LAF 21 Scrapbook

A week-long celebration of the literary arts, showcasing guest authors, readings, workshops, panel discussions, and other inspiring presentations. The 21st Annual Literary Arts Festival events include Viva Literatura! student panel on why literature matters; Denise Benavides workshop and reading/book-signing; Building Bridges: The Work of Luis Alberto Urrea panel discussion; New Voices student reading; Slam competition; performance poet/dj Gill Sotu; and, acclaimed author Luis Alberto Urrea.

2-3:15 PM, "VIVA LITERATURA!" A panel of students from Julie Cardenas’s Introduction to Literature and PUENTE courses celebrate and present passionate arguments as to why literature matters. This year's presenters are Kaitlin D'eimon, Tim Burton, Kevin Rupe, Leana Barfield, Bryanna Jackson, and Caroline Ceceña.

Cross Cultural Studies instructor Monica Hernandez and her Chicano Art students decorated Griffin Gate for the Festival's week-long run of events.

Oakland-based DENISE BENAVIDES, Queer Xicana Poet and Performance Artist

11 AM - 1 PM Poet and Grossmont College alumna, DENISE BENAVIDES, offered a lunch-time performance workshop for selected student writers in the Grossmont College Creative Writing Program's spring 2017 courses.

4:30 - 5:30 PM Students of Julie Cardenas's class, Acorn Review: Editing and Production, interview poet Denise Benavides before her evening reading and book signing.

7-8:30 PM, POET DENISE BENAVIDES presents a reading of works from her debut collection, "Split" (Kórima Press), as well as new works. Another Grossmont alumna and poet, Felicia Williams, performed a mini reading of her own work as Benavides's "opening act."

Benavides and ASL interpreter, caught in a mutual dance of poetry

Daniela Sow and students from her English 126: Creative Writing class present Denise with a bespoke book of writings.

Benavides with instructor Daniela Sow and English 126 student

11 AM - 12:30 PM "BUILDING BRIDGES: THE WORK OF LUIS ALBERTO URREA" student panel and performance. Drawing upon excerpts of Luis Alberto Urrea's poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and comics, students and faculty offer an engaging discussion of the themes of community, identity, equity and transformation in the Urrea's writing. Readings and presentations by Cross Cultural Studies instructor Raymundo Quezada; Dean of English and Social and Behavioral Science, Agustin Albarran; and, students Kaylee Montesanto, Melissa Ibanez, William Wang, Terrence Thomas, and Desmon Banks-McLean. This event presented in collaboration with Latin@ Alliance.

Cross Cultural Studies instructor Raymundo Quezada hosts and presents

William Wang, Kaylee Montesanto, and Melissa Ibanez present on Luis Alberto Urrea's book of poetry, "Tijuana Book of the Dead"

Terrence Thomas and Desmon Banks-McLean present on "The Devil's Highway"

Agustin Albarran, Dean of English and Social and Behavioral Sciences, presents a reading and discussion of Magical Realism in Urrea's "The Water Museum."

Audience members congratulate and continue the dialogue with "Building Bridges" presenters.

7-8:30 PM "NEW VOICES: STUDENT READING" Our standout Creative Writing student writers read their original works of short fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, novel excerpts, drama, and mixed media word art.

Novel Writing instructor Tammy Greenwood hosts the New Voices reading. This semester's readers, who were hand-picked by instructors of Creative Writing, Short Fiction Writing, Poetry Writing, and Novel Writing, include Lucia Sanchez, Joy Cancryn, Pamela Hartsuyker, Steven Jeppson, Omar Jawdat, Katie Schmidt, Jennifer Purviance, Phu Nguyen, Stephanie Manderville, Lydia Esposito, Caroline Ceceña, Stephanie Westgate, and Lucy Palmer.

11 AM - 1 PM, "...AND SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR ALL" Grossmont College poets battle for the title of Grossmont College Grand SLAM champion with works addressing issues of social justice. Hosted by visiting writer and performance poet, Gill SOTU.

Poet and Slam champion GILL SOTU emcees, while selected audience members judge the performances.

Instructor Daniela Sow warms up the house with an original spoken word performance of her own.

Slam poets competed in two rounds. Contestants included David DeMoss, Sarah Farouq, Francisca George, Jasmine Huerta, Ali Majed, Jessica Petrokowski, Elaine’a Pigg, Sergio Salazar, Hanna Shepler, Katie Wallace, Stephanie Westgate, and Kenda Willie. Congratulations to 3rd place winner KATIE WALLACE, 2nd place winner ALI MAJED, and Slam Champion SARAH FAROUQ.

7 - 8:30 PM performance poet, musician and dj, GILL SOTU.

Sotu, the 2006 Grand Slam Poetry Champion of Ventura County, and three-time winner of the Borders Poetry Slam, presents a musical performance of his original spoken word compositions.