Obviously a magician should take care of my goldfish, they will have waaaay more time.


SA: How does it feel to be the first author interviewed for the Progressive Reading Series blog?
TJ: It feels amazing to be the first author interviewed here, and naturally it makes me think I am an expert on absolutely everything.


Tara can be found hosting K'vetch the first Sunday of every month at Sadie's Flying Elephant (491 Potrero @ Mariposa.) She will grace the Progressive stage on July 19th along with Neal Pollock, Doug Dorst, Frank Portman, Ethan Canin and Po Bronson. Don't miss it!

Title TK

The first reader in our June event to support Victoria Wulsin's run for congress in Ohio's second district was Sarah Fran Wisby. She read a crazy surreal story called "Who Will Walk Through Fire." It was awesome and I don't mean that just in the pyromaniac sense. She said she couldn't have written it without rent control, so give yourselves another pat on the back for that victory. Sarah Fran's story is proof that San Francisco needs rent control. We're looking forward to her first book, Viva Loss, out from Small Desk Press later this year and you should be too. 

Then came Helena Echlin, a British author who teaches us all about manners and etiquette in her column for Chow. She's like a latter-day Jane Austen, Dear Abby and Miss Manners all rolled into one. But she did fall prey to fast food when she first moved to America, particularly Dunkin Donuts' Omwhich, which is an omelet/pizza/breakfast sandwich all rolled into one. I am definitely going to track one down on my next visit to the east coast. It sounds delish. She's trying to get them to make a donut/hamburger and assures the brass at DD that it will revolutionize the concept of the breakfast sandwiches and the Brits will be all over it. 

We were lucky enough to have Wells Wulsin, son of Victoria with us. Wells spoke about his mother and how her increased disillusionment with the direction the country is heading led to her decision to run for congress. It's not going to be an easy race, he admitted, so please tell all your friends and relatives in Ohio about Victoria Wulsin. If you want to go to Ohio this summer and help out, that can be arranged too. Sign up here. 

Daniel Alcaron was up next and it's true, as Andrew Altschul said in his intro, Suzanne Kleid has been pushing his book Lost City Radio on everyone she knows. I'm one of those people and I should've have listened to her sooner. This book is so purely crafted, it deserves every glorious accolade it has garnered in the year since its publication. Anyway, Daniel read from a novel in progress and I felt privy to a secret literary masterpiece. It doesn't have a title yet; he's taking suggestions. Also, his parents were in town. We clapped for them too and believed him when he said the parents in the piece weren't based on his own. Behold the power of the imagination! The All Star Minstrels were next. What can I say? We gladly filled in as the horn section per Dan's request and Adam took a stage dive (sort of) at the end of their set. No need to worry about the future of music with these two on the scene. During intermission, a fierce game of Rock Paper Scissors broke out. And paper takes it again. 




Lorelei Lee was up next, reading a story about a day on the set of an adult film set. I for one couldn't tell that her flats (as in shoes) were inhibiting her confidence. Can you?

 And finally, the nicest guy in the writing world,  Andrew Sean Greer, wearing a mime shirt, but thankfully speaking. He read a scene from his new novel The Story of a Marriage that brought me chills even on that warm night. You should go out and buy it as soon as possible. Suzanne says so.     

At the end of the night Evan Rehill stacked himself up with glasses.



And that wraps up June. Thanks to Sonya Worthy and Liz Clinkenbeard for the photos. Next month we welcome Po Bronson, Neal Pollock, Tara Jespen, Doug Dorst, Ethan Canin and Frank Portman. Also stay tuned for our first Progressive Reading Series featured author interview. Q&A with Tara Jepsen. 

New Poster

Click for full-size printable poster for the June 21 Progressive Reading.

The June Reading!

Announcing the Sixth Progressive Reading of 2008
Saturday, June 21

7 PM at The Makeout Room
3225 22nd Street
415.647.2888
$10–20 sliding scale

Featuring

Eileen Myles, author of Chelsea Girls and Cool For You

Andrew Sean Greer, author of The Story of a Marriage and The Confessions of Max Tivoli

Daniel Alarcon, author of Lost City Radio and War by Candlelight

Helena Echlin, author of Gone

Sarah Fran Wisby, author of Viva Loss

and Lorelei Lee, author of Doublefisted

Music by The Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels
Hosted by Stephen Elliott

Proceeds benefit Victoria Wulsin, running against Jean Schmidt in Ohio's 2nd Congressional District

Click here for advance tickets

**

And stay tuned for next month's event, happening July 19, featuring Neal Pollack, Tara Jepsen, Doug Dorst, Ethan Canin, Po Bronson, and Frank Portman