Los Angeles Poet Society launches a giving campaign.

Founded in 2009 by East Los Angeles and Navajo Poet, Jessica M. Wilson, the Los Angeles Poet Society has diligently served the people of Los Angeles uniting the creative communities of Los Angeles! Our mission is to create a bridge to all the literary heartbeats of LA including: Poets, Writers, Artists of all creative genres, Publishers, Cultural Centers, and Book sellers. 

Jessica is a Poet and believes Los Angeles deserves a Poet Society, thriving, loving, and uniting across Los Angeles! Since its creation, the Los Angeles Poet Society has been 99% self-funded, believing in its purpose and importance, thriving on. 

Over the last 6 years, the Los Angeles Poet Society, has brought over 900 members to its network! 
The website  www.losangelespoetsociety.org is home to:
- Poetry Interviews
- Member spotlights
- Socially and culturally impactful Poetry from members including Alexis Rhone Fancher, Michael Rothenberg, Radomir Luza, & Joe Gardner 
- Senior Advocacy with LA's "Young Oldie", Norman Molesko
- Partnership with California Poets in the Schools increasing Youth Poetry Outreach
- Photo galleries of literary gatherings
- Book Reviews
- Publisher, Author, spotlights
- Litearary LA news
                                           and so much more!

In 2015, the Los Angeles Poet Society was recognized and honored by Poets & Writers, and joined in the semi-annual Connecting Cultures event!www.pw.org is a leading literary supporter in the US! 

As a Non-Profit Community Organization we are seeking funding from our network, friends, and allies. We're asking to help continue the work of the Los Angeles Poet Society, as the self-funding is slowly coming to a close. LAPS is not a labor of love, it's an essential vein of creativity and commraderie to Literary LA; it is essential! We love to connect people and bridge the creative communities, and watch the art grow! We have fiscal sponsorship from 100 Thousand Poets for Change - your help to us will be tax deductible. 

We've brought you 100 Thousand Poets for Change in Los Angeles since 2010, partnered with Poetrypalooza  since 2010, partnered with LitCrawl LA:NoHo since 2013, joined Nicelle Davis with the Poetry Circus, 
provided open mic forums to share your art and extended a bridge to the literary community. This has all been free of charge to the people! 

You may know our Open Mics:
- Writer Wednesday
- SoapBox Poets Open Mic
- Writers' Row
- The Salon @ NoHo
- Gallery 19
- Speakeasy Sundays 

We need your support! Please "like", share this campaign and repost, and donate what you can to help keep us alive!
What your donation will achieve:

- Increasing youth literacy by bringing Youth Poetry Workshops to underserved schools
- Launching Senior Poetry Workshops and encouraging Creative Aging
- Honorariums for our Featured Poets and Artists
- Continuation of all our programming (open mics)
- Publication of poetry anthology and LAPS Pub (publishing house)
- Prizes for poetry contests
- Sustaining www.losangelespoetsociety.org
- Archiving LAPS events since 2009 (photo galleries, interviews, video documentation)
- Poetry workshops for Adults
- Transportation and Operative costs for major literary events throughout the year

What we will do for you:
- All of our donors will be honored as Los Angeles Poet Society Sponsors - names and logos (if applicable), will forever live onwww.losangelespoetsociety.org 
- We will promote you! We can do email blasts, take advantage of our network of Literary partners, Facebook shares, and much more!

Please help us to continue doing what we love to do! We love you, LA! #writeone #losangelespoetsociety #literaryla #lapscampaign #payitforward #literarynetwork #artsgiving #artla #poetryla #poetrycampaign

Thank you for your support and WRITE ON!
Jessica M. Wilson
Los Angeles Poet Society Founder

Answering the Call of My Ancestors

Closing Art Reception - RAH Azul 

Join us at Tia Chuchas for a night with RAH Azul as he takes us on a journey into the forgotten lives and ways of our ancestors. RAH Azul will use his paintings, Aztec dancing with danza groups Temachtia Quetzalcoatl, Axolotl, Xochiyaoyotl, song and poetry to share the stories of the beautiful Mexica (Aztec) culture. Bringing all the artistic elements together to explore the mythology and philosophy that was never written in the history books.


