100 Thousand Poets for Change: "Women Speak"

Founded in 2011 by the inimitable Viktoria Valenzuela, a local poet and activist, 100 Thousand Poets for Change is a community project that brings together poets (and other artists) in solidarity with various causes. As a loose and amorphous entity, 100 Thousand Poets for Change represents the potent and intentional fusing of the artistic with the political — calling for justice, understanding and sanity. This Saturday’s special reading, which will also feature live music and dramatic performance, is specifically a space for women and non-binary individuals to share their work and raise their voices. The slate of scheduled readers is stacked, boasting Dr. Norma Cantu, Anel Flores, Wendy Barker, Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson, Natasha Hernandez and many more ­– but there will also be an open mic portion of the event. The organizers of “Women Speak!” have specified that men and others are welcome as a listening audience, but will not be allowed to take the open mic stage. You hear that, dudes – especially dude artists? Don’t shy away. This is precisely the event you need. Bring an open mind and closed lips, because it is time to learn. Oh, and a journal. You’ll want to take notes.