WritersCorps Apprentices with guest readers from Instant City at The Green Arcade reading, August 5

Join the young authors of “City of Stairways: A Poet’s Field Guide to San Francisco” as they read from this new book about San Francisco. “City of Stairways” was written by students in WritersCorps. Part travel guide and part literary anthology, this 7×7 inch book is packed with original poetry, photography, artwork, maps, and tips on the places to see and be seen in San Francisco. “City of Stairways” offers an intimate look at some of the most memorable sites and neighborhoods in San Francisco, and gives residents and visitors alike a unique, vibrant perspective on being a youth in an urban environment.

Aside from the authors of the book, tonight’s event includes guest writers Amanda Davidson and Kevin Thomson from local literary journal Instant City. Instant City publishes fiction, non-fiction, and art generating an ongoing psychogeographic exploration of San Francisco.

About the guest writers:

Amanda Davidson is a San Francisco-based writer and multimedia artist. In 2009 she spent time as a writer-in-residence at the MacDowell Colony as well as the Art Farm Nebraska. She is currently working on her first novel. Visit her online.

Kevin Thomson is author of the book “Hot Rod Kings,” wrote the text for the book “Speedseekers,” and has contributed to numerous books and magazines. He tours and records with his bands Enablers, and BunBunBun.  Kevin enjoys breaking skin on vintage cars and acquiring bruises in empty swimming pools.

WHAT: “City of Stairways” Reading

WHEN & WHERE: August 5, 7-8 pm
The Green Arcade, 1680 Market Street

COST: Free

We’re finally getting around to posting photos from our write/walk event that took place in May. write/walk was a public literary arts project in collaboration with Mission District businesses and organizations. Businesses displayed posters featuring writing by WritersCorps students at Mission High School. Accompanying guidebooks were filled with student writing and shows the locations of the posters. Store patrons were encouraged to pick up a guidebook and go on a walk of the posters.

The inaugural walk took place on May 12. Below, WritersCorps teaching artist Carrie Leilam Love leads the tour as it starts:

(more…)

Join us for a reading for “City of Stairways: A Poet’s Field Guide to San Francisco.” This rich new anthology and travel guide was edited by WritersCorps teaching artist Milta Ortiz and created by the WritersCorps Apprentices.

The book doubles as literary anthology and travel guide and is the product of hundreds of hours of field trips, neighborhood treks, and in-class prompts in which youth explored the connection between writing and the larger urban landscape. “City of Stairways” includes original artwork and photography, maps of seven San Francisco neighborhoods, and suggested walking routes that allow long-time residents and visitors an intimate, off-the-beaten path look at local landmarks, eateries, and “secret spots.” In keeping with the dimensions of the city, the book is 7 by 7 inches. It also includes anecdotes about San Francisco by local luminaries such as Lorna Dee Cervantes, Daniel Handler, and Craig Newmark.

Fundraising to support the creation, printing, and distribution of the book is currently taking place on Kickstarter. But no matter the outcome of the fundraiser, we will celebrate the students who wrote this book with a reading!

This reading for “City of Stairways” will take place at Galeria de la Raza on Sunday, June 13, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. A small batch of prototypes of the book will be available. For more information, call 415-252-4655.

WHAT: “City of Stairways” Reading
Featuring students from the WritersCorps Apprentice Program and Teaching Artist Milta Ortiz

WHEN & WHERE: June 13, 2010, 2-4 pm
Galeria de la Raza, 2857 24th Street

COST: Free

(more…)

Come celebrate summer and great literature with WritersCorps this Friday! Join WritersCorps students from the Beyond Journal Writing for Teens workshop at the San Francisco Main Public Library on the sixth-floor terrace as they read poems from the new WritersCorps anthology, Wonder Turner.

WHAT: Poetry on the Terrace: Readings by Main Library students from the WritersCorps site anthology, Wonder Turner

WHEN & WHERE: Friday, June 11, 4-5 pm
San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, 6th Floor Terrace

COST: Free

Poetry and baseball, together at last! WritersCorps is the featured community partner at AT&T Park on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 as the San Francisco Giants take on the Colorado Rockies. One of our students, Geoffrey Simpson, Jr will read at home plate at the start of the game. Geoffrey is a sophomore at International Studies Academy and is part of our WritersCorps Apprentice Program.

What: Write Like a Giant

When: Tuesday, June 1, 2010, 7 pm. The game starts at 7:15 pm

Where: AT&T Park, San Francisco

Cost: A ticket to the game is required.