Mexica (Aztec) Dance by Temachtia Quetzalcoatl, Axolotl, and Xochiyaoyotl. All Danzantes (Aztec Dancers) are welcomed to join in the opening ceremony beginning at 5:00pm 

Poetry by Poet Laureate Luis J. Rodriguez https://www.facebook.com/luis.j.rodriguez3?fref=ts

Collaboration Performance with: Matthew Vibes

Art Work: RAH Azul https://www.facebook.com/RahAzul?ref=hl

Mental Monday at the House of Brews!

(Pictured above: Melba “Mama Hazze” Gilkey, Víctor Sotomayor, Michael Ray De Los Ángeles and Gabby Delgado )

Thank God today is Monday… That’s right, today is another Mental Monday, folks!

Here are some of the best pictures taken at the Halloween edition of Mental Monday (last Monday of the month) at House of Brews in San Fernando. Come on out and bring us a poem, a song, a circus act, a ghoulish horror story or whatever your heart desires.
Mental Monday is hosted by poet Evy Spiritluvchild who brings so much positive energy and makes everyone feel right at home. Open mic sign up starts at 7:00pm and begins around 7:30 so don’t miss out.

House of Brews
231 N Maclay Ave, San Fernando, CA 91340

A Interview with Ideas Aubrey -- Beyond Amazing!

The iconic Beyond Baroque in Venice, CA -- home to the creative arts of Los Angeles!
Home to SoapBox Poets Open Mic each 2nd Sunday of the Month!

Everyone walked out a different person from Beyond Baroque today. This community literary and arts center, located at 681 Venice Blvd in Venice, California (www.beyondbaroque.org), holds several events every weekend such as today's SoapBox Poets Open Mic hosted by LAPS President, Jessica Wilson, where performers are free to bring their poems, short stories or simply "your words" and share them on the mic. 

Today's Featured Poet was Spoken Word poet Ideas Aubrey who opened up his heart on stage and let his audience feel better walking out than when they walked in. Such energy and positive vibe comes from his personal life experiences. His poetry and spoken word pieces could be felt within the walls of Baroque and beyond. 

I asked to sit and speak to Ideas Aubrey (He can be followed on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Tumblr) about what inspires him to do his craft, who inspired him to pursue poetry and what projects await for him. His bright, positive energy leaves the audience wanting more.

When did you know that poetry was your calling? How old were you?

I was 17 when started writing poetry after a poet came to my classroom in High School. Poetry was something else. I had  lots of teachers who encourage me to pursue my dream.

What impressed you about that poet's performance?

I loved to hear and experience their every expression, it put a fire in my heart.

What would you say to an aspiring poet? Why is it important?

It's a journey to be a poet, travel around every open mic in los Angeles when you get a chance to bring your words and your voice together with your art.

What open mics do you attend?

Freedom of Speech Thursdays Nights, Expression Monday, Writers Wednesday, Night of Soul, Flight School among others.

I noticed you walk around the stage, through the aisles, high five audience members, talk to each one of them and connect with them. 

I love connecting with the audience, to bring smile in their hearts... That is the beauty of poetry: to inspire others. It's a different atmosphere when I get on the stage.

Who's your inspiration?

My inspiration is my family and friends who believe in me. 

Who's your favorite author?

My favorite author/poet is Saul Williams.

Any particular book or poem by Saul Williams?

Cold Language.

I just saw you on stage at Beyond Baroque and thought you were simply amazing. How do you prepare for a solo act?

It takes time, energy, love and lots of practice to put together a solo performance.

Any projects you're working on?

I currently work on an eBook called Ideas Thoughts to be released in the Spring or Summer of 2015.

NEXT SHOW: December 14th

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To catch the next SoapBox Poets Open Mic at Beyond Baroque, come in each 2nd Sunday, 2-4pm.

Hosted by Los Angeles Poet Society President, Jessica M. Wilson

This is your mic! All creative genres welcome! 7 minutes time.

Address: 681 Venice Blvd. Venice, CA 

Writer Wednesday says Goodbye to Bob's Espresso Bar...

