Inspired by Small Press Traffic's archives and the iconic 1976 record by Pat Parker and Judy Grahn, Gabrielle Civil presents this five-part series, Where Would I Be Without You?, reckoning with literary ambition, friendship, sexuality, lineage, and her own coming of age as a poet.
This interdisciplinary series will provoke deep engagement through listening, watching, writing, participation, and dreaming to provide a refuge of positivity, friendship, and community connection in these heartbreaking times. Civil invites Tisa Bryant, soledad con carne, Judy Grahn, erica lewis, S*an D. Henry-Smith, Truong Tran, and others to join her in programs and presentations. Culminating in a world premiere of her original performance, My San Francisco, this multidimensional exploration delves into diverse media, collective memory, and the power of imagination.
Listening Party: Where Would I Be Without You?
Saturday, February 10 at 7:00 pm
The Lab: 2948 16th St. San Francisco, CA
Gabrielle Civil presents Where Would I Be Without You?—a listening party for the iconic 1976 record by poets Judy Grahn and Pat Parker. Kicking off a five-part series on poetry and friendship, this event invites the public to listen, write, draw and connect. Civil will dialogue with Grahn and lead a group discussion.
Watch Party Workshop: Poetic Justice
Saturday, March 23 at 12:00 pm PT
We're turning online movie-watching with friends into collective poetry writing! In this workshop, we will watch John Singleton’s 1993 film Poetic Justice, featuring Janet Jackson, Tupac Shakur, and Maya Angelou. Tisa Bryant will help situate this film in Black cinematic tradition. Gabrielle Civil will offer writing prompts to help participants co-create a poem in real time.
Watch Party Workshop: Tongues Untied
Saturday, April 20 at 12:00 pm PT
We're turning online movie-watching with friends into collective poetry writing! In this workshop, we will watch Marlon Riggs’ 1989 film Tongues Untied, featuring Riggs, Essex Hemphill, and Joseph Beam. S*an D. Henry-Smith will discuss the film’s queer Black poetics. Gabrielle Civil will offer writing prompts to help participants cocreate a poem in real time.
A Friendly Reading & Social
Friday, May 31 at 7:00 pm
Et al.: 2831A Mission St. San Francisco, CA
Join us for a poetry event celebrating friendship. Acclaimed Bay Area poets soledad con carne, erica lewis, Truong Tran, and host Gabrielle Civil will share their work and each invite a friend to share work too. Food, drink, and opt-in icebreakers will help everyone socialize and lift up those who help us carry on.
My San Francisco
Saturday, June 22 at 7:00 pm
The Lab: 2948 16th St. San Francisco, CA
Small Press Traffic presents My San Francisco, a new performance by Black feminist performance artist Gabrielle Civil. Inspired by SPT archives and her own coming of age as a poet, she will reckon with literary ambition, the power of friendship, sexuality, and lineage (on the page and in the body). This work will incorporate poetry, movement, bibliomancy, and projections.
Tickets are $10 and can be secured through the link below. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Contact us if this cost is prohibitive and you'd like to reserve a ticket.