"All good things must come to an end", the saying goes. I was fortunate enough to stumble upon Bob's Espresso Bar on a Writer Wednesday night back in July and I met wonderful people like Jessica Wilson Cardenas, Juan Cardenas, Nelson Alburquenque, Teesh "Brown Sugar", Billy "Stupendous" Rodriguez, Zach Zephyr, E. Cathy Cole, Pogo Saito, The Whale, Tony Bates among many other artists that have delighted me and audiences have come every Wednesday to escape from the stress of everyday life and share poetry, comedy, music and soul.

But all things must come to an end and our dear Robert Romanos, owner of Bob's Espresso Bar and better known for his acting role in 1982's Fast Times at Ridgemont High along with Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ray Walston, has decided that it's time to close the curtain to a dream that came true for him, a dream of opening a coffee shop where artists would come together and share their poetry, their music, their comedy and their magic. The time has come when Bob must say farewell to pursue other dreams of his own.

I've written a poem that I was fortunate enough to share last Wednesday at the second to last Writer Wednesday (last Bob's Espresso Bar Writer Wednesday will take place on November 12th starting at 6:45 till 9:30) and I was happy to say that I got Bob himself to come to the mic and say a few words to the audience. His rare speech moved most everyone to tears for we know how much he's invested in Bob's Espresso Bar, the friends he's made along the way, the unforgettable performances that he's seen in his (?) years of listening behind the counter. Everybody loves Bob.

And so I will share the poem titled Bob's Last Curtain Call, inspired by Bob's Espresso Bar and its family of artists and friends:

Robert "Bob" Romanos and Victor Sotomayor

Bob's Last Curtain Call

We all shine on!
Like the Luna
Like the stars
Like Tikal Sun…

We are all stars
In the same constellation
Of cosmic talent
We will shine on
And on and on…

“All good things
Must come to an end”,
Or So they say…
All good things
Must come to a close,
Last curtain call
To the sound of a flute
Charming whoever
Has ears to listen and look!
Last curtain is now upon us…

Ukuleles,
Harmonicas,
And stupendous electric guitars

An Aggravated poet and another constant one

The sound of whales migrating south
The cry of the dolphins
That swim out to shore

A white bunny that refuses to come out the magician’s hat,
En-tranced and confused
“All good things must come to an end.”

Tikal Sun has now set in the horizon
Beyond Navajo Sands of time
A Tapestry of wonder and awe,
Limitless source of symphonies and sounds

Bob’s Espresso Bar
Like this place there’s no par
A hub connecting
The Hollyweird with the Valley Girls
Connecting minds
Connecting souls
An amazing technicolor rainbow over Lankershim boulevard.

A depot of traveling performers
A stop along the way
Musicians and poets
Bring with them
Their illusions and disenchantments
Their struggles and triumphs
Their joys and sorrows

Orphans must stick together now

We are the dawn of a new sun
A new moon
A constellation of stars
Our own little non dairy Milky Way

Bob’s last curtain call
Is now upon us
A bittersweet moment
That welcomes new beginnings
New adventures
New venues
But we shall never forget
These precious moments together
You see, these memories will never be taken away,
They will remain in our hearts.

Fast times are comin’
Stupendous!!!
Bring them on!!!
We are all stars
A new constellation
A non dairy
Fat free
Chocolate flavored
Milky Way
And we will shine on
From another galaxy
Far, far away
(I hope you have your GPS)

Orphans must stick together now

We are the dawn of a new sun
A new moon
A constellation of stars
Our own little non dairy Milky Way

Bob’s last curtain call
Is now upon us
A bittersweet moment
That welcomes new beginnings
New adventures
New venues
But we shall never forget
These precious moments together
You see, these memories will never be taken away,
They will remain in our hearts.

Fast times are comin’
Stupendous!!!
Bring them on!!!
We are all stars
A new constellation
A non dairy
Fat free
Chocolate flavored
Milky Way
And we will shine on
From another galaxy
Far, far away
(I hope you have your GPS)

Let’s raise our glasses
And sing a loud cheer
For this is not the end, baby,

This is just the beginning!!!

©2014 Victor Sotomayor 

Photos by Victor Sotomayor

Thanks, Bob, we shall never forget!!!